Male sparrowhawk caught a goldfinch, 14:30 Sunday 10 January Rozel Square, St John's Gardens
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 8 10:41 AM, 2021
Originally posted today by Sue Platt:
1st to 6th January-
hi all Happy New Year
So our city centre sitings:
1st Jan : Sparrow hawk on Liverpool road / Potato Wharf corner - it killed a blackbird in from of us then flew by at hand height ! Amazing - though i do love Blackbirds M3
5 Jan Male and female Goosander : Irwell from the foot bridge Lowry Hotel
Goldcrest: Porchfield Square M3
Throughout the week Long - Tailed Tits St Johns Gardens M3
Kingfisher !!! : 2pmish Potato Wharf : flying along above the water along the little outlet of the Irwell that is near New Elm road/ Potato Wharf in Castlefield ... this was seen by a friend on new years eve. M3 amazing to see this bird here.
Goldfinches/ Robin /Wren / Blackbirds/ Sparrows/ Robins/ Blue Tits/ Great tits / Dunnocks/ Magpies : St Johns Gardens housing area M3
James Richardson said
Thu Dec 17 12:58 PM, 2020
Peregrine mobbing a buzzard over st john's gardens midday today
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Dec 9 9:46 AM, 2020
310 Pink-footed Geese in a single skein over east at 09:40 this morning.
steven burke said
Sun Dec 6 7:37 PM, 2020
Whilst on a big mooch around looking for peregrines I also spent some time in other areas looking for other birds. Viewed from down Fairfield street looking over the bridge on the river Medlock produced at least 15 blackbirds, 2 bullfinch, 1 chaffinch, 1 greenfinch, 2 goldfinch, nothing to be seen on the river Medlock here. Further along at the bridge on pin mill brow were a pair of goosander, 1 grey wagtail. Viewed from cathedral approach around 3.45pm 4 goosander flew past the arndale & headed towards the river irwell.
James Richardson said
Thu Nov 26 9:52 AM, 2020
A male blackcap was feeding off some crab apples this morning, Rozel Square, St John's Gardens.
Edit - now joined by a female
-- Edited by James Richardson on Thursday 26th of November 2020 10:31:00 AM
James Richardson said
Thu Sep 24 12:16 PM, 2020
A buzzard drifting low over st johns gardens, mobbed by gulls, makes 50 species for this ebird hotspot and the little pin turning a lighter shade of blue :)
James Richardson said
Tue Sep 15 10:20 AM, 2020
Whitethroat at Rozel Square, St John's Gardens today. First record.
Almost exactly the same day as last year, a willow warbler has dropped into Rozel Square and is singing from some birch trees no doubt on its way south.
wood pigeons building a nest outside the window.
James Richardson said
Thu Apr 16 9:15 AM, 2020
There was a single coot on the canal outside The Wharf pub yesterday evening, seems to be the first ebird record for the site.
Also one mute swan. water currently very clear down there.
James Richardson said
Sat Apr 11 9:22 AM, 2020
A pair of jays were having a go at a crow this morning, St John's Gardens, almost exactly 1 year since my first jay record here last April.
James Richardson said
Fri Apr 10 4:55 PM, 2020
1 singing blackcap and 1 singing willow warbler in st john's gardens this morning.
James Richardson said
Fri Apr 3 9:16 AM, 2020
St John's Gardens.
The female bullfinch was around this morning eating apple blossom, assume the male wasn't far away but was not seen.
James Richardson said
Thu Apr 2 10:08 AM, 2020
Another first for St John's Gardens on my morning walk today - one nuthatch feeding in the large black poplars.
James Richardson said
Sun Mar 22 9:03 AM, 2020
St John's Gardens
Friday - sparrowhawk caught a pigeon but couldn't hold onto it.
This morning, sunday 22 March, a pair of bullfinch was the first record of this species for me (and possibly anyone?) here, eating apple buds.
Female blackcap still here.
House sparrows starting to nest.
James Richardson said
Fri Mar 6 8:20 AM, 2020
A sparrowhawk was hunting around the St john's gardens estate yesterday evening
James Richardson said
Wed Mar 4 3:31 PM, 2020
Amongst the usuals, a female blackcap was drinking from my bird bath at Rozel Sq. St John's gardens this a.m.
Also several house sparrows knocking about around the estate, hoping they'll use one of the terrace boxes we've put up.
Two collared doves looking like they'll start a nest soon in a cypress tree.
Adrian Dancy said
Wed Feb 26 6:18 PM, 2020
Raven flew over town hall today in a NW direction and was heard calling.
steven burke said
Sun Feb 23 9:55 PM, 2020
1 Grey wagtail & 3 goldfinch in St Peters square this afternoon. 3 goosander & 1grey wagtail on river irwell viewed from cathedral approach.
Rob Creek said
Wed Jan 8 12:44 PM, 2020
Weds 8th Dec
- Raven over Mancunian Way near London Rd at 12.41pm
Mark Whalley said
Sun Jan 5 1:00 PM, 2020
Now 4 pairs of Goosander in the Ashton canal basin behind The Green ( Ducie Street)
Mark Whalley said
Tue Dec 31 4:07 PM, 2019
2 Pairs of Goosander on the Ashton canal where it passes under Jutland Street. Today at 2-30. The resident geese were already trying to move them on.
A male Kestrel flew from the direction of Shudehill and landed on top of the Skipton Building Society building
Adam Jones said
Tue Dec 3 1:44 PM, 2019
Male and female Goosander on the River Irwell outside the Lowry hotel at 12:15 today.
Rob Creek said
Mon Dec 2 10:59 PM, 2019
Monday 1st Dec
- Grey Heron flew low over Stephensons Square / Hilton Street in the Northern Quarter early afternoon
steven burke said
Sun Nov 17 6:53 PM, 2019
Spent the day having a big wonder around the city centre, 3 target birds in mind, dipper, kingfisher & redwing but no joy in places I expected to see them. All birds seen.... Cormorant Canada goose Mallard Goosander Peregrine falcon Moorhen Black headed gull Lesser black backed gull Herring gull Woodpigeon Feral pigeon Grey wagtail Wren Dunnock Robin Blackbird Mistle thrush Goldcrest Long-tailed tit Great tit Coal tit Blue tit Magpie Crow House sparrow Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Bullfinch ( heard only) There was a decent number of blackbirds around especially in 2 areas, potatoe wharf (at least 15) & pin mill brow (at least 12).
James Richardson said
Mon Nov 11 8:40 AM, 2019
A woodcock just flew over Albert Square Christmas markets towards the town hall where I lost sight of it, it actually looked like it might have landed on the building.
James Richardson said
Sat Oct 12 2:13 PM, 2019
Starlings it seems are like buses. None whatsoever for 6 years and then a flock of 12 descended to feed on whitebeam berries today. Alongside at least 4 mistle thrush, several blackbird, greenfinch, goldfinch and wood pigeons.
These whitebeam trees are literally alive with birds. Bodes well for possible waxwing irruptions assuming there's any berries left in a few weeks.
James Richardson said
Sat Oct 5 10:07 AM, 2019
A great morning of half watching the rugby and half window-birding from Rozel Square.
17 species including a first record for starling at St John's Gardens. Finally. others -
1 chiffchaff, 2 coal tit, blue tits, great tits, 2 chaffinch, 6 blackbird, wood pigeons and feral pigeons 2 dunnock 1 greenfinch goldfinches house sparrows magpie wren robin black headed gull
8 greenfinch still feeding on whitebeam berries (along with increased numbers of blackbird and woodpigeon) at Rozel Sq st john's gardens.
James Richardson said
Sat Sep 28 11:19 AM, 2019
Greenfinch at rozel square today, first for a long time. Large mixed tit flock of 17 blue tit, 5 great tit, a single coal tit.
Also the grey wagtail is still around feeding under its favourite birch trees, presumably on inverts washed off by the rain.
Clearly another influx of flying ants today, I was stood in St Peters square around 6.30pm & was watching many gulls circling around, not in the hundreds but not far off a hundred in total mostly lesser black backed, few herring & black headed gulls. Whilst watching these I then noticed a number of starlings flycatching on the top of no 1 & no 2 buildings, I first thought there were around 30+ of them but one photo revealed at least 58, nice to watch for around 20 minutes before they all flew off towards Oxford Road train station.
About 20 sand martins feeding over Rozel sq St. Johns gardens just now, with another 20 martins or so over the top of no1 spinningfields feeding although those were high up so uncertain on species
James Richardson said
Sun Jul 28 11:29 AM, 2019
Willow warbler feeding in birch trees at Rozel Sq this morning - new record for location.
Lesser black-backed gull chick visible and calling from the roof of Zizzi's on King Street, on the flat roof bit by the chimney. Adults calling and flying around overhead.
James Richardson said
Mon Jul 15 9:55 AM, 2019
Chiffchaff calling and seen feeding from birch trees at Rozel square St John's Gardens yesterday afternoon
James Richardson said
Mon Jun 24 8:47 AM, 2019
About 15 or so swifts were feeding over Castlefield on Saturday.
Also there seems to have been a little influx of coal tits to the city centre - at least 2 birds singing from Rozel Sq. at the weekend
James Richardson said
Thu Jun 13 9:44 AM, 2019
There was a fledgling coal tit on my peanut feeder this morning, Rozel Square, city centre. Until now I've only really known coal tits as winter visitors here.
steven burke said
Sun May 5 11:23 PM, 2019
a common buzzard circled high over the town hall this afternoon. male kestrel at the town hall, looking very scruffy. 2 mistle thrush in parsonage gardens. there are several pairs of lesser black backed gulls around, I watched one adult attacking one of the several crows that are also around. 1 grey wagtail
A mistle thrush, a song thrush and blackbirds all singing yesterday evening/this morning around Rozel square. A wonderful city centre soundscape.
James Richardson said
Sat Apr 13 8:06 AM, 2019
First jay i've ever recorded at Rozel Square this morning. Noticed when all the local blue tits were warning calling. It flew in from Castlefield and fed off one of the bird feeders.
A near adult/adult Iceland Gull with Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls over Dale Street car park Tuesday 2nd April 2.10pm. They had appeared to have flown from the East. The Herring Gulls and Lesser Black- Backed Gulls dropped onto the water bodies of what is probably the Picadilly Basin. The Iceland Gull flew quite low but then carried on westwards
James Richardson said
Tue Apr 2 9:36 AM, 2019
Loud chirping made me notice a blackbird nest at Rozel Square this morning, with at least 3 fairly well developed chicks.
The location is regularly disturbed so the nest may be relatively safe from the local magpies.
steven burke said
Sat Mar 23 10:46 PM, 2019
2 goosander, 1 kingfisher & 1 grey heron on the river Irwell viewed from Victoria bridge. 2 mistle thrush in parsonage gardens
Originally posted today by Sue Platt:
1st to 6th January-
hi all Happy New Year
So our city centre sitings:
1st Jan : Sparrow hawk on Liverpool road / Potato Wharf corner - it killed a blackbird in from of us then flew by at hand height ! Amazing - though i do love Blackbirds M3
5 Jan Male and female Goosander : Irwell from the foot bridge Lowry Hotel
Goldcrest: Porchfield Square M3
Throughout the week Long - Tailed Tits St Johns Gardens M3
Kingfisher !!! : 2pmish Potato Wharf : flying along above the water along the little outlet of the Irwell that is near New Elm road/ Potato Wharf in Castlefield ... this was seen by a friend on new years eve. M3 amazing to see this bird here.
Goldfinches/ Robin /Wren / Blackbirds/ Sparrows/ Robins/ Blue Tits/ Great tits / Dunnocks/ Magpies : St Johns Gardens housing area M3
310 Pink-footed Geese in a single skein over east at 09:40 this morning.
-- Edited by James Richardson on Thursday 26th of November 2020 10:31:00 AM
A buzzard drifting low over st johns gardens, mobbed by gulls, makes 50 species for this ebird hotspot and the little pin turning a lighter shade of blue :)
8 goosander on the river Irwell O/S Lowry Hotel
wood pigeons building a nest outside the window.
Also one mute swan. water currently very clear down there.
The female bullfinch was around this morning eating apple blossom, assume the male wasn't far away but was not seen.
Friday - sparrowhawk caught a pigeon but couldn't hold onto it.
This morning, sunday 22 March, a pair of bullfinch was the first record of this species for me (and possibly anyone?) here, eating apple buds.
Female blackcap still here.
House sparrows starting to nest.
Also several house sparrows knocking about around the estate, hoping they'll use one of the terrace boxes we've put up.
Two collared doves looking like they'll start a nest soon in a cypress tree.
3 goosander & 1grey wagtail on river irwell viewed from cathedral approach.
- Raven over Mancunian Way near London Rd at 12.41pm
Now 4 pairs of Goosander in the Ashton canal basin behind The Green ( Ducie Street)
2 Pairs of Goosander on the Ashton canal where it passes under Jutland Street. Today at 2-30. The resident geese were already trying to move them on.
A male Kestrel flew from the direction of Shudehill and landed on top of the Skipton Building Society building
- Grey Heron flew low over Stephensons Square / Hilton Street in the Northern Quarter early afternoon
Cormorant
Canada goose
Mallard
Goosander
Peregrine falcon
Moorhen
Black headed gull
Lesser black backed gull
Herring gull
Woodpigeon
Feral pigeon
Grey wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Mistle thrush
Goldcrest
Long-tailed tit
Great tit
Coal tit
Blue tit
Magpie
Crow
House sparrow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Bullfinch ( heard only)
There was a decent number of blackbirds around especially in 2 areas, potatoe wharf (at least 15) & pin mill brow (at least 12).
These whitebeam trees are literally alive with birds. Bodes well for possible waxwing irruptions assuming there's any berries left in a few weeks.
17 species including a first record for starling at St John's Gardens. Finally.
others -
1 chiffchaff,
2 coal tit,
blue tits,
great tits,
2 chaffinch,
6 blackbird,
wood pigeons and feral pigeons
2 dunnock
1 greenfinch
goldfinches
house sparrows
magpie
wren
robin
black headed gull
Also the grey wagtail is still around feeding under its favourite birch trees, presumably on inverts washed off by the rain.
singing Chiffchaff in Vimto today https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60120855 and a Goldcrest yesterday - first since spring 2018....
https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L4934653&yr=all&m=
Common Whitethroat and 2 Coal Tits at Vimto Park this morning - both site megas:
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59844253
Also there seems to have been a little influx of coal tits to the city centre - at least 2 birds singing from Rozel Sq. at the weekend
male kestrel at the town hall, looking very scruffy.
2 mistle thrush in parsonage gardens.
there are several pairs of lesser black backed gulls around, I watched one adult attacking one of the several crows that are also around.
1 grey wagtail
A near adult/adult Iceland Gull with Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls over Dale Street car park Tuesday 2nd April 2.10pm. They had appeared to have flown from the East. The Herring Gulls and Lesser Black- Backed Gulls dropped onto the water bodies of what is probably the Picadilly Basin. The Iceland Gull flew quite low but then carried on westwards
The location is regularly disturbed so the nest may be relatively safe from the local magpies.
2 mistle thrush in parsonage gardens