Red-breasted Merganser still present 7:55 - seemed to be feeding happily
Pete Hines said
Tue Nov 14 2:14 PM, 2017
Cormorant 8 this morning, one with a metal ring (couldn't make out a reading) Red-breasted Merganser 1 Great Crested Grebe 2 Treecreeper 1 Goldcrest 1 Coal Tit 1 Greenfinch 2
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 14th of November 2017 02:30:58 PM
Little trip out today for the Egyptian Goose, showing along the bank of the island so not the greatest views. Plenty of nesting Grey Herons and also a few Great Crested Grebe with young.
1st visit this morning for many years, thanks to Tim Wilcox for his directions. Egyptian Goose. Great Crested Grebes with 3 young, 100s of Canada Goose goslings (or so it seemed!), 2 Ring-necked Parakeet and was surprised at how low down some of the Heron nests were on the island trees
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Apr 30 3:05 PM, 2016
Great Crested Grebes with 2 chicks
Egyptian Goose
4 Swallow
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Tim Wilcox said
Tue Apr 26 12:14 PM, 2016
Cycling past the skateboard area just now a male Sparrowhawk swooped into the fenced area and grabbed a female Blackbird, spotting me it then flew with its catch out of the skate area and onto the grass. Before it could tuck in a Magpie flew in next to it causing the Sparrowhawk to fly up and drop the Blackbird which immediately flew off. Quite dramatic!
Lawrence Hindley said
Thu Mar 31 10:32 PM, 2016
A short early morning stroll round the lake in Platt Fields park at 7.00am
1 Egyptian Goose 1 calling Chiffchaff 1 Great Crested Grebe 15+ Ring Necked Parakeet moving so fast that counting was difficult 2 Grey Heron
Tony Coatsworth said
Wed Feb 24 12:47 PM, 2016
Yes - the Egyptian Goose has been knocking around there for several years now.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Feb 23 7:52 PM, 2016
Originally posted today by Martin Eayrs:
Saw a sole Egyptian Goose today in Platt Fields Park, near the steps where the ducks feed. Don't know if it's regularly there, but it's the first time I've seen it.
26++ Rose-ringed Parakeet out of the pre-roost upto 8pm Willow warbler singing on the island Grey heron 'chicks' now almost fully grown, still standing on nest, will fledge any day now. The usual early summer (and short staying!) common sandpipers on the island - these never stay long. 20+ swallow over the pond
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 29th of April 2015 09:21:01 PM
John Watson said
Sun Apr 5 7:19 PM, 2015
2 Ring-Necked Parakeets (probably m&f), mid-pm, outside High School entrance on Grangethorpe Road They'd been spooked by daytime fireworks & vast numbers of noisy people
Joel Tragen said
Sun Mar 1 9:21 PM, 2015
Had a quick cycle around the lake as it started to tip it down. I saw a very photogenic grey heron and got some nice shoots of it. On the lake was: 4 pochard (2m+2f) 3 grey herons (including on on its nest on the island) 4 mute swans 7 coots 1 moorhen 3 great crested grebes 4 domestic geese 4 mallard x domestic duck hybrids 31 tufted ducks 2 cormorants (one of which had a whitish head) A ring necked parakeet calling And many black head gulls, mallards and Canada geese
48 Parakeet out of Pre-roost yesterday evening, albeit very slowly. Sounded like a small group stayed on the island to as darkness fell.
J
JamieDunning said
Thu Jan 8 7:43 PM, 2015
I agree, I found as much last year. It's interesting that you have managed so many in December, based on only 3 trips admittedly I averaged around 40 birds. I've had a fair few stay on the island to (compared to recent months) have you noticed that to?
Tony Darby said
Thu Jan 8 3:20 PM, 2015
Hi Jamie, I've done quite a lot of pre-roost counts since the clocks went back in October. My monthly averages have been pretty consistent; Oct.63, Nov.64 and Dec.61, the highest being 76 on 8/12. I think the number of birds going to roost will decline as we head towards Spring. The breeding pairs will tend to stay near their nests, and the roost, if it continues, will consist of non-breeding birds.
The count yesterday was a paltry 21, I think they've been spooked by the Peregrine in the area, or maybe it's just eaten them all.
JamieDunning said
Wed Jan 7 2:59 PM, 2015
Tony,
I've not been counting as much as I was in the autumn but I've finding it difficult to come up with more then 35 consistently. would be interested to see how it picks up over the coming months towards spring.
J
Tony Darby said
Tue Jan 6 5:46 PM, 2015
A Peregrine Falcon put in an appearance while I was observing the Parakeet pre-roost this afternoon. It made a pass through the trees N of the lake, but without success. It then flew over to the Holy Trinity Church on Platt Lane, where it perched on top of the scaffolding that surrounds the spire at the moment.
The Parakeet count was a very low 32, perhaps due to the presence of a Peregrine in the area. Also, 6 Pochard on the lake.
Tony Darby said
Wed Dec 24 5:52 PM, 2014
5 male Pochard ( that's 5 more than at Chorlton WP this morning) on the boating lake, were one of the highlights this afternoon while counting the Parakeet pre-roost. Also, 9 Cormorants flew off W to roost (possibly Sale WP). Plus the huge numbers of gulls (in their many 1,000s) which overfly every late afternoon heading E, we think, to Audenshawe Reservoirs.
And all the best to all the Mancy birders out there
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Wednesday 24th of December 2014 05:55:47 PM
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Oct 12 11:37 AM, 2014
A misty morning round the boating lake
2 Great-crested Grebe 2 Grey Heron Tufted Duck Mallard Coot Moorhen 1 Egyptian Goose with a Farmyard x Bar-headed Goose hybrid in tow Canada Goose
Nuthatch About 10 Parakeets in 3 separate flocks
Chris Harper said
Sun Oct 5 7:51 PM, 2014
Additional sightings on top of the 40+ Ring Necked Parakeet: Egyptian Goose 2 Grey Wagtail Jay Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Crested Grebe with 2 young 3 Mistle Thrush 2 Grey Heron
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jul 2 9:57 PM, 2014
Originally posted by Roy King today:
I can't believe iv'e spotted another Egyptian Goose. Walking through Platt Fields today on the pond, low and behold 1 lonely goose. Looking beautiful but shunned by all the other birds. A Swan took an instant dislike and tried to bite him/her. Took some great snaps.
__________________
Mike Savage said
Tue Apr 29 12:58 PM, 2014
Was leaving Birchfields Community Centre last night and thought I heard a cuckoo but discounted it as impossible!
Bins out tonight just in case
thanks
Tanmay Dixit said
Mon Apr 28 9:43 PM, 2014
Thanks a lot Graham. Just need to find Brighton Grove now - that's if the bird's still there!
Graham Gill said
Mon Apr 28 9:37 PM, 2014
Go down Brighton Grove to Birch fields Park. Turn immediate right through gate along path for 30m. On right is graveyard. Tree with a "Private' sign is where I saw the cuckoo.
Tanmay Dixit said
Mon Apr 28 9:20 PM, 2014
Where is this graveyard? Is it off wilmslow road - the city centre side of Old Hall Lane? Cheers
Graham Gill said
Mon Apr 28 8:35 PM, 2014
See my Birchfields Park post earlier.
It's in Birch Church graveyard -- up a tree .
Tanmay Dixit said
Mon Apr 28 7:57 PM, 2014
Cuckoo heard singing early evening near Platt Fields Park. Not seen, didn't have time to look for it so don't know exact location
92 Magpies counted into the island roost and 44 Ring-necked Parakeets in the pre-roost
Tony Darby said
Sun Jun 16 11:59 PM, 2013
The boating lake Coot factory doing the business again this Summer with 5 pairs producing 21 surviving chicks. The regular breeding pair of Mute Swans have 8 cygnets. The Great-crested Grebe pair have only 1 chick this year. The breeding Herons have been successful again with 3 juveniles as a result.
Paul Hurst said
Thu Feb 28 2:10 AM, 2013
Not strictly Platt Fields, but on Wilmslow Road.
Saw a Buzzard slowly flying high up in the sky, due South, mobbed by two Carrion Crows. I always find it funny to think, in these situations, that I'm probably the only one who noticed the birds as nobody around me is looking in the sky. I was probably the only one in the street taking advantage of this aerial spectacle, as the Buzzard swooped and dodged the two Crows and slowly vanished into the horizon...
If you don't look you won't see!
JamieDunning said
Thu Feb 21 6:37 AM, 2013
Amongst all of the usual birds on the lake are two Pochard.
J
Paul Heaton said
Tue Jan 15 5:25 PM, 2013
JamieDunning wrote:
It's about time Paul!
Funny thing is , if it was an elephant or a bird in africa the BBC would tell you to leave it alone, the then Wildlife and Countryside act 1981 makes it illegal to release the bird back into the wild, you cant do right for doing wrong, its a no win situation for certain species .
Derek Pates said
Tue Jan 15 4:36 PM, 2013
thanks for the info paul lets see what the vet says..
JamieDunning said
Tue Jan 15 2:40 AM, 2013
It's about time Paul!
Paul Heaton said
Tue Jan 15 1:38 AM, 2013
Derek Canada Goose ( ill goose ) collected today, was very ill and was taken to vets, to be honest we dont see a good end, sorry!
Kingfisher, and Egyptian Goose, Pochard and Tufted duck showing well, fly past of Ringed Necked Parakeets.
Cheers
Derek Pates said
Mon Jan 14 12:47 AM, 2013
11.30 am went to check on the ill goose today he seems to have developed a limp on the right leg although i did'nt see any cuts or bruising - he was washing/preening himself at the waters edge, i'll pop down in the week to see how he's doing.
Tony Darby said
Thu Jan 10 12:45 AM, 2013
Derek Pates wrote:
went to check on the ill goose at lunch time he seems ok gave him a good feed (still being bullied) saw the heron (sat next to a tall black slim bird of similar size - sorry unsure of species).
The tall black slim bird is probably a cormorant Derek, they're not unusual to find on the lake. Keep up the good work work with the goose, I'll pay a visit myself at the weekend.
Derek Pates said
Wed Jan 9 11:48 PM, 2013
went to check on the ill goose at lunch time he seems ok gave him a good feed (still being bullied) saw the heron (sat next to a tall black slim bird of similar size - sorry unsure of species).
Cormorant 8 this morning, one with a metal ring (couldn't make out a reading)
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Great Crested Grebe 2
Treecreeper 1
Goldcrest 1
Coal Tit 1
Greenfinch 2
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 14th of November 2017 02:30:58 PM
Red-breasted Merganser 1 (first-winter male ?, still present at 12.50)
Goosander 4 flew over
Great Crested Grebe 2
Cormorant 4
Male & female Bullfinch (First for me, as a fairly new birder..... very happy)
1 Nuthatch
Around 10 Goldfinch
All hanging round together
-- Edited by Lizzie Forrester on Wednesday 30th of November 2016 12:11:08 PM
2 Pochard
1 Great crested grebe
On monday
2 Treecreepers
1 nuthatch
1 great tit
all feeding off the same tree, it's the first time i've seen treecreepers in platt fields.
-- Edited by Lizzie Forrester on Thursday 22nd of September 2016 09:10:19 PM
at Platt Fields some years ago.
Egyptian Goose this morning - I'm guessing that it's metal ring was fitted at this site?
Tufted Duck with 3 small juv
Ring-Necked Parakeet on the island
a Coot with a darvic ring jumped in to the water before I could read it - is one regular here?
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 25th of June 2016 12:45:37 PM
Little trip out today for the Egyptian Goose, showing along the bank of the island so not the greatest views. Plenty of nesting Grey Herons and also a few Great Crested Grebe with young.
Great Crested Grebes with 2 chicks
Egyptian Goose
4 Swallow
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
1 Egyptian Goose
1 calling Chiffchaff
1 Great Crested Grebe
15+ Ring Necked Parakeet moving so fast that counting was difficult
2 Grey Heron
Yes - the Egyptian Goose has been knocking around there for several years now.
Saw a sole Egyptian Goose today in Platt Fields Park, near the steps where the ducks feed. Don't know if it's regularly there, but it's the first time I've seen it.
Willow warbler singing on the island
Grey heron 'chicks' now almost fully grown, still standing on nest, will fledge any day now.
The usual early summer (and short staying!) common sandpipers on the island - these never stay long.
20+ swallow over the pond
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 29th of April 2015 09:21:01 PM
They'd been spooked by daytime fireworks & vast numbers of noisy people
4 pochard (2m+2f)
3 grey herons (including on on its nest on the island)
4 mute swans
7 coots
1 moorhen
3 great crested grebes
4 domestic geese
4 mallard x domestic duck hybrids
31 tufted ducks
2 cormorants (one of which had a whitish head)
A ring necked parakeet calling
And many black head gulls, mallards and Canada geese
1 Egyptian Goose
2 drake Pochard
c50 Tufted Duck
c20 Ring-necked Parakeets
Sounded like a small group stayed on the island to as darkness fell.
J
It's interesting that you have managed so many in December, based on only 3 trips admittedly I averaged around 40 birds. I've had a fair few stay on the island to (compared to recent months) have you noticed that to?
I've done quite a lot of pre-roost counts since the clocks went back in October.
My monthly averages have been pretty consistent; Oct.63, Nov.64 and Dec.61, the highest being 76 on 8/12.
I think the number of birds going to roost will decline as we head towards Spring. The breeding pairs will
tend to stay near their nests, and the roost, if it continues, will consist of non-breeding birds.
The count yesterday was a paltry 21, I think they've been spooked by the Peregrine in the area, or maybe it's
just eaten them all.
I've not been counting as much as I was in the autumn but I've finding it difficult to come up with more then 35 consistently.
would be interested to see how it picks up over the coming months towards spring.
J
It made a pass through the trees N of the lake, but without success. It then flew over to the Holy Trinity Church
on Platt Lane, where it perched on top of the scaffolding that surrounds the spire at the moment.
The Parakeet count was a very low 32, perhaps due to the presence of a Peregrine in the area.
Also, 6 Pochard on the lake.
highlights this afternoon while counting the Parakeet pre-roost.
Also, 9 Cormorants flew off W to roost (possibly Sale WP). Plus the huge numbers of gulls (in their many 1,000s) which
overfly every late afternoon heading E, we think, to Audenshawe Reservoirs.
And all the best to all the Mancy birders out there
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Wednesday 24th of December 2014 05:55:47 PM
2 Great-crested Grebe
2 Grey Heron
Tufted Duck
Mallard
Coot
Moorhen
1 Egyptian Goose with a Farmyard x Bar-headed Goose hybrid in tow
Canada Goose
Nuthatch
About 10 Parakeets in 3 separate flocks
Egyptian Goose
2 Grey Wagtail
Jay
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Crested Grebe with 2 young
3 Mistle Thrush
2 Grey Heron
I can't believe iv'e spotted another Egyptian Goose. Walking through Platt Fields today on the pond, low and behold 1 lonely goose. Looking beautiful but shunned by all the other birds. A Swan took an instant dislike and tried to bite him/her. Took some great snaps.
__________________
Bins out tonight just in case
thanks
It's in Birch Church graveyard -- up a tree .
Canada geese
Mallards
Tufted ducks
4 Pochards
2 cormorants
2 grey herons
Moorhens
Coots
2 mute swans
21 surviving chicks.
The regular breeding pair of Mute Swans have 8 cygnets.
The Great-crested Grebe pair have only 1 chick this year.
The breeding Herons have been successful again with 3 juveniles as a result.
Saw a Buzzard slowly flying high up in the sky, due South, mobbed by two Carrion Crows. I always find it funny to think, in these situations, that I'm probably the only one who noticed the birds as nobody around me is looking in the sky. I was probably the only one in the street taking advantage of this aerial spectacle, as the Buzzard swooped and dodged the two Crows and slowly vanished into the horizon...
If you don't look you won't see!
Amongst all of the usual birds on the lake are two Pochard.
J
Funny thing is , if it was an elephant or a bird in africa the BBC would tell you to leave it alone, the then Wildlife and Countryside act 1981 makes it illegal to release the bird back into the wild, you cant do right for doing wrong, its a no win situation for certain species .
Kingfisher, and Egyptian Goose, Pochard and Tufted duck showing well, fly past of Ringed Necked Parakeets.
Cheers
The tall black slim bird is probably a cormorant Derek, they're not unusual to find on the lake. Keep up the
good work work with the goose, I'll pay a visit myself at the weekend.