but thatnks everyone for getting back to me anyway!

Ive checked the books. It appears to be a juvenile Peregrine

I have been shown a photograph taken yesterday at 4.30pm of a raptor sheltering from the bad weather on the upstairs window ledge of Pennine Camera, Drake Street, Rochdale. The guy in the shop didnt know what it was. Brown body, white speckled chest, black cheeks and hood. I said that I thought it was a juvenile Kestrel. Did anyone else see the bird? Do you know what it might be from my description?

4th November.

Morning visit to Bowlee Community Park and Bowlee.

A flock of c350 gulls on playing fields at the community park consisted of c95 Common Gull and c255 Black-headed Gull. A flock of c40 Goldfinch feeding on alder cones had at least 1 Siskin amongst them.

At Bowlee - 1 Tree Sparrow and a pair of Bullfinch. Came primarily to check the maize fields around Bowlee to look for large finch flocks - couldn't see any but a flock of c130 corvids was composed mainly of Jackdaws and a flock of c60 pigeons were mainly Woodpigeons, with c5 Feral Pigeons and 2 Stock Doves amongst them.

A travelling fun-fair was piling into and setting up temporary home, presumably for the weekend, on the large car park at the community park....for those who like the dodgems and doughnuts.

Cheers,

Bill.

3rd September.

A visit to Bowlee Community Park this morning and the surrounding area found:-

A flock of c90 Goldfinch (attracted to a large area of thistles not too far away from the car park) included several begging young, one was seen being fed by an adult.

Good sized counts of commoner species included - c70 Swallows, c15 House Martins, c60 Starlings and a loose flock of c45 Pied Wagtails foraging in a single field. Also 4 Willow Warblers - at least 2 giving a subdued and at times abbreviated version of its song, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 7 Reed Buntings including a flock of 6 together and a single bird making aerial sorties to catch insects in the style of a flycatcher from a bare tree branch. 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Linnet, c15 House Sparrows but no Tree Sparrows seen, 1 Grey Heron, 1 juvenile Moorhen. Singles of Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel.

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Friday 3rd of September 2010 06:51:18 PM

9th August.

Springfield Park, Marland - quick visit this evening.

A female Tufted Duck with 2 small young on the lake. A confirmed breeding record for SD81Q Hopwood for the GM Breeding Birds Atlas and maybe the first confirmed breeding record for Tufted Duck for the whole SD81 10 km square for the national atlas?

The two ducklings took brief turns of standing on Mums back.....until she dived to dislodge them!

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Monday 9th of August 2010 07:46:40 PM

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Monday 9th of August 2010 07:55:09 PM

8th August.

7.30 to 10.30 am.

Shawclough area.

Plenty of evidence of breeding activity still - Song Thrush carrying food, family party of Greenfinches including 2 begging young, adult Blackcaps feeding 2 young, begging calls of single nestling or recently fledged Sparrowhawk heard, single independent juvenile Jay, Mallard with young, Moorhen with young, 2 family parties of recently fledged Wrens.

Also several Nuthatch heard and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker. Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs still about, as were a few Swifts overhead.

Cheers,

Bill.

Watergrove 5/08/10

kestrel
grey partridge
several willow warblers
3 bullfinch
6 rabbits
4 redpoll
2 wheater

Whittaker wood area 4/08/10

4 kesrel
green woodpecker
approx 30 swallow
3 reed bunting
mistle thrush
chiffchaff
2 long tailed tit
15+ goldfinch

Simon Harris

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 6th of August 2010 01:28:42 PM

4th August.

At Bowlee Community Park this morning.

c160 gulls resting and preening on one of the playing fields - majority (c140) Black-headed but 16 Common and 5 Lesser Black-backed amongst them.

Family party of Wrens, including begging calling young. An "out of season" confirmed breeding record for our own GM breeding birds atlas project for SD80N Birch. Just a quick reminder that all out of season confirmed breeding records will count towards our local breeding birds atlas project, where there isn't an "in season" one (1st April - 31st July). Hope that makes some sense!

12 Pied Wagtails foraging on the playing fields.

Keep atlasing,

Bill.

They think it's all over (the breeding season, that is). It isn't yet.

Yesterday around Rochdale:

A pair of Swallows were feeding young in the nest, which looked close to fledging. See the Swallow post on the GM Atlas section of the forum for an update on how this species is faring in GM.

A Whitethroat was carrying food (looked like a spider with a white body) in Buckley Valley (SD91C). At the time of BBGM 1979-83 this was the only tetrad in Rochdale borough with confirmed breeding for this species. I wonder whether this pair could be descended from the BBGM pair.

A family party of Wrens to the north of Great Howarth. Juvs heard calling and adult seen carrying food. See the post on Wren on the Atlas section of the forum.


Steve

12th July.

A single adult Common Gull was amongst the 30 or so Black-headed Gulls at Bowlee this morning.

Family party of Bullfinches, 4 Oystercatchers flying over and Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were also seen. A small flock of c10 Goldfinches were mostly juvenile birds.

Cheers,

Bill.

28th June.

Had a four hour dawdle around the Bowlee Community Park and Bowlee area in general this morning. Some good habitat here especially for warblers, finches and Reed Bunting.

Highlights included - 2 family parties of Whitethroats and a male Reed Bunting feeding a juvenile. Also a single juvenile Jay (probably 2 juvs present judging by the calls being made) was seen with an adult bird. In the early afternoon in another part of Rochdale I came across another family party of Jays, where an adult was seen feeding a single begging juvenile. Haven't mentioned the atlas for a while have I? Jay is another species where the atlas could do with some more confirmed breeding records. At the end of the 2009 breeding season Jay had been confirmed as a breeder in 23 tetrads compared with 69 at the end of our last GM breeding birds atlas project (1979 - 1983). This is only 33% of the earlier atlas total but surely Jay has at least held its ground or possibly expanded its range and population size since then? It has been great to read of quite a few reports of Jay families on the forum recently and now seems to be about the best time to look for them. It would be really, really great if we could get as many of these confirmed breeding records as possible onto the atlas database.

Many thanks,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Tuesday 29th of June 2010 07:49:58 AM

6th June.

A two and a half hour visit in the rain this morning to the Bowlee area and I was hoping to be able to add some roving confirmed breeding records for tetrad SD80N Birch for the BTO and GM breeding bird atlas projects.

Fledged begging parties of Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tit. Good numbers c40 of fledged Starlings , however most are now feeding independently, although a few were still reliant on adult birds. Juvenile of both Pied Wagtails (2) and Mistle Thrush (2) were both present and they too were feeding independently, so were not counted as confirmed breeders and in any case these species had already been confirmed as breeding in the square at an earlier date. Dunnock, Robin, House Sparrow and Blackbird all carrying food or feeding young.

At the start of my visit on a walk past a small plantation there was a commotion with the alarm/distress calls of both Blackbird and Song Thrush emanating from the small coppice. I investigated but could not see anything - on my way back a Magpie was on the path outside the plantation stripping the feathers off something. It was so engrossed in what it was doing that I was able to walk almost right up to it, with a pair of Blackbirds really agitated close by, it finally flew off but dropped the corpse and I was able to examine it and see that it would have appear to have killed a really good sized Song Thrush nestling and it was presumably preparing it before taking it to feed to its own young in the nest? Not a particularly nice way to prove breeding for Song Thrush! Although, later I came across 2 other adult Song Thrushes in different locations both collecting and carrying food - one had so many worms in its bill it dropped some of them whilst flying into the nest site!

Warblers - 2 Whitethroat singing, 1 Blackcap singing, 1 Chiffchaff singing. Several Willow Warblers were singing, with one pair feeding a single begging recently fledged juvenile.

Finches - a pair of adult Greenfinches were with 3, possibly 4 vocal begging young and also a pair of Goldfinches with 2, almost certainly 3 vocal, begging young. It was a surprise to find 3, possibly 4 pairs of Linnets in the general area. One pair watched at some length appeared to be collecting food, which looked like it might have been the flowers of clover or possibly wind-blown dandelion seed? Not altogether sure.

At least 3 male Reed Buntings were singing and a pair were also seen together.

Double figures of Swallow, presumably nesting on local farms and also double figure for Swift, presumably nesting on nearby Langley? No House Martins seen or heard.

36 Rooks - at least 1 juvenile was trailing after an adult. The adult appeared to pull up worms and then just drop them on the mown turf for the juvenile to pick up itself.

Managed to add 16 species as confirmed breeders, to the 5 already in existence - so a worthwhile and enjoyable visit, apart from the upset of looking at the corpse of what would have been beautiful a Song Thrush nestling.

Bill.


-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Sunday 6th of June 2010 02:40:58 PM

19th April.

An evening visit to tetrad SD80P Hareshill hoping to add some roving records for the BTO and GM atlas projects was handsomely rewarded with a stunning male Redstart found on farmland between Birch and Heywood. Also in the general area 2 Stock Doves and 11 Wheatears foraging in a small horse grazed paddock. I was also very surprised to find a recently fledged begging Chaffinch with female parent in the area! A nice and unexpectedly early confirmed breeding record for the atlas projects for this species.

Other recent Rochdale sightings include:-

Whilst watching the Rochdale Town Hall Peregrines on several occassions over the last few weeks. Feeding in Larch trees between the church and the town hall - 2 Coal Tits on 11/4, 2 Lesser Redpoll also on the same date, 1 Siskin on 18/4. Singing Chiffchaff on 28th March and singing Willow Warbler on 11th April. It's quite interesting to see what can turn up in the town centre!


Keep atlasing!,

Bill.

8 Mute Swans (record count) at Lock 50 at the moment, with a smattering of Canada Geese and Mallards.

Lock 50 today

Canada Geese 35+
Mallard - 14
Moorhen - 1
BHG - 30+
Common Gull - 5

20/02/2010 - Sightings from the River Roch around Queen's Park + Gristlehurst Woods today included:

2 Dippers
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Goosanders
2 Grey Herons
1 Common Gull
8 Siskins
2 Treecreepers
2 Nuthatches
1 Goldcrest
2 Redwings

-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 20th of February 2010 09:22:57 PM

Lock 50 today:

Goosander - 1 Male
Mute Swan - 3
Mallard - 12
Canada Geese - 18
Moorhen - 1
Quite a few Common and Blackheaded Gulls about.

Quite a few of the Blackheaded Gulls getting their 'Black heads' now

A quiet couple of days at Lock 50.

Today

Canada Geese - 15 ish
Mallard - 8
Swan - 2 immature

Lbb gull chasing Common and Herring Gull. Neither of the chased were carry food, so not sure what that behaviour was about?

On Lock 50 today:-

Moorhen - 1
Mallard - 8
Canada Geese - approx 40 - Made an impressve sight flying towards our office!
Gulls - Various mainly BHG

Sparrowhawk hunting over Rochdale Town centre spooking the pigeons!

Lock 50 today:-

Canada Geese - 15 ish
Mallard - 8
Moorhen - 1
Mute Swan - 1 young one
LBBG - 2
BHG - Lots
Common Gull - 10 ish

A couple of crows look like to have paired near a nest.

At Lock 50 today:-

2 Mute Swans
15 Canada Geese
14 Mallard
2 Goosanders flying past - male and female.

Many Gulls of various types.

ta

3 ad Mute Swans flew along the R. Roch at Roch Wood this afternoon. Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Bullfinch were also present.

Wildlife Sightings on the Wildlife Forum

Dave

Also Cormorant and a male Goosander flying by! Had a double take and thought it was an Eider!

Large parts of the canal were frozen this morning but now almost all thawed.

Max counts:-

Canada Geese - 30
Mallard - 22
Mute Swan - 6, 3 adults and 3 young
Moorhen - 1

Lots of Gulls about

And I am keeping my eye on the tops of mills and chimneys for Peregrine!

Most of the canal now thawed and the usual suspects today:-

Mute Swan - 1
Canada Geese - 30 or so
Mallard - 20

quite a few gulls flaying about the area:-
Black Headed Gulls
Herring Gulls
Common Gulls
Lesser Black Backed Gulls

From Lock 50 on the Rochdale Canal:-

Mainly frozen water

Mallard - 25 ish
Canada Geese - 30 ish

also seen Mute Swan and moorhen here last week.

Not the most productive area, but as I am going to be in the offices here, I will keep my eyes open and who knows!

22nd November.

Thanks for that Judith. I re-visited the area early this afternoon before the rain set in and had a good wander around - there are several fields of maize stubble in the area and with surprising amounts of food on the ground. The flock of c90 Chaffinch were still in the same field as yesterday and a smaller flock of c50, which may or may not have been part of this original flock?, were in another field. I was surprised to see how many kernels of yellow corn they were getting. They looked a bit large for consumption in their bills but I guess the wet weather will have helped soften the kernels up?

There was at least 1 Tree Sparrow amongst the smaller flock

4 Redwing feeding on hawthorn berries.


Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Sunday 22nd of November 2009 07:21:38 PM

In the past, Tree Sparrows used to be there, using an old barn at Bowlee which I think has been done up now.

21st November.

I had a 2 hour walk and wander around the Bowlee area this morning.... which I think is part of Rochdale? A new area for me to visit and an attempt to get some winter roving records for the atlas project for the SD80N Birch tetrad. Nothing out of the ordinary in terms of species found, although 31 species were logged but some good flock counts were recorded.....a flock of c50 Goldfinch were in the birch and alder scrub near the car park at Bowlee. A loose flock of at least 21 Collared Doves were at Bowlee village and I was really surprised to find a flock of c90 Chaffinch feeding in a field of maize stubble - also at Bowlee - grid ref SD842063. There were a few Greenfinch amongst them and depending how long this food source lasts, it might even turn up the odd Brambling? Corvids pretty much in evidence on the local farms short grassland - max flock of c70 Jackdaw and c12 Rook. Plus c40 Starling and a flock of 27 Common Gulls on playing fields. Also Kestrel, Jay, Grey Wagtail and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Saturday 21st of November 2009 04:43:21 PM

At Whittaker Lane, Littleborough, a covey of 6 Grey Partridge, also 8 Twite - probably more but they were very flitty and moving away.

Some MOUSEPEE PINKGILL too, find out what it is on the wildlife forum.

Dave

Re the Rook colony at Birch.

Hi Mike - I had a quick look through some old Rochdale Field Nats bird reports and these seem to indicate that at Birch there were nests of c75 in 1999 and c70 in 2001, however the 1996 report indicates c60. This was my first visit to attempt to count numbers and I would guess that numbers would not only fluctuate year on year but also might be dependent on the observer as well. When I was there some structures seemed quite large and I wondered if these were "semi-detached" nests? - with two or more pairs nesting in very close proximity. I don't know enough about Rooks to know whether such an arrangement is possible? If so, then my 64 is a conservative count. I must admit that I personally find counting colonial nesting species quite difficult - I had a "go" at a local sand Martin colony last summer and with so many birds nesting in close proximity and moving in and out of colonies I find it can be problematical to know how many nests are actually in use!. Any simple tips anyone? - that doesn't involve spending all day at a site!!

I intend to revisit early in April to get a more accurate count and to be able to add the colony count as a roving record to the BTO 2007-2011 Atlas project. However, not quite certain at present which tetrad this is in! - would seem it might be on the borders of SD80P (Hareshill) and SD80N (Birch). This is where a GPS comes in handy!!

Cheers,

Bill

Willow Warbler at Hollingworth lake this afternoon (2.15). Southern end of the East dam, where the hedge meets the water channel.

Sorry - I meant Birch between Heywood and Middleton.

not noted many rook apart from feeding in the fields near birtle dean and ashworth fold, will keep an eye out, judith

None at Birtle as far as I know, Mike (though Paul Cliff might know differently) - maybe you mean Birch?
Milnrow seems to have been abandoned.
Like Dave I think Nutters is still in use.
Heap Bridge is still active. I count it every year. Just in Bury though.

Mike i think the one at Nutters is in use - certainly have had double figure flocks regularly round the fields there recently and have seen a couple taking nesting material in - I know at least a few pairs bred in 2007 because we got them on the Rochdale Birdrace - didnt check last year.

Will check it out if i have time tomorrow

Dave

Bill - my recollection was that the Birtle site was only about 30 odd nest ten years ago but the rookeries at Coal Pit Farm opposite Pilsworth Fisheries and the 'Manor' hall / restaurant on Edenfield Road, Norden have both been abandoned. So this is the only one left in HEywood that I know of.

80n in 2004 is the last record I have, Bill - you can actually see this rookery from the M62 if you are going westbound. It was one I had mentally put down to do this year, but now I shall let you do it!

14th March.

This morning I thought I would have a wander over to the rookery at Birch and enjoy the sights and sounds.

There appeared to be at least 64 nests with birds in close attendance. Some were more rudimentary structures than others but birds appeared to be bringing in twigs etc to add to such nests. I had a good look but I couldn't see any sitting birds yet.

Had a look through recent county bird reports when I got home and it doesn't appear as if this rookery has been counted now for a few years - numbers of nests seems to be down on say a decade or so ago though.

A pair of Grey Wagtails were on the brook nearby.

Cheers,

Bill.

Queens Park, Heywood

male Sparrowhawk - sat and gave good views on the Cricket Ground after being mobbed by some Pied Wagtails

Roch Wood (just off Entwistle Road)

male Mandarin Duck with mallard on the River Roch - not the nicest of areas filled with litter.

wildlife sightings on the wildlife forum

Dave

1 male Blackcap feeding just behind St Vincents school at Caldershaw today.

Dave

twas fun dave!

picked up the tree sparrows this morning, green woodpecker heard in woods towards grizlehurst.

Had a bit of a Rochdale Bird Race with Paul Cliff, highlights included; Wigeon - 2 on Ogden Res, 3 on Hollingworth Lake Goldeneye - 1 on Hollingworth Lake Little Owl - 1 at Birlte Lesser Redpoll - 2 Rochdale Golf Course the cold snap hampered our efforts with Tufted Duck and Little Grebe not seen, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers not seen, Dipper and Kingfisher not seen, no Siskin, no Tree Sparrow etc etc, but a really great day, cheers Paul! Dave