First scan this a.m. and an immature female Peregrine having breakfast on the top of the Hartford Mill chimney. The view from my window just got a bit more interesting.
Mike Chorley said
Wed Apr 1 7:49 PM, 2020
Quick last scan after a quiet day picked up a Peregrine (male from the proportions) on the top of the tower of the mostly demolished Hartford Mill. Probably wondering where the supply of Feral Pigeons, Jackdaws etc had gone. Didn't stay long, flying north-east and lost to view behind Rowntree House.
Mike Chorley said
Mon Mar 30 8:09 PM, 2020
Finally twitching pays off! I must have been one of the few people at Tesco (other supermarket's available) not that bothered about hanging around a car park doing nothing in less than spring-like weather. Didn't even need my thermals. A Golden-winged Warbler was obviously not on the cards but some late staying Waxwings would have been nice.. My exercise/weekly shopping trip was surprisingly quite in terms of birds, apart from the slightly Hitchcockian collection of corvids outside the flats. I've got used to the recent increase in Carrion Crow activity but it seems the turf war is back on and escalated with one pair having called for back up. Now 5 of them are swooping, cawing and chasing about the place, which probably explains why the nest outside the kitchen window hasn't progressed from something even the most laid-back Wood Pigeon would regard as "not fit for purpose". More sinister was the quartet of magpie in one of the trees, all cackling like very hammy auditionees for Shakespeare's Weird Sisters as I passed. A Jackdaw quietly collecting nest lining material made up the numbers. Apart from them all I saw was one Feral Pigeon, a small group of six Starlings and a couple of Goldfinch. Maybe the lack of edible litter after last weekend has lead to the scavengers moving elsewhere.
Mike Chorley said
Fri Mar 27 10:55 PM, 2020
I have a good clear view north from my living room window across to Winter Hill and Ashworth Moor, so I thought I'd set up my scope and take the odd scan round as the days go on, carefully avoiding the tower block off to my right! A couple of brief looks today picked up an acrobatic Sparrowhawk heading west and later in the afternoon a Common Buzzard doing a circuit east to west and back somewhere towards Summerseat. Initially mobbed by a Carrion Crow on the outward circuit, then dive-bombed by a Lapwing on it's return. Also the strange sight of an aircraft passing through the red haze above Horwich Moors around 7 p.m. I thought it was just a standard vapour trail but looking through the scope it then seemed like a fire-fighting aircraft dropping flame-retardant as the 'trail' thickened, except that there was a distinct 'vapour trail' left behind in the air and another 'tail' behind the plane as it climbed steeply east. Maybe that's how the process works, but it gave the odd impression of a smoking plane climbing rapidly away east.
Mike Chorley said
Thu Mar 26 10:16 PM, 2020
It seems the turf war between two pairs of Carrion Crows displaced by the demolition of a near-by mill is over and the victorious pair have decided to nest in a Sycamore outside my kitchen window. It will be interesting to see how they get on, as the local Magpies are already eyeing up proceedings,and there's an established Jackdaw nest under the eaves of a neighbouring house. Given that one of the pair arrived with nest material then seemed confused as to where the nest was or had forgotten that they had already started one five feet higher up I may have got the pair that prove the exception to the rule about crows being intelligent!
On the subject of forgetfulness and intelligence, I forgot about our own local Curlew-Starling, calling from an ivy-covered tree in Werneth Park yesterday. Reminded me of my first visit to Lindisfarne just short of 50 years ago when we had a similar experience trying to locate the wader among the chimney pots of the houses in the village.
Mike Chorley said
Wed Mar 25 7:51 PM, 2020
My permitted exercise took me just down the road to Werneth Park. Unsurprisingly there were more people in it than usual on a Wednesday afternoon (12 including me) but apart from sidestepping the odd jogger on the narrow outer paths -always a hazard - it was easy to maintain social distancing, especially if you know the hidden bits.
Usual suspects: Blue Tit Great Tit calling and singing Long-tailed Tit Wood Pigeon Feral Pigeon Carrion Crow Magpie Blackbird singing Robin singing, intermingled with Goldfinch singing - rather odd effect as the birds were in very close proximity and the phrasing just overlapped Nuthatch singing - near a former nesting site Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
Mike Chorley said
Tue Mar 17 9:01 PM, 2020
1 possibly 2 Coal Tits singing in the trees outside our flats today. Certainly located one, apparently singing off against another across the road but couldn't actually find the latter. Later a Blue Tit tried and failed to see it off. Have seen them nearby in Werneth Park quite often, but the first time I've seen one anywhere around the built-up area.
Mike Chorley said
Thu Jan 9 8:04 PM, 2020
A charm of at least 12 Goldfinch picking insects out of the lichen on a sycamore outside my kitchen window brightened the washing up on a very grey day
Mike Chorley said
Mon Aug 5 9:35 PM, 2019
3 House Martins hawking at around eaves height on Frederick Street 1 Swift hunting slightly higher up 1 male Peregrine over SW
Mike Chorley said
Thu Aug 1 4:15 PM, 2019
A third House Martin nest active on Frederick Street. The site seems more exposed - south facing wall, but tucked well in behind the fascia board so hopefully they won't bake if we get another mini-heatwave.
Mike Chorley said
Wed Jul 24 10:53 PM, 2019
The local Swifts on Schofield Street seem to have an active nest. Two birds left the nest site in quick succession as I was passing today.
Mike Chorley said
Sat Jun 29 8:48 PM, 2019
C 6 Swifts in a low-level screaming party along Sheepfoot Lane by the side of Oldham Royal at lunchtime today.
markwoodhead said
Sun Jun 23 9:34 AM, 2019
Red Kite flying South crossed A627(M) at 08.40
Mike Chorley said
Sat May 25 10:22 PM, 2019
Second House Martin nest active on Frederick Street.
Spotted a pair very active on a new-build in Failsworth this a.m. while out shopping there.
Mike Chorley said
Sun May 12 12:37 AM, 2019
One occupied House Martin nest at last year's location on Frederick Street.
Mike Chorley said
Tue Apr 23 12:06 AM, 2019
Two House Martins prospecting around the area of last year's nests on Frederick Street this afternoon.
Mike Chorley said
Thu Mar 21 9:19 PM, 2019
2.45 p.m. Pair of Peregrines, judging on size difference, headed roughly west over Windsor Road this afternoon. Caused some upset among the local pigeons.
Mike Chorley said
Sat Sep 22 9:52 PM, 2018
Unexpected bit of audio-mig this morning, with a Crossbill going over Werneth around 11 a.m. among the Meadow Pipits.
Charlie Garrity said
Tue Jul 17 9:47 PM, 2018
I have two Peanut feeders in Foxdenton park Chadderton and this morning Two Jays feeding on one of them.
Mike Chorley said
Mon Jul 2 11:23 PM, 2018
1, possibly 2, more House Martin nests active along Frederick Street. First time for several years there has been any sign of breeding activity in the area.
Charlie Garrity said
Fri Jun 29 5:41 PM, 2018
Two pair of House Martins nesting in eaves of Sportsmans Arms Denton Lane Chadderton Very active.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Jun 24 9:10 PM, 2018
House Martin bringing food to the nest on Frederick Street today.
Mike Chorley said
Thu May 31 10:30 PM, 2018
At least 1 of two House Martin nests in use on a house on Frederick Street today. There were signs of recent visitors around the other nest too, but only two birds seen on the wing earlier in the week.
A pair of swifts were at just above rooftop level over the Manchester Road/Heron Street junction at around 4.15 yesterday.
Charlie Garrity said
Thu May 17 4:23 PM, 2018
Oystercatcher seen on football pitch Foxdenton park Chadderton.Thursday mid day.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 18th of May 2018 12:34:04 AM
Charlie Garrity said
Thu Apr 19 10:38 PM, 2018
Single oystercatcher flew over Foxdenton park 1pm could not believe my eyes.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 19th of April 2018 10:51:57 PM
Charlie Garrity said
Sat Apr 14 9:06 AM, 2018
The Nuthatch are very vocal and active around a window frame on the side of the hall.
Single Kestrel hovering over Foxdenton park today mid day
Charlie Garrity said
Mon Jan 29 6:02 PM, 2018
Two Kestrel hovering over Foxdenton Hall foxdenton Park mid day.
Charlie Garrity said
Tue Jan 23 2:02 PM, 2018
Firecrest yesterday in Chadderton Hall Park. My first thoughts was a Goldcrest but getting a proper view saw the red markings on the head. Sadly no pics as I had my 10mm lens fitted
Andrea Wilson said
Wed Dec 27 10:16 PM, 2017
Charm of 20 Goldfinch making the most of the Niger seeds this weekend, briefly joined by a pair of Siskin and a very fleeting visit from a woodpecker- a first for me at home.
Andrea Wilson said
Mon Aug 28 12:21 AM, 2017
Wheatear briefly resting on my neighbours roof on Garden Suburb this afternoon, a first for me this year.
Charlie Garrity said
Sat Aug 26 3:03 PM, 2017
We now have five Heron and one less young Moorhen.
Charlie Garrity said
Fri Aug 25 3:03 PM, 2017
Four Heron returned to Foxdenton park at lunchtime today. Stalking the four remaining Moorhen juveniles.
Charlie Garrity said
Tue Aug 8 1:27 PM, 2017
Cormorant diving for fish Foxdenton park big pond 1230hrs watched for 20mins non stop.
Charlie Garrity said
Sun Aug 6 8:45 PM, 2017
Flock of about 40 plus Long tail tits on Broadway near Newman college early this afternoon.
Charlie Garrity said
Fri Aug 4 4:08 PM, 2017
Two Peregrine over Fields new road and Denton Lane Chadderton within the last hour No camera
Charlie Garrity said
Mon Jul 17 2:46 PM, 2017
Kestrel hunting adjacent to Foxdenton park Car park today. Becoming a regular sight lately. Pity it will soon loose it's hunting ground as the Foxdenton development has started that will take away the green space.
Mike Chorley said
Sat Jul 15 10:44 PM, 2017
A comparatively low-flying Peregrine (female judging by bulk) made a sweep from Manchester Road towards Old Lane and then round towards the Freehold tram stop this evening around 6.30.
Also at least 1 House Martin hawking over Werneth Park and male Blackbird with a beak-full of worms.
Charlie Garrity said
Mon Jul 3 10:53 AM, 2017
Five Sparrowhawks hunting around Denton lane on Sunday.
Swallows openly feeding young around Sensory garden Foxdenton park.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of July 2017 11:34:30 AM
A Peregrine spiraling up over the Westwood area this afternoon around 4.30 p m until lost in the glare.
Mike Chorley said
Fri Apr 21 8:15 PM, 2017
First Swallow of the year, right over my local patch, was a nice reward for an unexpected chore.
Mike Chorley said
Mon Apr 3 10:24 PM, 2017
My first local Chiffchaff of the year for me this morning, with a bird singing from the section of disused railway line between Ashton Road and the bypass.
Mike Chorley said
Tue Mar 28 12:25 AM, 2017
Female Blackbird carrying food - Lansdowne Road, near the Diodes factory. First local evidence of breeding this year
Charlie Garrity said
Mon Mar 27 8:24 PM, 2017
Broadway Chadderton near Elk mill retail park Large Tawny Owl sat on a bungalow chimney 5pm.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Mar 26 5:39 PM, 2017
Originally posted today by Charlie Garrity:
Foxdenton Park, Chadderton today:
12 or so Robins, 6 Blue tits, 1 great tit, pair of Dunocks, 14 Mallard and call ducks, 10 Canada Geese and 3 or 4 Blackbirds also Mistle thrush
Mike Chorley said
Sat Mar 4 10:33 AM, 2017
This morning's forays to re-locate the Drury Lane Waxwings turned up the usual thrushes, tits, corvids etc plus a Great Spotted Woodpecker and, more surprisingly, a Cormorant doing it's Liver Bird impersonation on the lighting clusters by the Long Lane motorway foot bridge.
Mike Chorley said
Wed Jan 11 4:15 PM, 2017
Redwing 36 on the playing field at Hulme Grammar School this afternoon, with Starling 1 and Pied Wagtail 1
Mike Chorley said
Sun Aug 14 4:25 PM, 2016
1 Ring-necked Parakeet on Block Lane in Chadderton yesterday at 17.24 feeding in Willows.
Male Peregrine over Windsor Road this morning at 11.00
My exercise/weekly shopping trip was surprisingly quite in terms of birds, apart from the slightly Hitchcockian collection of corvids outside the flats. I've got used to the recent increase in Carrion Crow activity but it seems the turf war is back on and escalated with one pair having called for back up. Now 5 of them are swooping, cawing and chasing about the place, which probably explains why the nest outside the kitchen window hasn't progressed from something even the most laid-back Wood Pigeon would regard as "not fit for purpose". More sinister was the quartet of magpie in one of the trees, all cackling like very hammy auditionees for Shakespeare's Weird Sisters as I passed. A Jackdaw quietly collecting nest lining material made up the numbers.
Apart from them all I saw was one Feral Pigeon, a small group of six Starlings and a couple of Goldfinch. Maybe the lack of edible litter after last weekend has lead to the scavengers moving elsewhere.
On the subject of forgetfulness and intelligence
Usual suspects:
Blue Tit
Great Tit calling and singing
Long-tailed Tit
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Blackbird singing
Robin singing, intermingled with
Goldfinch singing - rather odd effect as the birds were in very close proximity and the phrasing just overlapped
Nuthatch singing - near a former nesting site
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
1 Swift hunting slightly higher up
1 male Peregrine over SW
Red Kite flying South crossed A627(M) at 08.40
Spotted a pair very active on a new-build in Failsworth this a.m. while out shopping there.
I have two Peanut feeders in Foxdenton park Chadderton and this morning Two Jays feeding on one of them.
Two pair of House Martins nesting in eaves of Sportsmans Arms Denton Lane Chadderton Very active.
A pair of swifts were at just above rooftop level over the Manchester Road/Heron Street junction at around 4.15 yesterday.
Oystercatcher seen on football pitch Foxdenton park Chadderton.Thursday mid day.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 18th of May 2018 12:34:04 AM
Single oystercatcher flew over Foxdenton park 1pm could not believe my eyes.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 19th of April 2018 10:51:57 PM
The Nuthatch are very vocal and active around a window frame on the side of the hall.
Pair of Nuthatch now resident in Foxdenton Park.
Single Kestrel hovering over Foxdenton park today mid day
Two Kestrel hovering over Foxdenton Hall foxdenton Park mid day.
Firecrest yesterday in Chadderton Hall Park. My first thoughts was a Goldcrest but getting a proper view saw the red markings on the head. Sadly no pics as I had my 10mm lens fitted
Charm of 20 Goldfinch making the most of the Niger seeds this weekend, briefly joined by a pair of Siskin and a very fleeting visit from a woodpecker- a first for me at home.
Wheatear briefly resting on my neighbours roof on Garden Suburb this afternoon, a first for me this year.
We now have five Heron and one less young Moorhen.
Four Heron returned to Foxdenton park at lunchtime today. Stalking the four remaining Moorhen juveniles.
Cormorant diving for fish Foxdenton park big pond 1230hrs watched for 20mins non stop.
Flock of about 40 plus Long tail tits on Broadway near Newman college early this afternoon.
Two Peregrine over Fields new road and Denton Lane Chadderton within the last hour No camera
Kestrel hunting adjacent to Foxdenton park Car park today. Becoming a regular sight lately. Pity it will soon loose it's hunting ground as the Foxdenton development has started that will take away the green space.
Also at least 1 House Martin hawking over Werneth Park and male Blackbird with a beak-full of worms.
Five Sparrowhawks hunting around Denton lane on Sunday.
Swallows openly feeding young around Sensory garden Foxdenton park.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of July 2017 11:34:30 AM
Originally posted today by Charlie Garrity:
Foxdenton Park, Chadderton:
We have had a small Heron resident on the pond for a couple of weeks but yesterday 4 Herons. The 3 surviving Mallard ducklings had better watch out.
Broadway Chadderton near Elk mill retail park Large Tawny Owl sat on a bungalow chimney 5pm.
Originally posted today by Charlie Garrity:
Foxdenton Park, Chadderton today:
12 or so Robins, 6 Blue tits, 1 great tit, pair of Dunocks, 14 Mallard and call ducks, 10 Canada Geese and 3 or 4 Blackbirds also Mistle thrush
Starling 1 and
Pied Wagtail 1
Male Peregrine over Windsor Road this morning at 11.00