Late post for Sunday 17.09.17
Filled the feeders as usual and 30 seconds later around 25 birds were on and around them. The odd thing was the amount of seed on the pavement ... no pigeons clearing it up, in fact they normally arrive as soon as I put the ladders up against the street tree. I noticed them all sat on my roof (about 25) not interested.
Something had disturbed them .
About 20 minutes later (11.50am)things returned to normal until the usual suspect turned up.
Yes you guessed it,a Sparrowhawk which flew over the terrace roof and scattered everything at the feeders.
Prior to this birds at the feeders were -
Goldfinch - c21 (including a young bird beingfed by a parent) .
Greenfinch - 2.
Blue tit - 2 .
And occasionally a single Robin.

Just to add to my last post , there is still a juvenile Goldfinch begging food from an adult bird at the feeders at the moment.

Just started to watch the birds at the feeders 2.30pm when they exploded !!
Looking up I saw a Sparrowhawk coming from over the terrace roof, past the feeders which continued on toward Chester rd , chasing a Goldfinch (which continued to call) for about 300yds before giving up and drifting back empty handed .
The ferral pigeon clean up crew always spot the danger first .

Filled the feeders at 11.30m today, within 30 seconds 9 juvenile and 1 adult Goldfinch were feeding side by side with only a little squabbling . Moments later a flock of 40 Goldfinch dropped onto a nearby Birch tree . I guess there must have been at least 60 birds in the area !
This was happening as a heavy shower occurred, all the birds were chattering away very loudly ...... What a Spectacle !!!
It makes all the small effort of filling the feeders with over 1kg /day well worthwhile.
Happy days

Around 12pm today.
Flock of c20 birds alternating between the street tree feeders and the backyard feeders mainly juvenile Goldfinch (10 on one feeder including a Greenfinch with no fighting ! ) .
Also present - 2 adult blue tit.
1 adult Greenfinch with a lack of feathers on it's head , looking in poor condition, also with a large redish growth on it's upper mandible. It was feeding furiously until there was an explosion of feral pigeons and everything else in and around the feeders ... probably the Sparrowhawk about (but I saw nothing) .
The juvenile Goldfinch have done really well this season - my last 20kg bag of sunflower hearts lasted just 19 days ,phew!
Starting a new 20kg bag today.

Sunday 20.08.17
Lay awake in bed listening to the usual 2 Lesser Black-back gulls calling as it became light at 5.10am , had a look at the feeders about 6am ish with about 25 Goldfinch fighting for the remaining seed in the feeders. I then checked the backyard feeders which had 21 Goldfinch dropping down from the telephone wires to use them.
Checking the street tree feeders later that day around 6pm there was c30 Goldfinch including at least one Greenfinch present plus 2 Cormorant flying south towards Sale Wp. ( it always gets really busy around that time ).
A Sparrowhawk flew over disperseing everything.

Juvenile Goldfinch begging food plus other juveniles feeding themselves today with several adults.
Two juveniles showing early stages of adult plumage emerging with small black patches of the face - mask occuring, one of them showing a little red also.
At least one Greenfinch seen, plus two Blue tit.

Late news for Sunday - A Sparrowhawk made an attack at the base of the tree at 10.45am scattering 20+ ferral pigeon, then dissapeared over the beech hedge at the rear of the feeders and left in the opposite direction.
Not sure if it caught any prey as it flew behind some birch trees and out of sight .

Sparrowhawk seen carrying prey at 11.30am today at rear of the houses opposite the feeders by Sue my next door neighbour.

On my way back from the gym tonight at 6.24pm. I saw 2 Common Buzzard flying low (40-50ft) over Chester rd.shops Gorse hill, about 300yds from the Burleigh rd.street tree feeders.
All the local pigeon community were up and about I panic mode.
The Buzzards headed off towards the Trafford Park area,so I rang my neighbour Sue to keep a look-out for them. Sue informed me that they were present over Burleigh rd. and the feeders Twice today at 4pm. and 4.50pm. being mobbed by gulls.

After filling the feeders all the finches returned within 30 seconds with 2 new Greenfinch juveniles at the feeders for possibly the first time, as one was on top of a feeder, not quite knowing what to do until the other turned up and plunged straight in amongst the many Goldfinches (mainly juveniles ) ...... the first one then launched itself ending up on the other juveniles back temporarily. An adult also arrived a short time after , as did a Sparrowhawk which scattered 20 Ferral Pigeon below the tree as well as everything else.
The Sparrowhawk didn't make an attack only circled low over the tree before dissapearing over my roof (probably checking the backyard feeders ).

I've just been informed by my neighbour Sue , that a large bird with a yellow beak , mottiled chest and yellow legs which she thought was a Buzzard landed briefly at the top of the tree with the feeders in it about 6.30pm.
Sue isn't a birder but has a keen interest in birds/wildlife , and I think she knows the difference between a Sparrowhawk and a
Buzzard,because I've pointed them out on the door-step several times.
After a careful "grilling" I tend to agree with her that it was a Buzzard.
I'm just sorry I missed it .

Yesterday 18.07.17 - two young Greenfinch were calling to be fed in the tree and one made its way to the feeders but sat and watched adult and juvenile Goldfinches feed then dissappeard into the canopy again.
Later two adult Greenfinch turned up and fed but no youngsters , although one youngster appeared later( 4.20pm) and used them.
At least they're about.
Ps. Two of my neighbours spotted a Sparrowhawk again over Burleigh rd that morning at10.30am (I was in my car and missed it ).

Sparrowhawk circling high over Burleigh rd. tonight 7.45pm then heading towards Old Trafford area.

An unexpected visitor was seen at the feeders ( after returning from Sale wp ) this afternoon which was a Jackdaw !
Very common in the open spaces around Stretford , but not on the street - you've got more chance of seeing a Crow (not at the Co-op... it's not a Crows shop)
.
It had a very short stay only able to grab a bite at the fat log which the Starlings haven't used much in the last week or so, probably due to the wet weather and the grass being soft.

-- Edited by phillipskelly on Sunday 16th of July 2017 09:28:44 PM

This morning while up the ladder filling the feeders there was a young Goldfinch begging food about 6 foot above me, I was glad when it left because it was so loud being close up .
Minutes later as I put the ladders away 4 new Goldfinch youngsters turned up followed by 3 very young Blue tit using the fat log as well as the sunflower hearts.
Greenfinch adults have been present several times - but no more juveniles since the one on 2 June.
Goldfinch adults are constantly present.

Finally seen my first juvenile Greenfinch on the feeders accompanied by a good looking adult male at 7.38pm.
The youngster was fairly well developed and almost as good at taking and processing the sunflower hearts as the adult bird.
They stayed until a car parked beneath the feeders and 3 people got out then slammed the doors , Doh !

All through June juvenile and adult Goldfinch have been attending the feeders regularly (including newly fledged begging food from parents in the last week).
Blue tit adults and juveniles have also been using the feeders but I think it's mainly one pair with 2 juveniles.
Greenfinch have been present quite often , probably 2 pair but No juveniles .
Its nice to see the Goldfinch doing so well sometimes feeding until 9pm.
1kg of sunflower hearts only lasts a day .

My last post should have read Sun 11.06.17 not 11.05.17.
And on Sat 15 April should have read 14 Goldfinch not 14 Chaffinch.
I've tried to edit both posts but was unable.
My apologies.

For the week ending Sun11.05.17 -
Blue tit feeding 1 young which was also feeding itself on the fat block and sunflower seed.
Great tit feeding on the fat block.
Goldfinch adults and juveniles (sometimes 4 juv.at a time ) .
Greenfinch (2 adults usually ) but no young yet seen .
Starling in 6's and 7's using the fat block, also juveniles x4 on the block feeding and learning to fight for the food they need.
I had to move the fat block because adult Starlings were scrapping on every visit,disturbing other birds. I also put a fresh one up on Thursday and had to replace it on Sunday !
Its almost 50% eaten already today .
My backyard feeders have been used frequently and need filling often , with Goldfinch sat on the yard walls and backdoor as well as the BT pole /wires waiting for a chance to get a place at the feeders .

Yesterday, Sunday 4th ..... after lots of visits by Woodpigeon and Starlings, the remaining cherries on the tree have been eaten but some Sarlings have continued to come to the feeders for a fat block which is getting smaller by the day .
One juvenile bird turned up and sat by the block begging to be fed .... it was promptly knocked off by an adult wishing to feed !
Another juvenile turned up later and fed on the fat block by itself.
Lots of Goldfinch (including juveniles ) have been using the feeders as well as 2 Blue tit feeding at least 2 fledged young and 2 Great tit but no Greenfinch all day .
This morning -
Starling - in two's and three's .
Goldfinch - singles
Blue tit - 2 adults taking sunflower hearts to a juvenile which pecked the seed and fed itself and a second juvenile which found the fat block and fed itself.
Greenfinch - 2 adults.
( Also 11 Goldfinch on my backyard feeders ).

Earlier today -
Goldfinch 8 ( 6 adults and 2 new juveniles trying to land on the feeders properly, often overshooting and probably the same ones which were on my backyard feeders this morning ) .
Greenfinch 2 .
Blue tit 2 ( one looking a bit tatty ) .
Woodpigeon 2 ( taking only the ripe cherry fruit from the very tips of the branches often slipping off followed by lots of flapping . The ferral pigeons never attempt this ) .
Starling 1 only taking ripe cherries (I tried one yesterday and spat it out .... yuk !) .

Filled the feeders at about 1.45pmand by the time I reached my front door there were 3 goldfinch already using them.
Less than 10 minutes later everything left the feeders( including the pigeons on the pavement ) followed by a Sparrowhawk crashing through the tree and landing in the Sorbus Intermedia tree directly behind.
I had a good view for a minute before the Sparrowhawk left for a nearby brich tree - still empty handed where it stayed for only a few more minutes.
5 minutes later things were back to normal with birds back on and around the feeders.
Goldfinch 10 including 2 young .
Greenfinch 4 .
Blue tit 1 foraging for insects in the beech hedge below.
Blackbird 1 (singing away) .
Feral pigeons hoovering the pavement for the dropped seed.
I watched for 45 minutes but the sparrowhawk didn't return.

Straight after filling the feeders there were -
Goldfinch 4 (including 2 young feeding themselves ).
Greenfinch 2.
Cormorant 1 circling overhead then heading east.
Also visits by a pair of Blue tit and occasionally 2 Great tit .
Its been a very noisey day today with bin -wagons up and down the street and lots people walking beneath the feeders, plus car doors slamming but although the birds are constantly disturbed they keep retuning .
The feeders in my backyard are constantly being used by Goldfinches and also a Woodpigeon hoovering up the dropped seed.

This morning 11.30 am ish.
Goldfinch 1 fledged young feeding itself.
2 very busy blue tit, 1 looking slightly tatty.

Three swift high over the feeders at 7pm tonight. Also more seed being taken from the feeders especially with the longer time available for taking food.

Just seen a young Goldfinch begging food off adult at the feeders.
This is very early in my opinion - I think it was towards the end of May when the first one turned up last year .

There's been a Feral pigeon showing a bit of ingenuity at the feeders over the last few weeks.
It can't land on or near the feeders but it has discovered a way to climb to them using its wings and feet.
I've had to move it on gently with a prod or two (it might have been a bit deaf).
There has been 2 pigeons with the same plumage very similar to a Rock Pigeon, ie. grey back, 2 black wing - bars but one had a white patch on it's back .....that was the one climbing to the feeders . I gave it the nickname " Columba Bob"feeder thief !
Anyhoo , as I returned from Burton Mere on Saturday (4.30pm) I found Columba Bob expired in the road at the feeders a bit flat in parts.
This morning 6am ish I heard a racket of lesser black-back gulls over head butt didn't get out of bed and then a carrion crow calling constantly. Looking at Bob's carcass later, there was almost nowt left . It must have been a sight to see, but I missed it. A Buzzard was also seen over today ,mobbed by lesser black - back gulls.
There was one thing left of Bob - it's stomach contents..... no intestine etc. just part digested seed which won't be there long. Its great how nature recycles.

Not many birds on the feeders lately so nothing new to report , until now with 14 Chaffinch on and around the feeders.
Also of note was the Kestrel (a rare bird indeed for this built up area ) passing over the feeders. Although I have seen a kestrel over Trafford Town Hall half a mile away and quite a few at Salford Quays, Pomona a mile and a bit away.
I generally forget to mention the occasional Grey Heron and Cormorant that also fly over probably leaving Salford Quays and heading towards Sale Wp.

Thanks for the reply to James Richardson .
Sightings from 12.30 to 1.30pm. -
Goldfinch - mainly 3's and 4's with a maximum of 9.
Greenfinch - 1 on 2 occasions.
Robin - 1.
Blue tit - 2.
Blackbird - 1 ( which didn't visit the feeders but was in adjacent tree ).
Carrion Crow - 2 together, close by on one of the Birch trees which the 2 Magpies were claiming on 11.12.16 .
Ps. A Goldfinch was in full song on two occasions, but only when it was separate from any others. When others joined it, it became silent. Usually on the feeders the Goldfinch don't sing , just use bubbles and squeaks or the aggressive nasal sound to bully others from the best spot . But what a lovely song .

-- Edited by phillipskelly on Friday 17th of March 2017 02:38:07 PM

Reply to Phillipskelly: - I used to get lots of Greenfinches on my city centre feeders until last year, I haven't seen or heard a single Greenfinch around the area at all for months. They are getting affected by a disease.

Also no coal tits this year whereas in previous years they were regular on feeders. These are likely migrants from Europe though, so numbers may increase again after irruptions.

Numbers of other species seems roughly the same for the last 3 years.

-- Edited by James Richardson on Thursday 16th of March 2017 03:11:58 PM

-- Edited by James Richardson on Thursday 16th of March 2017 03:12:19 PM

A Woodpigeon now taking advantage of the tree's Inflorescence , sat at the top of the tree eating whole buds and flowers accompanied by a bee .

Heard alarm calls going on as I opened the front door from a magpie, blue tits and long-tailed tits. A closer look showed a black cat scrambling through the adjacent beech hedge after birds. I soon ejected it!
The long-tail tits (scarce visitors) didn't stay long.
The blue tits were pecking at the newly opened flower heads on the cherry tree.....not destroying them,but probably picking small insects now available.
The amount of birds using the feeders has dramatically dropped over the last month I've not been watching as often,but judging by the amount of seed taken , normally I would have run out days ago but stil have about 5kg left.
Goldfinch have been attending at 10 or less.
Greenfinch at 1's and 2's.
A pair of Blackbirds have been regular visitors .
Has anyone else seen a drop in numbers on their feeders ?

Cold weather with a slight snow flurry yesterday and today have reduced the amount of birds on and around the feeders, with only around 15 birds max at any one time mainly Goldfinch with occasional visits from 2 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch , 2 Blackbird.
4 Carrion Crow have been very active overhead as well as the usual Black-headed gulls and Lesser Black-backs (no change with the amount of feral pigeons blocking the pavement ) .
Ps. My neighbour has noticed a Wren spending a lot of time in our backyards and has been feeding it.

Today, on and around the the feeders -
Goldfinch - 37.
Greenfinch - 2.
Earlier there was also -
Chaffinch - 1 .
Blackbird - 1 both taking dropped seed in the forks of the tree.
When I filled the feeders later, I noticed that bits of built-up seed had started to change colour . I didn't like the look of this so decided to clean them out including the main fork which a lot offeral pigeons use for feeding .
Using soapy water and a toothbrush it took a long time clear the sticky mush out but adding a small amount of elbow grease finally did the trick. Unfortunately the Blackbird and Chaffinch will have to source food elsewhere for the time being .

Ps.forgot to mention a Blue tit also present occasionally .

-- Edited by phillipskelly on Wednesday 8th of February 2017 02:47:11 PM

Again there are good numbers of birds attending the feeders this afternoon c40.
I've noticed that the numbers increase as the weather becomes slightly milder, and when the temperature drops to around freezing point nubers drop . I thought it would be the opposite way round. Where do the birds go , maybe to the city centre for warmth 4 miles away ?
Goldfinch - 40 (at 2.15pm) .
Earlier... Chaffinch - 1 (a rare visitor to the street which has been present several times this week ).
Blackbird - 2 (m+f with the male preferring to take sunflower hearts dropped into forks or on the floor rather than eat berries of the adjacent Sorbus tree).
Greenfinch - 2
Also seen regularly - 2 Blue tit and sometimes - 2 Great tit.

38 birds on and around the feeders at 2.15pm -
Goldfinch 29.
Greenfinch 6.
Blackbird 2. (m+f) taking berries off the Sorbus Intermedia tree at the rear of the feeders.
Blue tit 1.
Also 2 Carrion Crow over and 20+ ferral pigeon cleaning up the dropped seed (but blocking the pavement when they refuse to move) .

About 40 Goldfinch at a time occasionally visiting the feeders , but numbers dropping down to 10's and 20's .
No Greenfinch seen today , but a Blue tit has in and out a few times.
A Grey Wagtail was hanging around the bins this morning in the back entry rear of Burleigh Rd. houses (bin - day Friday ).

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 23rd of December 2016 04:25:27 PM

On the door-step at 12.30pm trying to count the goldfinches prior to re-filling the feeders when they all left . (There was a proximately 30 birds)
A Sparrowhawk drifted lazily over a parked car and past the street tree feeders then settled on top of a nearby lamp column, empty handed again . It stayed for only a few minutes before leaving - and not bothering with the nearby ferral pigeons on the roof of the Chester Road shops.

Not much seed taken from the feeders over the last three days (or from my backyard feeders) , but quite a few Gold and one or two Greenfinch together with a pair of Blue tit and a couple of House Sparrow turning up each day.
But around 12pm today there were 40+ birds on and the feeders, until passers-by , cars , plus a pair of noisey Magpie disturbed them several times. Now (1pm ) there are the usual 15-20 mainly Goldfinch attending.
The Magpie pair seem to be going over last year's nest sites - with one to the rear of the feeders (which they always abandon) and one in a tall Birch tree 30m away. The Magpies had a bit of a scrap yesterday with a pair of Carrion Crow over the birch tree nest and lost. Having won the nest one Crow left and the other picked at the nest for a while then left itself.
Ps.there does seem to be an increasing number of Carrion Crow on roofs etc. whenever I walk through the Gorse Hill area.

About 15-20 finches (and around 20 feral pigeons on and around the tree) left as fast as possible in all directions followed a by (a second later ) a Sparrowhawk zooming in and out. I don't think it took a finch , but by the time I left my armchair and reached the window everything had disappeared. Time11 am.- ish .

Again 30 - 40 finches present on the feeders at times , mainly Goldfinch with just one or two Greenfinch turning up - also present occasionally two Blue tit , as well as a solitary House Sparrow.
As you can imagine with so many birds present , at times its hectic - a bit like a WWE tag match with birds ejecting other one another off the feeders ..... survival means no queueing allowed .

Birds present this afternoon -
Goldfinch 44 (at one time).
Earlier - Blue tit 2 (always 2).
House sparrow 1 only - getting to be a street rarity.
Blackbird 1 eating berries from a nearby rowan tree.
Note: there are 4 Sorbus trees adjacent the feeders, all with a good crop of berries as are numerous other trees(Hawthorn and Sorbus varieties) planted in the Gorse Hill estate aprox.4 yr ago - all ready for any passing Waxings.