FOG LANE PARK this mid -afternoon:
My first visit here. I was surprised how large this park is and its amount of birdlife.
Took me an hour to find anything other than the usual suspects.
First thing was, I think, an Amazonion( large ,green and with yellow cheeks)
This was soon joined by the Crimson Rosella( crimson with blue wing Panels)
I have tried to locate these on the Gallery without success yet!
After these eventually flew off they were replaced by 3 Ring Necked Parakeets.
Giving prolong views. This is a lifer for me.
Definitely one (amorous )male.




Having read the previous thread I have deleted my directions.

-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 30th of March 2011 04:56:24 PM

Male and female bird seen together this afternoon. The first I have seen in GM for about 20 years!

Forgot to say I only spotted them because they were nearly as talkative as me

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Tuesday 29th of March 2011 06:49:34 PM

All, Just a gentle reminder to be cautious about posting sightings where possible breeding might be taking place. R-n P's are prone to deliberate disturbance, both from egg collectors and those in birding world that see them as a potentail pest.....

Two over Great Western Street at 7:10 this morning.

I'm really pleased to hear that the Amazon is still around. I haven't seen it at the allotment since the end of last summer. The Amazon was seen in the company of a Crimson Rosella at the allotment several times last July, so maybe that one has made it through the winter too. I'm still regularly seeing up to 8 RNP icluding 2 adult males. Also several sightings of a pair with the male feeding the female.

Fog Lane Park

3 females feeding on horse chestnut buds and 1 lone male this afternoon.

Rick.

-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Sunday 27th of March 2011 03:07:50 PM

13.00 to 14.00 Fog Lane Park 5 Ring necked parakeets - 1 male on its own and on the opposite side of the park were 3 females plus what looked like a juvenile bird which was much smaller, fluffier and had a much shorter tail (about half the length of the other parakeets). One of the females kept close and at one time appeared to feed the smaller bird. Amazon and the unidentified bird not seen. Rick

If this is the case Roger, there have been Crimson Rosellas in that area before. See the galleries on the Manchester Birding website for photos of the little crackers.

Hiya Chris,
I'd have a stab at this bird being a Pennants Parakeet (aka Crimson Rosella). It's actually slightly smaller than a ringneck but appears more bulkier and scruffier. Would be dark (dirty) red and you would definately notice the blue in the wings.
Origin Australia but a very popular aviary bird and plenty knocking about.

Hope this helps.

Roger.

PS. "Popular" as with bird-keepers.......... not their neighbours.

PPS. The Monk Parakeet that Mike mentioned is more often called a Quaker Parakeet in the UK. It's the only member of parrot family that builds massive communal nests. Get that one in a pub quiz.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Friday 25th of March 2011 07:52:50 PM

Hi Chris,
A couple of Asian Parakeets can show blue in the wings; - Long-tailed, a little bigger than Ring-necked (which would however very likely hit you with its garish red cheeks), and Malabar, but this is slightly smaller, very likely showing grey/green /blue combinations; - both escapees of course and very unlikely.
There are however literally droves of Neotropic and Indonesian/ Australasian candidates (parrots and parakeets) which show degrees of blue in some parts of the wings, and it would need a pretty full description and /or photos to narrow things down.

I've checked up on some of the other "Parrot stuff" I've seen recently free flying in S. Spain, one is Monk Parakeet a S. America species at large in N. America (as far up as Chicago at least) and in Canary Isles and mainland Spain and doubtless other places; - while it has much blue in the wings it would look obviously smaller next to Ring-necked, and the tiny Senegal parrot, (several of which I recorded last year batting around Cartagena, Murcia province) is too tiny, and upon checking to be sure, I see has no blue in its wings.

Keep looking!

Cheers,
Mike P.

There were 5 parrots/parakeets in the wooded area on the west side of Fog Lane Park-

3 Ring-Necked Parakeets (1m, 2f)
One of them kept disappearing into a hole in a tree.

The Amazon Parrot, which I've not seen before, but couldn't be missed as it was making a right racket.

There was also a parakeet that was slightly larger than the RNPs. It was a very grubby dark brown/red colour (looked like it'd taken a mud bath) and had a very bright streak of blue in the wing. Anyone got any ideas what this might be?

2 at Fog Lane Park today between 13.00 and 13.30
Rick.

Single bird over Great Western Street. 7am this morning.

-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Monday 7th of March 2011 05:47:44 PM

Whitworth park this afternoon - Parakeet heard not seen, Great spotted woodpecker, Redwings (c20), Long tailed tits, Goldcrest, Goldfinches and Greenfinches.

None at Fog Lane Park this morning but 3 females at Fletcher Moss Park / Stenner Woods between 12.30 and 13.30.
Rick.

6 at Fletcher Moss Park / Stenner Woods this morning.

-- Edited by Tony Darby on Saturday 5th of March 2011 11:46:36 PM

5 overflying Platt Ln. from Platt Fields heading North 5.30PM. Alex Park is, more or less,West
of Platt Fields so perhaps heading to Whitworth Park to roost?

Better luck this afternoon 15.15 to 15.45 with a pair of ring-necked parakeets
Rick.

Quick circuit round Fog Lane this afternoon (13.30 to 14.15) did not turn up sight nor sound of ring necked parakeet.

Rick.

2 in Stenner Woods 3.15PM. Flew off towards Didsbury.

2 Ring-necked Parakeets in Fog Lane Park about 16.20. 1 male and 1 female.
Rick.

Saw a pair in Fog Lane park today around 11:30 after rain, they flew from the tall trees to the west down to the area near the ponds.

Also seen in same area between ponds and bowling green, 20+ Redwing and similar number of Goldfinch. 4 Long-Tailed Tit at ponds.

18/02/2011 - 2 Ring-necked Parakeets in Fletcher Moss Park at 2pm. Looked like a male and female.

12.20 - 13.20
Fog Lane Park

2 Parakeets - 1 male and 1 female.

Rick.

-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Thursday 17th of February 2011 03:41:10 PM

3 in Fog Lane park yesterday, about 4pm. Usual spot.

Just 1 Ring-necked parakeet today between 12.00 and 12.30. first heard and seen at
usual spot in trees by the picnic area at western end of park then it flew to trees near
the ponds.
Rick.

Amazon seen in Birchfields Park, Fallowfield at 1315 today. No parakeets with it.
Info thanks to my son.

12.30 to 13.15
Total of 7.

5 ring-necked parakeets initially in trees along the enge of the football pitches near the ponds. They then flew off westwards to usual spot in trees by the picnic area and were soon joined by 2 more.

Rick.

Very vocal pair flying south down Hatherley Rd towards Fog Lane Park 10:00 today.

1 lone but very obliging male today between 11.30 and 12.00 at Fog Lane Park.
At one time the bird flew down to a small branch just 4 feet above my head but, unfortunatley no camera with me

Rick

5 in Fog Lane Park this pm.

Originally posted by Chad Fannon today:

Hi there.
For the past 12-18 months I have been aware of a Ring Neck Parakeet in Fog Lane Park in Didsbury.I frequent the park as I live across the road and have marvelled at the exotic sounds this bird makes.
6 months ago my youngest lad was playing on the park when I spotted 2 Parakeets together,not thinking much of it at the time.
However 2 weeks ago we were again playing in the footy pit area of the park when to mine and my kids amazement approx 12-15 Parakeets flew over making an almghty racket.
I was wondering if anybody knew where they may roost?
Also I am hoping that they choose Fog Lane Park as they have in that London park to breed and roost.It will be quite a spectacle.
Regards.
ps Great forum

Oh and had my first ever Blackcap and Sparrowhawk in my garden in last few days.
And the usual Robins Dunnocks Blue- Great and Coal Tits 6 Woodpigeons daily..and my noisy little Wren.
Fox and Hedgehog at night.Who'd think I live 3 miles from Mcr City Centre

-- Edited by Chadster on Thursday 27th of January 2011 01:14:15 PM

23rd January.

A very noisy pair of Ring-necked Parakeets in Platt Fields Park at 9.30 am today.

Cheers,

Bill.

1 Ring-necked parakeet in Stenner woods, Fletcher Moss park, Didsbury yesterday [Sat] noon. Not seen one round here before,must be moving upmarket.

Hi Ian - comments noted.

Hi Judith, Parakeets mainly seen at the western side of the park (accessed from Old Broadway, off Wilmslow Rd) in the tall trees immediately ahead. I have also seen them in the trees and holly bushes near the ponds towards the middle of the park.
I always access the park on the south side from Fog Lane.

Rick.

Rick Donkin wrote:

---

Between 12.30 and 13.00 today:-

4 Ring-necked Parakeets (3 seen and a further 1 heard), 1 Treecreeper, 2 Mistle Thrush, plenty of Blue, Great and Long-Tailed Tits, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Robin and 6 Redwing. Approx 8 Carrion Crows and too many Magpies.

Not many Gulls about as men working on the football field.

Only Mallard, Canada Geese, Coot and Moorhen visible on the ponds - but a local Lady I got chatting to mentioned a 'strange' duck was about yesterday and thought it was a Mandarin. She later said she thought it had a blue bill, which suggests 'that duck' we don't mention ! However, no sign of anything other than those mentioned.

Rick.

---

Hi Rick,

Just a friendly pointer but this thread is dedicated to Ring-necked Parakeets only, just so we can keep track of these colourful residents. Other sightings are best placed on a relevant site thread

Where were the parakeets?

Between 12.30 and 13.00 today:-

4 Ring-necked Parakeets (3 seen and a further 1 heard), 1 Treecreeper, 2 Mistle Thrush, plenty of Blue, Great and Long-Tailed Tits, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Robin and 6 Redwing. Approx 8 Carrion Crows and too many Magpies.

Not many Gulls about as men working on the football field.

Only Mallard, Canada Geese, Coot and Moorhen visible on the ponds - but a local Lady I got chatting to mentioned a 'strange' duck was about yesterday and thought it was a Mandarin. She later said she thought it had a blue bill, which suggests 'that duck' we don't mention ! However, no sign of anything other than those mentioned.

Rick.

Anyone noticed the unusual pair of ducks on the pond over the last few days at Fog lane? Can't find them in any books.

5 over Great Western street this morning.

Quick visit to Fog Lane Park with dog:

2 Ring-necked Parakeets
1 Treecreeper
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Redwings
2 Mistle Thrushes
Mixed flock of Blue,Great and Long-Tailed Tits
Mixed flock of Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Chaffinches
Lots of Common and Black Headed Gulls on the fields

2 over Great Western Street where I was working today. First time I have seen them here.

7 Fog Lane Park, Didsbury this afternoon. Noted feeding on Ash seeds. If accessed from Old Broadway entrance, off Wilmslow Rd B5093, you'll walk right into them. Locals report a maximum of 7, one has them visiting a garden feeder on Fog Lane.

3 at Alex Park, Whalley Range recently

info from Alan Lee

Yes Rick, that was me and 'the missus' / 'better half'. As we walked away, we heard one of the parakeets (they're not quiet, are they?!) before spotting the group in the trees very close to where we were standing together.

Hope to bump into you again soon.

Hi Ollie,
It must have been me if you were the couple I was speaking to when the Nuthatch appeared in front of us! Nice to have met you and your partner/wife/friend.

Pleased that you saw the RNP's as they were keeping quiet and out of sight when we first met. After I had left you I did hear them squawking again and saw 1 flying off in an easterly direction.

Rick. (I'm a Blue - but at least a team from Manchester is winning at the time of typing - hope the other half win too later on!!)

-- Edited by Rick Donkin on Sunday 9th of January 2011 02:50:05 PM

Also saw the three parakeets in Fog Lane Park at half one, including a pair grooming each other. That must have been you I met then, Rick! Hope you're enjoying the game.

Today between 12.45 and 13.30 3 Ring-necked Parakeets at Fog Lane Park.
Also 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Nuthatch, 15 C Crow, many Blue and Gt Tit and 10+ Common and 80+ BH Gulls.
Rick.

Hi Judith - sorry yes into Platt Fields

Tim

Hi Tim - was that Platt Fields Park they flew into?