The fields are flooded and gulls are covering a wide area, I am certain my numbers are on the low side difficult to count due to dog walkers disturbing flock.
Keep Birding.
Iain Johnson said
Thu Dec 29 10:58 AM, 2011
Male sparrowhawk hunting unsuccessfully past Ikea in Ashton under Lyne yesterday afternoon (28/12/2011).
steven burke said
Wed Dec 28 4:22 PM, 2011
coming home from elton res, (3.20pm)got off the tram at old trafford & walked down ayres rd towards home on addison crescent i heard a blue tit making its alarm call & looked around & there was a peregrine falcon whizzing around in the wind,eventually flew off towards salford quays
Phil Owen said
Mon Dec 26 10:21 AM, 2011
24th December - 3.55pm.
Whilst en-route to Gatley to drop off some presents, a Woodcock flew over the car on Altrincham Road, Sharston and headed towards Greenwood Road.
Tony Darby said
Sat Dec 24 4:41 PM, 2011
Nice Goldcrest mixed in with Long-tailed Tit flock at Sainsburys Fallowfield car park this morning.
Charles Farrell said
Fri Dec 23 11:44 AM, 2011
Rob Smallwood wrote:
A female Peregrine spent most of today sat on or in the nest box.
haha thanks! Unfortunately I haven't worked out where that is yet. :)
Rob Smallwood said
Thu Dec 22 5:09 PM, 2011
A female Peregrine spent most of today sat on or in the nest box.
Charles Farrell said
Thu Dec 22 3:45 PM, 2011
Mistle Thrush singing from the roof of the Travelodge on Blackfriars St, during unsuccessful search for the city-cent Peregrines at 3pm.
Nick Hilton said
Thu Dec 22 11:55 AM, 2011
Male Blackcap in the garden in Davyhulme yesterday
Holly Page said
Wed Dec 21 6:08 PM, 2011
Tawny Owl near Middlebrook 5.50pm. I was sat at the traffic lights at the end of Lostock lane next to Heritage Windows. It came from the general direction of the Bee Hive and flew across the front of my car heading towards the motorway.
Steven Nelson said
Wed Dec 14 8:25 AM, 2011
8.10am Large Starling flock c.2000 birds over Warburton bridge heading N. Presumably dispersing from Rostherne roost. Yesterday a flock of c.500 in same direction at same time in same direction. Also c.30 Fieldfare
John Doherty said
Mon Dec 12 6:01 PM, 2011
25-strong Goldfinch flock over Monsall Estate this morning, North Manchester.
jason fisher said
Mon Dec 12 5:55 PM, 2011
nice sighting of a buzzard being mobbed by a corvid half way between stockport tesco and junction 25 of the m60 about half past 2 today '
John Doherty said
Fri Dec 9 5:52 PM, 2011
2 Nuthatches calling (sighted too) 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker only heard
both in Phillips Park Cemetery East Manchester 2.30pm today as I passed through to ASDA. Cold, but not freezing, with bursts of hail - a nice day all round though
Joey Eccles said
Sat Dec 3 12:23 PM, 2011
8 redwing and a Treecreeper were both good garden birds to wake up to in chorltonville this morning.
Paul Heaton said
Tue Nov 29 7:37 AM, 2011
Collected a Woodcock last night in Manchester town centre, sadly it had a broken wing. found just off Charlotte street.
John Doherty said
Mon Nov 28 7:19 PM, 2011
Six or so Canada in the recreation bit of the Collyhurst Estate today- funnily enough I saw a dozen or so a week before, some being harassed by the local Staffies so perhaps this is the hangers-on?
At the same time a skein of geese went North heading in the direction of Oldham - I couldn't tell which breed as they were high and I had no bins.
Dave Tennant said
Mon Nov 28 6:29 PM, 2011
Peregrine being mobbed by corvid over m61 south of reebok junction 0845 this am.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Nov 26 1:09 PM, 2011
Just drove past the McVities factory on the A6, Heaton Chapel and a Peregrine was sat bold as brass on the top of a large pale blue, flat roofed metal warehouse type building!
Iain Johnson said
Fri Nov 18 9:33 AM, 2011
Two cormorant flew north over Stalybridge train station towards Stamford Park c7.40 Wednesday morning.
Sarah Stubbs said
Mon Nov 14 4:20 PM, 2011
Thanx guys ill keep my eyes peeled for the Eagle owl. Let me know if you spot it. It might have been captured by now.
Melanie Beckford said
Sun Nov 13 8:29 PM, 2011
As l stopped my car today to set my sat nav up, l heard a commotion and saw the local Corvids going berserk and there right opposite me l had the most wonderful albeit sad view of a female Sparrowhawk on top of struggling prey
l don't see enough of these birds so held my breath whilst l reached for my 'bins' (on the back seat ) she held on to her prize and tried to ignore the harassment given to her, by her outraged onlookers. Although l had a great view in my bins, l felt for the prey and didn't think l should be watching it's last few moments So l decided to leave, but before l did, the S/hawk had been harassed so relentlessly,it flew off accompanied by the very vocal Magpies and Crows. The shocked pigeon lay there and l pondered if he was dead or only half ? But surprisingly it sprang to life and flew off scattering loose feathers everywhere...
This is the second time, l've watched a S/hawk, near my home, catch, semi pluck it's prey but has been hassled so much has had to leave it.
-- Edited by Melanie Beckford on Sunday 13th of November 2011 11:16:14 PM
Keith Holland said
Sun Nov 13 8:11 PM, 2011
I had a further report of the eagle owl in Neston Road Walshaw around a week ago. Nothing since though
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Nov 13 6:57 PM, 2011
None I'm afraid Sarah
Sarah Stubbs said
Sun Nov 13 6:33 PM, 2011
Hi everyone,im just wondering has there been anymore sightings of the European eagle owl?
JamieDunning said
Sat Nov 12 9:54 PM, 2011
Paul Taylor wrote:
There was a bat flying over Crankwood at around 12:45pm today. It was quite big about starling size, and was brown in color. Anyone any ideas what it may have been?
could be Noctule? one of the first to emerge in evening and the biggest!
Paul Taylor said
Sat Nov 12 7:27 PM, 2011
There was a bat flying over Crankwood at around 12:45pm today. It was quite big about starling size, and was brown in color. Anyone any ideas what it may have been?
Karen Foulkes said
Tue Nov 8 9:34 PM, 2011
Late news from Sunday
3 Teal on flooded field by railway track, just outside Lostock station
Andy Isherwood said
Thu Nov 3 4:10 PM, 2011
single whooper swan west over middlebrook retail park this lunchtime. looked like it had just taken off and was gaining height rapidly!?
Keith Holland said
Wed Nov 2 12:11 PM, 2011
The Eagle Owl was photographed on the roof of a property off Bradley Fold Road in Ainsworth village on Tuesday afternoon. Apparently a rabbit has also gone missing from a nearby garden so if the Owl was the culprit it may hang around for a while. Went to have a look on Wednesday am but only found a buzzard in a hawthorn bush (in the fields on the left hand side of the road half way between Bradley Fold Road and Starling Road heading towards Bury from Bolton) accompanied by 10 magpies.
Iain Johnson said
Sun Oct 30 7:06 PM, 2011
Drake mandarin on the canal outside tesco, stalybridge this morning
Joey Eccles said
Sun Oct 30 4:41 PM, 2011
c.350-400 Jackdaws just flew past my house in Roe Green, Worsley heading North East. This is the first time I have ever seen a Jackdaw roost go through Worsley
Sarfraz Hayat said
Sun Oct 30 12:18 AM, 2011
buzzard flying over trees on m60 between junction 17 and 16.........heading eastwards, 2.30pm friday 28 october
Diane Wright said
Sun Oct 23 11:29 AM, 2011
I would be very interested if anyone has any more sightings of the lowercroft eagle owl. I only live in a drive nearby but have not seen it as I have been working. My husband saw it on Friday but i would love to see it personally.
Many thanks
-- Edited by Diane Wright on Sunday 23rd of October 2011 05:25:32 PM
Dennis atherton said
Sat Oct 22 8:16 PM, 2011
late report for last night, the eagle owl was present in same area at 5.30 ish when i got out of work, i was very happy to finally see this bird, thanks to Ivan, Keith and Mike for calls and updates,
John Rayner said
Sat Oct 22 6:42 PM, 2011
Coot still sitting on nest on small pool at Hazel Grove Golf Course.
Cheers, John
Adrian Dancy said
Sat Oct 22 3:56 PM, 2011
No Eagle Owl seen up to about 2.00pm. I understand from Mike Killelea that the bird was wearing jesses. Redwing heard in trees near the lodges.
Dave Thacker said
Fri Oct 21 9:12 PM, 2011
A bit of a surprise at 17.45 this evening while I was enjoying my Steak and chips inside the White Horse pub on Worsley road ,Swinton. As I looked out of the window towards the rear car park I noticed a Buzzard sat in the trees. I nipped out to get a better look and noticed that a very vocal pair of Great tits were giving the Buzzard some grief. The Buzzard looked in great condition and it did not seem to mind the annoying Great tits flying about as it started to preen itself.
Simon Warford said
Fri Oct 21 5:13 PM, 2011
Lowercroft Eagle Owl still present at 4.30pm, being enjoyed by all the locals. Looking at the state of the pavement its been around that spot for a while now.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Oct 21 4:50 PM, 2011
Buzzard, Irwell valley from M60, 3.50p.m. today. Cheers Ian
Hi Dennis, Report today on 'BirdGuides' ... THE OWL is back on same lampost at 10.34am this morning.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Oct 21 5:45 AM, 2011
The main point regarding this Eagle Owl, other than its apparent unconcern with close proximity to humans (though if it were weary it wouldn't change matters), is that the species currently forms no part of the official British List. No records are, or ever have been, considered to be of wild origins. Much research has gone into it though whether you agree with it or not is of course a matter of personal opinion.
This is far from our county's first record either and as for the Bowlands birds, magnificent as they no doubt were, they were of captive origin
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Oct 20 11:58 PM, 2011
Most captive birds are Burmese (or Bengal) Eagle Owls.
If it was an aviary bird (as opposed to a free flyer kept on a block) it would not be wearing jesses or bells.
The fact that it was sat on a lamp-post unperturbed whilst gathering a fan-club around it suggests an escapee ........ but then again stranger things have happened.
Might not be reported as missing in case Mrs Smiths moggie or chihuahua goes mysteriously AWOL.
Roger
John Rayner said
Thu Oct 20 11:57 PM, 2011
I've just had a look at The Independent Bird Register and a European Eagle Owl was lost in the Glossop area last month. It could be anywhere now - even Bury.
Just to illustrate how frequently these birds escape captivity 2 more Eagle Owl species were also lost in the last few days but from further afield, and these are just the ones that have been registered with the Independent Bird Register. Who knows how many unregistered birds are out there?
It is arguable whether the Trough of Bowland birds, or any other Eagle Owls in the country for that matter, are of wild origin. Didn't one of the original Bowland parents have jesses? On the other hand I believe I read that one was reported flying in off the sea in Norfolk recently.
No doubt some do arrive from the continent but it will be a hard job to prove it.
Cheers, John
Ivan Ellison said
Thu Oct 20 10:05 PM, 2011
Hi Joe, this will not be a wild bird but all the same it would still be nice to see.
Simon ,why would this not be a wild bird. They breed as close as the trough of bowland, that I know of, they could even breed nearer. Of course if it is ringed and wearing jesses or bells it would def be a captive escape/release. I have not heard of any escapees at the moment.
Dennis atherton said
Thu Oct 20 8:45 AM, 2011
1 mile from my house and i did not know about it. Gutted i missed seeing this bird
Keith Mills said
Wed Oct 19 6:53 PM, 2011
I found the Eagle Owl still on the same lampost ( Pete Turner's) just after 6 pm. At 6.13 pm it flew onto the roof of number 70 Haslam Hey Close, where after a few minutes it perched on the TV aerial. Appeared healthy and relaxed but did jump a little when a car door slammed. Enjoyed by a small group of residents and kids.
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 19th of October 2011 08:38:44 PM
Simon Warford said
Wed Oct 19 6:16 PM, 2011
Hi Joe, this will not be a wild bird but all the same it would still be nice to see.
Peter Baron has just informed me that it is still present at 6pm perched on a lamp post on Whitecroft Drive, Lowercroft showing incredibly well. I hope to get up there myself tommorrow in between Winter hill and Elton.
Joe Wynn said
Wed Oct 19 5:48 PM, 2011
Ian McKerchar wrote:
An Eagle Owl has been present all day on street lights in Starling, Bury at the junction of Haslam Hey Close and Whitecroft Drive. Seemingly unconcerned by a going on underneath it!
240+ Black-headed gull
200+ Common Gull
15 LBB Gull
4 Herring Gull
50 jackdaws
30 magpies,
7 Redwing.
The fields are flooded and gulls are covering a wide area, I am certain my numbers are on the low side difficult to count due to dog walkers disturbing flock.
Keep Birding.
Whilst en-route to Gatley to drop off some presents, a Woodcock flew over the car on Altrincham Road, Sharston and headed towards Greenwood Road.
car park this morning.
haha thanks! Unfortunately I haven't worked out where that is yet. :)
Large Starling flock c.2000 birds over Warburton bridge heading N. Presumably dispersing from Rostherne roost.
Yesterday a flock of c.500 in same direction at same time in same direction.
Also c.30 Fieldfare
'
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker only heard
both in Phillips Park Cemetery East Manchester 2.30pm today as I passed through to ASDA.
Cold, but not freezing, with bursts of hail - a nice day all round though
At the same time a skein of geese went North heading in the direction of Oldham - I couldn't tell which breed as they were high and I had no bins.
l don't see enough of these birds so held my breath whilst l reached for my 'bins' (on the back seat ) she held on to her prize and tried to ignore the harassment given to her, by her outraged onlookers. Although l had a great view in my bins, l felt for the prey and didn't think l should be watching it's last few moments
So l decided to leave, but before l did, the S/hawk had been harassed so relentlessly,it flew off accompanied by the very vocal Magpies and Crows. The shocked pigeon lay there and l pondered if he was dead or only half ?
But surprisingly it sprang to life and flew off scattering loose feathers everywhere...
This is the second time, l've watched a S/hawk, near my home, catch, semi pluck it's prey but has been hassled so much has had to leave it.
-- Edited by Melanie Beckford on Sunday 13th of November 2011 11:16:14 PM
could be Noctule?
one of the first to emerge in evening and the biggest!
Anyone any ideas what it may have been?
3 Teal on flooded field by railway track, just outside Lostock station
This is the first time I have ever seen a Jackdaw roost go through Worsley
I only live in a drive nearby but have not seen it as I have been working. My husband
saw it on Friday but i would love to see it personally.
Many thanks
-- Edited by Diane Wright on Sunday 23rd of October 2011 05:25:32 PM
Cheers, John
Redwing heard in trees near the lodges.
Cheers Ian
http://www.davewilkinsonphotos.co.uk/p460868553/h14212e0e#h14212e0e
Report today on 'BirdGuides' ... THE OWL is back on same lampost at 10.34am this morning.
This is far from our county's first record either and as for the Bowlands birds, magnificent as they no doubt were, they were of captive origin
If it was an aviary bird (as opposed to a free flyer kept on a block) it would not be wearing jesses or bells.
The fact that it was sat on a lamp-post unperturbed whilst gathering a fan-club around it suggests an escapee ........ but then again stranger things have happened.
Might not be reported as missing in case Mrs Smiths moggie or chihuahua goes mysteriously AWOL.
Roger
I've just had a look at The Independent Bird Register and a European Eagle Owl was lost in the Glossop area last month. It could be anywhere now - even Bury.
http://www.independentbirdregister.co.uk/website/Lost%20&%20Found.html
Just to illustrate how frequently these birds escape captivity 2 more Eagle Owl species were also lost in the last few days but from further afield, and these are just the ones that have been registered with the Independent Bird Register. Who knows how many unregistered birds are out there?
It is arguable whether the Trough of Bowland birds, or any other Eagle Owls in the country for that matter, are of wild origin. Didn't one of the original Bowland parents have jesses? On the other hand I believe I read that one was reported flying in off the sea in Norfolk recently.
No doubt some do arrive from the continent but it will be a hard job to prove it.
Cheers, John
Simon ,why would this not be a wild bird. They breed as close as the trough of bowland, that I know of, they could even breed nearer. Of course if it is ringed and wearing jesses or bells it would def be a captive escape/release. I have not heard of any escapees at the moment.
Appeared healthy and relaxed but did jump a little when a car door slammed.
Enjoyed by a small group of residents and kids.
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 19th of October 2011 08:38:44 PM
Peter Baron has just informed me that it is still present at 6pm perched on a lamp post on Whitecroft Drive, Lowercroft showing incredibly well. I hope to get up there myself tommorrow in between Winter hill and Elton.
Would that be wild?