07:24 11/08/08 Ring-necked Parakeet Manc'r Rusholme 20:00 10/08/08 3.3 m NE six at Platt Fields Park last night around the car park and island
Tim Wilcox said
Mon Aug 11 1:18 AM, 2008
Tony confirmed to me that the party of 10 was seen at 8.30pm on Wed 30 July. He couldn't quite pin down the day he had seen the group the week before. I've asked him to keep a note if he's out in his yard.
Judith Smith said
Thu Aug 7 9:49 PM, 2008
Tim - can you persuade your friend to kee p anote of the dates and numbers? Cheers.
Rob Smallwood said
Thu Aug 7 2:48 PM, 2008
That's the largest count in the area and suggests a minimum 3 new birds.
Still only 1 adult male bing reported _ i wonder if this is what is stopping them from spreading faster?
By chance I spent an hour or so in the area this lunch time with no joy - but I've discovered loads of allotments!
Tim Wilcox said
Thu Aug 7 12:55 PM, 2008
My fellow birder, Tony Darby has seen a party of 10 Parakeets flying over his back yard just north of Platt Fields at around 8.30pm on a number of occasions recently moving WNW - presumably to Alex Park. He assumes that some of this party must be juveniles.
Debs Wallace said
Wed Aug 6 10:38 AM, 2008
4pm Tuesday 5th August. Three ringnecks (none of whom were adult males) on the sunflower seed feeders. Feeding along side them was one Orange winged Amazon parrot which hangs upside down from the feeder pole to eat its seeds. Great tits and green finches were mixing it with the bigger birds, a squirrel was eating from another feeder and a great spotted wood pecker flew in to have a look as well. Who needs an allotment to grow vegies, I could just watch the birds. An hour after the first three ring necks departed, three more arrived one of whom was an adult male. I am still making attempts to locate the owner of the Oranged winged Amazon and have some useful contacts, but if you do hear anything which may help, please let me know.
Paul Heaton said
Sun Jul 20 9:44 PM, 2008
I have quite a long list of lost birds from all over manchester. longsight and levenshulme has an impressive number of lost parrots.
They are extremley difficult to catch, but I have this year returned 2 african greys 1 lovebird and a couple of Budgies, it helps when they have a ring on or the owners telephone number on the wing.
As for the raptors kept as pets when they get out they cause a stir among the pigeons.
But it all adds to fun when birding.
keep birding.
Rob Smallwood said
Sun Jul 20 9:20 PM, 2008
It is short-tailed enough to be the bird that I saw.
Surprised no one else has caught up with it yet.
Debs Wallace said
Sun Jul 20 8:54 PM, 2008
On Friday 18th July I got a really good look at the parrot which has been visiting my allotment and looked it up on the internet. It is an Oranged Winged Amazon Parrot - have a look on Google Images. Is that the bird which was spooted near Platt Fields? If anyone hears of a lost one or knows of any way of putting the word about I would be very greatful as I am now convinced that this is someone's lost pet. Unfortunately it flies away when approached. I have emailed John Hayward (British Parrot Society) as he co-ordinates lost / found / stolen birds.
Debs Wallace said
Sat Jul 12 10:39 PM, 2008
Rob I am sure that the bird I saw had a dark beak, grey I think. I have looked up Alexandrines on the net and they look very similar to Ring necks. I wish I had managed to get a better look, but the general build of the bird which I saw did not seem quite as slim and elegant as a Ring neck, although that may have been due in part to the short tail. I will keep a look out for it and try to get a better look. I will also look for red patches on the upper wings. Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted. I am also getting increasingly large numbers of green finches, golfinches, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, dunnocks and sparrows which are eating their way through ever increasining quantities of sunflower seeds. Great company on my allotment.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 5th of July 2010 11:21:47 PM
Rob Smallwood said
Sat Jul 12 8:21 AM, 2008
Debs - this sounds similar to the bird I saw at Platt Fields the other day which I think may have been an Alexandrine.
The short tail may be down to wear and tear (whilst escaping?) rather than structural.
If it is, it should show smallish red patches on the upper wings which are visible in flight - but normally the bill colour would be red.
Is your allotment between Platt Fields & Birchfields parks?
In Holland both species breed side by side and hybridise....
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 08:26, 2008-07-12
Debs Wallace said
Fri Jul 11 10:58 PM, 2008
Has anyone seen another "Parrot" hanging out with the Ringnecked Parakeets? There were two birds at my allotment in Fallowfield at 4.30pm today. One was a Ringnecked Parakeet but I am pretty sure that the other one was not. I got a brief look. It had a dark coloured beak which looked thicker than a Parakeets, It was green and like the Parakeets it did have yellow under its tail, but its tail was short. My general impression was that the bird was a heavier build than a Parakeet but not that much bigger. Any ideas?
Pete Hines said
Fri Jul 11 7:17 PM, 2008
One flew out from the island in Platt Fields Park this afternoon
Pete Hines said
Wed Jul 9 7:30 PM, 2008
A male and female perched side by side right above my head on by the pond in Alexandra Park, Whalley Range at 15.15
Rob Smallwood said
Wed Jul 9 1:20 PM, 2008
At least 2 present at Platt Fields Park this morning along with the juvenile Black-ncked Grebe.
Also a tail-less Parakeet with "red" on the wings that in the very brief view I had suggested Alexandrine but far too brief to be sure.
Rob Smallwood said
Sun Jun 22 6:03 PM, 2008
Try nearby Birchfields Park - not been recently but it can be a good site to try.
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 18:06, 2008-06-22
Mark Whalley said
Sun Jun 22 4:55 PM, 2008
Not sure I'm up to getting there at 4AM but I mught definitely try a look at dusk on a fe nights. thanks all for the posts.
Mark
Pete Hines said
Sat Jun 21 12:54 AM, 2008
My colleague, Alan Lee who lives in the parkhouse next to the pond, told me as recently as last week that 4 Parakeets are still present and that the best time to visit would be 4am, as that's the time he and his family are getting woken up by their (the parakeets) squarking.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jun 20 6:34 PM, 2008
There are no restrictions on you placing your own personal information on this forum Mark as long as you understand the potential implications. That said, those that have done similar have never experienced problems but receiving good, detailed information on the best locations to look ,coupled with sufficient visits and enthusiasm in order to see them should suffice.
Oh, no nest site locations of course
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 18:34, 2008-06-20
declan savage said
Fri Jun 20 5:30 PM, 2008
Hi Mark, they are still around the park but a lot quieter in recent weeks and harder to see with denser canopy- possibly only 2 birds present now. I've seen them at all times of day but i think evening might be your best bet - they seem to do a circuit of the lake just before dusk.
Mark Whalley said
Fri Jun 20 4:51 PM, 2008
I'm seriously thinking of putting my mobile no on here so if anyone is in Alex park and can see the ringnecks then they can txt me coz I've been a few times now of an evening and not had a sniff of them. Whats the best time to try??
declan savage said
Sun Jun 15 5:30 PM, 2008
4 RN Parakeets this morning in Longford Park, Stretford.
2 in Alexandra Park this afternoon.
dave broome said
Fri May 23 12:56 PM, 2008
5 (possibly 6) very vocal RN Parakeets on the island in Platt Fields Park lake yesterday evening
declan savage said
Thu May 8 10:01 PM, 2008
4 parakeets this evening in Alex Park -noisy as ever.
Pete Hines said
Tue Apr 29 11:51 PM, 2008
4 were reported by my colleague who lives in Alex Park last Sun 27th April and they were calling after dark.
-- Edited by Pete Hines at 23:55, 2008-04-29
Pete Hines said
Sun Apr 27 11:19 PM, 2008
1 at Cholton WP at the north side of the lake bordering Barlow Golf Course at 14.15
declan savage said
Thu Apr 10 10:31 PM, 2008
Found a Ring-necked Parakeet in Longford Park (near Stretford) today while doing my ttv survey there. They're spreading.........
-- Edited by declan savage at 22:31, 2008-04-10
declan savage said
Tue Apr 8 7:48 PM, 2008
3 again this evening in Alex Park
declan savage said
Mon Apr 7 2:31 PM, 2008
3 today (and yesterday) - Alex park
declan savage said
Fri Apr 4 4:59 PM, 2008
2 RN Parakeets on island, Platt Fields Park, lunchtime today
declan savage said
Thu Apr 3 7:29 PM, 2008
3 Parakeets in Alexandra Park at 8.00am today.
-- Edited by declan savage at 20:30, 2008-04-03
Pete Hines said
Mon Mar 31 8:23 PM, 2008
A colleague, who lives in the Alex Park park house, told me today that the birds are driving him and his family crazy with their incessant squarking every evening
declan savage said
Mon Mar 31 12:37 PM, 2008
Hi Rob, I'd be happy to do that. Be interesting to see just how many there are. My guess is that 7 is the magic number for the area. I saw 7 early one morning at Alex park a few weeks back, and i suspect there were 6 or 7 there last night. Let me know when you want to do it. cheers Declan
Rob Smallwood said
Mon Mar 31 12:19 PM, 2008
Hi Dec,
Do you fancy doing a co-ordinated count one evening - you at Alexandra Park and I'll go to Birchfields park?
I'm sure they are the same population but it would be interesting to prove it and help prove the numbers involved?
declan savage said
Sun Mar 30 11:38 PM, 2008
5 R N Parakeets this evening in Alexandra Park - very vocal. Possibly one or two other birds present. they looked like they were settling in for the night in the trees west of the pond,
declan savage said
Wed Mar 19 3:19 PM, 2008
pair of R N Parakeets in Alex Park in usual trees near lake, 10- 11.00 today.
Judith Smith said
Tue Mar 18 10:58 PM, 2008
Rob Adderley had a Senegal Parrot in nearby Reddish 15th, on berry bushes - not unlike a RN Parakeet if not seen well. (Green with grey head)
Rob Smallwood said
Mon Mar 17 10:25 PM, 2008
Single bird reported early morning in Stockport Town Centre per BG's, behind Jack Horner pub - a traditional Waxwing site!
declan savage said
Mon Mar 17 7:40 PM, 2008
single parakeet in Alexandra Park, 8.30 this morning.
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Mar 15 12:00 PM, 2008
A loud pair flew right in front of me as I cycled through Platt Fields park this morning and a third was in the belt of trees north of the lake
declan savage said
Fri Mar 14 6:54 PM, 2008
Another parakeet this afternnoon, this time in Platt Fields Park, on the island. possibly 2 birds present because there was a lot of noise, but i only saw one.
declan savage said
Fri Mar 14 12:13 PM, 2008
pair of R N Parakeets in Alexandra Park this morning, sitting quietly in large tree on the island.
Rob Smallwood said
Fri Mar 7 3:06 PM, 2008
By chance I was in the park late lunchtime, no sign of any but I didn't really grill the place.
1 "Egyptian" Goose....
declan savage said
Fri Mar 7 9:46 AM, 2008
7 parakeets this morning all in the same tree by the little lake in Alexandra Park at 8.00. They were calling noisily and flying around for about 20 minutes, but then it seemed to go quiet. When I left at 8.30 there were just 2 birds sitting quietly in the large tree on the island - is this a pair settling in for the breeding season?
-- Edited by declan savage at 09:47, 2008-03-07
Pete Hines said
Wed Feb 27 7:47 PM, 2008
A pair were inspecting a cavity in Whalley Range, before flying off north-east at 17.15.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 20:29, 2008-04-03
Rob Smallwood said
Fri Feb 22 5:53 PM, 2008
Cheers Ian - 7 does appear to be the magic number.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Feb 21 7:36 PM, 2008
The following is an extract from an email sent to me from Debbie Wallace that should go to extend the 'Parakeet picture' in south Manchester
I have an allotment off Caxton Road in Fallowfielld in Manchester (not far from Platt Fields park). I have several feeders with black sunflower seeds in which are visited very frequently (several times per day) by ring necked parakeets (I have seen 7 at once). These have been regular winter visitors and are beatiful and very interesting to watch. They do not seem to bother the flocks of green finches which also frequent the feeders but I have noticed them chasing off feral pigeons. They love sunflower seeds and I have to fill the 5 feeders at least twice per week.
declan savage said
Thu Feb 21 10:38 AM, 2008
Still 2 parakeets (pair) in same area of Alexandra park this morning at 9.00
declan savage said
Tue Feb 19 6:17 PM, 2008
Alexandra Park, Whalley Range: 2 Ring Necked Parakeets were feeding in yew and holly trees close to the lake (near the childrens centre) in the park at 11.30 this morning.
Rob Smallwood said
Sun Jan 27 9:55 PM, 2008
On Friday evening 3 very vocal birds flew out of Birchfields Park towards Platt Fields at c 4:30.
I then saw what was presumably the same 3 birds fly north west from the park from behind the walled gardens.
Couldn't locate any on the island, but over 120 Magpies made quite a sight.
It would appear that the birds roost somewhere north to north-west of Platt Fields park.
07:24 11/08/08 Ring-necked Parakeet Manc'r Rusholme 20:00 10/08/08
3.3 m NE six at Platt Fields Park last night around the car park and island
Still only 1 adult male bing reported _ i wonder if this is what is stopping them from spreading faster?
By chance I spent an hour or so in the area this lunch time with no joy - but I've discovered loads of allotments!
Three ringnecks (none of whom were adult males) on the sunflower seed feeders. Feeding along side them was one Orange winged Amazon parrot which hangs upside down from the feeder pole to eat its seeds. Great tits and green finches were mixing it with the bigger birds, a squirrel was eating from another feeder and a great spotted wood pecker flew in to have a look as well. Who needs an allotment to grow vegies, I could just watch the birds.
An hour after the first three ring necks departed, three more arrived one of whom was an adult male.
I am still making attempts to locate the owner of the Oranged winged Amazon and have some useful contacts, but if you do hear anything which may help, please let me know.
They are extremley difficult to catch, but I have this year returned 2 african greys 1 lovebird and a couple of Budgies, it helps when they have a ring on or the owners telephone number on the wing.
As for the raptors kept as pets when they get out they cause a stir among the pigeons.
But it all adds to fun when birding.
keep birding.
Surprised no one else has caught up with it yet.
I am sure that the bird I saw had a dark beak, grey I think. I have looked up Alexandrines on the net and they look very similar to Ring necks. I wish I had managed to get a better look, but the general build of the bird which I saw did not seem quite as slim and elegant as a Ring neck, although that may have been due in part to the short tail. I will keep a look out for it and try to get a better look. I will also look for red patches on the upper wings. Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted.
I am also getting increasingly large numbers of green finches, golfinches, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, dunnocks and sparrows which are eating their way through ever increasining quantities of sunflower seeds. Great company on my allotment.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 5th of July 2010 11:21:47 PM
The short tail may be down to wear and tear (whilst escaping?) rather than structural.
If it is, it should show smallish red patches on the upper wings which are visible in flight - but normally the bill colour would be red.
Is your allotment between Platt Fields & Birchfields parks?
In Holland both species breed side by side and hybridise....
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 08:26, 2008-07-12
There were two birds at my allotment in Fallowfield at 4.30pm today. One was a Ringnecked Parakeet but I am pretty sure that the other one was not. I got a brief look. It had a dark coloured beak which looked thicker than a Parakeets, It was green and like the Parakeets it did have yellow under its tail, but its tail was short. My general impression was that the bird was a heavier build than a Parakeet but not that much bigger. Any ideas?
Also a tail-less Parakeet with "red" on the wings that in the very brief view I had suggested Alexandrine but far too brief to be sure.
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood at 18:06, 2008-06-22
Mark
Oh, no nest site locations of course
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 18:34, 2008-06-20
they are still around the park but a lot quieter in recent weeks and harder to see with denser canopy- possibly only 2 birds present now. I've seen them at all times of day but i think evening might be your best bet - they seem to do a circuit of the lake just before dusk.
2 in Alexandra Park this afternoon.
-- Edited by Pete Hines at 23:55, 2008-04-29
-- Edited by declan savage at 22:31, 2008-04-10
-- Edited by declan savage at 20:30, 2008-04-03
cheers
Declan
Do you fancy doing a co-ordinated count one evening - you at Alexandra Park and I'll go to Birchfields park?
I'm sure they are the same population but it would be interesting to prove it and help prove the numbers involved?
1 "Egyptian" Goose....
-- Edited by declan savage at 09:47, 2008-03-07
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 20:29, 2008-04-03
I have an allotment off Caxton Road in Fallowfielld in Manchester (not far from Platt Fields park). I have several feeders with black sunflower seeds in which are visited very frequently (several times per day) by ring necked parakeets (I have seen 7 at once). These have been regular winter visitors and are beatiful and very interesting to watch. They do not seem to bother the flocks of green finches which also frequent the feeders but I have noticed them chasing off feral pigeons. They love sunflower seeds and I have to fill the 5 feeders at least twice per week.
I then saw what was presumably the same 3 birds fly north west from the park from behind the walled gardens.
Couldn't locate any on the island, but over 120 Magpies made quite a sight.
It would appear that the birds roost somewhere north to north-west of Platt Fields park.