A pair of Black Redstarts are indeed breeding in the northern quarter of Manchester City Centre and fortunately the location is suitable for public release.

The site is at the corner of Balloon Street and Federation Street on an old building. The birds appear to be feeding young to the right of a shield on the wall of the building with 1903 on it and is approximately 50 foot or so up the building on top of a buttress.

Please note that Balloon Street is a Metrolink tram route so care should be taken when visiting, there are also Grey Wagtails in the area too.

Special thanks to Mark Evans for his successful searching for the birds today and in locating the pair.

Now go and enjoy...

I've just spent lunchtime surveying the rooftops around Shude Hill from the top deck of the Arndale NCP car park. Until, that is, an NCP official came out waving his arms about and shouting at me. Apparently I was breaking privacy laws or something. Anyway he calmed down and was quite pleasant when I told him what I was doing and gave him a little history of Manchester's rare birds. Anyway probably best if others don't try this trick. We could perhaps get permission from NCP if breeding does end up in this area. It was a whole new perspective on the city - you can see why people want those penthouse flats. Great views.

No interesting birds to report though- imposter Wagtails or otherwise.

I too was sure I could see a Black Redstart there the other day. It disappeared over the ridge of the roof. By the time I'd got out my bins there was a bird on the aerial - Grey Wag!

There have been so many sightings in this area over the last few years that they must be breeding nearby, but I'm ******ed if I can find them, and I work here every day! Maybe this is a job for Adrian "Nestfinder" Dancy? Are you still out there?

Steve

On Sunday I had a Grey Wagtail singing from an aerial in that area. It did sound remarkably like a Black Redstart. I actually ran when I heard it! But I think it was on the part of Withy Grove that becomes Shude Hill. Back Turner St is an area where Black Reds have been singing before.

Probable on aerial on the roof of the block bounded by High Street, Back Turner Street and the tramlines this lunchtime but flitted off over the roof just as I got my bins up. Not relocated.

Also Peregrine using CIS tower.

I had a brief glimpse this morning in the "Northern Quarter" of what looked like a birder hiding bins under his jacket (from rain or potential muggers?).

Only a brief glimpse in passing but v.strong possibility saw female yesterday evening on wall at Ancoats retail park

Breeding in the Dantzic St area would be interesting as that is where BX first bred in Manchester (1977, I think). The guy who was demolishing the old Co-op butchery building found some unusual birds, checked them in a book at home and rang Richard Wakeley who was then the RSPB's man in the area. Demolition was halted until the young had fledged.

No sign of BX activity around Port St/Dale Street area or around back of Printworks/Dantzic St/Fountain St/Co-op buildings this lunchtime but fancied I heard a call from the Co-op building. Be wary of tantalising glimpses of House Sparrows using the rooftops in the Port St area. Will try agian later.

Again a very brief view of something dark flitting over the rooftops this afternoon, but not a definate.

Regarding the Birdwatch mag excellent article on northwest twite as well.

keep birding

Henry Cook wrote:

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Apparently there is an article in this months Birdwatch magazine on conservation efforts to help the Black Redstarts in city centre manc, including 'roof-top management'! Looking forward to this issue.
Thanks. Henry.

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It's a two page article and the magazine is definately worth getting.

Well done Declan. Shudehill station is where Simon Johnson had it last year, and Steve Suttill had sightings of imms or females in the same general area - this would be a different pair to the Chinatown birds.

Apparently there is an article in this months Birdwatch magazine on conservation efforts to help the Black Redstarts in city centre manc, including 'roof-top management'! Looking forward to this issue.
Thanks. Henry.

A male Black Redstart was singing on a rooftop on Dantzic st (at the back of Printworks) at 6.30 this evening. It then flew off and I found it again, still singing, close to Shudehill station.

i spent an hour or so in the area around lunchtime - a few dunnocks and a couple of grey wags on the canal...

Very likey candidate on tariff street today however I was moved on quickly for parking in the wrong spot before I could get my scope up.

will try again tomorrow, Nice article in Birdwatch on page 26 this month on Manchester rooftop redstarts.

keep birding

A few years ago I saw one on Portland St where 'The Paramount' is now - by the Odeon.

He did mention it to me last month, but no details came of where it was seen and by who the observation was made. I'll start wandering around a bit more on my lunch and keep an eye out all over the usual haunts.

Sean - Jon Follows reported one from Ancoats retail park 11th April.

Sean thats great news I have been looking in the dale street area this past few days but will change My direction.

KEEP BIRDING

I saw a male Black Redstart from my office window yesterday (from 7th Floor Peter House, St Peter's Square, Manchester). Only got a very brief view as it flitted from one office block to the next opposite from my building. I've not seen any other threads on this species this year so am wondering whether anyone else has seen one yet this year? Good to see they have returned for another year though.