In fact Mr. McKerchar is a true Lancastrian None of that "ooh, when I was born it was in Lancashire so I'm still a Lancastrian now the boundaries have changed" nonsense. Where I was born is and always will be in deepest Lancashire.
Funny thing is though that I really don't care. I am not a Lancastrian and I am not a Mancunian. I am me and I am a birder. That I live within these invisible boundaries which to so many really do mean the world, is inconsequential. Sure I flippin' run a website which covers the area within those invisible boundaries but until those boundaries dissappear it's necessary for recording the birds within them. And anyway I see Manchester Birding as pushing way beyond those boundaries, check out the 'out-of-county forum on here, easily the best around currently (and a big thanks y'all ). Manchester Birding began (and still is of course) simply my personal website, but I had to think of a name and that was the best I could come up with (just look how many other counties have adopted a similar, 'insert your county here..birding', name since this one was set up though ).
Those 'boundary birders' out there, the ones who wouldn't dream of setting foot outside their invisible boundary or indeed of contributing on this forum because it says 'Manchester' on it are quite frankly, sad! Three years ago, Greater Manchester was to be fair, all too often quite boring, undercovered, underwatched and slagged off at every opportunity. Birders would happily never go birding outside their back door, their local patch or within these invisible boundaries unless there was something special to see. But look at us now in this short space of time. A superb network of communication and a supreme community of birders furthering this little patch of land and pulling out all the stops to improve what we have. Is there more to come? You betcha'. Should they decide to do away with our boundaries tomorrow I won't cry and I'll still go birding where I do now. Oh, and Manchester Birding would still remain!
Borough listing is simply an exercise in seeing exactly what can be acheived, of setting benchmarks, of encouraging birders who normally wouldn't partake in county efforts due to travelling etc, to have a go and get involved. Clearly it's worked and the results so far have been very impressive indeed.
So you 'boundary birders', free yourselves of your shackles and embrace the whole point we do this, for the birds and not the boundaries. Call yourself what you like, live in what county you like to call it but don't let it affect your birding as after all the birds have no idea what county they're in. Nor do they care.
Oh and by the way Mr. Rigby, McKerchar is of course Scottish, of the Farquharson Clan I might add. So, born in Lancashire, now living in Greater Manchester, Scottish and Dutch ancestry....just proves how little I care for boundaries really
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of April 2010 04:42:03 PM
Mark Rigby said
Mon Apr 5 10:49 PM, 2010
Rob Thorpe wrote:
I don't really understand why some people have a problem with being part of Greater Manchester... I read somewhere that, before the creation of Lancashire, the area between the Mersey and the Ribble was considered part of Cheshire. So if you refuse to move with the times then in theory you shouldn't recognise Lancashire either.
I didn't realise you were a Cheshire boy Mr Woosey...
I couldn't agree more Mr.Thorpe. But just to correct you-I have been on a website called "House of Names" where you can type in your surname and it gives you the origin.
The name Woosey-first found in Staffordshire pre Norman conquest in 1066!
To make matters worse, Thorpe, first found in Yorkshire!!!!!
However, Rigby, first found in Lancashire from the parish of Rigsby
And as for McKerchar - he doesn't really exist
Craig Higson said
Mon Apr 5 8:17 PM, 2010
Bring back watsonian vice counties....
I'll get mi coat.
Ian Woosey said
Mon Apr 5 8:03 PM, 2010
Rob Thorpe wrote:
I don't really understand why some people have a problem with being part of Greater Manchester... I read somewhere that, before the creation of Lancashire, the area between the Mersey and the Ribble was considered part of Cheshire. So if you refuse to move with the times then in theory you shouldn't recognise Lancashire either.
I didn't realise you were a Cheshire boy Mr Woosey...
I was born in 1968 in Billinge Hospital, which was then in Lancashire. I am therefore a Lancastrian. I will always consider myself a Lancastrian. Simple. You were born after the boundary changes. You are a Greater Mancunian . Try not to be jealous...........
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Monday 5th of April 2010 08:11:36 PM
dave broome said
Mon Apr 5 7:48 PM, 2010
Lancashire, Cheshire, Great Britain, modern creations.....I'm off to add up my Roman Empire year list
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Apr 5 7:28 PM, 2010
I don't really understand why some people have a problem with being part of Greater Manchester... I read somewhere that, before the creation of Lancashire, the area between the Mersey and the Ribble was considered part of Cheshire. So if you refuse to move with the times then in theory you shouldn't recognise Lancashire either.
I didn't realise you were a Cheshire boy Mr Woosey...
Ian Woosey said
Mon Apr 5 7:18 PM, 2010
And one should always remember this:
"God created Lancashire.......politicians made Greater Manchester."
dave broome said
Mon Apr 5 6:41 PM, 2010
It's probably also worth adding, though it's straying off the Borough Year Listing a bit, that it does make sense to have your submitted bird records kept on a GM database when planning applications are dealt with by the respective local authorities and the GM Ecology Unit administer records of SBI's in our area. It doesn't mean that you have to give up your true Lancastrian or Cheshire roots. In fact, just to keep those counties alive and kicking in Greater Manchester, I think that we should all mass upon our respective sides of the River Mersey once a year and hurl insults. On the north bank we Lancastrians could quaff Thwaites Bitter and devour pig's trotters and pies, while those of you with Cheshire roots could daintily sip Pimms with a selection of nibbles
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Apr 5 3:52 PM, 2010
It is not nor should be the intention of this website/forum to dictate to folk in which county they believe they live nor which birds they can count where for their personal lists or benifit but for the sake of it (Manchester Birding) the whole of Tameside falls within the boundary of the county of Greater Manchester. For bird recording purposes, Cheshire won't be intrested in any of your sightings from there
shaun arrand said
Mon Apr 5 3:35 PM, 2010
I live in Tameside (Cheshire) but if I walk 150yrds down the road I am in Derbyshire,but then if I go the other way then I have the whole of Greater Manchester at my finger tips
Craig Higson said
Fri Apr 2 8:53 PM, 2010
Steven Astley wrote:
The problem with borough listing from a Boltonians point view is that bird rich areas to the north of Bolton now come under Blackburn! Soon as you get out of the town centre your in Blackburn! Can we not change it to the proper old parish boundary.
Also the bird rich areas to the south happen to be in Wigan
hence bolton seems to be struggling!!
Sorry Steve...I just had to get that in.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Apr 2 7:08 PM, 2010
Steven Astley wrote:
Bet he would do a whole lot better if he covered proper Bolton. Plus if you put him on Mars he would probably still find stuff or he'd at least have a go
Not if his supposed mates don't let him in on sightings Cheers Ian
Steven Astley said
Fri Apr 2 6:42 PM, 2010
Bet he would do a whole lot better if he covered proper Bolton. Plus if you put him on Mars he would probably still find stuff or he'd at least have a go
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Apr 1 11:30 PM, 2010
Steven Astley wrote:
The problem with borough listing from a Boltonians point view is that bird rich areas to the north of Bolton now come under Blackburn! Soon as you get out of the town centre your in Blackburn! Can we not change it to the proper old parish boundary.
Got to be in Greater Manchester I'm afraid. Simon Warford seems to be managing ok
Steven Astley said
Thu Apr 1 10:52 PM, 2010
The problem with borough listing from a Boltonians point view is that bird rich areas to the north of Bolton now come under Blackburn! Soon as you get out of the town centre your in Blackburn! Can we not change it to the proper old parish boundary.
Matt Potter said
Thu Apr 1 12:53 PM, 2010
Rob Thorpe wrote:
Remember, it's never too late to join in! Particularly those of you from Salford and Oldham
I am on with it!!* Cheeky monkey!
*Can be replaced with 'I cant be arsed!'
-- Edited by Matt Potter on Thursday 1st of April 2010 12:55:07 PM
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Apr 1 12:31 PM, 2010
The 2010 Borough Year List Challenge: Update 3 of 12 March
Here's how they line-up at the end of month number three:
Rob Thorpe > Wigan > 112 Ian Woosey > Wigan > 102 Simon Warford > Bolton > 100 Dave Broome > Wigan > 99 Henry Cook > Trafford > 92 Simon Johnson > Bury > 90 Jimmy Meadows > Wigan > 88 John Rayner > Stockport > 88 Craig Higson > Wigan > 82 Steve Atkins > Rochdale > 79 Karen Foulkes > Tameside > 77 Geoff Hargreaves > Wigan > 76 Sean Sweeney > Manchester > 74 Rachael Hill > Tameside > 67 Tony Coatsworth > Manchester > 59 Phil Owen > Manchester > 55
Apologies if I've missed anybody.
The next month should see some interesting additions to the borough lists as we head in to peak migration time! Remember, it's never too late to join in! Particularly those of you from Salford and Oldham
Tony Coatsworth said
Fri Mar 12 5:15 PM, 2010
Bullfinch in my garden if other Manchester listers want to come and see it !
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Friday 12th of March 2010 05:17:53 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Mar 7 7:37 PM, 2010
Simon Warford wrote:
Did someone mention enjoyment? Ive had my worst day of the year, 6 sites covered including several hours on birdless winter hill(again) this morning slipping on sheet ice and solid snow, nearly getting run over by a load of mountain bikers, now I know why its called winter hill, even the waxwings have done one!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 7th of March 2010 07:25:55 PM
Far to serious pal
It was a gorgeous day up there as I could see it from the mosses and anyway, you're showing your lack of local knowledge as the overwhelming amount of the time it's bleak and birdless up there . I've been atleast every week in the past couple of months and had literally nothing to report!
Simon Johnson said
Sun Mar 7 7:30 PM, 2010
Come on warfy..... u cant find a Shorelark every month!!
It has been hard work today, hardly saw anything up at Holcombe and both Elton and Heaton Park have been dead BUT its not long now till stuff starts moving and the summer migrants are back!
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Sunday 7th of March 2010 07:35:26 PM
Simon Warford said
Sun Mar 7 7:24 PM, 2010
Did someone mention enjoyment? Ive had my worst day of the year, 6 sites covered including several hours on birdless winter hill(again) this morning slipping on sheet ice and solid snow, nearly getting run over by a load of mountain bikers, now I know why its called winter hill, even the waxwings have done one!
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 7th of March 2010 07:25:55 PM
John Rayner said
Sun Mar 7 7:02 PM, 2010
What a superb day. Blue skies, birds singing, spring is definitely here
I went to some local woodland this morning and was pleased to hear a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but, as I was closing in, it stopped drumming. Very frustrating so I went back for an extensive search this afternoon and eventually found a male feeding quietly.
I am deliberately being vague about the location to avoid pressure on a rare breeding species. Other sites (Dunham Park, Moore, Marbury) are well known should anyone want to see one.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 7th of March 2010 08:26:59 PM
Rachael Hill said
Sun Mar 7 6:46 PM, 2010
Couldn't agree more... found 4 new walks already, got some new borough ticks , fab weather & a lot less travelling (got to help the pocket!). & I'm having a ball Rae PS just realised that I haven't been for a walk out of the borough for over a month!
Geoff Hargreaves said
Sun Mar 7 3:36 PM, 2010
Well thats clear enough for me ,both feet and the bird in the borough = tick simples,but your quite right about the borough listing idea,I,ve been dragged out of my comfort zone 'the flashes' and started to mooch around the borough a lot more,not found anything yet but there,s always a chance.
cheers geoff
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Mar 6 11:48 PM, 2010
T'ain't necessarilty so Geoff. To answer a few questions with this regard, you and the bird should be in the borough to be able to count the particular species on that borough list. It's grey area no doubt, look at garden lists etc but to ensure a fair playing field, county listers have followed this guideline and at the end of the day, if it's the same for us all then that's fair. As they're borough lists then we really should be seeing the birds within that borough. It all adds to the drama!
As for the concept of borough listing, go back and check out the third post in this thread. Competativeness is fine, fun and was always assured I suppose but it's not the real reason for doing the borough lists. How many of you are visiting areas you've never done before? How many are seeing birds you didn't expect to? How much are we contributing and advancing our appreciation and knowledge of the county? And how much enjoyment are we having in the process?
That's the real reason
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 6th of March 2010 11:56:38 PM
Geoff Hargreaves said
Sat Mar 6 11:17 PM, 2010
I,ve spent much of the day perusing the A to Z whilst awaiting a recovery vehicle( again) and in answer to Phils question on the Halebarns thread,as follows,if a sparrow was to fly from Hulme Hall Rd to Everad St page 134 2c and you were lucky enough to witness the event, it would count as a salford,trafford,manchester borough tick all in the blink of an eye,it,s the bird not the birder that counts.
cheers geoff
dave broome said
Sat Mar 6 9:54 PM, 2010
In this Borough year-listing lark, you can't compare the totals in different Boroughs. Each area is individual in terms of size, habitats, etc. In my home boro, Wigan, you can quite easily pick up a few extra spp purely because of the size of the place and the presence of the Wigan Flashes-Abram Flashes-Pennington corridor. Take for example my calling in to see the recent Marsh Harrier at Bryn Marsh, a minor detour on my way home from work. In contrast, two of the other observers had made considerable journeys and had to ponder the logistics of negotiating rush hour traffic on our wonderful motorways. At the end of the year most boroughs will have more or less the same number of spp, bar the few 'odds and sods', e.g. the Manchester Parakeets, Stockport Egyptian Goose, or scarce spp at the Wigan-Leigh Flashes or Rochdale reservoirs. Enjoy whatever you can find in your neck of the GM woods, unearth some local gems (be that local patches or particular species) and don't worry about what's going on elsewhere.
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Mar 3 9:14 PM, 2010
Steve Suttill wrote:
Rachael Hill wrote:
especially waders as you all know how famous Tameside is for waders
Phil in Manchester should be the only borough to be able to get ring necked parakeets. Don't think he'll get away with the Amazon parrots though- not in my birdbooks Rae
For Ring-necked parakeets try the park in Stalybridge - Karen knows the story...
For waders, if you can't get a permit for Audi, keep trying Aston Moss - anything could turn up on passage.
Will tip you off if I hear of anything, but I'm a Tameside resident who keeps an Oldham list
Good Luck Steve
Yep
Don't know what thread this should be on, but I've heard of Ring Necked Parakeets being seen in Stalybridge/Dukinfield towards the end of last year. (Oct and Dec) Both of these are non birders records, but both Steve and I feel confident from the descriptions, that there have been and may still be Parakeets around the area. Double figures were involved on both occasions, so any local birders around Tameside, please keep your eyes and ears open. One of the reports was from Stamford Park and the other from a private garden (flying over) on the Dukinfield/Stalybridge border. Plus there have been one or two odd reports in the past of calling birds from around Tesco in Stalybridge.
....... and that's about all I know.
Karen
Phil Owen said
Wed Mar 3 6:57 PM, 2010
I was about to ask the same question about whether just sightings or calls as well were accepted.
You've answered my question now, so therefore my Tawny Owl doesn't count unfortunately!!!
Henry Cook said
Wed Mar 3 6:52 PM, 2010
Many apologies Rob and the borough listing fraternity. I'll just have to do another seven hour session which would be well worth it if the little blighter puts in a showing next time!
Rob Thorpe said
Wed Mar 3 6:24 PM, 2010
Just to confirm: these borough year lists should be following the county listing guidelines as set out by Ian on the website. This means you've got to see it to tick it! (yes I mean you Henry Cook, so get back out there and find that Lesser 'pecker!)
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Wednesday 3rd of March 2010 06:28:42 PM
Rachael Hill said
Wed Mar 3 5:58 PM, 2010
Thanks Ian... I'm already rediscovering the patch, found 3 new walks already But I'm still in the market for any insider tips :wink Steve... traitoring to Oldham but if you want to ease your conscience by offering any tip offs then I will willingly accept Rae
Steve Suttill said
Tue Mar 2 5:56 PM, 2010
Rachael Hill wrote:
especially waders as you all know how famous Tameside is for waders
Phil in Manchester should be the only borough to be able to get ring necked parakeets. Don't think he'll get away with the Amazon parrots though- not in my birdbooks Rae
For Ring-necked parakeets try the park in Stalybridge - Karen knows the story...
For waders, if you can't get a permit for Audi, keep trying Aston Moss - anything could turn up on passage.
Will tip you off if I hear of anything, but I'm a Tameside resident who keeps an Oldham list
Good Luck Steve
Ian Woosey said
Tue Mar 2 2:01 PM, 2010
Rachael Hill wrote:
Out of interest- if anyone knows of any good spots in Tameside especially around borders that me & Karen might not know about then I'd be very grateful for any tips...Rae
The joy of Borough birding is precisely this: Look on an OS Map of your local area and go and explore any interesting looking habitat - look for farmland, woodland, (apparent) wasteland or any pools/open water that are marked down - you never know what you`ll find, and who knows, they could become new local patches for you.....
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 02:03:29 PM
John Rayner said
Tue Mar 2 1:39 PM, 2010
John Rayner wrote:
As would have been the Waxwings reported on Davenham Road, Reddish - if only they had stuck around
Apparently they did stick around. Reported again in the same area at 10.45 this morning.
Cheers, John
Rachael Hill said
Tue Mar 2 12:11 PM, 2010
John Rayner wrote:
As would have been the Waxwings reported on Davenham Road, Reddish - if only they had stuck around But the boundary is only a few metres away so these could well have flown into Tameside by now.
Now there's wishful thinking! Where was the curlew?, nowhere near the border by any chance? Out of interest- if anyone knows of any good spots in Tameside especially around borders that me & Karen might not know about then I'd be very grateful for any tips... especially waders as you all know how famous Tameside is for waders
Phil in Manchester should be the only borough to be able to get ring necked parakeets. Don't think he'll get away with the Amazon parrots though- not in my birdbooks Rae
John Rayner said
Tue Mar 2 11:11 AM, 2010
then there's Reddish Vale...... but only upto the railway bridge (i think!). Not that I've had the A-Z out.....
Hi Rachael,
You are correct. The Tameside/Stockport boundary runs along the railway line through Reddish Vale LNR. So the fishing pools (my big hope for unusual ducks) are in Stockport
As would have been the Waxwings reported on Davenham Road, Reddish - if only they had stuck around But the boundary is only a few metres away so these could well have flown into Tameside by now.
Cheers, John
Phil Owen said
Tue Mar 2 12:05 AM, 2010
It is Henry but it would be even better if the boundary was moved ever so slightly for my Manchester list!!
Henry Cook said
Mon Mar 1 10:42 PM, 2010
Phil Owen wrote:
Cheers Rachael!!!
If only all of my local patch was in Manchester, I start my walk in Manchester and end up in Trafford!!
Ending up in Trafford, what a lovely experience that must be!
Phil Owen said
Mon Mar 1 10:37 PM, 2010
Cheers Rachael!!!
If only all of my local patch was in Manchester, I start my walk in Manchester and end up in Trafford!!
Rachael Hill said
Mon Mar 1 10:30 PM, 2010
Phil Owen wrote:
I'll give it a go Henry but I'll probably be happy just to avoid the wooden spoon as Manchester is a tough one unless of course we can move some of the boundaries!!!
Hands off Tameside's you've already got our Daisy Nook! (should I tell the opposition that most of Daisy Nook is on their side of the boundary & is a bloomin' good patch? ), then there's Reddish Vale...... but only upto the railway bridge (i think!). Not that I've had the A-Z out.....
Dean Macdonald said
Mon Mar 1 10:16 PM, 2010
But of course Bolton is the superior borough But where are the boundaries? According to wikepeadea Bolton borough stopped exsisting in 1974. It also seems that parts of bolton borough is in Lancashire. Could do with a good map
Cheers Dean.
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Mar 1 10:05 PM, 2010
Just out of interest I thought I'd see how the boroughs compare so far, using an average of listers for each borough (No. of listers = [#]):
This is obviously rubbish as it seems to suggest that Bolton is the superior borough
Phil Owen said
Mon Mar 1 8:19 PM, 2010
Nice to see I'm the strongest birder in the league (at the bottom, holding everyone else up!!)
I'll give it a go Henry but I'll probably be happy just to avoid the wooden spoon as Manchester is a tough one unless of course we can move some of the boundaries!!!
Henry Cook said
Mon Mar 1 8:00 PM, 2010
A new entrant in the form of Phil Owen has submitted his Manchester borough list. I've updated the round-up with his total and Karen's total. Thanks. Henry.
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Mar 1 7:17 PM, 2010
My total rose to a measly 58 over the weekend, still one or two fairly common birds to see though, so when I know it's stopped snowing I'll go into t'hills and get them. Its a bit dribs and drabs at the moment.
I don't know what the local walkers on the canal thought the other week when I stood staring high in the sky at Pink Feet going over, grinning inanely. (and I don't mean the Pink Feet!)
Rachael Hill said
Mon Mar 1 6:35 PM, 2010
I will be putting my list together soon! I was waiting until I actually got out locally to make the list worthwhile! I should be able to beat Tameside though no probs!!
Talk about kicking the underdog !! Remember the tale of the hare & the tortoise We should get bloomin bonus points for the amount of effort we've had to put in, but at least its been fun trying
Henry Cook said
Mon Mar 1 5:43 PM, 2010
Thanks Simon. I'll edit the scoreboard.
Simon Johnson said
Mon Mar 1 5:36 PM, 2010
Simon Johnson - BURY - 59 - cheers for this Henry altho my total is 75 so far this year.
Cheers
Simon
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Mar 1 5:34 PM, 2010
JOHN TYMON wrote:
Just a little add on to the lists Charlie Owen-top bloke ,top birder,top leyther had 88 species in 2 days sat and sunday just gone within 5 miles of Leigh town centre-which is a beltin number at this time of year.don't know how many he'd have had if he had been seriously doing it since Jan 1st
I can tell you now John, no more than Rob has achieved
I think we continually underestimate just how 'good' our county can be. Wigan borough, due to it's amount and variety of habitat (and the fact that it's the biggest borough in the county) is probably the best but those other boroughs are doing mighty fine too and at the end of the year there might not be that much in it. With a little patience and local knowledge Charlie's total (superb that it is) is easily acheiveable and I still maintain that I can currently find more species in one day at Pennington Flash than one could manage at almost any single Cheshire or Lancs site.
Funny thing is though that I really don't care. I am not a Lancastrian and I am not a Mancunian. I am me and I am a birder. That I live within these invisible boundaries which to so many really do mean the world, is inconsequential. Sure I flippin' run a website which covers the area within those invisible boundaries but until those boundaries dissappear it's necessary for recording the birds within them. And anyway I see Manchester Birding as pushing way beyond those boundaries, check out the 'out-of-county forum on here, easily the best around currently (and a big thanks y'all
Those 'boundary birders' out there, the ones who wouldn't dream of setting foot outside their invisible boundary or indeed of contributing on this forum because it says 'Manchester' on it are quite frankly, sad! Three years ago, Greater Manchester was to be fair, all too often quite boring, undercovered, underwatched and slagged off at every opportunity. Birders would happily never go birding outside their back door, their local patch or within these invisible boundaries unless there was something special to see. But look at us now in this short space of time. A superb network of communication and a supreme community of birders furthering this little patch of land and pulling out all the stops to improve what we have. Is there more to come? You betcha'. Should they decide to do away with our boundaries tomorrow I won't cry and I'll still go birding where I do now. Oh, and Manchester Birding would still remain!
Borough listing is simply an exercise in seeing exactly what can be acheived, of setting benchmarks, of encouraging birders who normally wouldn't partake in county efforts due to travelling etc, to have a go and get involved. Clearly it's worked and the results so far have been very impressive indeed.
So you 'boundary birders', free yourselves of your shackles and embrace the whole point we do this, for the birds and not the boundaries. Call yourself what you like, live in what county you like to call it but don't let it affect your birding as after all the birds have no idea what county they're in. Nor do they care.
Oh and by the way Mr. Rigby, McKerchar is of course Scottish, of the Farquharson Clan I might add. So, born in Lancashire, now living in Greater Manchester, Scottish and Dutch ancestry....just proves how little I care for boundaries really
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 6th of April 2010 04:42:03 PM
I couldn't agree more Mr.Thorpe. But just to correct you-I have been on a website called "House of Names" where you can type in your surname and it gives you the origin.
The name Woosey-first found in Staffordshire pre Norman conquest in 1066!
To make matters worse, Thorpe, first found in Yorkshire!!!!!
However, Rigby, first found in Lancashire from the parish of Rigsby
And as for McKerchar - he doesn't really exist
I'll get mi coat.
I was born in 1968 in Billinge Hospital, which was then in Lancashire. I am therefore a Lancastrian. I will always consider myself a Lancastrian. Simple. You were born after the boundary changes. You are a Greater Mancunian
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Monday 5th of April 2010 08:11:36 PM
I didn't realise you were a Cheshire boy Mr Woosey...
"God created Lancashire.......politicians made Greater Manchester."
Also the bird rich areas to the south happen to be in Wigan
hence bolton seems to be struggling!!
Sorry Steve...I just had to get that in.
Not if his supposed mates don't let him in on sightings
Cheers Ian
Got to be in Greater Manchester I'm afraid. Simon Warford seems to be managing ok
Soon as you get out of the town centre your in Blackburn!
Can we not change it to the proper old parish boundary.
I am on with it!!* Cheeky monkey!
*Can be replaced with 'I cant be arsed!'
-- Edited by Matt Potter on Thursday 1st of April 2010 12:55:07 PM
Update 3 of 12
March
Here's how they line-up at the end of month number three:
Rob Thorpe > Wigan > 112
Ian Woosey > Wigan > 102
Simon Warford > Bolton > 100
Dave Broome > Wigan > 99
Henry Cook > Trafford > 92
Simon Johnson > Bury > 90
Jimmy Meadows > Wigan > 88
John Rayner > Stockport > 88
Craig Higson > Wigan > 82
Steve Atkins > Rochdale > 79
Karen Foulkes > Tameside > 77
Geoff Hargreaves > Wigan > 76
Sean Sweeney > Manchester > 74
Rachael Hill > Tameside > 67
Tony Coatsworth > Manchester > 59
Phil Owen > Manchester > 55
Apologies if I've missed anybody.
The next month should see some interesting additions to the borough lists as we head in to peak migration time!
Remember, it's never too late to join in! Particularly those of you from Salford and Oldham
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Friday 12th of March 2010 05:17:53 PM
Far to serious pal
It was a gorgeous day up there as I could see it from the mosses and anyway, you're showing your lack of local knowledge as the overwhelming amount of the time it's bleak and birdless up there
It has been hard work today, hardly saw anything up at Holcombe and both Elton and Heaton Park have been dead BUT its not long now till stuff starts moving and the summer migrants are back!
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Sunday 7th of March 2010 07:35:26 PM
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Sunday 7th of March 2010 07:25:55 PM
I went to some local woodland this morning and was pleased to hear a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but, as I was closing in, it stopped drumming. Very frustrating so I went back for an extensive search this afternoon and eventually found a male feeding quietly.
I am deliberately being vague about the location to avoid pressure on a rare breeding species. Other sites (Dunham Park, Moore, Marbury) are well known should anyone want to see one.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 7th of March 2010 08:26:59 PM
& I'm having a ball
Rae
PS just realised that I haven't been for a walk out of the borough for over a month!
cheers geoff
As for the concept of borough listing, go back and check out the third post in this thread. Competativeness is fine, fun and was always assured I suppose but it's not the real reason for doing the borough lists. How many of you are visiting areas you've never done before? How many are seeing birds you didn't expect to? How much are we contributing and advancing our appreciation and knowledge of the county? And how much enjoyment are we having in the process?
That's the real reason
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 6th of March 2010 11:56:38 PM
and in answer to Phils question on the Halebarns thread
fly from Hulme Hall Rd to Everad St page 134 2c and you were lucky enough to witness the event
cheers geoff
At the end of the year most boroughs will have more or less the same number of spp, bar the few 'odds and sods', e.g. the Manchester Parakeets, Stockport Egyptian Goose, or scarce spp at the Wigan-Leigh Flashes or Rochdale reservoirs. Enjoy whatever you can find in your neck of the GM woods, unearth some local gems (be that local patches or particular species) and don't worry about what's going on elsewhere.
Yep
Don't know what thread this should be on, but I've heard of Ring Necked Parakeets being seen in Stalybridge/Dukinfield towards the end of last year. (Oct and Dec) Both of these are non birders records, but both Steve and I feel confident from the descriptions, that there have been and may still be Parakeets around the area. Double figures were involved on both occasions, so any local birders around Tameside, please keep your eyes and ears open. One of the reports was from Stamford Park and the other from a private garden (flying over) on the Dukinfield/Stalybridge border. Plus there have been one or two odd reports in the past of calling birds from around Tesco in Stalybridge.
....... and that's about all I know.
Karen
You've answered my question now, so therefore my Tawny Owl doesn't count unfortunately!!!
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Wednesday 3rd of March 2010 06:28:42 PM
But I'm still in the market for any insider tips :wink
Steve... traitoring to Oldham
Rae
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 02:03:29 PM
Apparently they did stick around. Reported again in the same area at 10.45 this morning.
Cheers, John
Now there's wishful thinking! Where was the curlew?, nowhere near the border by any chance?
Out of interest- if anyone knows of any good spots in Tameside especially around borders that me & Karen might not know about then I'd be very grateful for any tips... especially waders as you all know how famous Tameside is for waders
Phil in Manchester should be the only borough to be able to get ring necked parakeets. Don't think he'll get away with the Amazon parrots though- not in my birdbooks
Rae
Not that I've had the A-Z out.....
Hi Rachael,
You are correct. The Tameside/Stockport boundary runs along the railway line through Reddish Vale LNR. So the fishing pools (my big hope for unusual ducks) are in Stockport
As would have been the Waxwings reported on Davenham Road, Reddish - if only they had stuck around
Cheers, John
Ending up in Trafford, what a lovely experience that must be!
If only all of my local patch was in Manchester, I start my walk in Manchester and end up in Trafford!!
Hands off Tameside's you've already got our Daisy Nook!
Not that I've had the A-Z out.....
But of course Bolton is the superior borough
But where are the boundaries? According to wikepeadea
Could do with a good map
Cheers Dean.
January:
Bolton 80 [1]
Wigan 77.8 [5]
Trafford 61 [1]
Bury 59 [1]
Manchester 0
Oldham 0
Salford 0
Stockport 0
Tameside 0
February:
Bolton 88 [1]
Wigan 83.2 [6]
Stockport 79 [1]
Trafford 77 [1]
Bury 75 [1]
Tameside 54.5 [2]
Manchester 44 [1]
Oldham 0
Salford 0
This is obviously rubbish as it seems to suggest that Bolton is the superior borough
I'll give it a go Henry but I'll probably be happy just to avoid the wooden spoon as Manchester is a tough one unless of course we can move some of the boundaries!!!
Thanks. Henry.
I don't know what the local walkers on the canal thought the other week when I stood staring high in the sky at Pink Feet going over, grinning inanely.
I will be putting my list together soon! I was waiting until I actually got out locally to make the list worthwhile! I should be able to beat Tameside though no probs!!
Talk about kicking the underdog
Remember the tale of the hare & the tortoise
We should get bloomin bonus points for the amount of effort we've had to put in, but at least its been fun trying
Cheers
Simon
Just a little add on to the lists
Charlie Owen-top bloke ,top birder,top leyther had 88 species in 2 days sat and sunday just gone within 5 miles of Leigh town centre-which is a beltin number at this time of year.don't know how many he'd have had if he had been seriously doing it since Jan 1st
I can tell you now John, no more than Rob has achieved
I think we continually underestimate just how 'good' our county can be. Wigan borough, due to it's amount and variety of habitat (and the fact that it's the biggest borough in the county) is probably the best but those other boroughs are doing mighty fine too and at the end of the year there might not be that much in it. With a little patience and local knowledge Charlie's total (superb that it is) is easily acheiveable and I still maintain that I can currently find more species in one day at Pennington Flash than one could manage at almost any single Cheshire or Lancs site.