A short walk along the River Mersey at noon near Heaton Mersey.
Kingfisher
Little Grebe
Mallard c20 4:1 in favour of drakes
Goosander pair
Black Headed Gull x 20
Magpie x 6
Crow x 2
Long Tailed Tit x 6
Blackbird male
Simon Warford said
Thu Nov 15 9:59 PM, 2018
Chiffchaff still in song at Heaton Mersey Vale yesterday morning, also 2 Dipper, Kingfisher and 10+ Goosander on the river Mersey.
Mike Crawley said
Tue Nov 6 9:51 AM, 2018
sorry for the delay.
nothing earth shattering but on Saturday whilst I was watching an entertaining game of rugby:-
Three Common Buzzard low over Burnage Rugby Club (during the game on the 3G pitch which is next to the nature trail walk and carried on over the golf course towards the river) the third was lowest and being aggressively mobbed by Crows.
approx. 10 Redwing flying over, calling
3 Fieldfare on the 9th green of the golf course, with a Mistle Thrush
Ten Ring-necked Parakeet, flying over
Simon Warford said
Fri Aug 24 9:47 PM, 2018
A large creche of 45+ Goosander (all redheads/juvs) on the River Mersey near Heaton Mersey Vale yesterday (23/8).
dave broome said
Thu May 17 4:12 PM, 2018
Peter Nolan Woolley wrote:
5 Mallards in the bus Station @ 16:05
Always the same, you wait for a Mallard then 5 arrive at once
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Thu May 17 4:09 PM, 2018
5 Mallards in the bus Station @ 16:05
Simon Gough said
Thu May 3 10:10 PM, 2018
Delighted to see the Sand Martin colony on the Waterside Hotel side of Cheadle Bridge and around the bridge this evening; around 30 or so birds. The riverbanks by the main hotel car park have been significantly worked on since I saw it last, apparently by the EA, and the combination of clearing trees and chopping a new bank out of a field with a JCB has created a perfect habitat. No wonder they haven't used the spot by Burnage Rugby Club. Also 4 loafing Goosanders on a shingle bank.
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Wed Apr 11 8:52 PM, 2018
Oystercatcher heading South this morning at 07:20, on the A6 over Stockport old infirmary.
Simon Gough said
Sat Mar 24 7:03 PM, 2018
Waiting for the tram at East Didsbury this morning and idly thinking about early migrants and firsts for the year, I recalled that at a similar time last year I'd seen my first Blackcap in the hedge opposite the platforms. At which point a female Blackcap popped out of a bush! So a nice yeartick and even better, it was on no other day than March 24th last year, so that is 2 years in a row to see them in the exact same spot for a yeartick. Spooky!
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Saturday 24th of March 2018 07:03:50 PM
Simon Gough said
Sat Mar 24 6:55 PM, 2018
Chris Harper wrote:
...Also a rarely seen sight and sound of a pair of Redwing singing and displaying near Kennels...
Hey Chris, there was a Redwing singing the other day when I saw the Firecrest on the riverbank. I'd never heard one before. Maybe all the snow has made it feel at home? We ought to see if they stick around, breeding Redwing in GM would be good!
Barry Collison said
Sat Mar 24 5:14 PM, 2018
Saw 2 Mandarin ducks about 12:00 between the footbridge and the M60, as I went to take a photo they took off flying downriver over the M60
Chris Harper said
Sat Mar 24 1:01 PM, 2018
My first Chiffchaff of the year around the M60 bridge. Up to 3 calling. Also a rarely seen sight and sound of a pair of Redwing singing and displaying near Kennels.
Thanks for the information, they'd both be patch ticks for me!
Scott Reid said
Mon Mar 5 7:01 PM, 2018
Simon, re: linnet records this winter, Iâve had individual birds on three occasions since early Nov, primarily around the scrub surrounding the dipping pond by Patch Island. All three have been very vocal (calling) and were heard before they were seen on each occasion.
Two raven were hanging around the same general area for a day a couple of weeks ago.
Simon Gough said
Mon Mar 5 10:51 AM, 2018
I know where you mean, it's normally good for things like Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Blackcap in the summer, maybe I should check in more often over the winter...
Thanks
Simon
Mike Crawley said
Mon Mar 5 9:08 AM, 2018
Mersey Vale Nature Park.
Walk in from Craig Road, turn right at the community orchard ignore the meadow in front of you and look for the path that turns right again and goes up to what I think is called the upper meadow. There are some hawthorns and small trees up there and three Linnet were foragoing in the grassy footpath. Unsurprisingly they left quickly as soon as they spotted us.
I only know this area of the Park from scything the grass last summer as a volunteer with HMCG and Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Good Luck
Simon Gough said
Sun Mar 4 6:03 PM, 2018
Linnet is a decent bird for that walk Mike, where did you see it?
Mike Crawley said
Sun Mar 4 4:54 PM, 2018
From the M60 bridge to Cheadle bridge (B5095 Manchester Road)
Notable Kingfisher (near the weir) Goosander (8 three drakes, five ducks) Dipper (perched momentarily on the bridge about 10 inches above the water)
Also Redwing Fieldfare both on Parrswood School playing field
-- Edited by Mike Crawley on Sunday 4th of March 2018 04:56:39 PM
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Fri Feb 9 8:39 AM, 2018
Grey Heron over Stockport town hall @08:33 heading N/E .
alanhill said
Mon Jan 8 7:38 PM, 2018
Three cormorants and two goosander on river. Redwings, fieldfares, thrushes on horse field.
Paul Rafferty said
Tue Dec 26 11:44 AM, 2017
Fairly quiet at the Mersey today:
Grey heron
Cormorant
3m 3f mallards
2f goosanders
Blue tit
Pied wagtail
4 moorhens
6 Canada geese
Song thrush in horse field
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Oct 25 4:25 PM, 2017
Originally posted today by Barry Collison:
My wife and I usually walk along this stretch of the River Mersey 2 or 3 times a month mainly to look at the wildlife. Last night we watched The Plastic Tide on Sky tv, I recommend watching this program to anybody who has not seen it. With this in mind we did a 1.5 mile stretch from the green footbridge to just past Burnage Rugby club not quite up to the bridge at Cheadle. Today instead of just looking at the fauna and flora we decided to do our bit for the enviroment and pick up all the plastic bottles we saw at side of the footpath. You would not believe how many we collected. We also added plastic bags and cans but soon filled up our bags. There were other "plastic bags" that we did not pick up. These are the ones left by the dog walkers who have a lower IQ than their dogs. On the nature front it was a bit quiet but got some great views of the Buzzard over the horse field. I recommend more people do this whilst walking, then the message might get through.
2 Oystercatcher on playing fields. Also 7 Goosander, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sand Martin.
Chris Harper said
Thu Jul 13 8:59 AM, 2017
2 Kingfisher upstream of M60 bridge. Also Common Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 7 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, Grey Wagtail. Many juvenile today of various species too.
Chris Harper said
Thu Jul 6 8:05 AM, 2017
2 Oystercatcher on rugby pitch at 07.25
Chris Harper said
Wed Jul 5 8:08 PM, 2017
As well as the Little Egrets this morning were Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Sand Martin, Bullfinch.
No sign of Egrets on a slower return cycle back.
Chris Harper said
Wed Jul 5 8:32 AM, 2017
Flying around field to the West. On my commute to work so couldn't hang around.
Scott Reid said
Wed Jul 5 7:56 AM, 2017
Chris Harper wrote:
2 Little Egret around sewage works currently.
Where were they viewed from Chirs?
-- Edited by Scott Reid on Wednesday 5th of July 2017 08:04:06 AM
Chris Harper said
Wed Jul 5 7:30 AM, 2017
2 Little Egret around sewage works currently.
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Tue Jul 4 3:59 PM, 2017
Still 3 Sand Martin over the Mersey at Stockport bus station.
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Mon Jul 3 3:56 PM, 2017
Currently 3 Sand Martin over the Mersey at Stockport bus station.
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Fri Jun 30 4:00 PM, 2017
Currently 2 Sand Martin over the Mersey at Stockport bus station
A short walk along the River Mersey at noon near Heaton Mersey.
Kingfisher
Little Grebe
Mallard c20 4:1 in favour of drakes
Goosander pair
Black Headed Gull x 20
Magpie x 6
Crow x 2
Long Tailed Tit x 6
Blackbird male
nothing earth shattering but on Saturday whilst I was watching an entertaining game of rugby:-
Three Common Buzzard low over Burnage Rugby Club (during the game on the 3G pitch which is next to the nature trail walk and carried on over the golf course towards the river) the third was lowest and being aggressively mobbed by Crows.
approx. 10 Redwing flying over, calling
3 Fieldfare on the 9th green of the golf course, with a Mistle Thrush
Ten Ring-necked Parakeet, flying over
Always the same, you wait for a Mallard then 5 arrive at once
5 Mallards in the bus Station @ 16:05
Oystercatcher heading South this morning at 07:20, on the A6 over Stockport old infirmary.
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Saturday 24th of March 2018 07:03:50 PM
Hey Chris, there was a Redwing singing the other day when I saw the Firecrest on the riverbank. I'd never heard one before. Maybe all the snow has made it feel at home? We ought to see if they stick around, breeding Redwing in GM would be good!
Saw 2 Mandarin ducks about 12:00 between the footbridge and the M60, as I went to take a photo they took off flying downriver over the M60
My first Chiffchaff of the year around the M60 bridge. Up to 3 calling. Also a rarely seen sight and sound of a pair of Redwing singing and displaying near Kennels.
Other birds: Kingfisher, 5 Bullfinch, 5 Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest Sparrowhawk 3 Pied Wagtail 5 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, Pheasant Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay.
Thanks
Simon
Mersey Vale Nature Park.
Walk in from Craig Road, turn right at the community orchard ignore the meadow in front of you and look for the path that turns right again and goes up to what I think is called the upper meadow. There are some hawthorns and small trees up there and three Linnet were foragoing in the grassy footpath. Unsurprisingly they left quickly as soon as they spotted us.
I only know this area of the Park from scything the grass last summer as a volunteer with HMCG and Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Good Luck
From the M60 bridge to Cheadle bridge (B5095 Manchester Road)
Notable
Kingfisher (near the weir)
Goosander (8 three drakes, five ducks)
Dipper (perched momentarily on the bridge about 10 inches above the water)
Also
Redwing
Fieldfare both on Parrswood School playing field
Bullfinch
Great spotted Woodpecker
Song Thrush all on the Mersey Vale Nature Park
Coot, Mallard, Grey Heron, Rook, Crow, Jay, Ring-necked Parakeet, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, House Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Robin, Linnet, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Canada Goose, Mistle Thrush
Good fun
-- Edited by Mike Crawley on Sunday 4th of March 2018 04:56:39 PM
Grey Heron over Stockport town hall @08:33 heading N/E .
Originally posted today by Barry Collison:
My wife and I usually walk along this stretch of the River Mersey 2 or 3 times a month mainly to look at the wildlife. Last night we watched The Plastic Tide on Sky tv, I recommend watching this program to anybody who has not seen it. With this in mind we did a 1.5 mile stretch from the green footbridge to just past Burnage Rugby club not quite up to the bridge at Cheadle. Today instead of just looking at the fauna and flora we decided to do our bit for the enviroment and pick up all the plastic bottles we saw at side of the footpath. You would not believe how many we collected. We also added plastic bags and cans but soon filled up our bags. There were other "plastic bags" that we did not pick up. These are the ones left by the dog walkers who have a lower IQ than their dogs. On the nature front it was a bit quiet but got some great views of the Buzzard over the horse field. I recommend more people do this whilst walking, then the message might get through.
Kestrel over Stockport Bus station 16:12.
Kingfisher 1
Goosander 3
Cormorant 5
Goldcrest 2
Saturday pm - Dipper on Mersey opposite the flood defences. Also a few Redwing over.
Common Buzzard on old railway bridge, Kingfisher, 4 Goosander, 6 Redwing, 8 Grey Heron
Kingfisher, Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 5 Grey Heron
Kingfisher 1+, Sparrowhawk. Goosander, 6 Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail
6 Redwing, Kingfisher, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail at 07.10-07-25
2 Kingfisher and 5 Goosander on this morning's commute.
This morning: Dipper, 1+ Kingfisher, 2 Goosander, 3 Grey Heron
Dipper on the Mersey by Woolpack pub at 15.30...near pyramid.
Goosander, Ring Necked Parakeet, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 8 Grey Heron, 5 Mistle Thrush, 2 Grey wagtail so far on this weeks commute.
Highlights of the week so far include 2 Goosander, 13 Grey Heron, 3 Chiffchaff, 17 Swallow, House martin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk
Swift with the group ay 15.30.
Kingfisher by M60 bridge
Large mixed hirundine flock still. 60 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 30 Swallow on wires above kennels..catch them while you can.
Swift by Cheadle Bridge this afternoon at 3.30 with 40 House Martin and 10 Swallow between here and Patch Island. Also Kestrel and 6 Mistle Thrush .
7.15-7.30 this morning
16 Swallow, 7 Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Ring Necked Parakeet, 3 Sand Martin, 20 House Martin, 3 Cormorant.
2 Oystercatcher on playing fields. Also 7 Goosander, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sand Martin.
2 Kingfisher upstream of M60 bridge. Also Common Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 7 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, Grey Wagtail. Many juvenile today of various species too.
2 Oystercatcher on rugby pitch at 07.25
As well as the Little Egrets this morning were Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Sand Martin, Bullfinch.
No sign of Egrets on a slower return cycle back.
Flying around field to the West. On my commute to work so couldn't hang around.
Where were they viewed from Chirs?
-- Edited by Scott Reid on Wednesday 5th of July 2017 08:04:06 AM
2 Little Egret around sewage works currently.