Hi Chris, great you are getting blackcaps in your garden lately, unfortunately for me I haven't had any blackcap this winter in my old Trafford garden, disappointing as I had them every winter for many years now. I get the ring-necked parakeets every day had 23 just the other day, I'm moving house soon so maybe when I stop feeding the birds they will come to yours as you seem to be not too far away.
Hi Steven, do the parakeets take over / force other birds away? Or do they just visit once a day? It's a nice novelty for now but wouldn't want to start seeing them in the same light as grey squirrels and pigeons... not that I could do much about it if they did decide to visit regularly!
steven burke said
Wed Feb 7 12:18 PM, 2024
Chris Porter wrote:
Been seeing a female blackcap at the feeders (Old Trafford/Firswood) most days over last couple of weeks - at one point there were two together. both female. Strange that others in Old Trafford seem to be getting only males - maybe they'll get together in the spring.
Other regulars - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Blackbird. Long-tailed Tits slightly less regularly.
Also, ring-necked parakeet on feeders yesterday (first ever seen).
Hi Chris, great you are getting blackcaps in your garden lately, unfortunately for me I haven't had any blackcap this winter in my old Trafford garden, disappointing as I had them every winter for many years now. I get the ring-necked parakeets every day had 23 just the other day, I'm moving house soon so maybe when I stop feeding the birds they will come to yours as you seem to be not too far away.
Chris Porter said
Wed Feb 7 11:44 AM, 2024
Been seeing a female blackcap at the feeders (Old Trafford/Firswood) most days over last couple of weeks - at one point there were two together. both female. Strange that others in Old Trafford seem to be getting only males - maybe they'll get together in the spring.
Other regulars - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Blackbird. Long-tailed Tits slightly less regularly.
Also, ring-necked parakeet on feeders yesterday (first ever seen).
Colin Broadhurst said
Sun Feb 4 9:24 AM, 2024
A new bird yesterday evening. A flyover from a Woodcock brings the garden list to 62 just off Newbrook Rd between Atherton and Over Hulton
Samglennie said
Wed Jan 31 7:57 PM, 2024
Male Blackcap again today and yesterday in my Old Trafford garden
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Jan 30 8:45 PM, 2024
Andy Bissitt wrote:
A Reed Bunting was just at the front garden with a few goldfinches. An absolute mega and, of course, garden first after 37 years.
Not long after this moment of excitement, there was another unusual visitor, this time in the back garden - when a female blackcap was seen at a feeder. One of the males was also on view, the other male not having been seen for 4 days. It's been many years since a female was recorded here. Two nuthatches was also the first multi- number sighting of the year.
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Jan 30 11:07 AM, 2024
A Reed Bunting was just at the front garden with a few goldfinches. An absolute mega and, of course, garden first after 37 years.
Barry Corless said
Tue Jan 30 10:35 AM, 2024
A male and female siskin found their way into my Norden garden today. They tend to be annual but not regular.
fredford said
Tue Jan 30 6:59 AM, 2024
Bury . Mistle thrush has returned with his wonderful song . Spring is on its way !
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Jan 21 8:48 PM, 2024
A second male blackcap joined the 'resisdent' bird this morning, both on view at the same time. No aggro, so far. Makes up for the lack of birding interest in the local area just now.
Samglennie said
Sun Jan 21 2:34 PM, 2024
Male Blackcap in my Old Trafford garden this lunchtime
Samglennie said
Sun Jan 21 2:20 PM, 2024
Male Blackcap in my Old Trafford garden this lunchtime
phillipskelly said
Sat Jan 20 12:50 PM, 2024
Hardly anything on and around my Stretford backyard feeders over the cold snap just a few Goldfinch now and again but this morning as its slightly warmer there were c40 Goldfinch at 9:15am. At 12:30 pm Goldfinch - 21. Blackbird - 1f. Blue- tit - 2 (usual pair).
fredford said
Sat Jan 20 12:03 PM, 2024
Bury . Due to the cold , we added meal worms to our garden menu . Soon after , along comes a pied wagtail and two , male house sparrows , which we are trying to nurture . Goodoh !
fredford said
Fri Jan 19 6:48 AM, 2024
Bury . Large party of redwings sorting through the leaf litter and grass , underneath the beeches , in the sun-shine . One of them chased off an inquisitive carrion crow . Treecreeper on the apple tree . Where are the house sparrows ?
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Jan 18 9:35 PM, 2024
Male blackcap seen late afternoon, first time since Sunday. Looks like he's got over Winter's first hurdle. Things otherwise poor, with just song thrush, nuthatch and bullfinch not everyday birds. Where are the redpolls/siskins?
fredford said
Mon Jan 15 2:07 PM, 2024
Bury . Lesser redpolls have returned to join two pairs of bullfinch , many goldfinch , blue , great and coal tits and occasional long tailed tits , on the sunflower heart feeders .
Chris Harper said
Fri Jan 12 6:26 AM, 2024
New addition to the garden list yesterday with 2 female Pheasants helping themselves to a bit of spilt seed. There are 2 in the picture if you look closely.
The first redpoll of this Winter on my back garden feeders this morning. Things picking up again after a very quiet period (e.g. first nuthatch in about a month today). Also, two ring-neck parakeets flew across neighbouring gardens at rooftop height.
phillipskelly said
Thu Jan 4 1:17 PM, 2024
On and around my Stretford backyard feeders at 9:45am were - Goldfinch - 25. Wood pigeon - 1. Carrion Crow - 1. Magpie - 1. Blue-tit - 2 (always in a pair). COAL TIT - 2 (not seen on the backyard feeders before but have been seen years ago on the street tree feeders opposite my house which had to be taken down) . The 2 Coal tits were chased off by the 2 Blue-tits.
Andy Bissitt said
Wed Jan 3 8:34 PM, 2024
The male blackcap saw in the New Year on 1st January, and was seen again today (being bullied by the robin). Also 1 ring-neck parakeet over.
Tony Koziol said
Mon Jan 1 3:37 PM, 2024
A belated Happy New Year to everybody from our Stockport garden.
Negative news on the Blackcap pair, they are unseen for a week however good news is that House Sparrow numbers are up to 30, Long-tailed Tits are at a steady 11 and a pair of Sparrowhawk find all this plus the other birds hard to resist.
Species total for 2023 was 30 a record, first day of 2024 and we are on 14 already with another 365 hard days ahead.
Tony Koziol said
Wed Dec 20 11:24 AM, 2023
Stockport
Both male and female Blackcap still visiting the feeders and the only change to last week has been another Jay.
Simon Featherstone said
Tue Dec 19 8:13 PM, 2023
Treecreeper on the Silver Birch in my front garden yesterday, first one I've seen here in Brooklands.
Phil Owen said
Sun Dec 17 8:01 AM, 2023
2 Ring-necked Parakeets (first time visitors) to my parents garden in Newall Green, Wythenshawe yesterday. They prospected the peanut feeder mid-afternoon before flying off.
Hopefully they'll return.
-- Edited by Phil Owen on Sunday 17th of December 2023 08:02:10 AM
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Dec 16 9:36 PM, 2023
Male blackcap seen on last three days. Seems to have settled in for the duration.
Karen Foulkes said
Wed Dec 13 8:14 PM, 2023
A Ring-necked Parakeet was perched in a tree at the back of the garden this morning.
pete berry said
Wed Dec 13 10:35 AM, 2023
2 Ring Necked Parakeets on bird feeders this morning,still a rare bird round these parts. Also in garden up to 12 Greenfinch at any one time,Goldfinch,2 Pheasant, Great Spotted Woodpecker,Nuthatch, several Chaffinch plus all the usual. I've not seen a Willow Tit on feeders for over 2 years now,once a regular visitor to the garden,but unfortunately not any more.
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Dec 12 8:10 PM, 2023
A male blackcap was seen in my back garden (Romiley) at sunrise this morning. I'd love to know if it's the same one from earlier in the year.
Tony Koziol said
Tue Dec 12 3:42 PM, 2023
Stockport.
After the arrival of the male Blackcap on Sunday 3rd it has been sighted in the garden every day since. Yesterday I caught a brief glimpse of a female Blackcap next door then this morning she visited our feeders and has done throughout the day, interestingly she only has one eye.
Other birds seen each day are, Robin 1, Dunnock 2, four tit species occasionally together, Blue Tit 5, Coal 2, Great 1, Long-tailed 11, Blackbird 5, Collared Dove 2, Woodpigeon 7, Redwing 15, Jay 1 harassed by Magpies 2, Carrion Crow 3, Jackdaw circa 150 flying over only at dusk.
Finally a male Sparrowhawk which is attracted by all the little ones on the feeders.
Ian Yeomans said
Mon Dec 11 9:50 AM, 2023
Rather large gardens at Hulme Community Garden Centre where a flock of Long Tailed Tits descended with friends. 8.45am then traipsing round our trees for 40 minutes. I had to count several times! I think our resident Robins, Blackbirds and Blue tits were a bit miffed, the Robins especially. The Dunnocks couldnt care less. 19 long tailed tits 2 coal tits 3 blue tits 2 goldcrests
Our first Blackcap (m) of this autumn turned up at 14.15 in our Stockport garden today, two days later than autumn 2022.
Andy Isherwood said
Sat Dec 2 1:03 PM, 2023
Single adult Whooper Swan just flown south west over my Tyldesley garden
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Dec 2 10:41 AM, 2023
Late news for 1st December. 35 pink-footed geese West mid pm directly over garden. Just before dusk, a female sparrowhawk landed on the fence with prey it had just caught, and spent the next 20 minutes plucking and eating it until it was almost dark.
Ian Latham said
Thu Nov 30 9:42 AM, 2023
2 Willows Tits feeding in my Radcliffe / Elton back garden for last 2 days.
Bury . Two brambling taking fallen sunflower hearts , from under the feeders .
Chris Porter said
Sat Nov 25 11:05 AM, 2023
Female blackcap visiting fatball and nut feeders last couple of mornings in Old Trafford garden, along with blue tits, great tits, coal tits and house sparrows. Robin and Dunnocks hoovering up underneath.
Andy Isherwood said
Sat Nov 25 10:04 AM, 2023
2 Waxwing just been feeding briefly in next doors rowan tree then flew to the TV aerial on the other side next door. They then preened for a few minutes before flying off southwest. 2 others flew south over Astley street park whilst they were on the aerial. (Tyldesley)
Colin Broadhurst said
Wed Nov 22 3:50 PM, 2023
1 male Blackcaps this am
phillipskelly said
Tue Nov 21 3:23 PM, 2023
On and around my Stretford backyard feeders were good numbers of Goldfinch with c80 on several days during the wet weather, also a couple of Greenfinch seen plus a Robin and a couple of Blue- tit. Not many Goldfinch today as the weather today is quite mild.
From my front terraced house garden (this pm) there was a good view of a Sparrowhawk in a tree across the road after it spooked c100 ferral pigeons from the nearby Gorse Hill Hotel ( pub).
Needless to say it wasn't long before it was mobbed by 2 local Carrion Crow who are always about,and moved on.
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Nov 21 10:24 AM, 2023
A brilliant male brambling just joined the finch throng on the front garden feeders. Still in near-breeding plumage.
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Tue Nov 14 12:54 PM, 2023
8 Long-tailed Tit this PM in our Openshaw garden
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Nov 12 8:22 PM, 2023
4 jays at once in our small suburban garden in Romiley this morning. Quite a sight, they are after all a fantastic looking bird close up.
David Pierce said
Mon Nov 6 2:34 PM, 2023
A very unusual occurrence in Marple - a grey wagtail paid a brief visit to my bird bath
fredford said
Sun Nov 5 11:02 AM, 2023
Bury . Mixed gathering , fifteen , of jackdaws and rooks at the top of beech , sunbathing and vigorously sorting their feathers . Lovely sight .
fredford said
Sat Oct 28 10:31 AM, 2023
Bury . The bullfinches return . Three males and one female . Hurrah !
Nick Hilton said
Thu Oct 26 8:32 AM, 2023
A Jay, feeding on fat balls, was an unusual visitor to my garden yesterday. A first garden record for me in Davyhulme. It has lost half its tail and I recognised it as a bird that has been frequenting the local park, feeding on acorns, but being pushed around by the local Magpie mob.
fredford said
Fri Oct 20 1:18 PM, 2023
Bury . Sixty fieldfares over and milling 1317hrs . First this year for me .
Hi Chris, great you are getting blackcaps in your garden lately, unfortunately for me I haven't had any blackcap this winter in my old Trafford garden, disappointing as I had them every winter for many years now.
I get the ring-necked parakeets every day had 23 just the other day, I'm moving house soon so maybe when I stop feeding the birds they will come to yours as you seem to be not too far away.
Other regulars - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Blackbird. Long-tailed Tits slightly less regularly.
Also, ring-necked parakeet on feeders yesterday (first ever seen).
A new bird yesterday evening. A flyover from a Woodcock brings the garden list to 62 just off Newbrook Rd between Atherton and Over Hulton
Not long after this moment of excitement, there was another unusual visitor, this time in the back garden - when a female blackcap was seen at a feeder. One of the males was also on view, the other male not having been seen for 4 days. It's been many years since a female was recorded here. Two nuthatches was also the first multi- number sighting of the year.
A second male blackcap joined the 'resisdent' bird this morning, both on view at the same time. No aggro, so far. Makes up for the lack of birding interest in the local area just now.
At 12:30 pm
Goldfinch - 21.
Blackbird - 1f.
Blue- tit - 2 (usual pair).
Bury . Large party of redwings sorting through the leaf litter and grass , underneath the beeches , in the sun-shine .
One of them chased off an inquisitive carrion crow .
Treecreeper on the apple tree . Where are the house sparrows ?
Male blackcap seen late afternoon, first time since Sunday. Looks like he's got over Winter's first hurdle. Things otherwise poor, with just song thrush, nuthatch and bullfinch not everyday birds. Where are the redpolls/siskins?
New addition to the garden list yesterday with 2 female Pheasants helping themselves to a bit of spilt seed. There are 2 in the picture if you look closely.
The first redpoll of this Winter on my back garden feeders this morning. Things picking up again after a very quiet period (e.g. first nuthatch in about a month today). Also, two ring-neck parakeets flew across neighbouring gardens at rooftop height.
Goldfinch - 25.
Wood pigeon - 1.
Carrion Crow - 1.
Magpie - 1.
Blue-tit - 2 (always in a pair).
COAL TIT - 2 (not seen on the backyard feeders before but have been seen years ago on the street tree feeders opposite my house which had to be taken down) .
The 2 Coal tits were chased off by the 2 Blue-tits.
The male blackcap saw in the New Year on 1st January, and was seen again today (being bullied by the robin). Also 1 ring-neck parakeet over.
A belated Happy New Year to everybody from our Stockport garden.
Negative news on the Blackcap pair, they are unseen for a week however good news is that House Sparrow numbers are up to 30, Long-tailed Tits are at a steady 11 and a pair of Sparrowhawk find all this plus the other birds hard to resist.
Species total for 2023 was 30 a record, first day of 2024 and we are on 14 already with another 365 hard days ahead.
Stockport
Both male and female Blackcap still visiting the feeders and the only change to last week has been another Jay.
Treecreeper on the Silver Birch in my front garden yesterday, first one I've seen here in Brooklands.
2 Ring-necked Parakeets (first time visitors) to my parents garden in Newall Green, Wythenshawe yesterday. They prospected the peanut feeder mid-afternoon before flying off.
Hopefully they'll return.
-- Edited by Phil Owen on Sunday 17th of December 2023 08:02:10 AM
Male blackcap seen on last three days. Seems to have settled in for the duration.
2 Ring Necked Parakeets on bird feeders this morning,still a rare bird round these parts. Also in garden up to 12 Greenfinch at any one time,Goldfinch,2 Pheasant, Great Spotted Woodpecker,Nuthatch, several Chaffinch plus all the usual.
I've not seen a Willow Tit on feeders for over 2 years now,once a regular visitor to the garden,but unfortunately not any more.
A male blackcap was seen in my back garden (Romiley) at sunrise this morning. I'd love to know if it's the same one from earlier in the year.
Stockport.
After the arrival of the male Blackcap on Sunday 3rd it has been sighted in the garden every day since. Yesterday I caught a brief glimpse of a female Blackcap next door then this morning she visited our feeders and has done throughout the day, interestingly she only has one eye.
Other birds seen each day are, Robin 1, Dunnock 2, four tit species occasionally together, Blue Tit 5, Coal 2, Great 1, Long-tailed 11, Blackbird 5, Collared Dove 2, Woodpigeon 7, Redwing 15, Jay 1 harassed by Magpies 2, Carrion Crow 3, Jackdaw circa 150 flying over only at dusk.
Finally a male Sparrowhawk which is attracted by all the little ones on the feeders.
19 long tailed tits
2 coal tits
3 blue tits
2 goldcrests
Male Pheasant cleaning up the mess the 60+ House Sparrows leave under the feeders in my Astley garden this afternoon.
Our first Blackcap (m) of this autumn turned up at 14.15 in our Stockport garden today, two days later than autumn 2022.
2 Willows Tits feeding in my Radcliffe / Elton back garden for last 2 days.
Not many Goldfinch today as the weather today is quite mild.
From my front terraced house garden (this pm) there was a good view of a Sparrowhawk in a tree across the road after it spooked c100 ferral pigeons from the nearby Gorse Hill Hotel ( pub).
Needless to say it wasn't long before it was mobbed by 2 local Carrion Crow who are always about,and moved on.
8 Long-tailed Tit this PM in our Openshaw garden
4 jays at once in our small suburban garden in Romiley this morning. Quite a sight, they are after all a fantastic looking bird close up.
A very unusual occurrence in Marple - a grey wagtail paid a brief visit to my bird bath
First this year for me .