Plenty of Finches in the garden (Mile End, Stockport) over the past few weeks, Gold, Green, Bull and Chaffinch all present.
The past few days have also seen a lone female Siskin.
Steven Nelson said
Sat Mar 11 10:26 PM, 2017
Magpie, Collared Dove and House Sparrow all collecting nesting material from my Irlam garden today. Also Blue Tit checking out the nest box. Spring is springing folks!
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Mar 11 9:34 PM, 2017
After a blank on Wednesday (last day I was at home during proper daylight), the male blackcap made a couple of visits (at least) today. A pair of collared doves mating on the garden fence surely means Winter is behind us.
sid ashton said
Sat Mar 11 10:47 AM, 2017
Four Bullfinch, (2 male and 2 female) in our Hale garden this morning.
marvin lewis said
Sat Mar 11 8:34 AM, 2017
Late last night a garden tick for me. Tawny Owl! I have heard them occasionally in the past, from my garden. Near midnight last night, the sound of "whoooooo" seemed quite loud. I went outside and could clearly see the bird perched on a branch of a line of lime trees at the bottom of the garden.
marvin lewis said
Wed Mar 8 5:51 PM, 2017
3 Siskins were on the feeders this morning, joining the usuals.
David Gornall said
Tue Mar 7 8:54 AM, 2017
This morning whilst having a brew:
2 Bullfinch 3 Goldfinch 6 Housesparrow 2 Dunnock 1 Starling 2 Blackbird 2 Robin 1 Magpie 2 Blue tit 2 Great tit 1 Coal tit
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Mar 5 9:30 PM, 2017
Sorry to bore people, but male blackcap (without fem) again today fairly regularly throughout the morning/early afternoon. Otherwise just a finch-fest (gold/green/chaff) in the rain. Now looking like a totally siskin-less winter in on the cards. There is not even a sign of them anywhere nearby.
Mark B-Seifert said
Sun Mar 5 3:51 PM, 2017
A lone siskin in my garden this morning. Quite a surprise as we've never had them before.
Also we have a pair of blackbirds building a nest in a conifer we have. Unfortunately the way in faces away from the house into a privet hedge so it'll be tricky to spot the fledging.
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Mar 4 9:17 PM, 2017
Blackcap pair made only one visit, just after 9.00 a.m. Other than that only a coal tit, which has been rarer than blackcap since the New Year, made a visit to a feeder, and was then heard singing nearby. Beautiful morning though.
Nev Wright said
Sat Mar 4 3:29 PM, 2017
Blackcap singing in my Sale garden yesterday and this morning
Keith Mills said
Sat Mar 4 9:15 AM, 2017
A male Reed Bunting under my garden feeders this morning. It was coming into summer plumage. Rare in this garden.
Adrian Drummond-Hill said
Fri Mar 3 3:48 PM, 2017
Two siskin on my Harwood, Bolton feeders today. It's been quite a while since any visited.
Andy Bissitt said
Thu Mar 2 9:27 PM, 2017
Pair of blackcaps still around yesterday a.m., but only a quick 2 minute visit then nothing thereafter. Wasn't at home today so will see whether they have stayed nearby tomorrow.
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Wed Mar 1 2:06 PM, 2017
Nice collection of usual garden birds. Including a Goldfinch which I haven't seen on my feeders for some months now.
Also, pair Coal tit, great tit, 15+ House sparrows, blue tit, blackbird, dunnock, wood pigeons, magpie and starlings
steven burke said
Tue Feb 28 11:30 PM, 2017
despite the miserable weather this morning there was plenty of activity in my old Trafford garden...
at least 6 blackbirds, one with white tail feathers, eating apples, no signs of the waxwings from Saturday. 12 goldfinch 1 greenfinch 1 chaffinch, male 20+ house sparrows 1 dunnock 2 robins, chasing each other around 2 woodpigeons 2 blue tits checking out one of my nest boxes 1 coal tit very busy stashing seed all around the garden.
Steven Nelson said
Sat Feb 25 10:48 PM, 2017
Interesting to see what we perhaps think of as an insectivorous bird eating seeds. But I guess they have to be able to change their diet in order to survive our winter. I know they eat berries in autumn.
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Feb 25 9:32 PM, 2017
Both m & f blackcaps around lunchtime (and in the garden for almost an hour during the dry slot). They must be a pair and I'd love to be able to prove that they are 'local' ones overwintering, because that is my opinion. It was odd to see them on the ground out in the open, feeding on what fell from the feeder courtesy of the goldfinches above.
Blackcap male continues to visit, as per this shot from this morning. Might get a song from him come Monday if forecast is correct.-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Saturday 18th of February 2017 09:15:51 PM
Keith Mills said
Sat Feb 18 8:50 AM, 2017
This breakfast time: A Great Spotted Woodpecker on top of my garden larch. First seen here for at least 2 years.
Mike Cooper said
Fri Feb 17 5:09 PM, 2017
Hopwood Heywood
For the last few evenings I have had a growing charm of Goldfinches in trees around my back garden c. 35 today
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Feb 14 9:23 PM, 2017
Monday 13th a.m. Romiley
First record in 31 winters of both male and female blackcap visiting on same day. Three days running for the male. Glad to have been able to help see it through the rough weather over the weekend into Monday.
Christaylor said
Mon Feb 13 9:52 PM, 2017
We have 8 feeders now and are really reaping the rewards. Last week we have seen:
Blackcap
Bullfinch
Song Thrush
Goldcrest
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Redwing
Magpie
Starling
Blackbird
Robin
Wodpigeon
Wren
Willow Tit
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Greenfinch
Long tailed Tit
Sunflower hearts and suet seem to be the most popular foods.
Dmc said
Mon Feb 13 8:44 AM, 2017
Not quite a garden bird but in my garden in Moston,a peregrine plucking a fresh kill of wood pigeon whilst being surrounded by all the local magpies and crows before flying off with its prey in its talons.
paul shaw said
Sun Feb 12 8:23 PM, 2017
Late post from yesterday,
A lovely site of a pair of Bullfinch on the feeders in my Bredbury garden.
sid ashton said
Sun Feb 12 5:55 PM, 2017
Having not been able to get out of the house for a few days it was nice to get really close views of a Goldcrest in our Hale garden today.
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Feb 11 8:54 PM, 2017
Male blackcap seen in back and front gardens on feeders. It did not seem happy eating seed, rather like wanting a full-English and being given dry muesli. Other things noted. Coal tit way down on previous years on visits. Blue tit with white tail feather spending its second winter in area. Male chaffinches have disappeared: still plenty of females. Goldfinches and greenfinches galore today.
Paul Richardson said
Sat Feb 11 12:48 PM, 2017
A pair of Tawny Owls in our Leigh (Lilford) garden about 8pm last night - good views silhouetted in the bare trees. Happy about this as I don't recall seeing/hearing them at all in 2016.
Also a superb female Sparrowhawk this morning - didn't stay around long but good views while she was perched on a neighbour's tree.
Jon Beckett said
Sat Feb 11 9:08 AM, 2017
Male Blackcap in the garden this morning and last few days - Heaton Mersey
marvin lewis said
Thu Feb 9 9:45 PM, 2017
A pair of Collared Doves courting and subsequently mating on the fence of the balcony of my back garden right in front of my kitchen window. Spring is definitely coming!
David Pierce said
Thu Feb 9 1:48 PM, 2017
This morning in my small Marple garden,mainly on the feeders.
Tits - 2 blue, 3 great, 1 coal, 7 long tailed
2 each of robin, dunnock, blackbird, goldfinch, wood pigeon
4 house sparrows, 1 nuthatch (there are often 2) and 1 goldcrest
David Morris said
Sun Feb 5 4:05 PM, 2017
First Collared Dove seen in my Chorlton garden for a while this morning- seemed to 'lose' them after a two week holiday over Christmas, so nice to see one back.
Also, while no means a 'rare' sighting, spotted a male House Sparrow on my neighbour's roof today, first one I'd seen on our road for many many months.
David Lumb said
Wed Feb 1 6:54 PM, 2017
A very noisy Tawny Owl woke me in the early hours. I heard it calling from neighbour's gardens as it moved through them after leaving my garden.
Neil Ferguson said
Tue Jan 31 7:28 PM, 2017
My Big Garden Birdwatch count this year was
Blue Tit - 4
Great Tit - 3
Nuthatch - 2
Blackbird - 2
Robin - 2
Chaffinch - 3
Coal Tit - 1
Long Tailed Tit - 10
Bullfinch - 1
Goldfinch - 1
Collard Dove - 1
Wood Pigeon - 1
And the * for this neck of the woods.... Reed Bunting - 4
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Sun Jan 29 5:28 PM, 2017
Garden Watch count for my Flixton garden.
Longtailed Tit 9 originally 10. Sparrowhawk 1m nabbing 1 of the above. Reed Bunting 6 Blackbird 4 Robin 2 Dunnock 2 Collared Dove 2 Blue Tit 4 Great Tit 1
Chris Greene said
Wed Jan 25 9:31 AM, 2017
A conventicle of 19 Magpies,currently in trees opposite our Stockport home,very noisy they are too!
Cheers Chris
Chris Porter said
Tue Jan 24 9:23 AM, 2017
Wren having a good nosey around my Hulme garden yesterday, and today a male blackcap - first I've seen since last winter.
Christaylor said
Sun Jan 22 10:18 PM, 2017
M&F Blackcap
Song thrush
Redwing
Reedbunting
Bullfinch
20+ House Sparrow
Goldfinch
Long tailed Tit
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Robin
Dunnock
Magpie
Collared Dove
Wood Pigeon
In our Bolton garden
Mike Cooper said
Fri Jan 20 7:55 PM, 2017
Song thrush in full song this morning in neighbouring gArden in Hopwood heywood
Simon Warford said
Sun Jan 15 9:52 PM, 2017
female and male Blackcap still present in our Bolton garden today.
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Jan 15 9:32 PM, 2017
The busiest day of the winter in my Romiley garden attracted a male blackcap. Supporting cast included male bullfinch, 4 goldfinches, 5+ greenfinches, goldcrest and the nuthatch mentioned yesterday had decided that bird feeders were the only swingers he was interested in. Definitely a day for watching through the glass.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Sunday 15th of January 2017 09:34:29 PM
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Jan 14 9:44 PM, 2017
Garden record high count of three nuthatches. Have had one on infrequent occasions this winter, but these were all in my alder tree at the same time (one calling which I've never had in the garden before). I got the impression that the other two were a roaming pair beginning to seek out a territory, and 'mine' was making sure they moved on. It did eventually fly after them though so I'm hoping it didn't fancy trying its luck with a threesome and comes back!!
David Morris said
Sat Jan 14 12:03 PM, 2017
First ever Song Thrush in my Chorlton Garden this morning while going BTO GBW count for the week. Other highlights were 2 Goldfinches and 4 Long-tailed Tits.
PHIL GREENWOOD said
Sun Jan 8 8:19 PM, 2017
In my Flixton garden.
Reed Bunting 6
Simon Warford said
Sat Jan 7 7:09 PM, 2017
Female and male Blackcap still present in our Bolton garden.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 7th of January 2017 07:31:05 PM
The past few days have also seen a lone female Siskin.
After a blank on Wednesday (last day I was at home during proper daylight), the male blackcap made a couple of visits (at least) today. A pair of collared doves mating on the garden fence surely means Winter is behind us.
Four Bullfinch, (2 male and 2 female) in our Hale garden this morning.
Near midnight last night, the sound of "whoooooo" seemed quite loud. I went outside and could clearly see the bird perched on a branch of a line of lime trees at the bottom of the garden.
2 Bullfinch
3 Goldfinch
6 Housesparrow
2 Dunnock
1 Starling
2 Blackbird
2 Robin
1 Magpie
2 Blue tit
2 Great tit
1 Coal tit
Sorry to bore people, but male blackcap (without fem) again today fairly regularly throughout the morning/early afternoon. Otherwise just a finch-fest (gold/green/chaff) in the rain. Now looking like a totally siskin-less winter in on the cards. There is not even a sign of them anywhere nearby.
Also we have a pair of blackbirds building a nest in a conifer we have. Unfortunately the way in faces away from the house into a privet hedge so it'll be tricky to spot the fledging.
Blackcap pair made only one visit, just after 9.00 a.m. Other than that only a coal tit, which has been rarer than blackcap since the New Year, made a visit to a feeder, and was then heard singing nearby. Beautiful morning though.
Blackcap singing in my Sale garden yesterday and this morning
Rare in this garden.
Two siskin on my Harwood, Bolton feeders today. It's been quite a while since any visited.
Pair of blackcaps still around yesterday a.m., but only a quick 2 minute visit then nothing thereafter. Wasn't at home today so will see whether they have stayed nearby tomorrow.
at least 6 blackbirds, one with white tail feathers, eating apples, no signs of the waxwings from Saturday.
12 goldfinch
1 greenfinch
1 chaffinch, male
20+ house sparrows
1 dunnock
2 robins, chasing each other around
2 woodpigeons
2 blue tits checking out one of my nest boxes
1 coal tit very busy stashing seed all around the garden.
Both m & f blackcaps around lunchtime (and in the garden for almost an hour during the dry slot). They must be a pair and I'd love to be able to prove that they are 'local' ones overwintering, because that is my opinion. It was odd to see them on the ground out in the open, feeding on what fell from the feeder courtesy of the goldfinches above.
Oystercatcher heard flying over .... Spring on its way?
Male Siskin (a ringed bird too) in a Bolton garden today.
Info thanks to Geoff Butler
Blackcap male continues to visit, as per this shot from this morning. Might get a song from him come Monday if forecast is correct.-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Saturday 18th of February 2017 09:15:51 PM
A Great Spotted Woodpecker on top of my garden larch.
First seen here for at least 2 years.
For the last few evenings I have had a growing charm of Goldfinches in trees around my back garden c. 35 today
Monday 13th a.m. Romiley
First record in 31 winters of both male and female blackcap visiting on same day. Three days running for the male. Glad to have been able to help see it through the rough weather over the weekend into Monday.
Having not been able to get out of the house for a few days it was nice to get really close views of a Goldcrest in our Hale garden today.
Male blackcap seen in back and front gardens on feeders. It did not seem happy eating seed, rather like wanting a full-English and being given dry muesli. Other things noted. Coal tit way down on previous years on visits. Blue tit with white tail feather spending its second winter in area. Male chaffinches have disappeared: still plenty of females. Goldfinches and greenfinches galore today.
Also a superb female Sparrowhawk this morning - didn't stay around long but good views while she was perched on a neighbour's tree.
Spring is definitely coming!
This morning in my small Marple garden,mainly on the feeders.
Tits - 2 blue, 3 great, 1 coal, 7 long tailed
2 each of robin, dunnock, blackbird, goldfinch, wood pigeon
4 house sparrows, 1 nuthatch (there are often 2) and 1 goldcrest
Also, while no means a 'rare' sighting, spotted a male House Sparrow on my neighbour's roof today, first one I'd seen on our road for many many months.
Blue Tit - 4
Great Tit - 3
Nuthatch - 2
Blackbird - 2
Robin - 2
Chaffinch - 3
Coal Tit - 1
Long Tailed Tit - 10
Bullfinch - 1
Goldfinch - 1
Collard Dove - 1
Wood Pigeon - 1
And the * for this neck of the woods.... Reed Bunting - 4
Longtailed Tit 9 originally 10.
Sparrowhawk 1m nabbing 1 of the above.
Reed Bunting 6
Blackbird 4
Robin 2
Dunnock 2
Collared Dove 2
Blue Tit 4
Great Tit 1
A conventicle of 19 Magpies,currently in trees opposite our Stockport home,very noisy they are too!
Cheers Chris
The busiest day of the winter in my Romiley garden attracted a male blackcap. Supporting cast included male bullfinch, 4 goldfinches, 5+ greenfinches, goldcrest and the nuthatch mentioned yesterday had decided that bird feeders were the only swingers he was interested in. Definitely a day for watching through the glass.
-- Edited by Andy Bissitt on Sunday 15th of January 2017 09:34:29 PM
Garden record high count of three nuthatches. Have had one on infrequent occasions this winter, but these were all in my alder tree at the same time (one calling which I've never had in the garden before). I got the impression that the other two were a roaming pair beginning to seek out a territory, and 'mine' was making sure they moved on. It did eventually fly after them though so I'm hoping it didn't fancy trying its luck with a threesome and comes back!!
Reed Bunting 6
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 7th of January 2017 07:31:05 PM
Male blackcap present again in my Brooklands/Sale garden, for the third day in a row.
Cheers
Charlie
A Tawny Owl calling from somewhere near our Offerton garden at 11:30 last night,clearly audible over the drone of late night traffic on St.Mary's Way.
A happy "bird filled " new year to everyone on the forum.
Cheers Chris