Was driving through Manchester Central Business Park this afternoon and noticed some Lapwings resting in one of the fenced off fields. Stopped the car - got out the binoculars and scanned the field to see if there might be anything else of interest - 68 beady black eyes stared back at me from 34 ground-roosting Golden Plover!! What an unexpected bonus and lovely surprise!
They were in the fenced off field immediately opposite the 3 Fujitsu buildings - don't know what this area of M/cr is called - but approx. grid ref is SD869006 - tetrad SD90Q (Harpurhey).
Cheers,
Bill.
bloody hell! i need to get a car with a higher driving position! i drive through this area everyday when i'm working in town can't see anything apart from pavement, low bushes and sky!
Mike hirst said
Tue Mar 17 2:59 PM, 2009
I bought 2 wicker roosting pockets some years ago, fixed them to the fence some distance apart behind some shrubs and to my knowledge they have never been used, until this morning that is. I watched a wren gather moss/lichen from the base of some rose bushes and then proceeded to line one of the pockets. Maybe he can attract a mate to this des res, I'll let you know. On the same topic 2 great tits are showing an interest in a nesting box but when spotted get attacked by a mad blue tit called Paul Dickov, whats annoying is that Dickov only feeds in our garden ,he nests next door.
Mike
Jimmy Meadows said
Mon Mar 16 9:28 PM, 2009
Rose St Ince 3 Grey Wagtails nr Locks on Canal
Gordon St Ince 8 Redpolls over
Giants Hall Male Linnet singing tonight back on breeding territory 7 Days earlier than last year also 1 Lapwing
Cheers Jimmy
Bill Myerscough said
Mon Mar 16 3:05 PM, 2009
16th March @ 14.25.
Was driving through Manchester Central Business Park this afternoon and noticed some Lapwings resting in one of the fenced off fields. Stopped the car - got out the binoculars and scanned the field to see if there might be anything else of interest - 68 beady black eyes stared back at me from 34 ground-roosting Golden Plover!! What an unexpected bonus and lovely surprise!
They were in the fenced off field immediately opposite the 3 Fujitsu buildings - don't know what this area of M/cr is called - but approx. grid ref is SD869006 - tetrad SD90Q (Harpurhey).
Cheers,
Bill.
Mike hirst said
Fri Mar 13 3:01 PM, 2009
Thanks to all that responded re greenfinches, it probably just an odd situation and they have found some where else to go, but a quick check on my posts shows I have only noted them once in the last few months and that is what prompted the question.
Mike
Paul Heaton said
Thu Mar 12 6:52 PM, 2009
A (sisensis) Cormorant flew over my garden this morning,heading south west.
My garden been in Ashton on Mersey Sale.
keep birding
Dave Phillips said
Wed Mar 11 2:38 PM, 2009
Put Shaw down for this one too. On Monday 9/3/09 had 12 Greenfinch together in my garden. They were very vocal and squabbling like a flock of sparrows.
Dave Phillips
Mike Chorley said
Wed Mar 11 12:40 AM, 2009
It's not just in Manchester, Mike. My family report the same thing on the outskirts of Liverpool.
gus gem said
Tue Mar 10 10:38 PM, 2009
Good number of greenfinches on my feeder in Whalley Range. Count has risen since I added more sunflower heart to the mix. "Incessant" Goldfinches.
Dave Tennant said
Tue Mar 10 10:22 PM, 2009
Two greenfinch next to stax car park this am wardley ind estate.
Debs Wallace said
Tue Mar 10 5:46 PM, 2009
The feeders on my Fallowfield allotment have a good crop of greenfinches. Not as many as in the autumn and early winter though.
Suzanne Tattersall said
Tue Mar 10 5:25 PM, 2009
Good numbers of greenfinch and goldfinch in the Cox Green area of Bolton since last autumn
Mike hirst said
Tue Mar 10 5:00 PM, 2009
It seems to me that there is a shortage of greenfinch around the mosses and I have not seen many anywhere else I've been over the last 3 months or so. A couple have come to the garden sporadically to feed and thats normal for this time of year. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just pecular to this area. Comments please lads and lassies.
Mike
Phil_Oldham said
Fri Mar 6 9:46 AM, 2009
1M and 1F goosander on the canal in Hyde at Captain Clarkes bridge!
Paul Heaton said
Thu Mar 5 10:20 PM, 2009
140 Redwing on fields just entering Partington today at 15.00
keep birding
Adam Dyson said
Mon Mar 2 11:19 PM, 2009
sparrowhawk swooping past the imperial war museum in salford queys today around midday.
Paul Risley said
Sun Mar 1 9:04 PM, 2009
Robin nearly finished building nest in my neighbours garden
Steve Scrimgeour said
Fri Feb 20 1:15 PM, 2009
Been asked by a lady whom lives local if anyone else has seen a supposed Red Kite in the Urmston/Sale/ Partington/ Altrincham area.
She is pretty adament, because she has seen them before where she used to live, she was heading into Urmston from Partington on Friday 13th and saw it heading towards Utd training ground.
Managed a quick view as to flew over the Bassell site and out of view...
Has anyone else seen it ( now have mentioned the Buzzards that are about up there, but she swears it was a Red Kite.....
Steve
Jimmy Meadows said
Tue Feb 17 5:46 PM, 2009
Curlew over Beech Hill 4:20 heading west
Paul Dewey said
Mon Feb 16 9:16 PM, 2009
Had 5 bullfinch (2m,3f) at Heaton Mersey pond today, most I have ever seen together in the area let alone at this little site.
Also flock of 30+ lapwing over the UU site at Cheadle
gary mills said
Mon Feb 16 8:28 PM, 2009
This evening a single Woodcock was seen flying over houses on Knowsley Drive, Swinton near to Worsley Golf Course, also numerous Great Spotted Woodpeckers calling and drumming on the course.
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Feb 14 7:04 PM, 2009
Bill Myerscough wrote:
Bill Myerscough wrote:
28th November.
Chadderton, Oldham - One of a pair of Magpies was this morning starting to build a new nest in the large silver birch tree in next doors front garden!! I watched it several times as it snapped off small flexible branches from the tree and start to tie them in, around a fork in the branches of this tree. This summer, what was presumably the same pair, fledged one young from the large pine tree "next door" to this silver birch.
3rd December.
Building has recommenced again after a few days lull. Today one bird appeared to be doing the snapping off of some small flexible branches and passing them to the other bird to do the nest building. Progress is slow but remarkable really considering that there is 2 inches of snow on the ground and sub-zero temperatures! Wonder if they know what time of year it is?
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough at 11:14, 2008-12-03
14th February.
An update on the Magpies nest - 10 weeks later the nest is looking more like the finished article - progress on the nest has been slow but steady. Still I suppose a nest of the size that Magpies use can't be constructed overnight! Seems rather like one of those "Builders from Hell" TV programmes where work commences and then moves at a snails pace whilst the builders loll about drinking tea and ogle the passing "talent". Come to think of it - I'm sure I heard one of the Magpies wolf-whistling at a passing Jackdaw the other day!
Two other pairs of Magpies also nest building within a mile of this nest.
Cheers,
Bill.
Steve Scrimgeour said
Tue Feb 10 2:35 PM, 2009
1 Buzzard sat every morning this week and on the several times I past over the week before and weekend just gone.
Heading from Urmston - M60 Via Carrington Spur just past Sales training Ground after bend in Horse field on left, opposite track onto fields,sat in single low tree....
Pete Hines said
Mon Feb 2 8:19 PM, 2009
Pete Hines wrote:
I was surprised to see right in front of the window of the stairs to my flat, a Collared Dove feeding a very small chick in a nest in a Yew tree. My reference states breeding begins in March and incubation 14-16 days.
I noticed the nest abandoned today, the bird was still sitting on Friday
Mike hirst said
Sun Feb 1 12:40 PM, 2009
blackbird singing in the near darkness last night, a songthrush singing from a bush in the churchyard this morning - maybe spring is on its way.
Mike
Dean Macdonald said
Sun Jan 25 10:07 PM, 2009
A crackin Raven over the garden this afternoon. A very nice garden tick
Cheers Dean.
Steve Suttill said
Wed Jan 21 9:56 AM, 2009
A full list of all the local heronries can be found in the county report. If you see nest building at any site not on that list, please let me know.
Steve (with Heronries Census organiser hat on!)
Phil_Oldham said
Tue Jan 20 7:38 PM, 2009
Debs, I was on a train today, went over the viaduct at Reddish Vale, I saw 2 herons in the air quite close by the train...both had twigs in their mouths too :)
Debs Wallace said
Mon Jan 19 10:49 PM, 2009
A heron flying over the Mersey at dusk with twigs in its beak. Anyone seen them nest building yet?
Pete Hines said
Thu Jan 15 8:12 PM, 2009
I was surprised to see right in front of the window of the stairs to my flat, a Collared Dove feeding a very small chick in a nest in a Yew tree. My reference states breeding begins in March and incubation 14-16 days.
Paul Heaton said
Wed Dec 31 4:51 PM, 2008
Small lay by on the A57 near barton airfield, 2 male Bullfinches and 1 female feeding for 20 mins, could be a good for them tomorrow lots of food there for them.
keep birding.
Dave Thacker said
Wed Dec 31 4:15 PM, 2008
A Buzzard was perched on the Worsley Old Hall sign beside the A580 this morning watching the traffic in the fog at about 10.35am. Commoner than Kestrels at the moment
Richard Howells said
Wed Dec 31 4:09 PM, 2008
One (a Buzzard) on the roundabout at Junction 25 of the M60, en route to the Waxwings.
Pete Hines said
Tue Dec 30 6:28 PM, 2008
A Buzzard landed on a lamp-post at junction 4 of the M60 this afternoon.
Jimmy Meadows said
Tue Dec 30 3:17 PM, 2008
Grey Wagtail in my garden this morning Also 12 House Sparrows 8 Starlings 3 Blackbirds 1 Robin 2 Dunnocks 15 Collared Doves
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Dec 30 2:13 PM, 2008
Flock of around 30 Golden Plover in fields to south of Winwick Lane, Lowton this morning at 10.00am.
Judith Smith said
Mon Dec 29 9:25 PM, 2008
On swan rescue duties with Derek from the RSPCA this afternoon ( 3 required our help, one into care). Derek had just rescued a Sparrowhawk from a building at the Pier Centre in the centre of Wigan.
Paul Heaton said
Mon Dec 29 6:19 PM, 2008
300 BH Gulls 50 common Gulls on playing field on Mount rd Gorton today.
Golden Pover still around broadheath retail park this morning should any one be doing a day list on the 1st.
Keep birding,
dave broome said
Tue Dec 23 1:39 PM, 2008
In Wigan, a pair of Mandarin in flight yesterday, close to the River Douglas, over a footpath called Sicklefield, off Wigan Lane. Also Treecreeper there.
-- Edited by dave broome at 13:40, 2008-12-23
Ian Woosey said
Sun Dec 21 1:28 PM, 2008
21/12/08
Buzzard over B5238 New Springs, Wigan, this morning heading towards Wutchie Rook.
dave mcintyre said
Mon Dec 15 10:40 PM, 2008
2 Goosander (male and female) and a Grey Heron viewed from the bridge between New bailey st and Bridge st city centre M3 or even opposite the Mark addy pub .
Dave Mcintyre
Brian Harding said
Wed Dec 3 12:32 PM, 2008
Bill Myerscough wrote:Wonder if they know what time of year it is?
do they know its christmas time at all?
It's Christmas time There's no need to be afraid At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your bread into the garden at Christmas time
feed the birds let them know its christmas time...
feed the birds let them know its christmas time...
feed the birds let them know its christmas time...
Bill Myerscough said
Wed Dec 3 11:02 AM, 2008
Bill Myerscough wrote:
28th November.
Chadderton, Oldham - One of a pair of Magpies was this morning starting to build a new nest in the large silver birch tree in next doors front garden!! I watched it several times as it snapped off small flexible branches from the tree and start to tie them in, around a fork in the branches of this tree. This summer, what was presumably the same pair, fledged one young from the large pine tree "next door" to this silver birch.
3rd December.
Building has recommenced again after a few days lull. Today one bird appeared to be doing the snapping off of some small flexible branches and passing them to the other bird to do the nest building. Progress is slow but remarkable really considering that there is 2 inches of snow on the ground and sub-zero temperatures! Wonder if they know what time of year it is?
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough at 11:14, 2008-12-03
dave broome said
Tue Dec 2 12:39 PM, 2008
11 Mistle Thrush, 12 Blackbirds and 3 Song Thrushes visiting a Rowan at Hardybutts, Scholes this lunchtime
-- Edited by dave broome at 12:39, 2008-12-02
Dave Thacker said
Sun Nov 30 3:13 PM, 2008
I have had a GS Woodpecker make at least 10 attempts to land on my peanut feeder in my garden today in Swinton and each time the local Starlings chase it away. Also 3 Siskins , 3 Goldcrests, 2 Jays and up to 35 Goldfinches visiting my feeders + 4 Grey wagtails visited my pond.
A good armchair birdwatch.
Bill Myerscough said
Fri Nov 28 3:15 PM, 2008
28th November.
Chadderton, Oldham - One of a pair of Magpies was this morning starting to build a new nest in the large silver birch tree in next doors front garden!! I watched it several times as it snapped off small flexible branches from the tree and start to tie them in, around a fork in the branches of this tree. This summer, what was presumably the same pair, fledged one young from the large pine tree "next door" to this silver birch.
It has been great this year watching the antics of this pair of Magpies, particularly when they have been taunting the local cats! If any of the local cats are napping on driveways or sat at the edge of the road, I have several times watched the Magpies come down and land within only a few feet of the cat, they have been "chattering" very loudly (almost as if to intimidate the cat!) and slowly approached the cat face on, almost as if playing a game of dare with the cat, to see if it has the wits and speed and skill to outsmart them! A dangerous game of "chicken" for the Magpies but I guess it must serve some purpose? I never once saw a cat "take the bait" and attempt to get the Magpie!
Bill.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Nov 27 3:54 PM, 2008
A late post but late yesterday morning I had a Dipper on Torkington Brook near Higher Danbank, Marple. The bird was on the brook just off the A626 Stockport Road, I'm not sure if this is a regular spot for them but the brook was pretty full of sediment and didn't look entirely appetizing!
Also, for berry spotters out there, still plenty on the trees by Marple fire station.
Chris Roberts said
Wed Nov 26 8:55 PM, 2008
Waxwings Flock of 8 reported from a garden between the Avenue and Manor avenue in Sale 9.25 this morning. Feeding on berries for a short while then flew off, not seen again.
Jimmy Meadows said
Tue Nov 25 10:13 PM, 2008
sorry dave i will be more precise next time {Our House MADNESS} but ravens seen daily over beech hill could be that they have been roosting in gidlow cemetary as they come from that direction at about 06,30 in the mornings
Judith Smith said
Tue Nov 25 8:36 PM, 2008
Jimmy lives in Beech Hill... Allan Rimmer's wife saw 2 Ravens calling and investigating a high chimney in the grounds of the former Pagefield annexe to Wigan College, from Mesnes Park, today. Reckon you might be able to see that from the Wigan Planning Office, Dave?
bloody hell! i need to get a car with a higher driving position! i drive through this area everyday when i'm working in town can't see anything apart from pavement, low bushes and sky!
Mike
3 Grey Wagtails nr Locks on Canal
Gordon St Ince
8 Redpolls over
Giants Hall
Male Linnet singing tonight back on breeding territory 7 Days earlier than last year also 1 Lapwing
Cheers Jimmy
Was driving through Manchester Central Business Park this afternoon and noticed some Lapwings resting in one of the fenced off fields. Stopped the car - got out the binoculars and scanned the field to see if there might be anything else of interest - 68 beady black eyes stared back at me from 34 ground-roosting Golden Plover!! What an unexpected bonus and lovely surprise!
They were in the fenced off field immediately opposite the 3 Fujitsu buildings - don't know what this area of M/cr is called - but approx. grid ref is SD869006 - tetrad SD90Q (Harpurhey).
Cheers,
Bill.
Mike
My garden been in Ashton on Mersey Sale.
keep birding
Put Shaw down for this one too. On Monday 9/3/09 had 12 Greenfinch together in my garden. They were very vocal and squabbling like a flock of sparrows.
Dave Phillips
Mike
keep birding
She is pretty adament, because she has seen them before where she used to live, she was heading into Urmston from Partington on Friday 13th and saw it heading towards Utd training ground.
Managed a quick view as to flew over the Bassell site and out of view...
Has anyone else seen it ( now have mentioned the Buzzards that are about up there, but she swears it was a Red Kite.....
Steve
Also flock of 30+ lapwing over the UU site at Cheadle
14th February.
An update on the Magpies nest - 10 weeks later the nest is looking more like the finished article - progress on the nest has been slow but steady. Still I suppose a nest of the size that Magpies use can't be constructed overnight! Seems rather like one of those "Builders from Hell" TV programmes where work commences and then moves at a snails pace whilst the builders loll about drinking tea and ogle the passing "talent". Come to think of it - I'm sure I heard one of the Magpies wolf-whistling at a passing Jackdaw the other day!
Two other pairs of Magpies also nest building within a mile of this nest.
Cheers,
Bill.
1 Buzzard sat every morning this week and on the several times I past over the week before and weekend just gone.
Heading from Urmston - M60 Via Carrington Spur just past Sales training Ground after bend in Horse field on left, opposite track onto fields,sat in single low tree....
I noticed the nest abandoned today, the bird was still sitting on Friday
Mike
A crackin Raven over the garden this afternoon. A very nice garden tick
Cheers Dean.
Steve (with Heronries Census organiser hat on!)
keep birding.
Commoner than Kestrels at the moment
Also 12 House Sparrows
8 Starlings
3 Blackbirds
1 Robin
2 Dunnocks
15 Collared Doves
Golden Pover still around broadheath retail park this morning should any one be doing a day list on the 1st.
Keep birding,
-- Edited by dave broome at 13:40, 2008-12-23
Buzzard over B5238 New Springs, Wigan, this morning heading towards Wutchie Rook.
Dave Mcintyre
do they know its christmas time at all?
It's Christmas time
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your bread into the garden at Christmas time
feed the birds
let them know its christmas time...
feed the birds
let them know its christmas time...
feed the birds
let them know its christmas time...
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough at 11:14, 2008-12-03
-- Edited by dave broome at 12:39, 2008-12-02
Also 3 Siskins , 3 Goldcrests, 2 Jays and up to 35 Goldfinches visiting my feeders + 4 Grey wagtails visited my pond.
A good armchair birdwatch.
Chadderton, Oldham - One of a pair of Magpies was this morning starting to build a new nest in the large silver birch tree in next doors front garden!! I watched it several times as it snapped off small flexible branches from the tree and start to tie them in, around a fork in the branches of this tree. This summer, what was presumably the same pair, fledged one young from the large pine tree "next door" to this silver birch.
It has been great this year watching the antics of this pair of Magpies, particularly when they have been taunting the local cats! If any of the local cats are napping on driveways or sat at the edge of the road, I have several times watched the Magpies come down and land within only a few feet of the cat, they have been "chattering" very loudly (almost as if to intimidate the cat!) and slowly approached the cat face on, almost as if playing a game of dare with the cat, to see if it has the wits and speed and skill to outsmart them! A dangerous game of "chicken" for the Magpies but I guess it must serve some purpose? I never once saw a cat "take the bait" and attempt to get the Magpie!
Bill.
Also, for berry spotters out there, still plenty on the trees by Marple fire station.
Flock of 8 reported from a garden between the Avenue and Manor avenue in Sale 9.25 this morning. Feeding on berries for a short while then flew off, not seen again.
could be that they have been roosting in gidlow cemetary as they come from that direction at about 06,30 in the mornings
Allan Rimmer's wife saw 2 Ravens calling and investigating a high chimney in the grounds of the former Pagefield annexe to Wigan College, from Mesnes Park, today. Reckon you might be able to see that from the Wigan Planning Office, Dave?