Sparrowhawk over my house then over to Longford Park carrying prey. in its talons.
-- Edited by Eugene Dillon-Hooper on Thursday 16th of June 2016 07:49:21 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 25th of June 2016 05:36:18 PM
steven burke said
Tue Jun 14 10:41 PM, 2016
I counted at least 55 swifts over my old Trafford garden this evening, probably some of the ones Eugene also seen. at least 6 active resident pairs of swifts viewable from my garden this evening, 2 pairs under my eaves. I still have a camera on one pair & the first chick hatched sometime on sunday, on viewing the camera this afternoon there was 2 chicks being fed, looking forward to watching them grow
feeders are very active daily with around 30+ goldfinches & greenfiches several juveniles with them also. no signs of the male bullfinch this aft/eve but was last seen on sunday morning. 4 collared doves 2 woodpigeon male & female blackbird blue tis & great tits feeding juveniles.
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Tue Jun 14 8:30 PM, 2016
Had somewhere between 30-50 swifts over my Firewood house just now. Was hoping it might lure in a Hobby, but no such luck!
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Tue Jun 14 7:30 PM, 2016
More Goldfinches again today! Their ears must have been burning!
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Mon Jun 13 2:25 PM, 2016
Finally my first GOLDFINCH in the garden yippee!
David Gornall said
Sun Jun 12 3:41 PM, 2016
New sightings for my garden:
Pair of Bullfinch ( must be feeding young nearby) Family of Nuthatches visiting the sunflower hearts today.
Other visitors: 4 Great Tit 5 Blue Tit 2 Coal Tit 3 Chaffinch 3 Goldfinch( & 2 juveniles) 3 Dunnock 12 Housesparrow 6 Starling 4 Blackbird 6 Wood pigeon 2 Collared Dove
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jun 8 11:07 PM, 2016
Gents, if this admittedly interesting discussion intends to continue could it do so on the discussion forum please, so it may free up this sightings thread again
steven burke said
Wed Jun 8 10:50 PM, 2016
Eugene, I am only a stones throw away from you in old trafford & I have goldfinches & greenfinches in good numbers on a regular daily basis in my garden, minimum number of greenfinches today was 12, minimum number of goldfinches 15, I have even had a regular male bullfinch recently for at least a couple of weeks but not seen it this week. the reason I have so many is because 2 of my feeders, 1 6port & 1 4port are filled with sunflower hearts, but i also have sunflower seeds & niger seed which all get attention. great tits, blue tits & coal tits enjoy the hearts & seeds.
maybe you are not attracting them because of the location of your'e feeders, or maybe a local cat ?
Richard Thew said
Wed Jun 8 9:24 PM, 2016
Eugene Dillon-Hooper. My tip is to try your goldfinches with Niger seed. Using those feeders with the tiny holes in the side of the plastic I've found to be best (I've tried mine on the new styled port hole feeders but never got touched). Great tits tend to be partial to black sunflower seeds. Hope this info helps. Ps. Things usually quiet down at this time of year while natural food is abundant. So this means there is less motivation to find reliable food sources even if it's only next door. Many thanks.
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Wed Jun 8 4:56 PM, 2016
That is also what i mainly put out (2 feeders full), alongside nuts and fat balls. I regularly get, House sparrows, coal and blue tit, starlings, robins and dunnocks on the feeders. Cannot coax Great tits (very often) and Goldfinches in though! Who knows!?
Thanks! E
Julian Winstanley said
Wed Jun 8 4:48 PM, 2016
We only ever use sunflower hearts and regularly get Goldfinches, Bullfinches and Greenfinches amongst several other types or small birds
Eugene Dillon-Hooper said
Wed Jun 8 4:22 PM, 2016
Anyone have any tips on luring the goldfinches in to my Firswood garden? Favourite seed etc.? (I can't see what is in their feeders)
They always fly over and land on the feeders two doors down from me, but then never come in my garden. I get plenty of the other regulars but they still don't come. Such lovely looking birds, would love to have them to brighten up the garden!
Thanks, E
-- Edited by Eugene Dillon-Hooper on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 04:23:06 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jun 8 3:22 PM, 2016
Tim Wilcox wrote:
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Rediculous but true, whilst sat in my garden close to Morleys Hall in Astley today, bins by my side after watching the local Buzzards (and hoping for a Hobby) a Spoonbill flew over fairly low west at 14:45!!!
What a garden tick!
I'm still laughing to myself in total disbelief; I really ought to get out in my garden more often
Tim Wilcox said
Wed Jun 8 3:18 PM, 2016
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Rediculous but true, whilst sat in my garden close to Morleys Hall in Astley today, bins by my side after watching the local Buzzards (and hoping for a Hobby) a Spoonbill flew over fairly low west at 14:45!!!
What a garden tick!
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jun 8 3:04 PM, 2016
Rediculous but true, whilst sat in my garden close to Morleys Hall in Astley today, bins by my side after watching the local Buzzards (and hoping for a Hobby) a Spoonbill flew over fairly low west at 14:45!!!
Richard Thew said
Tue Jun 7 6:05 PM, 2016
This morning at 10:45 I had the successful fledge of 9 young blue tits in my Radcliffe garden. I put up a multi nest box for the house sparrows only for a pair of blue tits to take up residence. Certainly was the most successful blue tits ever in our garden.
P's. I can also confirm the earlier post of an unusual goldfinch is a domestic goldfinch mule. No doubt someone will be missing him.
Mike Passant said
Mon Jun 6 9:05 PM, 2016
I totally agree Paul.
Quite coincidentally I had a call from a birding contact up at Tunstall reservoir up here in the wilds of Durham some ten days ago, as someone had claimed a Common Rosefinch there.
As there are several of the species around Whitburn and in Northumberland I felt I ought to check things out.
My contact hadn't seen the bird himself but had been e- mailed some photos which I was able to assess.
The bird turned out to be a weird goldfinch, still showing in the wings black primaries and prominent yellow flash, but the facial red was extensive orange and had even "bled" into the whole breast. Through the lores was a diffuse greyish extending as an il defined super-cilium; the bird had no underpart streaking at all though.
I presume that a none birding photographer had taken the shot and looked it up in a book and made his I/d on what he/she considered the best match. The bird was ringed and I assumed it to be an escape from some kind of Frankenstein aviary.
Paul A Brown said
Mon Jun 6 6:35 PM, 2016
Looks very much like a goldfinch mule (cross between a male goldfinch and a female canary) to me.
Vaughan Evans said
Mon Jun 6 6:27 PM, 2016
An interesting 'goldfinch' has been making the occasional visit over the past few weeks. Whilst it doesn't show well in the pictures, there was a bluish/greenish tinge in some lights to the rear of the face. In song there seemed to be a mix of the squeaks of a goldfinch alongside the trill of a chaffinch. I was expecting the pictures to show something of a goldfinch/chaffinch mix however made me think redpoll or twite??
I am not aware of cross breeding amongst finches, and whilst a quick search indicates that goldfinches can be crossed, these instances look to be with caged birds, so I am non the wiser regarding behaviour in the wild. I presume then, it is simply an aberrant goldfinch but am keen to hear other's comments
thanks V
-- Edited by Vaughan Evans on Monday 6th of June 2016 06:27:52 PM
Most of the day spent in my Tyldesley garden produced single Hobby c.3pm 7 sightings of a minimum of 3 Sparrowhawk. Family party of Long tailed tits with 7 Juvenile, sitting on guttering and TV aerials!
Keith Mills said
Sun May 29 6:10 PM, 2016
Now 2 Wood pigeon fledglings in my garden. Great views, on my lawn, of the ''chick'' violently rocking the parents head with it's bill to get up food from the crop.
Scott robinson said
Sat May 28 10:21 AM, 2016
Great tits have fledged from my dads nest box yesterday, Wigan Road, Leigh.
Keith Mills said
Fri May 27 7:23 PM, 2016
Fledgeling Wood Pigeon on my garden fence this evening.Tiny Dunnock chic seen yesterday and juvenile Starling this week. This morning 2 Collared Doves harassed a Magpie and chased it off, just as the Magpie was about to explore our hedge.
Steven Nelson said
Thu May 26 9:30 PM, 2016
Family of Blue Tits from our nest box have fledged in the garden today. Parents busy bringing food to the young. Not sure how many chicks as they are well hidden except one that is on the ground in the flower border. Seems a bit vulnerable
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Wed May 25 8:30 PM, 2016
Song thrush singing in the rain, pretty good for Openshaw :)
Ian McKerchar said
Sun May 22 10:46 AM, 2016
Lesser Whitethroat singing loudly from Hawthorns at the bottom of my garden along Green Avenue, Astley this morning.
Andy Isherwood said
Fri May 13 4:23 PM, 2016
Pair of Bullfinch in Tyldesley garden today.
Vaughan Evans said
Fri May 13 8:49 AM, 2016
Four Lesser Spotted Stone Roses heard in the garden @ 20.00 last night
Three buzzards over, probably not connected.
Apologies Ian ....
-- Edited by Vaughan Evans on Friday 13th of May 2016 08:51:01 AM
paul shaw said
Sun May 8 8:06 PM, 2016
I have just returned from a weeks holiday to be greeted by 5 Swift over my Bredbury house, a very nice welcome home.
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun May 8 6:12 PM, 2016
Sunday 8th May. 18.00 hrs.
Mottram Rd. Stalybridge.
Lapwing just flew over my house, very high up, towards Hobson Moor.
Roger.
steven burke said
Thu May 5 10:35 PM, 2016
I have come home this evening to find that 1 of my swifts have now returned, doing lots of preening & a few wing stretches, hoping to see its mate soon
-- Edited by steven burke on Thursday 5th of May 2016 11:30:22 PM
Gordon Newman said
Thu May 5 10:25 PM, 2016
a dozen Swift back on Plank Lane estate this evening
Scott robinson said
Thu May 5 8:46 AM, 2016
Swifts have returned, watched about a group of 7 flying in and around the houses of my street. Higher fold, Leigh. Swifts are my favourite birds it doesn't get any better, especially so close to my home.
steven burke said
Wed May 4 10:07 PM, 2016
have been watching the first returning resident swifts this aft/eve 13 in total, but at the moment no signs of the 2 pairs from under my eaves. fingers crossed they do return. other birds over...
1 swallow 1 common buzzard 1 grey heron
1 pair of starling constantly on my suet log feeder, probably feeding young.
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 30th of April 2016 07:53:20 PM
Keith Williams said
Fri Apr 29 8:59 AM, 2016
Pair of Dunnock with 5 fully grown fledglings in my Pennington garden this morning.
Male Blackcap finally left on 10th April, probably after some female on the Flash!
Keith Mills said
Tue Apr 26 9:02 AM, 2016
Just now: A Lesser Redpoll on my hearts feeder. A garden first here.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 26th of April 2016 08:53:22 PM
Neil Ferguson said
Sun Apr 24 7:48 PM, 2016
first ever Chiffchaff in the garden this morning "chiffchaffing" from the top of a bush by the kitchen window.
Steve Judge said
Thu Apr 21 9:18 AM, 2016
Eccles garden. Thursday, 21st April 07:00 hrs.
Adult Male Blackbird feeding Blackbird fledgling.
Simon Owen said
Tue Apr 19 10:24 PM, 2016
Sparrowhawk ate a pigeon in my in-laws garden tonight in Ashton on Mersey. Was there for 30mins!
sid ashton said
Mon Apr 18 8:12 PM, 2016
Had a Grey Heron in our Hale garden today having a good look at the pond. No fish in there for it, only tadpoles
Steve Judge said
Mon Apr 18 11:15 AM, 2016
Sunday, 17th April 2016 15:00 hrs.
Eccles garden - Buzzard chased off by two Carrion Crows
Keith Mills said
Mon Apr 18 11:12 AM, 2016
Just now; A Coal Tit perched on my washing line in the garden.
Steven Nelson said
Fri Apr 15 9:10 PM, 2016
A Peregrine flew west over my Irlam garden just before 8pm this evening.
james hall said
Fri Apr 15 9:13 AM, 2016
Female Siskin this morning
paul shaw said
Thu Apr 14 5:30 PM, 2016
1 Swallow currently over the High lane/Hilltop area of Romiley viewed from my Bredbury garden. The 1st that I have seen from my gareden this year.
Stephen Fuentes said
Tue Apr 12 4:29 PM, 2016
5 Siskin on my garden feeders today in Lower Bredbury (3m, 2f).
Also getting regular visits of up to 8 Goldfinch.
james hall said
Tue Apr 12 2:51 PM, 2016
First ever bullfinch landed in the cherry tree, also:
male greenfinch 1 male chaffinch 2 goldfinch 2 dunnock 2 woodpigeon
Vaughan Evans said
Tue Apr 12 12:39 PM, 2016
sid ashton wrote:
Unusually we just had a Pheasant on the back lawn of our Hale garden.
Hi Sid, very unusual. I had one in October and December 2007. I wondered where it might have come from at the time ...
Sparrowhawk over my house then over to Longford Park carrying prey. in its talons.
-- Edited by Eugene Dillon-Hooper on Thursday 16th of June 2016 07:49:21 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 25th of June 2016 05:36:18 PM
at least 6 active resident pairs of swifts viewable from my garden this evening, 2 pairs under my eaves. I still have a camera on one pair & the first chick hatched sometime on sunday, on viewing the camera this afternoon there was 2 chicks being fed, looking forward to watching them grow
feeders are very active daily with around 30+ goldfinches & greenfiches several juveniles with them also.
no signs of the male bullfinch this aft/eve but was last seen on sunday morning.
4 collared doves
2 woodpigeon
male & female blackbird
blue tis & great tits feeding juveniles.
Pair of Bullfinch ( must be feeding young nearby)
Family of Nuthatches visiting the sunflower hearts today.
Other visitors:
4 Great Tit
5 Blue Tit
2 Coal Tit
3 Chaffinch
3 Goldfinch( & 2 juveniles)
3 Dunnock
12 Housesparrow
6 Starling
4 Blackbird
6 Wood pigeon
2 Collared Dove
the reason I have so many is because 2 of my feeders, 1 6port & 1 4port are filled with sunflower hearts, but i also have sunflower seeds & niger seed which all get attention.
great tits, blue tits & coal tits enjoy the hearts & seeds.
maybe you are not attracting them because of the location of your'e feeders, or maybe a local cat ?
I regularly get, House sparrows, coal and blue tit, starlings, robins and dunnocks on the feeders. Cannot coax Great tits (very often) and Goldfinches in though! Who knows!?
Thanks!
E
They always fly over and land on the feeders two doors down from me, but then never come in my garden. I get plenty of the other regulars but they still don't come. Such lovely looking birds, would love to have them to brighten up the garden!
Thanks,
E
-- Edited by Eugene Dillon-Hooper on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 04:23:06 PM
I'm still laughing to myself in total disbelief; I really ought to get out in my garden more often
What a garden tick!
I totally agree Paul.
Quite coincidentally I had a call from a birding contact up at Tunstall reservoir up here in the wilds of Durham some ten days ago, as someone had claimed a Common Rosefinch there.
As there are several of the species around Whitburn and in Northumberland I felt I ought to check things out.
My contact hadn't seen the bird himself but had been e- mailed some photos which I was able to assess.
The bird turned out to be a weird goldfinch, still showing in the wings black primaries and prominent yellow flash, but the facial red was extensive orange and had even "bled" into the whole breast. Through the lores was a diffuse greyish extending as an il defined super-cilium; the bird had no underpart streaking at all though.
I presume that a none birding photographer had taken the shot and looked it up in a book and made his I/d on what he/she considered the best match. The bird was ringed and I assumed it to be an escape from some kind of Frankenstein aviary.
Looks very much like a goldfinch mule (cross between a male goldfinch and a female canary) to me.
An interesting 'goldfinch' has been making the occasional visit over the past few weeks. Whilst it doesn't show well in the pictures, there was a bluish/greenish tinge in some lights to the rear of the face. In song there seemed to be a mix of the squeaks of a goldfinch alongside the trill of a chaffinch. I was expecting the pictures to show something of a goldfinch/chaffinch mix however made me think redpoll or twite??
I am not aware of cross breeding amongst finches, and whilst a quick search indicates that goldfinches can be crossed, these instances look to be with caged birds, so I am non the wiser regarding behaviour in the wild. I presume then, it is simply an aberrant goldfinch but am keen to hear other's comments
thanks
V
-- Edited by Vaughan Evans on Monday 6th of June 2016 06:27:52 PM
This morning 2 Collared Doves harassed a Magpie and chased it off, just as the Magpie was about to explore our hedge.
Four Lesser Spotted Stone Roses heard in the garden @ 20.00 last night
Three buzzards over, probably not connected.
Apologies Ian ....
-- Edited by Vaughan Evans on Friday 13th of May 2016 08:51:01 AM
Mottram Rd. Stalybridge.
Lapwing just flew over my house, very high up, towards Hobson Moor.
Roger.
-- Edited by steven burke on Thursday 5th of May 2016 11:30:22 PM
other birds over...
1 swallow
1 common buzzard
1 grey heron
1 pair of starling constantly on my suet log feeder, probably feeding young.
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 30th of April 2016 07:53:20 PM
Male Blackcap finally left on 10th April, probably after some female on the Flash!
A Lesser Redpoll on my hearts feeder. A garden first here.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 26th of April 2016 08:53:22 PM
Adult Male Blackbird feeding Blackbird fledgling.
Had a Grey Heron in our Hale garden today having a good look at the pond. No fish in there for it, only tadpoles
Eccles garden - Buzzard chased off by two Carrion Crows
A Coal Tit perched on my washing line in the garden.
5 Siskin on my garden feeders today in Lower Bredbury (3m, 2f).
Also getting regular visits of up to 8 Goldfinch.
male greenfinch
1 male chaffinch
2 goldfinch
2 dunnock
2 woodpigeon
Hi Sid, very unusual. I had one in October and December 2007. I wondered where it might have come from at the time ...