35+ Waxwings still present 8am Castle st/Bradford st junction, Bolton, note not many berries left.
Info thanks to Dean.
Dean Macdonald said
Tue Feb 3 7:43 AM, 2009
No Waxwings at castle st first thing this morning.
Dean.
Dean Macdonald said
Mon Feb 2 10:00 PM, 2009
Fantastic views at lunchtime from Cecil st. 30+ birds coming down to the berries. Great close up views but constantly harassed by Mistle Thrush. It was great to watch the squable. Even the local Pigeons were getting in on the act chasing them around the area. They all sat in the side of the tree without berries, then made occasional sortes to the berries on the other side, where the rather irrate Mistle Thrush was! A great way to spend a dinner break, just a pity it was monday when i don't go to work in the car so couldn't nip home for my camera. I'll have a look in the morning but it looks like they've moved on. Vernon St might be worth a look too.
Cheers Dean.
Steve Matthewman said
Mon Feb 2 9:02 PM, 2009
You were right. The berries didn't last the day! I saw no sign of the waxwings at 4pm.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Feb 2 5:39 PM, 2009
Mike Cooper wrote:
1 less Waxwing a in Hopwood as one flew into my patio window and killed itself just now. I have it in a plastic bag in my shed and will be sketching it later. If anybody wants it for a skin or mounting let me know by private message and you can arrange to collect it this evening or Thursday evening when I'm back home.
Mike, corpses such as these are always appreciated by The Manchester Museum whose extensive bird skins selection (see the article on it in the reviews section of the website) will only benefit and it's where I sent my last Waxwing corpse I found at the beginning of Piccadilly approach in central Manchester some years ago. Let me know if this is an option and I can arrange it or take it there myself if necessary.
Mike Cooper said
Mon Feb 2 2:17 PM, 2009
1 less Waxwing a in Hopwood as one flew into my patio window and killed itself just now. I have it in a plastic bag in my shed and will be sketching it later. If anybody wants it for a skin or mounting let me know by private message and you can arrange to collect it this evening or Thursday evening when I'm back home.
Simon Warford said
Mon Feb 2 1:49 PM, 2009
35+ Waxwings still present Castle St/Bradford St area of Bolton, 1pm. (info thanks to my Dad and Dean Mac)
Hardly any berries left unfortunately and they may not last the day. 3 Mistle Thrushes constantly chasing them off this morning. 20 birds were present yesterday after 3pm apparently, so cant claim them all as self found.
Get down there Suzanne.
Alan Warford said
Mon Feb 2 10:04 AM, 2009
Now 39 Waxwings junction of Bradford Street, Castle Street Bolton. Berry Bush is in Cecil Street, access via Castle St and Devon Street. More squabbles with Mistle Thrush. Can be viewed at very close quarters in Cecil Street.
Mike Cooper said
Mon Feb 2 9:06 AM, 2009
Hopwood - Corner of Sunningdale / Grasmere - 30 in tree tops this snowy morning 08:00 onwards. There are now 2 pairs of Mistle Thrushes squabbling over the remaining berries (1/5 left) and perching in the same trees on the corner which is dispersing the Waxwings elsewhere on the estate but still have raiding partues on the rowan every 20 minutes or so.
Alan Warford said
Mon Feb 2 8:53 AM, 2009
38 Waxwings Bolton this am. Junction of Castle Street and Bradford Street Haulgh. Till 0850 at least. Info thanks to Simon Warford (Warfy).
Simon Hitchen said
Sun Feb 1 10:12 PM, 2009
Definitely 36 there at 1430 - counted them several times! flew around several times but kept coming back to the same tree at the junction between Grasmere and Sunningdale
Melanie Beckford said
Sun Feb 1 10:06 PM, 2009
l went by today approx' noon and saw nowt!! stayed till just before one and met a couple of other birders who also weren't lucky enough to see them,yeah er....l'm happy for those that have seen them this year....no really....l am
Mike Cooper said
Sun Feb 1 8:55 PM, 2009
Heywood - corner of Sunningdale Drive and Grasmere Ave. Flock has increaed to 35 this afternoon Sun 1/2 15:00 until 16:00 when they flew of East (to roost?). Glad a lot of people saw and photographed them this weekend. Rowan has about a third of the berries left so let's see if they last until next weekend with the bad weather forecast in the next days.
stuartherring said
Sun Feb 1 2:19 PM, 2009
seen waxwings this morning in heywood great views 20/30 birds thanks for the info everyone
-- Edited by stuartherring at 14:23, 2009-02-01
Pete Stevens said
Sun Feb 1 10:18 AM, 2009
27 Waxwings present this morning at 09.30 in Heywood, junction of Grasmere and Sunningdale drives.
Pete
Simon Warford said
Sat Jan 31 5:14 PM, 2009
28 Waxwings still Heywood 4pm at least.
Mike Chorley said
Sat Jan 31 4:32 PM, 2009
Possible party of C12 birds around 3.30 p.m. Collyhurst area just S.E. of the Rochdale Road/Queens Road junction. Birds only seen distantly through bins from work but silhouette and flight suggested that they weren't starlings. There's a wooded clough nearby that's now a local community park which may provide a roost site. I didn't have time to check the area out this evening, but anyone around/nearby tomorrow might have some luck there or at local berry trees (Queens Park, Smedley maybe?)
Pete Stevens said
Sat Jan 31 9:43 AM, 2009
27 waxwings in Heywood this morning at 8.45-9.15am in a tall tree on the corner of Sunningdale drive. All flew off into the estate but should return. Pete
Steve Scrimgeour said
Fri Jan 30 3:32 PM, 2009
Nothing at 1430 either, sparrowhawk overhead though
jason atkinson said
Fri Jan 30 3:04 PM, 2009
No sign Eccles 1 - 1.45pm
cheers jason
mike killelea said
Fri Jan 30 1:34 PM, 2009
Thanks Mike Did not see them feeding - lots of preening and going for a quick fly round - they were very vocal. still there at 13-30
Kind Regards
Mike
Colin Buckley said
Fri Jan 30 12:45 PM, 2009
Hopwood/ Sunningdale/Grasmere: 19 present at 11.15 - flew off at 11.25
Mike Cooper said
Fri Jan 30 10:06 AM, 2009
Hopwood, Heywood - corner of Sunningdale and Grasmere Drives. Flock now 26 at the top of the Ash trees and then a qucik sortie into the rowan for berries.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 30 9:54 AM, 2009
Still 13 at Morrisons in Eccles this morning
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
Mike Cooper said
Fri Jan 30 9:06 AM, 2009
Hopwood, Heywood - corner of Sunningdale and Grasmere Drives. 22 this morning from Ash trees and onto Rowan in my back garden - about half berries left and Waxwings aren't bothered by the resident Mistle Thrush when then zoom in for a quick feed and then off again.
Andy Isherwood said
Thu Jan 29 7:01 PM, 2009
16 still present in eccles behind morrisons until at least 1.30 today but no berries left here where they were actively feeding yesterday, spent 30 mins sat up in a tree calling constantly.
Paul Heaton said
Thu Jan 29 5:31 PM, 2009
No sign in Eccles today, and yes Mr Scrimgeour I do stick out like a sore thumb, in the Flixton car park, a fair number of Goldcrest in the trees next to the Railway line, thanks for the info re car break ins.
keep birding
Steve Collins said
Thu Jan 29 1:51 PM, 2009
27 waxwings at corner of Sunningdale/Grasmere in Heywood at approx 1.00 p.m. today Info from Gavin Ashworth Cheers Steve
Steve Scrimgeour said
Thu Jan 29 11:53 AM, 2009
Was that your goodself Mr Heaton parked up in the Station carpark in Flixton yesterday morning.... That path behind where you were parked as a couple of GSW on normally, seen them whilst walking Father In Laws dog on a regular basis...
PS be careful loads of Scroats been trashing cars on that car park again of late Steve
Paul Heaton said
Wed Jan 28 5:54 PM, 2009
25 in Eccles today the road they were on, is a one way system, best view would have been from Morrisons car park, not alot of berries around, they were just sat in a tree.
Not to far away from the Ordsall estate in salford it may be the same flock still flying around nice find though.
Keep birding
Henry Cook said
Wed Jan 28 5:38 PM, 2009
sid ashton wrote:
Thanks for that Ian, they weren't lingering in the area today as far as I could see. Should they reappear I shall let the forum know as I park in St Johns Road most times I go into Alty- which is very annoying as I parked there on at least two occasions on Christmas eve the day of the reported sighting
Unlucky with that Sid. Christmas distracts many of us, I presume birding mode wasn't active. I did the same with a Ring Ouzel last year along Shay Lane! Henry.
jason atkinson said
Wed Jan 28 3:21 PM, 2009
Pager reports 25 behind Morrisons car park, Eccles.
cheers jason
sid ashton said
Tue Jan 27 9:45 PM, 2009
Thanks for that Ian, they weren't lingering in the area today as far as I could see. Should they reappear I shall let the forum know as I park in St Johns Road most times I go into Alty- which is very annoying as I parked there on at least two occasions on Christmas eve the day of the reported sighting
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jan 27 9:27 PM, 2009
News doesn't always get received immediately as there's still many birders who aren't and indeed don't want to be, visitors to this forum. However they get their news out eventually and in this instance Judith quite rightly thought it pertinent to put the news on the forum, both to complete the overview of their occurence in the county and just in case they may still be lingering in the area.
sid ashton said
Tue Jan 27 8:24 PM, 2009
So Steve dare I ask - why was it posted yesterday?
Steve Suttill wrote:
Yes Sid, it was 24th December - Sheila told me about them in the first week of Jan. Didn't post it as they hadn't been seen again in the area.
Steve
Steve Suttill said
Tue Jan 27 6:05 PM, 2009
Yes Sid, it was 24th December - Sheila told me about them in the first week of Jan. Didn't post it as they hadn't been seen again in the area.
Steve
sid ashton said
Tue Jan 27 12:30 PM, 2009
Judith
Assumed originally that you meant 24th January - (why would you post more than one month after the event?) - so had a look up and down St Johns Road a couple of times this morning. No sign of any Waxies - perhaps you did mean 24th December
Judith Smith wrote:
Late news of 3 birds in St John's Rd Altrincham, December 24th (Per Sheila Rydz)
Colin Buckley said
Mon Jan 26 9:31 PM, 2009
No waxwings on Sunningdale/Grasmere in Heywood at 3.00 p.m. today
Judith Smith said
Mon Jan 26 3:09 PM, 2009
Late news of 3 birds in St John's Rd Altrincham, December 24th (Per Sheila Rydz)
Steve Collins said
Mon Jan 26 2:02 PM, 2009
And a superb article it is Ian! It wasn't the flycatching I was wondering about, it was the single bird going up along the lines of a lead bird trying to get the flock to move. Steve
Mike Cooper said
Mon Jan 26 9:20 AM, 2009
Hopwood, Heywood - corner of Sunningdale Drive & Grasmere at top of Ash tree. Sun 25 at 15:00 and Mon 09:00 - flock has grown to 19. Still lots of yellow berries on Rowan in my back garden now being guarded by 2 - 3 singing Mistle Thrushes
jason atkinson said
Mon Jan 26 8:28 AM, 2009
10 waxwings top of regent road / gilda brook road at 8.15 cheers jason
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jan 25 7:55 PM, 2009
Steve Collins wrote:
I was watching a group of about 120 waxwings in Huddersfield before christmas Steve and noticed when they were all sat in the tree away from the berries a single bird would occasionally go up as if flycatching as you noticed today. I wonder if this is a usual thing for them to do and anybody else seen it? Steve
It's been noticed in our county already this winter and is a very common practise, in fact as their diet consists of mainly insects during the summer (midges etc), it's their primary hunting method. See the article on Waxwings on the website if you haven't already, it should clear things up
Steve Collins said
Sun Jan 25 7:12 PM, 2009
I was watching a group of about 120 waxwings in Huddersfield before christmas Steve and noticed when they were all sat in the tree away from the berries a single bird would occasionally go up as if flycatching as you noticed today. I wonder if this is a usual thing for them to do and anybody else seen it? Steve
Steve Atkins said
Sun Jan 25 6:53 PM, 2009
A flock of 35 Waxwings was perched in a tree outside the Co-Op on Abert Royds Street Rochdale at 14:35 hrs today. They had been attracted to the area by a tree with yellow berries (ornamental Sorbus?) on the opposite side of the road. I drive past this tree every morning on my way to work and had noticed that up until Friday morning the berries had been untouched. This afternoon approx. 3/4 of the berries had gone, so there are probably still enough on the tree to keep them in the area at least until tomorrow. The Waxwing were a great sight, trilling contentedly with only the odd bird flying across the road to the berry tree to feed. They had presumably already had their fill of berries The occasional bird flew up into the air as if flycatching, although I couldn't see any insects about. The first time I've found a double-figure flock of Waxwings in Rochdale. Albert Royds Street is a continuation of Kingsway. The Co-op is in a parade of new shops on the left hand side, approx. half a mile from the Kingsway Retail Park if heading towards Rochdale.
Paul Heaton said
Sun Jan 25 5:16 PM, 2009
2 birds roosted behind the school tonight.
Rob I am sure your mum was in this patch before me
keep birding
Rob Smallwood said
Sun Jan 25 11:24 AM, 2009
Hi Paul - had no idea I was treading on your patch!
Paul Heaton said
Sun Jan 25 10:15 AM, 2009
Chased off by Mistle thrush at 09.55 got the kids out father in law and neighbours, cheers Rob, it was a lifer for two of my neighbours,
Bullfinch in garden at breakfast as well, who needs to go twitching, when the birds are on your road.
Keep birding.
ps rob I am at 34b.
Rob Smallwood said
Sun Jan 25 9:55 AM, 2009
2 still...
Rob Smallwood said
Sat Jan 24 3:15 PM, 2009
Found 2+ Waxwing on Church Lane, Ashton upon Mersey opposite Wellfield School but repeatedly seen off by ubiquitous Mistle Thrush.
Enough food for them to hang around a while, and just around the corner from me mam's house - a good reward for popping in!
Info thanks to Dean.
No Waxwings at castle st first thing this morning.
Dean.
Fantastic views at lunchtime from Cecil st. 30+ birds coming down to the berries.
Great close up views but constantly harassed by Mistle Thrush. It was great to watch the squable. Even the local Pigeons were getting in on the act chasing them around the area. They all sat in the side of the tree without berries, then made occasional sortes to the berries on the other side, where the rather irrate Mistle Thrush was!
A great way to spend a dinner break, just a pity it was monday when i don't go to work in the car so couldn't nip home for my camera.
I'll have a look in the morning but it looks like they've moved on.
Vernon St might be worth a look too.
Cheers Dean.
Mike, corpses such as these are always appreciated by The Manchester Museum whose extensive bird skins selection (see the article on it in the reviews section of the website) will only benefit and it's where I sent my last Waxwing corpse I found at the beginning of Piccadilly approach in central Manchester some years ago. Let me know if this is an option and I can arrange it or take it there myself if necessary.
Hardly any berries left unfortunately and they may not last the day. 3 Mistle Thrushes constantly chasing them off this morning. 20 birds were present yesterday after 3pm apparently, so cant claim them all as self found.
Get down there Suzanne.
Berry Bush is in Cecil Street, access via Castle St and Devon Street.
More squabbles with Mistle Thrush.
Can be viewed at very close quarters in Cecil Street.
Junction of Castle Street and Bradford Street Haulgh.
Till 0850 at least.
Info thanks to Simon Warford (Warfy).
-- Edited by stuartherring at 14:23, 2009-02-01
Pete
Pete
cheers
jason
Kind Regards
Mike
Info thanks to Andy Isherwood
keep birding
Info from Gavin Ashworth
Cheers
Steve
That path behind where you were parked as a couple of GSW on normally, seen them whilst walking Father In Laws dog on a regular basis...
PS be careful loads of Scroats been trashing cars on that car park again of late
Steve
Not to far away from the Ordsall estate in salford it may be the same flock still flying around nice find though.
Keep birding
Unlucky with that Sid. Christmas distracts many of us, I presume birding mode wasn't active.
I did the same with a Ring Ouzel last year along Shay Lane!
Henry.
cheers
jason
So Steve dare I ask - why was it posted yesterday?
Steve
Assumed originally that you meant 24th January - (why would you post more than one month after the event?) - so had a look up and down St Johns Road a couple of times this morning. No sign of any Waxies - perhaps you did mean 24th December
It wasn't the flycatching I was wondering about, it was the single bird going up along the lines of a lead bird trying to get the flock to move.
Steve
It's been noticed in our county already this winter and is a very common practise, in fact as their diet consists of mainly insects during the summer (midges etc), it's their primary hunting method. See the article on Waxwings on the website if you haven't already, it should clear things up
Steve
Rob I am sure your mum was in this patch before me
keep birding
Bullfinch in garden at breakfast as well, who needs to go twitching, when the birds are on your road.
Keep birding.
ps rob I am at 34b.
Enough food for them to hang around a while, and just around the corner from me mam's house - a good reward for popping in!