Bury . Song thrush taking berries from the yew . He flies up from the lawn , plucks his prey , then down to the lawn , again . Delightful .
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Sat Oct 14 9:56 AM, 2023
4 Ring Knecked Parrokete, over our Openshaw garden at 09:50 this am
fredford said
Sat Oct 14 8:15 AM, 2023
Bury . Two , calling ravens over just now .
CALLUM VERNON said
Fri Oct 13 7:39 PM, 2023
6 Whooper Swans calling over Walkden garden just now
Pete Hines said
Fri Oct 13 9:56 AM, 2023
18 + Whooper Swans flew south over my Chorlton flat, M21 9JF, at 09.49 calling. (Check those waterparks !)
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Friday 13th of October 2023 09:56:49 AM
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Oct 10 10:20 PM, 2023
Tuesday 10 October 2023
A Merlin flew south over my garden at 12:29, being harassed by a Pied Wagtail.
Other things on the move - mainly south - over the garden earlier in the morning included: 24 Pink-footed Goose (east) 1 Jay 10 Skylark 419 Redwing 32 Fieldfare 1 Song Thrush 1 Grey Wagtail 10 Pied Wagtail 105 Meadow Pipit 19 Chaffinch 11 Linnet 1 Lesser Redpoll 13 Siskin 2 Yellowhammer 2 Reed Bunting
Other "recent" garden highlights include: 2 Crossbill south on 14 September 1 Spotted Flycatcher on 25 August 20 Black-tailed Godwit south-east on 22 August 1 Little Egret west on 12 June 1 Quail heard overhead at 23:47 on 11 June
pete berry said
Tue Oct 10 1:06 PM, 2023
A Ring Necked Parakeet in the back garden this morning, still quite a rarish bird round here,also female Pheasant, Nuthatch and good numbers of the usual Great,Coal,Blue and Long Tailed Tits,plus a few Greenfinch on the sunflower seeds.Also 2 Ravens low over the garden and Great Spotted Woodpecker on the fatball feedres
-- Edited by pete berry on Tuesday 10th of October 2023 01:57:29 PM
paul shaw said
Mon Oct 9 7:56 AM, 2023
Redwing heard over my Bredbury garden at 7.30am this morning.
pete berry said
Sun Oct 8 2:43 PM, 2023
A Chiffchaff calling from bushes in next doors garden this afternoon, also 2 Raven over at lunchtime.
phillipskelly said
Sun Oct 8 2:14 PM, 2023
6 Common Buzzard circling over Gorse Hill, Stretford spotted by my next door neighbour (Sue) who pointed them out to me at 1:15pm today.
Also whilst still in bed,I heard a Raven cronking yesterday 07.09.23 at 8:15 am which was probably being mobbed by a group of Carrion Crows as they were making a racket and the cronking was sounding further and further away.
Andy Isherwood said
Thu Oct 5 10:23 AM, 2023
WFH today and birds seen/heard from the house so far include 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a decent sized tit flock moving through containing at least 3 Coal tit, 23 Long tailed Tit and a Goldcrest.
Andy Bissitt said
Mon Oct 2 11:44 AM, 2023
The Romiley skies were quite active this morning overhead with 70+ meadow pipits, 20 pink-footed geese, c10 swallows and siskin (heard only) on the move. 5 mistle thrushes were of more local origin. A goldcrest was in the garden, and a chiffchaff was singing close by.
Dave Steel said
Thu Sep 28 5:18 PM, 2023
Flying East over my house
68 Pink-Footed Geese @ 1400
21 Pink-Footed Geese @ 1403
pete berry said
Thu Sep 28 11:35 AM, 2023
A Chiffchaff in the back garden this morning, at one stage perching on the washing line,also 26 Pink Feet over,heading s.e.
fredford said
Tue Sep 26 6:17 AM, 2023
Bury . Recently a rat has taken residence under the flag stone in the corner outside the house . We see him on the night camera . On two occasions the long - established tawny has flown into this corner as if looking for said rodent , which has not been visible at the time . We have never seen the owl doing this previously . It is most interesting behaviour . Is the owl purposely seeking out the rat ? Would a tawny tackle a rat with a body length of seven inches ?
Steven Nelson said
Sat Sep 23 6:32 PM, 2023
Peregrine over my Irlam garden at 6.05pm heading south
pete berry said
Thu Sep 21 2:08 PM, 2023
2 Ravens low over my back garden this afternoon .
steven burke said
Thu Sep 21 10:54 AM, 2023
21 meadow pipits over my old Trafford garden this morning between 10-10.30am most very low south. 1 skylark also. 1 sparrowhawk caught a goldfinch from my feeders.
Jason Dulhanty said
Wed Sep 20 6:33 PM, 2023
Just now
Single Greenfinch on my feeders
Cannot remember the last time i seen one in my garden
Cheers Jay
Dont twitch and drive
Chris Roberts said
Mon Sep 18 7:46 PM, 2023
Sparrowhawk having what I think is a pigeon dinner in my garden, picture taken as it was going dark.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 18th of September 2023 08:43:31 PM
Bury . Last afternoon a blue tit flew through the open door of the kitchen , circumnavigated the room and departed , leaving his calling card on the wall . Couple of hours later repeated the manoeuvre , without the card .
phillipskelly said
Fri Sep 15 12:11 PM, 2023
Today (Friday 12pm) 2 Sparrowhawk circling above my house in Gorse Hill,Stretford . On Monday at 7:40am after a couple of days inclement weather,on and around my backyard feeders were c90 Goldfinch (very nervous as were the feral pigeons) but not many since thoughout the week and only 20 for a short time this morning.
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Fri Sep 15 11:43 AM, 2023
Our Openshaw garden tick, Willow Warbler this am
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 9 9:42 AM, 2023
Lovely morning in my Astley garden finally produced a long awaited garden tick! With small numbers of Meadow Pipits over yesterday and today, at 08:54 a Tree Pipit finally gave itself up over the field just at the back of the house. Oddly it did not seem to be merely heading straight over and instead appeared to be blogging high over the field with another pipit and then flew north at c120 feet over the garden (estimated off the known height of the large sycamore in the garden). Only a minute or so later presumably the same bird came back south over the garden, calling again but was lost to view just south of the East Lancs Road.
A single Greylag Goose flew east this morning, Coal Tits now numbered three, two Chiffchaffs again (one still singing), 1+ Goldcrest, a flock of 18 Long-tailed Tits noisily camped out in the garden for a good while and a Treecreeper (perhaps increasing in sightings here) could be heard from the tree line.
Additional to yesterday, a single Yellowhammer flew over calling at 15:45, an all too scarce bird from the garden these days.
phillipskelly said
Fri Sep 8 9:09 PM, 2023
Not many Goldfinch on and around my Stretford backyard feeders yesterday and today as usual when the weather is hot and sunny (water available) but around 6 pm ish there were 20 including several young ones,one of which was being fed by a parent.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Sep 8 11:55 AM, 2023
Greenshank in flight just south of my Astley garden at 11:50 this morning, heading west(ish), possibly dropping into the old Morley’s sand quarry which I believe has some pools again.
Ian Howarth said
Thu Sep 7 7:29 PM, 2023
A dozen Ring-necked Parakeets just flew very low, north, over my Timperley garden just now. Several more flew over 30 mins ago in the same direction.
Michael Hood said
Thu Sep 7 6:19 PM, 2023
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Early this morning at my Astley garden, 2 Grey and a single Pied Wagtail flew over east, 2 Coal Tits and two Chiffchaffs (one singing) in the garden, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and best of all a Nuthatch, a rare bird here. House Sparrow numbers remain around the 80 mark.
Re: Nuthatches, here in Prestwich I'm hearing them frequently even if I don't see them that often - this morning there was one calling again and again and again...
I wonder what exactly determines a desirable neighbourhood for them - I would have thought most urban or semi-urban areas have sufficient mature trees.
Whilst listening to the Nuthatch, I did get a nice view of a Coal Tit which visited our garden for a couple of minutes.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 6 10:20 PM, 2023
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Early this morning at my Astley garden, 2 Grey and a single Pied Wagtail flew over east, 2 Coal Tits and two Chiffchaffs (one singing) in the garden, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and best of all a Nuthatch, a rare bird here. House Sparrow numbers remain around the 80 mark.
and at 8:05pm this evening a superb Hobby flew through the field just 20 metres from my garden, briefly hawked some insects along the oak tree line and the headed off west.
Steven Nelson said
Wed Sep 6 7:23 PM, 2023
A calling Chiffchaff in my Irlam garden this evening
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Sep 6 7:06 PM, 2023
Early this morning at my Astley garden, 2 Grey and a single Pied Wagtail flew over east, 2 Coal Tits and two Chiffchaffs (one singing) in the garden, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and best of all a Nuthatch, a rare bird here. House Sparrow numbers remain around the 80 mark.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 4 9:02 PM, 2023
Two noisy Ring-necked Parakeets east together over my Astley garden at 7:25pm this evening.
steven burke said
Sat Sep 2 4:01 PM, 2023
A sparrowhawk was having a tussle with a kestrel over my old Trafford garden this afternoon. Haven't seen a kestrel over my garden for many years, this is now the second one this year.
A Raven flew over the house, calling loudly, at midday today. Heading north east over Davyhulme.
phillipskelly said
Fri Sep 1 9:37 PM, 2023
On and around my Stretford backyard feeders earlier today were - Goldfinch - 30 at 5:30 pm but not many others throughout the day. Some juvenile Goldfinch have almost complete facial markings now whilst others haven't any. Also 2 newly fledged young were near the feeders begging to be fed (01.09.23).
steven burke said
Fri Sep 1 12:05 PM, 2023
7 buzzards circling together over my old Trafford garden this morning drifting west. 3 swifts, first I have seen since the last of the resident ones left almost 2 weeks ago.
pete berry said
Fri Sep 1 9:22 AM, 2023
A singing Chiffchaff at bottom of garden this morning and at least 2 other birds calling in and around the garden.
fredford said
Fri Sep 1 5:46 AM, 2023
Bury . Just on the other side of the wall , in large field , seven or eight juvenile pied wagtails busily feeding . Smashin sight !
Andy Bissitt said
Wed Aug 30 8:32 PM, 2023
First winter male blackcap in my Romiley garden this morning, trying to find the few elderberries left over after 8 woodpigeons had worked it over these last few weeks (it's not a big bush). Yesterday, a chiffchaff was present in and around the garden for c20 minutes.
pete berry said
Wed Aug 30 2:10 PM, 2023
A couple of Chiffchaffs at bottom of the garden this morning, also a Nuthatch visiting the fat balls.
fredford said
Fri Aug 25 4:23 PM, 2023
Bury . Raven , heard only , over the garden just now .
phillipskelly said
Thu Aug 24 6:42 PM, 2023
Stretford backyard feeders:- Goldfinch numbers have been variable over the last few weeks because if its sunny not many turn up, but if its wet or inclement quite a few show up. The largest count of Goldfinch was 70 at 6:40am one morning and the majority were mostly juveniles , some of which hade very distinct red and black feathers on the head Yesterday (23.08.23) two young turned up asking to be fed by parents.
fredford said
Sun Aug 20 6:52 AM, 2023
Bury . Very vociferous tawny in the trees the past couple of days and this morning .
fredford said
Fri Aug 18 6:41 PM, 2023
Bury . After seversl days of calls from around the garden , the green woodpecker settled in the dead sycamore for a good look round . Hurrah !
Vicky Harper said
Fri Aug 18 10:56 AM, 2023
A Spotted Flycatcher is in our neighbouring garden at present occasionally flying into our garden which backs on to Gorse Hall, Dukinfield. A new garden tick for us. Heres a few photos.
Having to spend a bit more time in Garden of late but interesting to note that the 'usual'4-5 Greenfinch numbers are actually greater than this with a 2 hour watch...
93 Woodpigeon...all flying east-west or west-east
3 Woodpigeon below the feeders (regulars)
4 Magpie
9 Lesser Black-Backed Gull...Wheeling about the sky
17 Greenfinch
43 Goldfinch
2 Collared Dove
6 Carrion Crow Flying over
2 Dunnock
1 Cormorant flying North
3 Feral Pigeon
5 Black-Headed Gull
2 Chaffinch...1 being a juvenile
2 House Sparrow
1 Blackbird
1 Raven...heard but not seen.
fredford said
Fri Aug 11 6:55 AM, 2023
Bury . Green woodpecker heard around the garden but not seen . Sparrowhawk not seen for a week , whereas daily appearance previously . Can carrion crows have two broods ?
Delightful .
4 Ring Knecked Parrokete, over our Openshaw garden at 09:50 this am
6 Whooper Swans calling over Walkden garden just now
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Friday 13th of October 2023 09:56:49 AM
A Merlin flew south over my garden at 12:29, being harassed by a Pied Wagtail.
Other things on the move - mainly south - over the garden earlier in the morning included:
24 Pink-footed Goose (east)
1 Jay
10 Skylark
419 Redwing
32 Fieldfare
1 Song Thrush
1 Grey Wagtail
10 Pied Wagtail
105 Meadow Pipit
19 Chaffinch
11 Linnet
1 Lesser Redpoll
13 Siskin
2 Yellowhammer
2 Reed Bunting
Other "recent" garden highlights include:
2 Crossbill south on 14 September
1 Spotted Flycatcher on 25 August
20 Black-tailed Godwit south-east on 22 August
1 Little Egret west on 12 June
1 Quail heard overhead at 23:47 on 11 June
-- Edited by pete berry on Tuesday 10th of October 2023 01:57:29 PM
Also whilst still in bed,I heard a Raven cronking yesterday 07.09.23 at 8:15 am which was probably being mobbed by a group of Carrion Crows as they were making a racket and the cronking was sounding further and further away.
Flying East over my house
68 Pink-Footed Geese @ 1400
21 Pink-Footed Geese @ 1403
Is the owl purposely seeking out the rat ?
Would a tawny tackle a rat with a body length of seven inches ?
1 skylark also.
1 sparrowhawk caught a goldfinch from my feeders.
Just now
Single Greenfinch on my feeders
Cannot remember the last time i seen one in my garden
Cheers Jay
Dont twitch and drive
Sparrowhawk having what I think is a pigeon dinner in my garden, picture taken as it was going dark.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 18th of September 2023 08:43:31 PM
Another Openshaw garden tick, a pair of Nuthatch
-- Edited by Peter Nolan Woolley on Monday 18th of September 2023 06:04:46 PM
On Monday at 7:40am after a couple of days inclement weather,on and around my backyard feeders were c90 Goldfinch (very nervous as were the feral pigeons) but not many since thoughout the week and only 20 for a short time this morning.
Our Openshaw garden tick, Willow Warbler this am
Lovely morning in my Astley garden finally produced a long awaited garden tick! With small numbers of Meadow Pipits over yesterday and today, at 08:54 a Tree Pipit finally gave itself up over the field just at the back of the house. Oddly it did not seem to be merely heading straight over and instead appeared to be blogging high over the field with another pipit and then flew north at c120 feet over the garden (estimated off the known height of the large sycamore in the garden). Only a minute or so later presumably the same bird came back south over the garden, calling again but was lost to view just south of the East Lancs Road.
A single Greylag Goose flew east this morning, Coal Tits now numbered three, two Chiffchaffs again (one still singing), 1+ Goldcrest, a flock of 18 Long-tailed Tits noisily camped out in the garden for a good while and a Treecreeper (perhaps increasing in sightings here) could be heard from the tree line.
Additional to yesterday, a single Yellowhammer flew over calling at 15:45, an all too scarce bird from the garden these days.
Greenshank in flight just south of my Astley garden at 11:50 this morning, heading west(ish), possibly dropping into the old Morley’s sand quarry which I believe has some pools again.
Re: Nuthatches, here in Prestwich I'm hearing them frequently even if I don't see them that often - this morning there was one calling again and again and again...
I wonder what exactly determines a desirable neighbourhood for them - I would have thought most urban or semi-urban areas have sufficient mature trees.
Whilst listening to the Nuthatch, I did get a nice view of a Coal Tit which visited our garden for a couple of minutes.
and at 8:05pm this evening a superb Hobby flew through the field just 20 metres from my garden, briefly hawked some insects along the oak tree line and the headed off west.
Early this morning at my Astley garden, 2 Grey and a single Pied Wagtail flew over east, 2 Coal Tits and two Chiffchaffs (one singing) in the garden, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and best of all a Nuthatch, a rare bird here. House Sparrow numbers remain around the 80 mark.
Two noisy Ring-necked Parakeets east together over my Astley garden at 7:25pm this evening.
The Walkden Willow Tit is back for the 3rd winter in a row
Goldfinch - 30 at 5:30 pm but not many others throughout the day.
Some juvenile Goldfinch have almost complete facial markings now whilst others haven't any.
Also 2 newly fledged young were near the feeders begging to be fed (01.09.23).
3 swifts, first I have seen since the last of the resident ones left almost 2 weeks ago.
First winter male blackcap in my Romiley garden this morning, trying to find the few elderberries left over after 8 woodpigeons had worked it over these last few weeks (it's not a big bush). Yesterday, a chiffchaff was present in and around the garden for c20 minutes.
Goldfinch numbers have been variable over the last few weeks because if its sunny not many turn up, but if its wet or inclement quite a few show up.
The largest count of Goldfinch was 70 at 6:40am one morning and the majority were mostly juveniles , some of which hade very distinct red and black feathers on the head
Yesterday (23.08.23) two young turned up asking to be fed by parents.
130823 0955-1045
15 Greenfinch
95 Woodpigeon flying East-West and vice-versa
32 Goldfinch
1 Dunnock
5 Feral Pigeon
2 Chaffinch
1 Magpie
2 Lesser Black-Backed Gull
1 Carrion Crow
3 House Sparrow.
120823....Garden Watch 0845-1045
Having to spend a bit more time in Garden of late but interesting to note that the 'usual'4-5 Greenfinch numbers are actually greater than this with a 2 hour watch...
93 Woodpigeon...all flying east-west or west-east
3 Woodpigeon below the feeders (regulars)
4 Magpie
9 Lesser Black-Backed Gull...Wheeling about the sky
17 Greenfinch
43 Goldfinch
2 Collared Dove
6 Carrion Crow Flying over
2 Dunnock
1 Cormorant flying North
3 Feral Pigeon
5 Black-Headed Gull
2 Chaffinch...1 being a juvenile
2 House Sparrow
1 Blackbird
1 Raven...heard but not seen.
Sparrowhawk not seen for a week , whereas daily appearance previously . Can carrion crows have two broods ?