Woodcock over the M60 just West of the Prestwich junction at 16:40.
David Pierce said
Sun Nov 26 2:02 PM, 2017
2 male goosanders on pool between locks 13 & 14 on Marple canal at mid-day
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sat Nov 25 7:34 PM, 2017
Nice mixed thrush flock feeding on one of the fields at the stables I ride at off Knott Lane, near Ashton; 17+ redwing, 11 mistle thrush and 2 fieldfare.
First fieldfares of the autumn / winter, too; about time.
Rob Creek said
Thu Nov 23 10:00 AM, 2017
5 Siskin and 4 Redwing flew over the works yard in Reddish this morning heading east.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sat Nov 18 7:36 PM, 2017
19 whooper swan over the area I watch / ride at around Knott / Crime Lanes just out of Ashton at dusk today, heading roughly NE.
Simon Johnson said
Sat Nov 11 10:07 PM, 2017
Redwings heard going over in Whitefield at 21:00 ish
Rob Creek said
Sat Nov 11 1:20 PM, 2017
1 Yellow-legged Gull this morning approx 10.15am circling low over KFC on Hyde Rd in Gorton. It flew off behind Crawshaw's Meat shop and down Taylor Street, at the end of which is Bessemer Street and Smithfield Market so it's likely to be one of the Smithfield 2.
john tromans said
Sat Nov 4 1:26 PM, 2017
One Yellow Legged Gull found at11.20 on China Star roof viewed from inside Smithfield market off Bessemer Street. It then flew to the roof of Sykes where it showed itself to be the boss gull. It did several flight circuits and was constanly calling and being mobbed by other gulls. It then flew towards Manchester centre and I lost it. i could not find the other one. A pleasant bit of birding and is well worth seeing.
Rob Creek said
Fri Nov 3 10:34 AM, 2017
Friday 3rd Nov
Both Yellow-legged Gulls present at 10.26am on China Star roof as viewed from Bessemer Street
Rob Creek said
Thu Nov 2 2:10 PM, 2017
Adult Great Black-backed Gull on 384 building at Redgate Recycling 2.10pm, looking at the bill it may be just short of being full adult but certainly looks to be more advanced than a 4th Winter.
I hope I've got that right.
Didn't stop long here, change of plan to a delivery sent me to Stretford.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 2nd of November 2017 11:08:38 PM
9.57am and both Yellow-legged Gulls present in same general area of Smithfield Market as viewed from Bessemer Street.
Rob Creek said
Wed Nov 1 9:35 AM, 2017
Wednesday 9.26am Both Yellow-legged Gulls present as viewed from Bessemer Street at the side of Smithfield Market
Rob Creek said
Tue Oct 31 4:10 PM, 2017
Busy day forcing a late call to a supplier on Smithfield Market.
3.45pm both Yellow-legged Gulls present but as of 4pm one has disappeared and the other is currently sat on Sykes roof but fairly mobile.
- A few more images of one of these long staying Gulls as one flew off.
I've included a mantle comparison with a Lesser Black-backed, and tried to show the character of this particular bird which tends to dominate pretty much anywhere in the immediate area, and to be quite frank, with a bill and gape of that ferocity and size I'm not surprised. It's always calling and making its presence known, they both do actually. (Knock an hour off the camera times, my apologies but I was in the hospital when the clocks went back ta)
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 1st of November 2017 01:10:16 AM
c40 Goldfinch at Abraham Moss around the car park and tram stop late afternoon today.
A Ring-necked Parakeet was also calling in the area too.
Rob Creek said
Thu Oct 26 2:54 PM, 2017
Smithfield Market this afternoon.
Both Yellow-legged Gulls present in full view on China Star roof from 2.05 to 2.10pm, still present when I left but mobile. I'm now at Redgate Recycling incase lightning strikes twice!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 27th of October 2017 12:16:15 AM
- Pale phase Arctic Skua flew over the refuse yard, circled low and immediately put up all the Gulls with some of the larger ones giving chase. My apologies but lost to view. Cracking!
Rob Creek said
Mon Oct 23 2:29 PM, 2017
Both Yellow-legged Gulls currently at Smithfield Market this afternoon.
They've just posed nicely for a record shot for proof of their presence still, and there is a large juvenile Gull standing with them, and it flys round with them every time one takes off, looks like a Lesser Black-backed Gull but I'm not the best when it comes to juvenile large Gulls!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 24th of October 2017 10:32:14 AM
I got to do some vis-migging this morning waiting for a delayed train at Burnage. 4 flocks of Redwings passed by low heading south, 2 of about 25 and 2 of around 15 birds. This was between 7.52 and 8.05. I wonder where they'll end up...
Rob Creek said
Wed Oct 18 2:27 PM, 2017
1 of the Yellow-legged Gulls still present at Smithfield Market, Openshaw, around 10am today. Seen on lamp-post near security lodge.
Rob Creek said
Tue Oct 17 2:07 PM, 2017
Got back from Corfu on Friday, back in work this week and currently doing the 1st visit to a supplier on Smithfield Market. I can confirm that (The) 2 Yellow-legged Gulls are still here, since 1.45pm.
Photos added of both birds as singles and then together, the latter of which I've rarely seen with these 2 individuals, they nearly always sit or stand well apart. Only seen them together on one other occasion.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 18th of October 2017 08:59:08 AM
Late post for yesterday: Sparrowhawk seen soaring over area of Wilmslow Road near junction with Wilbraham Road/Owens Park, approx 3:45pm.
Chris Harper said
Wed Oct 4 8:11 AM, 2017
7 Swan sp. south over Princess parkway near Southern Cemetery at 07.50
Rob Creek said
Tue Oct 3 4:01 PM, 2017
No sign of Yellow-legged Gull(s) at Smithfield Market yesterday afternoon or today either. I'll give it chance incase I've missed it, before I submit the record.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sat Sep 30 7:51 PM, 2017
First redwing of the year on the scrubby land off Crime Lane outside Ashton today; earliest one I've had, I think.
Also four Mandarin ducks on a small pond in this area (which is a patch first), along with a single teal.
Karen Foulkes said
Thu Sep 28 6:34 PM, 2017
A Kingfisher flew along the canal at Clayton as I passed on the tram late afternoon today
Rob Creek said
Mon Sep 25 11:44 AM, 2017
Smithfield Market, Openshaw.
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull present Sunday 5.15pm on China Star roof. Present again this morning at 10.10am on lamp-post near security.
Rob Creek said
Thu Sep 21 2:17 PM, 2017
Thursday. - 1 Yellow-legged Gull present from 1.15pm until 1.30pm Smithfield Market, Openshaw.
It's the usual suspect that's lingered and showed more readily. I'm still on site but not seen it since 1.30pm when it flew off towards Gorton after being harassed relentlessly by an adult and juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull. Could be worth checking Redgate Recycling a few minutes away?
Also 2 Grey Wagtail in the main parking area.
Some images from yesterday's onslaught. A barrage of Lesser Black-backed dive bombs.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 22nd of September 2017 12:37:59 PM
A strange day for noticing birds today whilst working, all-sorts around that I've not seen in a while!
- 5 Common Buzzards circling above our Reddish depot approx 3pm. 4 totally engulfed by a marauding mass of circling Gulls appearing to be mainly Lesser Black-backed, Herring, and Black-headed, with a couple of monsters (Great Black-backed) thrown in too! 1 kept a little distance away and was a fair size bigger, so possibly a female keeping an eye on her mate with 4 immatures? Although Buzzards do group together regularly at this time don't they? The whole group eventually circled off towards Dane Bank (Denton).
Rob Creek said
Wed Sep 20 2:20 PM, 2017
Late post, apologies.
Sunday 17th Sept 5.15pm - at least 1 Yellow-legged Gull present flying round, the one with feathers missing from the trailing edge of both wings. Possibly another bird present, looks ok to me and doesn't look like the 2nd bird that seemed to have left a couple weeks ago but I'll wait on confirmation of the images first as these Gulls give me the runaround
Monday 18th Sept 12.30pm - 1 Yellow-legged Gull present, mobile again, identified by wing pattern as above.
Will update hopefully tomorrow when I'm on site. Cheers
Update...
There was a second Yellow-legged Gull present Sunday afternoon as suspected.
But after careful consideration on Ian's part, the general feeling is despite it being difficult to tell, it's likely to be the other bird of the main Smithfield 2 and not a different bird.
The main factor being the red area of the goynes extending to the upper mandible area of the bill (or 'Bleeding', cheers Ian) which I'd actually commented on but didn't match it up.
It proves however, that the 2nd bird did return if only for that day, and likely indicates that it has been present since I last saw it at Smithfield, locally at least!
Thanks again Ian
Cheers
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 21st of September 2017 12:10:17 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 21st of September 2017 12:13:26 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 21st of September 2017 12:14:29 AM
1 Yellow-legged Gull still present at Smithfield Market this afternoon although mobile.
Rob Creek said
Fri Sep 8 9:53 PM, 2017
Nice one Austin, definitely 1 of the 2 birds that has been present for some time now, and seemingly the remaining bird as it's quite possible 1 could have departed. The grey tips to 1 of the primaries on each wing matches 1 of the birds. Some nice shots on the blog too!
Cheers
Austin Morley said
Fri Sep 8 5:55 PM, 2017
Hi Rob,
As promised here are a few images of the Yellow-legged Gull I saw last week.
There are more images on my blog - www.austinmorley.blogspot.co.uk
-- Edited by Austin Morley on Friday 8th of September 2017 05:55:26 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 8th of September 2017 10:38:24 PM
Wednesday 6th September. Pretty sure 1 Yellow-legged Gull was present at Smithfield Market. Primaries and wing moult with missing feather pattern seems to match the individual in the image I've posted for 15th August.
Thursday 7th September. Spent almost an hour on site here around late lunchtime and I had no sign at all of any Yellow-legged Gulls.
I did indeed, however I left Manchester straight for Cambridgeshire. Working away surveying all week, but when I get home I will upload the images and share on here and via my blog.
Rob Creek said
Tue Sep 5 3:51 PM, 2017
Yesterday... Spent over an hour on site at Smithfield Market, Openshaw, visiting/collecting from a supplier, around late lunchtime early afternoon. No sign of either of the 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on site in all that time. I did say to Simon on Sunday it was unusual that only 1 was present, I wonder if Simon and Austin have been the last 2 observers to see them before they've upped and left?
Austin did you manage any images of it yesterday? I'm asking incase it was a different bird that turned up, and because if it is the last sighting then I can use it for the final date for a GM Rarity record submission.
Of note... a Common Buzzard flew through low over the security lodge much to a the annoyance of the remaining Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A sad day if they have gone. Cheers
Will McKellar said
Tue Sep 5 9:31 AM, 2017
Sparrowhawk, juvenile I think, in my front garden this morning. Gatley.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 5th of September 2017 09:48:49 AM
Austin Morley said
Mon Sep 4 12:19 PM, 2017
Adult Yellow-legged Gull still at Smithfield Market, Openshaw this morning, It was viewable from the main car park before flying off out of view with the local Lesser Black-backs around 10.20 although I'm sure it will be back.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 4th of September 2017 12:57:37 PM
Rob Creek said
Sun Sep 3 9:22 PM, 2017
Quick stop at Smithfield Market, Openshaw, this afternoon with Simon Gough.
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull present.
Rob Creek said
Thu Aug 31 10:46 PM, 2017
Peter Nolan Woolley wrote:
Rob Creek wrote:
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult or at least appears to be) with bright green leg ring hanging around Redgate Recycling in Gorton. Far too mobile to get the number, anyone any ideas as to possible origins of the green ring?
Evening Rob. Cr-birding is a good place to start, but without any numerics , will be impossible to nail down.
http://www.cr-birding.org/taxonomy/term/2154
Many thanks Peter, thought as much but I'm passing here almost daily so will be keeping an eye open.
Peter Nolan Woolley said
Thu Aug 31 8:28 PM, 2017
Rob Creek wrote:
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult or at least appears to be) with bright green leg ring hanging around Redgate Recycling in Gorton. Far too mobile to get the number, anyone any ideas as to possible origins of the green ring?
Evening Rob. Cr-birding is a good place to start, but without any numerics , will be impossible to nail down.
http://www.cr-birding.org/taxonomy/term/2154
Rob Creek said
Thu Aug 31 7:39 PM, 2017
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult or at least appears to be) with bright green leg ring hanging around Redgate Recycling in Gorton. Far too mobile to get the number, anyone any ideas as to possible origins of the green ring?
Rob Creek said
Wed Aug 30 2:44 PM, 2017
Both Yellow-legged Gulls still here this afternoon at Smithfield Market, Openshaw. Also 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew through!
Images showing both birds stood and sat down so anyone trying for them knows what to look for, there is the odd Argenteus Herring Gull around too though so it can be confusing sometimes as I've already found out recently.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 31st of August 2017 08:37:06 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 31st of August 2017 08:37:52 AM
Finished work around 2pm today and decided to check if the Yellow-legged Gulls were still around Smithfield Market. I didn't get that far at first as a large Gull flying around with Some Lesser Black-backed's near KFC Hyde Road in Gorton caught my attention. The Gull in question then landed on Crawshaw's Meat shop next to KFC, I got my bins and on realising it was a Yellow-legged Gull, I soon realised it matched the bill pattern of 1 of the 'Smithfield 2'. It was very mobile so I didn't manage a photo.
I drove to Smithfield Market literally less than a minute away and from Bessemer St I soon picked up on the second Yellow-legged Gull. It was stood on the roof of the fish units near Big Fish Little Fish and China Star. Then true to form it sat down and didn't move for about 10 minutes, at which point I left and drove round to Redgate Recycling. Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls were the only large Gulls here.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sat Aug 26 8:50 PM, 2017
No joy trying to find the yellow-legged gulls as per below today; though about 5 minutes after I turned up (at about 11.45), all the gulls departed, so I by no means got a positive ID on every bird; those I did ID, at least 10 lesser-black backed and 3 herring. Also about, blue tit and long-tailed tit, 5+ house martin and a small flock of 7 goldfinch.
Around the scrubland off Knott and Crime Lanes outside of Ashton later on in the afternoon I had a peregrine flying about; very happy with that, until I saw it perched up on a distant man's arm just afterwards. No patch tick for me. A stock dove and a juvenile sparrowhawk were seen, though, but only 9 pied wagtails feeding on the paddocks this week.
Rob Creek said
Fri Aug 25 2:41 PM, 2017
Nice one Chris, on my way into town this morning... 1 of the Yellow-legged Gulls was on the lamp-post light right next to the market security lodge approx 9.35am
Yeah last couple of visits I've noticed that 1 of the birds is quite active and the other is sat down and barely moves for the duration of my break or whilst I'm on site at least. But saying that, there's other Gulls here and at Redgate Recycling that hardly move in that space of time.
If well fed and don't have to move, then why bother??
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 25th of August 2017 02:49:31 PM
Chris Harper said
Fri Aug 25 11:45 AM, 2017
Thanks to Rob for directions. Got good views of 1 of the presumed 2 Yellow Legged Gulls at Smithfield Market in Openshaw this morning from 9.50-10.25
Both were sat on the roof of J and B Wilde, viewed from Bessemer Street. One was a lot more active as described, the other barely moved for the whole 40 minutes, but am assuming it was a second.
Great find, cheers Rob.
Rob Creek said
Thu Aug 24 3:27 PM, 2017
- Yellow-legged Gull 2
Both currently still present at Smithfield Market this afternoon, 1 resting, the other fairly mobile.
I've posted an image of 1 of today's 2 Yellow-legged Gull to prove their presence still.
Also present was a huge Great Black-backed Gull youngster, probably a 2nd year bird.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 25th of August 2017 12:16:41 AM
- 2 Yellow-legged Gulls Both present this afternoon at Smithfield Market in Openshaw and surprisingly both together. I was on site for around an hour and for the last 30 mins of my visit they were both sat down on China Star frozen food roof and didn't move, they were both in same location when I left the site at 2pm.
In addition to earlier...
I've attached some images of the Yellow-legged Gulls from today. At last a shot of them together.
Incase anyone was wondering, the blood around one of the Gulls mouth was from where it snaffled down what looked like a Starfish or some other Crustacean that must've been left or thrown out of one of the units.
With deliveries coming and going constantly, unit shutters and wagon doors left open, crates left out in the yards, I suppose it's inevitable that there's going to be plenty of rich pickings left around and the Gulls are benefiting greatly, hence probably why they've hung around.
I'll keep reporting sightings from here when I can and records will be fully submitted for this County Rarity with all the relevant dates.
Once again thanks to Ian for checking the photos and confirming the 2 different individuals a few weeks back.
Cheers
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 21st of August 2017 09:25:10 PM
Woodcock over the M60 just West of the Prestwich junction at 16:40.
2 male goosanders on pool between locks 13 & 14 on Marple canal at mid-day
First fieldfares of the autumn / winter, too; about time.
It flew off behind Crawshaw's Meat shop and down Taylor Street, at the end of which is Bessemer Street and Smithfield Market so it's likely to be one of the Smithfield 2.
One Yellow Legged Gull found at11.20 on China Star roof viewed from inside Smithfield market off Bessemer Street. It then flew to the roof of Sykes where it showed itself to be the boss gull. It did several flight circuits and was constanly calling and being mobbed by other gulls. It then flew towards Manchester centre and I lost it. i could not find the other one. A pleasant bit of birding and is well worth seeing.
Both Yellow-legged Gulls present at 10.26am on China Star roof as viewed from Bessemer Street
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 2nd of November 2017 11:08:38 PM
9.57am and both Yellow-legged Gulls present in same general area of Smithfield Market as viewed from Bessemer Street.
Both Yellow-legged Gulls present as viewed from Bessemer Street at the side of Smithfield Market
3.45pm both Yellow-legged Gulls present but as of 4pm one has disappeared and the other is currently sat on Sykes roof but fairly mobile.
- A few more images of one of these long staying Gulls as one flew off. I've included a mantle comparison with a Lesser Black-backed, and tried to show the character of this particular bird which tends to dominate pretty much anywhere in the immediate area, and to be quite frank, with a bill and gape of that ferocity and size I'm not surprised. It's always calling and making its presence known, they both do actually. (Knock an hour off the camera times, my apologies but I was in the hospital when the clocks went back ta)
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 1st of November 2017 01:10:16 AM
A Ring-necked Parakeet was also calling in the area too.
Both Yellow-legged Gulls present in full view on China Star roof from 2.05 to 2.10pm, still present when I left but mobile.
I'm now at Redgate Recycling incase lightning strikes twice!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 27th of October 2017 12:16:15 AM
- Pale phase Arctic Skua flew over the refuse yard, circled low and immediately put up all the Gulls with some of the larger ones giving chase. My apologies but lost to view.
Cracking!
They've just posed nicely for a record shot for proof of their presence still, and there is a large juvenile Gull standing with them, and it flys round with them every time one takes off, looks like a Lesser Black-backed Gull but I'm not the best when it comes to juvenile large Gulls!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 24th of October 2017 10:32:14 AM
Seen on lamp-post near security lodge.
I can confirm that (The) 2 Yellow-legged Gulls are still here, since 1.45pm.
Photos added of both birds as singles and then together, the latter of which I've rarely seen with these 2 individuals, they nearly always sit or stand well apart. Only seen them together on one other occasion.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 18th of October 2017 08:59:08 AM
7 Swan sp. south over Princess parkway near Southern Cemetery at 07.50
I'll give it chance incase I've missed it, before I submit the record.
Also four Mandarin ducks on a small pond in this area (which is a patch first), along with a single teal.
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull present Sunday 5.15pm on China Star roof.
Present again this morning at 10.10am on lamp-post near security.
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull present from 1.15pm until 1.30pm Smithfield Market, Openshaw.
It's the usual suspect that's lingered and showed more readily. I'm still on site but not seen it since 1.30pm when it flew off towards Gorton after being harassed relentlessly by an adult and juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Could be worth checking Redgate Recycling a few minutes away?
Also 2 Grey Wagtail in the main parking area.
Some images from yesterday's onslaught. A barrage of Lesser Black-backed dive bombs.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 22nd of September 2017 12:37:59 PM
- 5 Common Buzzards circling above our Reddish depot approx 3pm.
4 totally engulfed by a marauding mass of circling Gulls appearing to be mainly Lesser Black-backed, Herring, and Black-headed, with a couple of monsters (Great Black-backed) thrown in too!
1 kept a little distance away and was a fair size bigger, so possibly a female keeping an eye on her mate with 4 immatures? Although Buzzards do group together regularly at this time don't they?
The whole group eventually circled off towards Dane Bank (Denton).
Sunday 17th Sept 5.15pm
- at least 1 Yellow-legged Gull present flying round, the one with feathers missing from the trailing edge of both wings.
Possibly another bird present, looks ok to me and doesn't look like the 2nd bird that seemed to have left a couple weeks ago but I'll wait on confirmation of the images first as these Gulls give me the runaround
Monday 18th Sept 12.30pm
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull present, mobile again, identified by wing pattern as above.
Will update hopefully tomorrow when I'm on site.
Cheers
Update... There was a second Yellow-legged Gull present Sunday afternoon as suspected. But after careful consideration on Ian's part, the general feeling is despite it being difficult to tell, it's likely to be the other bird of the main Smithfield 2 and not a different bird. The main factor being the red area of the goynes extending to the upper mandible area of the bill (or 'Bleeding', cheers Ian) which I'd actually commented on but didn't match it up. It proves however, that the 2nd bird did return if only for that day, and likely indicates that it has been present since I last saw it at Smithfield, locally at least! Thanks again Ian Cheers
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 21st of September 2017 12:10:17 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 21st of September 2017 12:13:26 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 21st of September 2017 12:14:29 AM
Still present at Smithfield Market Openshaw this afternoon, seen cruising around over Bessemer Street and Ashton-old-Road.
Also some images from yesterday of this sometimes, not so much confiding, but obliging bird!
Cheers
Hi Rob,
As promised here are a few images of the Yellow-legged Gull I saw last week.
There are more images on my blog - www.austinmorley.blogspot.co.uk
-- Edited by Austin Morley on Friday 8th of September 2017 05:55:26 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 8th of September 2017 10:38:24 PM
Pretty sure 1 Yellow-legged Gull was present at Smithfield Market.
Primaries and wing moult with missing feather pattern seems to match the individual in the image I've posted for 15th August.
Thursday 7th September.
Spent almost an hour on site here around late lunchtime and I had no sign at all of any Yellow-legged Gulls.
I did indeed, however I left Manchester straight for Cambridgeshire. Working away surveying all week, but when I get home I will upload the images and share on here and via my blog.
Spent over an hour on site at Smithfield Market, Openshaw, visiting/collecting from a supplier, around late lunchtime early afternoon.
No sign of either of the 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on site in all that time.
I did say to Simon on Sunday it was unusual that only 1 was present, I wonder if Simon and Austin have been the last 2 observers to see them before they've upped and left?
Austin did you manage any images of it yesterday? I'm asking incase it was a different bird that turned up, and because if it is the last sighting then I can use it for the final date for a GM Rarity record submission.
Of note...
a Common Buzzard flew through low over the security lodge much to a the annoyance of the remaining Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A sad day if they have gone.
Cheers
Sparrowhawk, juvenile I think, in my front garden this morning. Gatley.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 5th of September 2017 09:48:49 AM
Adult Yellow-legged Gull still at Smithfield Market, Openshaw this morning, It was viewable from the main car park before flying off out of view with the local Lesser Black-backs around 10.20 although I'm sure it will be back.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 4th of September 2017 12:57:37 PM
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull present.
Many thanks Peter, thought as much but I'm passing here almost daily so will be keeping an eye open.
Evening Rob.
Cr-birding is a good place to start, but without any numerics , will be impossible to nail down.
http://www.cr-birding.org/taxonomy/term/2154
Far too mobile to get the number, anyone any ideas as to possible origins of the green ring?
Also 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew through!
Images showing both birds stood and sat down so anyone trying for them knows what to look for, there is the odd Argenteus Herring Gull around too though so it can be confusing sometimes as I've already found out recently.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 31st of August 2017 08:37:06 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 31st of August 2017 08:37:52 AM
I didn't get that far at first as a large Gull flying around with Some Lesser Black-backed's near KFC Hyde Road in Gorton caught my attention.
The Gull in question then landed on Crawshaw's Meat shop next to KFC, I got my bins and on realising it was a Yellow-legged Gull, I soon realised it matched the bill pattern of 1 of the 'Smithfield 2'. It was very mobile so I didn't manage a photo.
I drove to Smithfield Market literally less than a minute away and from Bessemer St I soon picked up on the second Yellow-legged Gull.
It was stood on the roof of the fish units near Big Fish Little Fish and China Star. Then true to form it sat down and didn't move for about 10 minutes, at which point I left and drove round to Redgate Recycling.
Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls were the only large Gulls here.
Around the scrubland off Knott and Crime Lanes outside of Ashton later on in the afternoon I had a peregrine flying about; very happy with that, until I saw it perched up on a distant man's arm just afterwards. No patch tick for me. A stock dove and a juvenile sparrowhawk were seen, though, but only 9 pied wagtails feeding on the paddocks this week.
1 of the Yellow-legged Gulls was on the lamp-post light right next to the market security lodge approx 9.35am
Yeah last couple of visits I've noticed that 1 of the birds is quite active and the other is sat down and barely moves for the duration of my break or whilst I'm on site at least. But saying that, there's other Gulls here and at Redgate Recycling that hardly move in that space of time. If well fed and don't have to move, then why bother??
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 25th of August 2017 02:49:31 PM
Thanks to Rob for directions. Got good views of 1 of the presumed 2 Yellow Legged Gulls at Smithfield Market in Openshaw this morning from 9.50-10.25
Both were sat on the roof of J and B Wilde, viewed from Bessemer Street. One was a lot more active as described, the other barely moved for the whole 40 minutes, but am assuming it was a second.
Great find, cheers Rob.
Both currently still present at Smithfield Market this afternoon, 1 resting, the other fairly mobile.
I've posted an image of 1 of today's 2 Yellow-legged Gull to prove their presence still. Also present was a huge Great Black-backed Gull youngster, probably a 2nd year bird.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 25th of August 2017 12:16:41 AM
Both present this afternoon at Smithfield Market in Openshaw and surprisingly both together.
I was on site for around an hour and for the last 30 mins of my visit they were both sat down on China Star frozen food roof and didn't move, they were both in same location when I left the site at 2pm.
In addition to earlier... I've attached some images of the Yellow-legged Gulls from today. At last a shot of them together. Incase anyone was wondering, the blood around one of the Gulls mouth was from where it snaffled down what looked like a Starfish or some other Crustacean that must've been left or thrown out of one of the units. With deliveries coming and going constantly, unit shutters and wagon doors left open, crates left out in the yards, I suppose it's inevitable that there's going to be plenty of rich pickings left around and the Gulls are benefiting greatly, hence probably why they've hung around. I'll keep reporting sightings from here when I can and records will be fully submitted for this County Rarity with all the relevant dates. Once again thanks to Ian for checking the photos and confirming the 2 different individuals a few weeks back. Cheers
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 21st of August 2017 09:25:10 PM