Sorry for this late post but I was chopping wood in the back yard and at 4.30pm this afternoon saw a cormorant type bird flying over going south. It definitely wasn't a cormorant it looked to me like the Great Northern Diver leaving Salford Quays(which are only a mile away) It was also calling which I checked on YouTube and that confirmed it for me.
Steve Judge said
Sat Apr 2 6:36 PM, 2016
At 14:05 hrs. on Saturday, 2nd April 2016 - Great Northern Diver showing well between Lowry Theatre and Imperial War Museum.
Pete Hines said
Sat Apr 2 12:16 PM, 2016
Great Northern Diver - juvenile still present this morning Goldeneye 1 male Chiffchaff 1
Media City - Great Northern Diver (juvenile), Cormorant x3, Lesser Black Backed Gull x5
The Great Northern Diver was first spotted on the Ship Canal near the Lowry at 12.55pm
Later it was by Media City, a little way downstream, showing well and lots of diving !
It was a chance sighting, having read that he had departed. Still there ! Just out on the Ship Canal now !
Wonderful walk and trams.
John Doherty said
Wed Mar 30 8:32 PM, 2016
Tonight 5pm.... Goldcrest on edge if quays, pair goosanders in Ship Canal plus Two Sandmartin, a singing Chiffchaff and Kestrel at Pomona. Finally it's spring!
steven burke said
Mon Mar 28 3:55 PM, 2016
Pomona
2 sand martin 1 swallow 2 Chiffchaff 1 common snipe 1 sparrowhawk 3 herring gull
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Mar 27 2:14 PM, 2016
Pomona, in pretty poor weather, from just before 9 to just gone 11; highlights:
Singing Chiffchaff showing in the scrub on the area adjacent to the promenade known as the Wheatear Field
2 Meadow Pipit
James Walsh said
Sun Mar 27 12:00 PM, 2016
Wednesday March 23rd
Jack Snipe on Pomona
Info, Tony O'Mahoney
James Walsh said
Fri Mar 25 12:38 PM, 2016
Pomona
5 Sand Martin
1 Chiffchaff
1 Common Snipe
2 Goosander
2 Kestrel
Zoe Barrett said
Sun Mar 20 3:43 PM, 2016
Highlights from today:
Pomona:
1 Goosander 1 Kingisher 1 Lapwing
Weaste:
11 Lapwing 2 Sparrowhawks 2 Buzzard Mute swan on nest
Hulme locks:
1 Tufted duck
steven burke said
Sat Mar 19 10:02 PM, 2016
2 goosander at clippers quay
3 bullfinch 1 goldcrest several goldfinch & greenfinch in wood next to Trafford road bridge.
James Walsh said
Fri Mar 18 6:20 PM, 2016
17th March
1 Kingfisher
11 Lapwing
2 Redshank
1 Tufted Duck
2 Oystercatcher
2 Goosander
-- Edited by James Walsh on Friday 18th of March 2016 09:54:10 PM
James Walsh said
Fri Mar 18 6:12 PM, 2016
18th March
1 Kingfisher
1 Goldeneye
6 Tufted Duck
1 Great Crested Grebe
4 Oystercatcher
5 Lapwing
-- Edited by James Walsh on Friday 18th of March 2016 09:49:31 PM
Phil Hampson said
Thu Mar 17 2:45 PM, 2016
James Walsh wrote:
Great Northern Diver present on Sunday 13th March (Tony Disley) and I saw it on Tuesday 15th March, this now seems to be the last day of its' prolonged stay, my calculations make its' stay 3 months and 2 days Could this be the most twitched bird on Salfords' Docklands ever ?
I have enjoyed seeing it enormously on my visits, superb bird and a wonderful record for the Quays. Thank you to the finder and for all the information from everyone.
Phil
James Walsh said
Thu Mar 17 1:19 PM, 2016
Great Northern Diver present on Sunday 13th March (Tony Disley) and I saw it on Tuesday 15th March, this now seems to be the last day of its' prolonged stay, my calculations make its' stay 3 months and 2 days
Could this be the most twitched bird on Salfords' Docklands ever ?
steven burke said
Thu Mar 17 11:15 AM, 2016
I had a good mooch around all the basins this morning (twice) & along Trafford wharf, no signs of the great northern diver so hopefully gone safely back to where it should be. a woodcock flying over media city heading towards Trafford park at 9.50am was a nice surprise.
Joel Tragen said
Wed Mar 16 4:59 PM, 2016
No sign of the diver on any of the basins or on the main on the quays itself
James Walsh said
Sun Mar 13 5:23 AM, 2016
Thursday March 10th 2016
Manchester Ship Canal, Mode Wheel Locks - Centenary Bridge
3 Great Crested Grebe
5 Lapwing
2 Oystercatcher
4 drake Tufted Duck
3 Redshank
James Walsh said
Sat Mar 12 3:26 PM, 2016
Great Northern Diver still present Ontario @1520
Zoe Barrett said
Fri Mar 11 7:45 PM, 2016
I am sad to say it is the beginning of a development taking place -they are going to build two tower blocks (Peel towers) on that site. Not sure what will happen to the rest of the site as Peel own it
Pete Hines said
Fri Mar 11 7:37 PM, 2016
James Walsh wrote:
Birdguides report the Great Northern Diver today
I reported it and with a new film taken today, 90days@Salford Quays, added to the comments, or hit the link below to view.
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Friday 11th of March 2016 07:38:54 PM
James Walsh said
Fri Mar 11 1:36 PM, 2016
Birdguides report the Great Northern Diver today
phillipskelly said
Thu Mar 10 7:51 PM, 2016
A neighbour mentioned late today that he saw (from the tram )areas that have been cleared at Pomona. Is it shrub clearing like last time or is it the beginning of the end ?
Phil Hampson said
Mon Mar 7 8:58 PM, 2016
Great Northern Diver still present on Ontario Basin this morning. Very bright light, harsh for photography as it stayed towards centre and MediaCity side. I also will be sad when it goes. So accessible 100mts from tram stop. Green birding!
Phil
-- Edited by Phil Hampson on Monday 7th of March 2016 08:59:01 PM
Joel Tragen said
Mon Mar 7 8:46 PM, 2016
A very brief visit on sunday between 16:55 and 17:15. Found on Ontario basin after a quick walk round the other smaller basins. I'll be sad when its gone.
Great northern diver spent the whole day on st francis basin due to boat activity on the others.still here 2pm
Gerry Flanagan said
Sat Mar 5 11:12 AM, 2016
Pomona 8.30am
1 Greylag Goose
2 Common Snipe
Phil Hampson said
Thu Mar 3 4:39 PM, 2016
Great Northern Diver showing very well on Ontario Basin this morning. Initially in the middle asleep and then became very active at the road end continually diving but I didn't see it with any fish. Superb bird and well worth the visit.
Phil
steven burke said
Thu Mar 3 11:58 AM, 2016
great northern diver on Ontario basin at 11am, 20 mins later it was in st peters basin right under my nose, could see the diver swimming under the water looking & probing around on the bottom it surfaced then went back down then returned with a small perch which slipped out of its bill & had to dive again after it, it returned with the perch & positioned it to swallow it whole
11 herring gull on Trafford wharf.
David Shallcross said
Tue Mar 1 9:25 AM, 2016
Great Northern Diver is still present and feeding well Saturday 27-2-16 i saw it take two perch and a large tench in the space of 1 hour.
29-2-16
Other birds :
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Lesser Black B Gull
15 Black H Gulls
5 Mallard
2 Canada Geese
1 Herring Gull
2 Cormorants
-- Edited by David Shallcross on Tuesday 1st of March 2016 09:40:21 AM
-- Edited by David Shallcross on Tuesday 1st of March 2016 09:43:01 AM
1 jack snipe 2 common snipe 2 meadow pipit 2 song thrush 3 grey wagtail 2 goosander 1 tufted duck on the bridgewater canal. 2 siskin & 2 goldcrest in wood next to Trafford road bridge. 34 pink- footed goose over west/north west at 5.10pm.
-- Edited by steven burke on Monday 29th of February 2016 08:09:32 PM
James Walsh said
Mon Feb 29 5:28 PM, 2016
Great Northern Diver still present Ontario Basin
Gerry Flanagan said
Sun Feb 28 1:52 PM, 2016
Pomona 8.30am - 10.30am 5 Common Snipe 1 Lapwing 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Sky Lark 4 Goldfinch 1 Blue Tit 1 Greenfinch 5 Cormorant 3 Goosander 1m 2f 3 Song Thrush 3 Blackbird 1 Wren 3 Dunnock 2 Carrion Crow c120 Black Headed Gull 4 Common Gull 8 Canada Geese
Clippers Quay 11am c25 Black headed Gull 2 Herring Gull 3 Lesser Blacked back Gull 10 Cormorant
Passed through the Quays at about 3.15pm today and sure enough the Great Northern Diver was in St Francis Basin having a kip.
Was wondering what the prognosis is for this bird. Will it most likely head back down the ship canal come spring and north to breed? Think its interesting that it is so reliably in St F basin. Such a small body of water with so much more available.
It's a top predator in a fish tank !
Gervase Cooke said
Thu Feb 25 5:18 PM, 2016
Nice shot underwater Joel.
Passed through the Quays at about 3.15pm today and sure enough the Great Northern Diver was in St Francis Basin having a kip.
Was wondering what the prognosis is for this bird. Will it most likely head back down the ship canal come spring and north to breed? Think its interesting that it is so reliably in St F basin. Such a small body of water with so much more available.
James Walsh said
Wed Feb 24 12:17 PM, 2016
Pomona
24th February
1 Skylark
4 Goldcrest
2 Bullfinch
6 Goosander
23rd February
1 Chiffchaff
1 Lapwing
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Kestrel
8 Goosander
Joel Tragen said
Tue Feb 23 9:33 PM, 2016
Lovely views of the Great Northern Diver on St. Francis Basin. Finally photographed it underwater. Still there when I left at 4:15.
This afternoon, west of Pomona Metro to Lowry area:
2 goldcrest 11 goldfinch 3 greenfinch Blue tit, long-tailed tit, wren, robin 2 grey wagtail 2 moorhen 6 coot Mallard & Canada geese 17+ mute swan (including two with blue Darvic rings; 4BDN & 4BDJ) 1 great northern diver (Ontario Basin, as below) c10 cormorant Plenty of black-headed gull 20+ common gull 10+ herring gull c10 lesser black-backed gull (slightly fewer noted than herring)
Pomona Docks:
1 goldfinch 4 long-tailed tit 3 wren, 1 blackbird and greenfinch, robin, house sparrow and dunnock (singing) all heard 2 meadow pipit 2 grey wagtail 12 mallard 3 goosander 5 mute swan (flying low over, where every leathery creak and groan from their wings could be heard; what a sound) 1 lapwing 8 cormorant c60 black-headed gull 7 common gull 2 lesser black-backed gull 1 herring gull 2 kestrel
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Sunday 21st of February 2016 06:02:22 PM
Steve Judge said
Sun Feb 21 2:18 PM, 2016
Sunday, 21st February 2016 12:30 - 13:00 hrs.
Great Northern Diver showing well on Ontario Basin
steven burke said
Sat Feb 20 10:13 PM, 2016
great northern diver showing really well on Ontario basin from 3.50pm. I stayed & watched the diver for almost an hour in the dismal weather (brolly keeping me dry) getting some photos & video, when I first arrived it was actually having a bathe & preen & then it decided to flap its wings wildly & almost looked like it was going to take of at one point. I also heard it calling, it didn't do its wails, bubbling or laughing voice it did 3 hoot like calls which was still nice to hear big numbers of goldfinches building up going to roost in the trees outside the lowry.
It definitely wasn't a cormorant it looked to me like the Great Northern Diver leaving Salford Quays(which are only a mile away) It was also calling which I checked on YouTube and that confirmed it for me.
Goldeneye 1 male
Chiffchaff 1
2 sand martin
1 buzzard
1 sparrowhawk
Pomona
c20 Sand Martins
1 Lapwing
4 Chiffchaff
2 Goosander
10 Mallard ducklings
Sightings, Tony O'Mahoney
Yesterday 12.30pm to 2pm.
A metrolink tram stop tour of the area !
Castlefield - Cormorant, Mute Swan x2, Canada Goose, Mallard, Goldfinch, Carrion Crow
Pomona - Goosander (drake), Sand Martin x7, Lapwing, Herring Gull 1st Summer x3, Magpie.
Cornbrook - Black Headed Gull 1st Summer x6, Greenfinch x3, Common Gull.
Salford Quays - Coot x4, Mute Swan x16, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove x2, Pied Wagtail, Feral Pigeon x3.
Media City - Great Northern Diver (juvenile), Cormorant x3, Lesser Black Backed Gull x5
The Great Northern Diver was first spotted on the Ship Canal near the Lowry at 12.55pm
Later it was by Media City, a little way downstream, showing well and lots of diving !
It was a chance sighting, having read that he had departed. Still there ! Just out on the Ship Canal now !
Wonderful walk and trams.
2 sand martin
1 swallow
2 Chiffchaff
1 common snipe
1 sparrowhawk
3 herring gull
3 chiffchaff
4 meadow pipit
2 grey wagtail
Decent numbers of the usual passerines.
1 mistle thrush
1 goosander
4 mute swan
1 lapwing
4 cormorant
Black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull.
1 sparrowhawk
2 sand martin
2 lapwing
28 pied wagtail
1 grey wagtail
1 skylark
1 sparrowhawk
1 kestrel
Manchester ship canal
1 great crested grebe
3 lapwing
2 oystercatcher
Singing Chiffchaff showing in the scrub on the area adjacent to the promenade known as the Wheatear Field
2 Meadow Pipit
Jack Snipe on Pomona
Info, Tony O'Mahoney
Pomona
5 Sand Martin
1 Chiffchaff
1 Common Snipe
2 Goosander
2 Kestrel
Pomona:
1 Goosander
1 Kingisher
1 Lapwing
Weaste:
11 Lapwing
2 Sparrowhawks
2 Buzzard
Mute swan on nest
Hulme locks:
1 Tufted duck
3 bullfinch
1 goldcrest
several goldfinch & greenfinch in wood next to Trafford road bridge.
17th March
1 Kingfisher
11 Lapwing
2 Redshank
1 Tufted Duck
2 Oystercatcher
2 Goosander
-- Edited by James Walsh on Friday 18th of March 2016 09:54:10 PM
18th March
1 Kingfisher
1 Goldeneye
6 Tufted Duck
1 Great Crested Grebe
4 Oystercatcher
5 Lapwing
-- Edited by James Walsh on Friday 18th of March 2016 09:49:31 PM
I have enjoyed seeing it enormously on my visits, superb bird and a wonderful record for the Quays. Thank you to the finder and for all the information from everyone.
Phil
a woodcock flying over media city heading towards Trafford park at 9.50am was a nice surprise.
Thursday March 10th 2016
Manchester Ship Canal, Mode Wheel Locks - Centenary Bridge
3 Great Crested Grebe
5 Lapwing
2 Oystercatcher
4 drake Tufted Duck
3 Redshank
Great Northern Diver still present Ontario @1520
I reported it and with a new film taken today, 90days@Salford Quays, added to the comments, or hit the link below to view.
-- Edited by Pete Hines on Friday 11th of March 2016 07:38:54 PM
Birdguides report the Great Northern Diver today
Is it shrub clearing like last time or is it the beginning of the end ?
Great Northern Diver still present on Ontario Basin this morning. Very bright light, harsh for photography as it stayed towards centre and MediaCity side. I also will be sad when it goes. So accessible 100mts from tram stop. Green birding!
Phil
-- Edited by Phil Hampson on Monday 7th of March 2016 08:59:01 PM
Found on Ontario basin after a quick walk round the other smaller basins. I'll be sad when its gone.
Pomona 8.30am
1 Greylag Goose
2 Common Snipe
Great Northern Diver showing very well on Ontario Basin this morning. Initially in the middle asleep and then became very active at the road end continually diving but I didn't see it with any fish. Superb bird and well worth the visit.
Phil
11 herring gull on Trafford wharf.
Great Northern Diver is still present and feeding well Saturday 27-2-16 i saw it take two perch and a large tench in the space of 1 hour.
29-2-16
Other birds :
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Lesser Black B Gull
15 Black H Gulls
5 Mallard
2 Canada Geese
1 Herring Gull
2 Cormorants
-- Edited by David Shallcross on Tuesday 1st of March 2016 09:40:21 AM
-- Edited by David Shallcross on Tuesday 1st of March 2016 09:43:01 AM
1 jack snipe
2 common snipe
2 meadow pipit
2 song thrush
3 grey wagtail
2 goosander
1 tufted duck on the bridgewater canal.
2 siskin & 2 goldcrest in wood next to Trafford road bridge.
34 pink- footed goose over west/north west at 5.10pm.
-- Edited by steven burke on Monday 29th of February 2016 08:09:32 PM
Great Northern Diver still present Ontario Basin
Pomona 8.30am - 10.30am
5 Common Snipe
1 Lapwing
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Sky Lark
4 Goldfinch
1 Blue Tit
1 Greenfinch
5 Cormorant
3 Goosander 1m 2f
3 Song Thrush
3 Blackbird
1 Wren
3 Dunnock
2 Carrion Crow
c120 Black Headed Gull
4 Common Gull
8 Canada Geese
Clippers Quay 11am
c25 Black headed Gull
2 Herring Gull
3 Lesser Blacked back Gull
10 Cormorant
Ontario Basin - 11.30am - 12.30
1 Great Northern Diver
1 Grey Wagtail
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 27th of February 2016 06:14:42 PM
It's a top predator in a fish tank !
Nice shot underwater Joel.
Passed through the Quays at about 3.15pm today and sure enough the Great Northern Diver was in St Francis Basin having a kip.
Was wondering what the prognosis is for this bird. Will it most likely head back down the ship canal come spring and north to breed? Think its interesting that it is so reliably in St F basin. Such a small body of water with so much more available.
Pomona
24th February
1 Skylark
4 Goldcrest
2 Bullfinch
6 Goosander
23rd February
1 Chiffchaff
1 Lapwing
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Kestrel
8 Goosander
1 kingfisher
3 herring gull
2 Goosander just past trafford road bridge.
2 goldcrest
11 goldfinch
3 greenfinch
Blue tit, long-tailed tit, wren, robin
2 grey wagtail
2 moorhen
6 coot
Mallard & Canada geese
17+ mute swan (including two with blue Darvic rings; 4BDN & 4BDJ)
1 great northern diver (Ontario Basin, as below)
c10 cormorant
Plenty of black-headed gull
20+ common gull
10+ herring gull
c10 lesser black-backed gull (slightly fewer noted than herring)
Pomona Docks:
1 goldfinch
4 long-tailed tit
3 wren, 1 blackbird and greenfinch, robin, house sparrow and dunnock (singing) all heard
2 meadow pipit
2 grey wagtail
12 mallard
3 goosander
5 mute swan (flying low over, where every leathery creak and groan from their wings could be heard; what a sound)
1 lapwing
8 cormorant
c60 black-headed gull
7 common gull
2 lesser black-backed gull
1 herring gull
2 kestrel
-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Sunday 21st of February 2016 06:02:22 PM
Great Northern Diver showing well on Ontario Basin
I stayed & watched the diver for almost an hour in the dismal weather (brolly keeping me dry) getting some photos & video, when I first arrived it was actually having a bathe & preen & then it decided to flap its wings wildly & almost looked like it was going to take of at one point.
I also heard it calling, it didn't do its wails, bubbling or laughing voice it did 3 hoot like calls which was still nice to hear
big numbers of goldfinches building up going to roost in the trees outside the lowry.
Siskin - 1 male on alders