2 Wheatears on the UMIST playing fields next to the M60.
60+ Swallow
Usual Buzzard at Kenworthy
Male Kestrel earlier in the day at dawn
Tim Wilcox said
Sun Jun 29 10:39 AM, 2014
10.40am Hobby seen twice in the last half hour over Barlow Tip and landed in a bush for a bit
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Jun 21 7:07 PM, 2014
A hot afternoon volunteering as part of the 'Big Sleep Over' event
Bird highlights
Great Crested Grebe Kestrel 3 Kingfisher male Reed Bunting
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun May 25 1:58 PM, 2014
Quick visit in between the showers.
Mute Swan and 4 cygnets
20+ Sand Martins over Mersey. 10+ Swifts
Reed Warbler singing in reedbed Blackcap
Simon Gough said
Wed Apr 30 8:20 PM, 2014
Regarding my post below from the Easter weekend about the mystery bird at Barlow Tip, I saw the same silhouette today at Pennington, and it turned out to be a Kingfisher arcing over the water before bombing back into the trees in front of Ramsdale Hide, so that's what I think I saw at Barlow Tip. So I'll sleep at night now. Phew.
Andrew Mitchell said
Tue Apr 22 9:02 PM, 2014
6:30 to 8pm tonight.
Grasshopper Warbler - 2 (at least) on Barlow Tip, in the first open area with brambles when accessing from the main WP itself. Just after wandering onto the Tip, one of the birds reeled from some brambles right next to the path. It only gave obscured views as it hopped around in the undergrowth at that stage. Another bird was reeling from a larger area of brambles further onto the tip. After an hour staring into brambles and trying to follow the call around, the first bird obligingly flitted up onto a tree branch and called for several minutes. A lifer for me and really excellent views, albeit in fading light.
Other highlights -
Whitethroat - 1 seen, several more heard Blackcap - Several singing Chiffchaff - Again several, seemed to be at every turn Reed Bunting - 1m Song Thrush - 1 Jay - 2
Plus all the usuals
Tony Darby said
Sun Apr 20 12:51 PM, 2014
Barlow Tip this morning:
Grasshopper Warbler reeling briefly, not showing. Also a mystery raptor with jesses passed over towards Stretford. It had a very Peregrin-like silhouette.
JamieDunning said
Sat Apr 19 9:30 PM, 2014
An impressive looking leucistic Great tit on Barlow tip this evening - almost completely monochrome. Also of note 20+ Swallow and a single Sand martin over the river 4 Singing Blackcap a distant Willow warbler & my first fledgling of 2014... a magpie!
Cheers
Simon Gough said
Fri Apr 18 5:34 PM, 2014
Walked from Sale WP, see other thread
Jackson's Boat Cormorant feeding on the river 2 Greenfinch. The plumage colour was sensational in the bright sunlight. 2-3 Blackcap, only got one male for sure 7-8 Goldfinch in 2s and 3s
1230-1330 Barlow Tip Chiffchaffs Reed Bunting male 2 Willow Warbler 2 Bullfinch, male full summer and male dull pink chest. The summer male pink might have a rival for my favourite colour on a bird now I've seen those male Crossbills. So lovely though 2 Blackcap, male and female squabbling with other birds
I also saw a very odd flight silhouette fly up into the trees. The bird appeared black, but it was against the light. It had the proportions of a duck in the sense of a long neck and wings beyond half way down the body, and no tail to speak of, but it was no bigger than a thrush. Could have been Great Spotted Woodpecker I suppose but didn't have the loop in the flight trajectory and I didn't hear any call or drumming. I'm struggling with it.
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Friday 18th of April 2014 06:44:24 PM
Neil McCall said
Mon Apr 14 6:07 PM, 2014
Monday 14:00-15:00
3 Tufted Duck 2 Gadwall 1 Great Crested Grebe
Lots of Chiffchaff but no Willow Warbler
Pair of Bullfinch on Kenworthy Fields
Male Blackcap slightly off reserve, over M56 bridge at Yew Tree Lane
-- Edited by Neil McCall on Monday 14th of April 2014 06:08:27 PM
Ian Keith said
Mon Apr 7 8:36 PM, 2014
Male Blackcap over at Kenworthy at dawn Buzzard perched up on goalposts at (3 over water park Sunday pm) 3 Sand Martins heading downstream towards Sale WP At least 1 RN Parakeet around conservation pond.
Tony Coatsworth said
Sun Apr 6 11:50 AM, 2014
Pair of Goldeneye very few other ducks
At least 6 Chiffchaff Blackcap singing near the coffee van
Colin Nicholls said
Sat Apr 5 10:53 PM, 2014
Kingfisher on the Mersey, just outside the WP. Flew in the direction of Jackson's Boat...
Tim Wilcox said
Tue Mar 25 6:44 PM, 2014
Rather late post for Sunday Pair Great Crested Grebes doing the weed dance. Not seen it that often. Great to see
Freezing cold today - more like winter with 8 Redwing over and 6 Goldeneye on lake. 2 Great-crested Grebe 3 Gadwall 10 Tufted Duck 2 Common Gull
Singing Dunnock, Wren, Robin and Tits but no Chiffchaff.
Colin Nicholls said
Sat Mar 8 6:29 PM, 2014
Chiffchaff singing in Kenworthy Wood, just before midday.
Another singing at Chorlton Ees, just before 3pm. Same time, great view of a Kestrel hunting.
Ian Keith said
Mon Mar 3 9:30 AM, 2014
Male Little Owl calling from Poplars on Kenworthy side of Bailey bridge at 6.30am. Unfortunately no binoculars so couldn't confirm.
Colin Nicholls said
Sun Feb 23 9:32 AM, 2014
Saturday 23rd, the 'underwater pond' corner of the park turned up a fair few birds, the pick being:
a Ring-Necked Parakeet Nuthatch Goldcrest and a small flock of Siskin
Also showing - Goldfinch, about 3 Robins, Redwing passing through, Song Thrush, Collared Dove, plus a vairety of Tits.
There was also a Kestrel showing well over Kenworthy Wood.
Tony Darby said
Thu Feb 20 5:57 PM, 2014
10 goldeneye this morning. They're tricky to count because they dive for so long. However, after 20mins of watching 3 groups, I managed to get into double figures. The 'few' Pochard are back with 24 today and 25 yesterday; small numbers compared to previous years. Also: 20 Tufted Ducks 3 Shoveler 11 Gadwall 1 Great Crested Grebe On Barlow Tip: 4 Redpoll 1 Buzzard
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Friday 21st of February 2014 04:34:17 PM
Tony Darby said
Tue Feb 18 12:13 PM, 2014
Spring is in the air...3 pairs of Goldeneye displaying Also, what few Pochard there were this winter are fast disappearing, 22 yesterday, 16 today.
2 pairs of Goosander between Chorlton WP and Jackson's Boat.
Earlier, saw a pair heading toward Stretford Ees but it's possible that pair was one of the above.
Paul Heaton said
Fri Feb 14 6:21 PM, 2014
20 Pochard 35 Tufted duck 5 Gadwall
Mallard coot moorhen good numbers.
4 Ring necked Parakeets.
BH Gull 75 Common Gull 6 Herring gull 3 Heron 2
Blue tits Long tailed tit Great tit all present.
No flocks of mixed finches seen.
Keep Birding.
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Friday 14th of February 2014 10:40:13 PM
Martyn Jones said
Thu Feb 13 4:37 PM, 2014
Reed Bunting, Nuthatch and Jay at the feeding station. No sign of the Parakeets around 1:30pm today.
Martyn Jones said
Tue Feb 11 8:11 PM, 2014
Hi Mike
I've seen them twice on my lunch break, which is between 1:30 to 2 pm, but Ben has seen them around 4pm. They could be there all afternonon then.
Tim Wilcox said
Tue Feb 11 8:03 PM, 2014
Mike Passant wrote:
I paid my first ever visit (last Thursday, two and a half hours mid day)To Chorlton Water park and to Kenworthy Wood over the river. - Nothing out of the ordinary, but I enjoyed adding 16 species to my admittedly modest Manchester Boro' list.
After crossing the bridge into the wood, I headed south for a few hundred yards and turned left into an open area flanked by extensive birch scrub on its east side as I could hear the buzzing of redpolls and goldfinches and also siskins calling. From the path I watched goldfinches feeding on the ground with bullfinches, siskins and redpolls close at head in the trees just about overhead; quite an absorbing "birdy" mix in good suitable habitat for these. A mixed siskin/redpoll flock of about 45/50 birds whizzed overhead into the centre of the dense scrub, which I didn't enter so as not to disturb anything, and I could only speculate as to potentially what prolonged observation might turn up, especially if there were a strategically placed feeding station located here. Surely in a good "influx year" there would be excellent opportunity to turn up common redpoll in such an ideal site? - In summary an excellent area which I shall visit again and allow myself rather more time, and try to see the ring-necked parakeets reported as visiting the feeders (I missed these), as I have not seen these in Greater Manchester for some thirty years. Do they come into the feeders at any particular favoured times please?
regards, Mike P.
It is indeed is my local patch Mike. Yes, the Ring-necked Parakeet presence is new and was a site tick on Saturday bringing me on to 96 for this great site. Liam Langley and friend had both Mealy Redpoll (I've seen the photo - lovely bird) AND 2 Jack Snipe on 4 Jan. I've had all 3 species of Woodpecker at Chorlton WP and many many good birds. Pete Hines probably has more species here than anyone else from his years as a warden including 'the Swan in a tree' reported by a civilian which was, of course a Great White Egret!
Ben Smart said
Tue Feb 11 4:59 PM, 2014
I think the Ring-necked Parakeets visiting the feeding station may perhaps be a recent development. I hadn't heard of this until recent posts, and hadn't seen them feeding there until today - saw three parakeets around the feeding station at 4.10pm.
Mike Passant said
Tue Feb 11 1:25 PM, 2014
I paid my first ever visit (last Thursday, two and a half hours mid day)To Chorlton Water park and to Kenworthy Wood over the river. - Nothing out of the ordinary, but I enjoyed adding 16 species to my admittedly modest Manchester Boro' list.
After crossing the bridge into the wood, I headed south for a few hundred yards and turned left into an open area flanked by extensive birch scrub on its east side as I could hear the buzzing of redpolls and goldfinches and also siskins calling. From the path I watched goldfinches feeding on the ground with bullfinches, siskins and redpolls close at head in the trees just about overhead; quite an absorbing "birdy" mix in good suitable habitat for these. A mixed siskin/redpoll flock of about 45/50 birds whizzed overhead into the centre of the dense scrub, which I didn't enter so as not to disturb anything, and I could only speculate as to potentially what prolonged observation might turn up, especially if there were a strategically placed feeding station located here. Surely in a good "influx year" there would be excellent opportunity to turn up common redpoll in such an ideal site? - In summary an excellent area which I shall visit again and allow myself rather more time, and try to see the ring-necked parakeets reported as visiting the feeders (I missed these), as I have not seen these in Greater Manchester for some thirty years. Do they come into the feeders at any particular favoured times please?
regards, Mike P.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Feb 11 11:21 AM, 2014
Cheers Martyn, will have to wait for a day off work & then may return to my old stomping ground
Martyn Jones said
Tue Feb 11 10:11 AM, 2014
Four Ring-necked Parakeets at the car park feeding station yesterday as well as the regular Jay and other usuals. Great photo opportunities here.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Feb 9 11:57 AM, 2014
Thanks for the PM Tim, much appreciated
Doc Brewster said
Sat Feb 8 9:47 PM, 2014
Were they showing well for photographs, Tim. Info much appreciated - e.g in trees, on the feeders etc
Thanks in advance
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Feb 8 5:37 PM, 2014
3 Ring-necked Parakeets in the car park this afternoon
Tony Coatsworth said
Sat Feb 8 3:08 PM, 2014
2 Great Crested Grebe 5 Cormorant 16 Pochard 30+ Tufted Duck 8 Gadwall Shoveler (unusual for here) 1F Goldeneye 3M 2F Goosander 50+ Black Headed Gull 5 Common Gull 1 Herring Gull
Small flock of Redpoll, Siskin and Goldfinches
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Saturday 8th of February 2014 03:09:54 PM
Martyn Jones said
Thu Feb 6 11:12 PM, 2014
Ring-necked Parakeet on one of the feeders today.
Also a pretty tame Jay and a Nuthatch regularly visit the feeding station.
-- Edited by Neil McCall on Thursday 6th of February 2014 09:20:57 PM
Tim Wilcox said
Wed Feb 5 5:45 PM, 2014
Liam Langley wrote:
Hi Tim
No worries, I understand that a lot of dodgy records can end up being submitted to news services. I just didn't have time to post on the forum that day as I was heading off on holiday in the afternoon. How do I submit a report to Ian?
cheers, Liam
Follow the link from the Bird Recording and County Rarities page on the homepage and go to GMRC (Greater Manchester Rarities Committe). You will find a link to the Rarities Report form
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 5th of February 2014 05:49:11 PM
Liam Langley said
Wed Feb 5 4:30 PM, 2014
Hi Tim
No worries, I understand that a lot of dodgy records can end up being submitted to news services. I just didn't have time to post on the forum that day as I was heading off on holiday in the afternoon. How do I submit a report to Ian?
cheers, Liam
Tim Wilcox said
Wed Feb 5 3:24 PM, 2014
Liam Langley wrote:
Tim Wilcox wrote:
Tony Darby and myself caught up with the flock of 13 Redpoll and 2 Goldfinch at Kenworthy and watched them with good views for some time. The Redpolls exhibited considerable variation with one flushed a lovely pink. However none was a Mealy Redpoll as reportedly seen on Birdguides
Hi Tim
Just seen this and thought I'd reply. Myself and David Campbell had the Mealy Redpoll in question on several occasions in with a flock of 30-40 Lesser Redpolls on Barlow Tip on the 4th of January. The bird was a nice classice Mealy showing pale cheeks, clean white rump, broad frosty wingbars and overall larger size than the accompanying birds. If you're looking for more evidence there is an (admittedly record, digibinned) photo on David's twitter feed at @devilbirder. Hope this clears any confusion up. We also saw your smart pink flushed Lesserpoll, a really nice looking bird!
Cheers, Liam
Nice find Liam! You'll need to submit a rarities report to Ian for a Mealy Redpoll (outside an invasion year) Check the Systematic list. Otherwise it will not make the County list. I had my first GM Mealy Redpoll there - 3 at once - some years back. Usually if something appears for GM on Birdguides but not on Manchester Birding we don't know if it's genuine. There's a lot of sightings that end up on Birdguides that turn out to be errors I think
Liam Langley said
Wed Feb 5 1:49 PM, 2014
Tim Wilcox wrote:
Tony Darby and myself caught up with the flock of 13 Redpoll and 2 Goldfinch at Kenworthy and watched them with good views for some time. The Redpolls exhibited considerable variation with one flushed a lovely pink. However none was a Mealy Redpoll as reportedly seen on Birdguides
Hi Tim
Just seen this and thought I'd reply. Myself and David Campbell had the Mealy Redpoll in question on several occasions in with a flock of 30-40 Lesser Redpolls on Barlow Tip on the 4th of January. The bird was a nice classice Mealy showing pale cheeks, clean white rump, broad frosty wingbars and overall larger size than the accompanying birds. If you're looking for more evidence there is an (admittedly record, digibinned) photo on David's twitter feed at @devilbirder. Hope this clears any confusion up. We also saw your smart pink flushed Lesserpoll, a really nice looking bird!
Cheers, Liam
Pete Hines said
Wed Feb 5 12:26 AM, 2014
Tim Wilcox wrote:
Pochard 19 (still so disappointingly and worryingly miles short if the 100s that used to roost here) Goosander 3 Tufted Duck 70 Gadwall 17 Grey Heron 1
Comparatively, this daytime roost of 89 aythya's isn't a bad total these days. Pochard usually peak here in February and Tufted in December. Numbers began to dwindle after Salford Quays was oxygenated for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games which depleted the food source of these nocturnal feeders. There were only 22 Tufted when I found the last Ferruginous Duck in November 2000, so it doesn't take big numbers for something interesting to turn up - always worth checking.
Tim Wilcox said
Tue Feb 4 9:59 PM, 2014
Pochard 19 (still so disappointingly and worryingly miles short if the 100s that used to roost here) Goosander 3 Tufted Duck 70 Gadwall 17 Grey Heron 1
mark gilligan said
Mon Feb 3 12:20 PM, 2014
Goosanders showing well on saturday afternoon. Approx 6 of them
1 Treecreeper in trees adjoining golf course, opposite island nearest Barlow Tip
Paul Heaton said
Tue Jan 21 8:18 AM, 2014
Good numbers of winter thrushes around Kenworthy fields yesterday.
Gadwall x5 Pochard x2
Kingfisher Ring -necked parakeets Redpoll and Siskin among the most noteworthy, of a few hours walk.
Keep Birding.
Ben Smart said
Sun Jan 12 8:18 PM, 2014
Great Crested Grebe x 1 Mute Swan x 15 Gadwall x 2 Goosander female Tufted Duck - approx 30 but no Pochard - what a change from 10 years ago
+ a pair of Goldeneye on the Mersey close to the Water Park.
-- Edited by Ben Smart on Sunday 12th of January 2014 08:19:30 PM
Tim Wilcox said
Sat Jan 4 2:24 PM, 2014
Tony Darby and myself caught up with the flock of 13 Redpoll and 2 Goldfinch at Kenworthy and watched them with good views for some time. The Redpolls exhibited considerable variation with one flushed a lovely pink. However none was a Mealy Redpoll as reportedly seen on Birdguides
Tony Darby said
Fri Dec 27 12:34 PM, 2013
A decent size finch flock this morning comprising: c60 Siskin c40 Golfinch Also Tufted Duck numbers now up to 120 Pochard 3, down from 6 on the 21st
Bird highlights
Great Crested Grebe
Kestrel
3 Kingfisher
male Reed Bunting
Mute Swan and 4 cygnets
20+ Sand Martins over Mersey.
10+ Swifts
Reed Warbler singing in reedbed
Blackcap
Grasshopper Warbler - 2 (at least) on Barlow Tip, in the first open area with brambles when accessing from the main WP itself. Just after wandering onto the Tip, one of the birds reeled from some brambles right next to the path. It only gave obscured views as it hopped around in the undergrowth at that stage. Another bird was reeling from a larger area of brambles further onto the tip. After an hour staring into brambles and trying to follow the call around, the first bird obligingly flitted up onto a tree branch and called for several minutes. A lifer for me and really excellent views, albeit in fading light.
Other highlights -
Whitethroat - 1 seen, several more heard
Blackcap - Several singing
Chiffchaff - Again several, seemed to be at every turn
Reed Bunting - 1m
Song Thrush - 1
Jay - 2
Plus all the usuals
Grasshopper Warbler reeling briefly, not showing.
Also a mystery raptor with jesses passed over towards Stretford. It had a very Peregrin-like silhouette.
Also of note
20+ Swallow and a single Sand martin over the river
4 Singing Blackcap
a distant Willow warbler
& my first fledgling of 2014... a magpie!
Cheers
Jackson's Boat
Cormorant feeding on the river
2 Greenfinch. The plumage colour was sensational in the bright sunlight.
2-3 Blackcap, only got one male for sure
7-8 Goldfinch in 2s and 3s
1230-1330
Barlow Tip
Chiffchaffs
Reed Bunting male
2 Willow Warbler
2 Bullfinch, male full summer and male dull pink chest. The summer male pink might have a rival for my favourite colour on a bird now I've seen those male Crossbills. So lovely though
2 Blackcap, male and female squabbling with other birds
I also saw a very odd flight silhouette fly up into the trees. The bird appeared black, but it was against the light. It had the proportions of a duck in the sense of a long neck and wings beyond half way down the body, and no tail to speak of, but it was no bigger than a thrush. Could have been Great Spotted Woodpecker I suppose but didn't have the loop in the flight trajectory and I didn't hear any call or drumming. I'm struggling with it.
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Friday 18th of April 2014 06:44:24 PM
3 Tufted Duck
2 Gadwall
1 Great Crested Grebe
Lots of Chiffchaff but no Willow Warbler
Pair of Bullfinch on Kenworthy Fields
Male Blackcap slightly off reserve, over M56 bridge at Yew Tree Lane
-- Edited by Neil McCall on Monday 14th of April 2014 06:08:27 PM
Buzzard perched up on goalposts at (3 over water park Sunday pm)
3 Sand Martins heading downstream towards Sale WP
At least 1 RN Parakeet around conservation pond.
very few other ducks
At least 6 Chiffchaff
Blackcap singing near the coffee van
1 Sparrowhawk(female)
1 Shoveler(male)
2 Great-crested Grebe
2 Goldeneye(pair)
2 Buzzard
1 Robin
Goosander 2m 3f.
Goldeneye 4m 3f.
Tufted Duck 10
Shoveler 1m.
Great-crested Grebe 4
Mute Swan 2ad.
BH Gulls.
Common Gulls.
Mallards.
Canada Geese.
Coots.
Moorhens.
2 Great-crested Grebe
3 Gadwall
10 Tufted Duck
2 Common Gull
Singing Dunnock, Wren, Robin and Tits but no Chiffchaff.
Another singing at Chorlton Ees, just before 3pm. Same time, great view of a Kestrel hunting.
a Ring-Necked Parakeet
Nuthatch
Goldcrest
and a small flock of Siskin
Also showing - Goldfinch, about 3 Robins, Redwing passing through, Song Thrush, Collared Dove, plus a vairety of Tits.
There was also a Kestrel showing well over Kenworthy Wood.
into double figures. The 'few' Pochard are back with 24 today and 25 yesterday; small numbers compared to previous years.
Also:
20 Tufted Ducks
3 Shoveler
11 Gadwall
1 Great Crested Grebe
On Barlow Tip:
4 Redpoll
1 Buzzard
-- Edited by Tony Darby on Friday 21st of February 2014 04:34:17 PM
Also, what few Pochard there were this winter are fast disappearing, 22 yesterday, 16 today.
16 goosanders
30 pochards
26 tufted ducks
2 mute swans
2 great crested grebes.
info thanks to phil Kelly.
Earlier, saw a pair heading toward Stretford Ees but it's possible that pair was one of the above.
35 Tufted duck
5 Gadwall
Mallard coot moorhen good numbers.
4 Ring necked Parakeets.
BH Gull 75
Common Gull 6
Herring gull 3
Heron 2
Blue tits
Long tailed tit
Great tit all present.
No flocks of mixed finches seen.
Keep Birding.
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Friday 14th of February 2014 10:40:13 PM
I've seen them twice on my lunch break, which is between 1:30 to 2 pm, but Ben has seen them around 4pm. They could be there all afternonon then.
I paid my first ever visit (last Thursday, two and a half hours mid day)To Chorlton Water park and to Kenworthy Wood over the river. - Nothing out of the ordinary, but I enjoyed adding 16 species to my admittedly modest Manchester Boro' list.
After crossing the bridge into the wood, I headed south for a few hundred yards and turned left into an open area flanked by extensive birch scrub on its east side as I could hear the buzzing of redpolls and goldfinches and also siskins calling. From the path I watched goldfinches feeding on the ground with bullfinches, siskins and redpolls close at head in the trees just about overhead; quite an absorbing "birdy" mix in good suitable habitat for these. A mixed siskin/redpoll flock of about 45/50 birds whizzed overhead into the centre of the dense scrub, which I didn't enter so as not to disturb anything, and I could only speculate as to potentially what prolonged observation might turn up, especially if there were a strategically placed feeding station located here. Surely in a good "influx year" there would be excellent opportunity to turn up common redpoll in such an ideal site?
- In summary an excellent area which I shall visit again and allow myself rather more time, and try to see the ring-necked parakeets reported as visiting the feeders (I missed these), as I have not seen these in Greater Manchester for some thirty years. Do they come into the feeders at any particular favoured times please?
regards,
Mike P.
Thanks in advance
5 Cormorant
16 Pochard
30+ Tufted Duck
8 Gadwall
Shoveler (unusual for here)
1F Goldeneye
3M 2F Goosander
50+ Black Headed Gull
5 Common Gull
1 Herring Gull
Small flock of Redpoll, Siskin and Goldfinches
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Saturday 8th of February 2014 03:09:54 PM
Also a pretty tame Jay and a Nuthatch regularly visit the feeding station.
15 Pochard
50+ Tufted Duck
10 Gadwall
2 Goosander (pair)
3 Goldeneye (one male, two female)
-- Edited by Neil McCall on Thursday 6th of February 2014 09:20:57 PM
Follow the link from the Bird Recording and County Rarities page on the homepage and go to GMRC (Greater Manchester Rarities Committe). You will find a link to the Rarities Report form
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 5th of February 2014 05:49:11 PM
No worries, I understand that a lot of dodgy records can end up being submitted to news services. I just didn't have time to post on the forum that day as I was heading off on holiday in the afternoon. How do I submit a report to Ian?
cheers, Liam
Nice find Liam! You'll need to submit a rarities report to Ian for a Mealy Redpoll (outside an invasion year) Check the Systematic list. Otherwise it will not make the County list. I had my first GM Mealy Redpoll there - 3 at once - some years back. Usually if something appears for GM on Birdguides but not on Manchester Birding we don't know if it's genuine. There's a lot of sightings that end up on Birdguides that turn out to be errors I think
Hi Tim
Just seen this and thought I'd reply. Myself and David Campbell had the Mealy Redpoll in question on several occasions in with a flock of 30-40 Lesser Redpolls on Barlow Tip on the 4th of January. The bird was a nice classice Mealy showing pale cheeks, clean white rump, broad frosty wingbars and overall larger size than the accompanying birds. If you're looking for more evidence there is an (admittedly record, digibinned) photo on David's twitter feed at @devilbirder. Hope this clears any confusion up. We also saw your smart pink flushed Lesserpoll, a really nice looking bird!
Cheers, Liam
Comparatively, this daytime roost of 89 aythya's isn't a bad total these days. Pochard usually peak here in February and Tufted in December. Numbers began to dwindle after Salford Quays was oxygenated for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games which depleted the food source of these nocturnal feeders. There were only 22 Tufted when I found the last Ferruginous Duck in November 2000, so it doesn't take big numbers for something interesting to turn up - always worth checking.
Goosander 3
Tufted Duck 70
Gadwall 17
Grey Heron 1
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Goosander (male)
5 Pochard
5-10 Gadwall
20+ Tufted Duck
1 Treecreeper in trees adjoining golf course, opposite island nearest Barlow Tip
Gadwall x5
Pochard x2
Kingfisher
Ring -necked parakeets
Redpoll and Siskin among the most noteworthy, of a few hours walk.
Keep Birding.
Mute Swan x 15
Gadwall x 2
Goosander female
Tufted Duck - approx 30
but no Pochard - what a change from 10 years ago
+ a pair of Goldeneye on the Mersey close to the Water Park.
-- Edited by Ben Smart on Sunday 12th of January 2014 08:19:30 PM
Tony Darby and myself caught up with the flock of 13 Redpoll and 2 Goldfinch at Kenworthy and watched them with good views for some time. The Redpolls exhibited considerable variation with one flushed a lovely pink. However none was a Mealy Redpoll as reportedly seen on Birdguides
c60 Siskin
c40 Golfinch
Also Tufted Duck numbers now up to 120
Pochard 3, down from 6 on the 21st
Nothing unusual blown in unfortunately.