What will almost certainly be the last brood of Blackbirds in my garden this year have just fledged.

I'm pretty sure they've raised 3 broods this year, the latest one producing 3 youngsters, who dash

into the nearest cover every time I go into the garden. One seems quite lethargic though, perhaps

the parents are neglecting it, although I've left a bush full of Blueberries for them, there is a Rowan

still full of berries too. I doubt the lethargic one will make it to adulthood though, not least because

my neighbours have a young feline that appears lightning fast at catching any potential prey.

Ive seen them flying above the trees by the maltings pub John

Around 3pm this afternoon, 2 noisy Ring-necked Parakeets were seen chasing each other around trees in the linear

park near Gullivers World Theme Park. The first I've ever recorded in the area.

A Sparrowhawk managed to catch a cock House Sparrow off a garden feeder this morning.

-- Edited by John Williams on Tuesday 27th of September 2022 08:44:24 PM

This morning I checked to see if the male Bullfinch, which has been seen enjoying the berries on my garden Rowan tree for

a couple of weeks now was present today. There was no sign of him, just a couple of sparrow sized birds were present.

When viewed through bins though they turned out to be a couple of female Bramblings, a garden first for me, and proof

that these winter visitors have Rowan berries in their diet too. The birds were still present at 4.00pm, although were seen taking fallen berries off the lawn by then. They took shelter in the Rowan tree when a Sparrowhawk flew over, after which they both started to consume berries from the garage roof.

-- Edited by John Williams on Friday 22nd of October 2021 09:39:06 PM

-- Edited by John Williams on Friday 22nd of October 2021 09:40:35 PM

This morning a pair of Bullfinches (m+f) were feasting on Rowan berries in my garden, when a female House Sparrow arrived

and chased off the female Bullfinch. The sparrow then sampled one of the berries, but quickly spat it out, shook her head and flew off.

The male Bullfinch carried on eating berries for a few minutes longer, but then flew off after his mate.

A record 40 House Sparrows on and around my garden feeder this morning, they absolutely relish sunflower seed hearts.

A Mahonia bush in my garden has been attracting a couple of male Blackcaps regularly over the last few weeks.

Every winter this bush attracts Blackcaps, usually males, that are drawn to the yellow flowers.

I discussed this with an ecologist who advised me the birds are attracted by tiny fruit flies hidden in the flowers.

Blue Tits are also greatly attracted to the flowers, but rarely Goldcrests, Wrens, Coal Tits or Dunnocks.

My two garden Rowan trees held 22 Blackbirds, 3 Redwings and a Song Thrush at one point this afternoon.

The resident male Blackbird initially tried to intimidate them, but in the end he was just overwhelmed.

Surprised to find a resplendent male Siskin on my garden feeder this morning.

They are uncommon visitors in winter, but this is certainly my first summer sighting of them in my garden.

Brief walk this morning along Sankey Brook from Callands to Whitecross Tennis Courts and back.

Highlights were 4 singing Willow Warblers around the former tip site at Bewsey, plus 4 Blackcaps and 6+ Chiffchaffs.

2m + 1f Bullfinches were also on the old tip site, whilst a single female Goldeneye was a surprise find on Sankey Brook.

Whilst walking to the local shop this morning, a Lesser Whitethroat was heard calling from a tall hedgerow alongside

a culvert close to the junction of Callands and North Park roads.

A female Sparrowhawk took a sparrow from an area close to my garden feeder this morning.

I first seen her clinging to a cotoneaster, with her talons firmly gripping something inside the bush.

She soon flew onto the lawn clutching the unlucky greyish blob in her talons, and started to pluck the still twitching sparrow.

Most human beings would rapidly dash out and try to save the little bird when confronted with a vicious drama like this.

I just watched the drama with a stunned fascination, it's never pleasant to witness such dramas, but no matter how tempted

I was to try and save the little victim, I would never have forgiven myself if I'd of interfered.

Thankfully the hawk dragged her lunch to the bottom of a nearby hedge and out of view, and now all that remains are a few grey feathers.

My one regret is that I had not quickly grabbed my camera as a great photo could of been achieved.

Also fascinating this morning was the sight of a couple of Goldfinches clinging to a vertical brick wall, I've seen Blue Tits, Great Tits and sparrows

do this and assumed they would catching spiders and insects that were hiding amongst the brickwork, but what would the finches be after there?.

A male Blackcap has been seen this morning on a Mahonia "Charity" bush in my garden.

What was probably the same bird was briefly seen on the same bush several days ago too.

The plant attracts lots of Blue Tits, plus the odd Wren and Goldcrest at this time of year

as it is currently in full flower. I initially thought the birds were taking nectar from the flowers,

but an ecologist advised me that the flowers often contain small fruit flies, and it these which

our feathered friends find so attractive.

This lunchtime I witnessed a drama in my garden.

A Large Yellow Underwing moth appears to have been disturbed from it's daytime hideout.

It fluttered across my lawn looking for another safe haven, however a male House Sparrow

gave pursuit. The pair twisted and turned in an aerial dogfight that would put a Peregrine's

pursuit of a pigeon to shame. The moth however managed to escape to the shelter of a thick conifer.

Looking really irritated the sparrow returned to the feeder, and the remainder of his flock.

Moments later a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly appeared over the lawn, again the sparrow

promptly attacked, and another breathtaking aerial battle commenced. This time though the

sparrow got his prize and snapped the butterfly from the air, before flying off to eat it on the garden wall.

1 male Blackcap in the garden at 1pm.

18.00

8 Swifts drifting South along with around 16 House Martins.

I've seen this flock regularly fly north over the canal at Bewsey just after day break. I assume it is some of the birds that roost at Moore NR

I know the field you mean Brian, it used to be a cracking spot for passage Wheatear too. There's lots of suitable farmland just North of the M62 too, pasture and arable.

It would be interesting to know if these large flocks are regularly seen passiing over Winwick, Vulcan or Newton?.

Every afternoon, at the moment about 3.00pm but variable depending on the time of year, there is a huge movement of mixed Jackdaws and Rooks flying South over Gullivers World Theme park.

I have also seen hundreds of corvids flying North just after dawn. I know there is a Rook/Jackdaw roost at Moore, so I assume they are commuting to there for the night.

I'd love to know where this huge flock spends the day though?. It could be the farmland around Burtonwood or Winwick, or perhaps a landfill somewhere to the North?.

As anyone any ideas on this?.

John Williams wrote:

---

Every afternoon, at the moment about 3.00pm but variable depending on the time of year, there is a huge movement of mixed Jackdaws and Rooks flying South over Gullivers World Theme park.

I have also seen hundreds of corvids flying North just after dawn. I know there is a Rook/Jackdaw roost at Moore, so I assume they are commuting to there for the night.

I'd love to know where this huge flock spends the day though?. It could be the farmland around Burtonwood or Winwick, or perhaps a landfill somewhere to the North?.

As anyone any ideas on this?.

---

John

I have seen 100+ mixed corvids on the field at the Winwick Quay section of Sankey Valley Park recently. This is the area just south of the M62 and lies between Sankey Brook and west of the railway line - Grid Ref. - SJ 5991. The public footpath runs parallel with the railway from Gemini to Old Alder Lane at Winwick.
They are usually feeding there before flying south to roost but I have also noticed them here earlier in the day too. This may be just a stopping off site for some of flock(s) though.

Cheers Brian

-- Edited by Brian Baird on Sunday 9th of December 2012 09:00:52 PM

John Williams wrote:

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Callands Estate

yesterday (Late Posting) 20.00

5 Swifts flying South high over Sankey Brook. Unsure whether to post this, but it's getting quite late for Swift reports, most birds left weeks ago.

1 Buzzard mewing consistently flying at about 20 feet over Callands day nursery, it made several passes at the same height. Puzzling behaviour?.

---

There are still swift about John,quite a few over pennington at the weekend,and they do get seen in September most years,and even occasionally in Oct.

Callands Estate

yesterday (Late Posting) 20.00

5 Swifts flying South high over Sankey Brook. Unsure whether to post this, but it's getting quite late for Swift reports, most birds left weeks ago.

1 Buzzard mewing consistently flying at about 20 feet over Callands day nursery, it made several passes at the same height. Puzzling behaviour?.