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!
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...
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
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.
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).
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
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!
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.
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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
First common gulls of the season back at the stables referred to in my last post, at least two amongst the black-headed on the paddocks. At least 19 pied wagtail in the same fields too, though nothing more notable this week.
Both Yellow-legged Gulls were still present at Smithfield Market at 1.30pm when I left. I observed them for approximately an hour which included the duration of my Tacho break and longer whilst a supplier was preparing an order for collection. One thing I've noticed...they never seem to associate with each other and as yet I'm still trying for a photo of them both together, but for now I'm happy with good, fairly close views on a site they seem to be happy at.
Currently 2 Yellow-legged Gulls present at Smithfield Market in Openshaw. They look like the same 2 birds again, 1 fairly mobile over the site, the other soaking up the sun on Syke's roof.
Wheatear on one of the paddocks of the stables I ride at off Knott Lane, near Ashton this afternoon. First time I've been for a few weeks, and nice to see a build up of birds feeding here alongside it, with good numbers of black-headed gull, starling and at least 16 pied wagtail all taking advantage.
The swallow production line's still churning out numbers, and several house martin flitting about, too, though I don't think they breed here.
- 2 Yellow-legged Gulls currently present this afternoon at Smithfield Market. Certainly look like the same 2 birds I've seen in recent weeks.
Just incase anyone was wondering, my previous posts shouldn't have misled anyone or left any doubt as to my purpose on site. I'm meant to be here due to work purposes, I'm fully booked in with security and the company I'm visiting so no problems there! Cheers.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 01:27:50 PM
Smithfields fish market at Openshaw still has the yellow legged gull. But unknown before as no information in previous posts that if anyone wants to take pictures of the gulls must speak to the management in the office first to get written permission (for picture taking) The security guard was most helpful in giving me this information. I only saw 1 possibly 2 yellow legged gulls as the sun angle was terrible this afternoon. Ta.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 7th of August 2017 07:01:53 PM
__________________
Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
A non-birding friend has seemingly discovered a roost of Oystercatchers numbering 50-100 birds using the roof of an industrial unit visible from the Asda car park on Atlantic Street in Broadheath. He saw them last night at 6pm. Anyone who lives that way they might be worth checking out. He obviouslly didn't have bins.
PS after discussion with Ian it is more likely my friend was looking at Lapwings not Oystercatchers
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 5th of August 2017 12:46:37 PM
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 5th of August 2017 12:47:48 PM
- Yellow-legged Gull 2 Same 2 individuals present at Smithfield Market fish units late lunchtime. Looks like the single individual I found here on 11th July (posted on this thread) is also one of the 2 birds that are currently present on an almost daily basis, cheers Ian.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 2nd of August 2017 10:45:27 PM
Good numbers of Swift this evening over Westleigh Estate, Leigh. Two large groups, one group at the top of Westleigh Estate 20 plus birds. The other group at the bottom, yates street area again 20 plus birds.
Tuesday 25th July 2.20pm Currently no fewer than 4 Yellow-legged Gulls (adults) flying round and perched up on rooves / lamp-posts in Smithfield Market, Openshaw. Possible younger birds present too! Will attach images later. Cheers
...after careful consideration with the images, it has been determined there are only 2 different Yellow-legged Gulls, and as I originally thought, 1 is the same individual that I observed last week in the same location. Many thanks for your time and effort Ian, and it's proved that even with the time lapse being negligible I've managed to miss them flying to another location of the site and pretend to be another individual. Still, I'm happy with 2 and another County Rarity form will be submitted for the 2nd individual. I've had another look at the images of the younger Gulls and I'm now fairly sure they are Lesser Black-backed, of which there's always plenty of here. Thanks again