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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> RIVER IRWELL, SALFORD, INCLUDING KERSAL WETLANDS
Post Info TOPIC: RIVER IRWELL, SALFORD, INCLUDING KERSAL WETLANDS
Michael Hood


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RE: RIVER IRWELL, SALFORD, INCLUDING KERSAL WETLANDS
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A first on "my" little section of the Irwell - a Little Egret

Have also seen at least 2 different Kingfishers (because once there were 2 at the same time) at various times but have only identified male so far

Sand Martins still occasionally about, but no longer seeing Swifts

Apparently, the 15-16 inch long fish are likely to be Bream

Also, I have a feeling that the Goosander may fish co-operatively, have seen several times that 3 or 4 will swim underwater together, presumably it makes it harder for fish to outflank them



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Michael Hood


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Today on "my" little section of the Irwell - between Broughton Bridge A5066 and the Adelphi Footbridge - I had the pleasure of watching a Kingfisher fishing for about 15 minutes - only the second time I've seen one on this stretch (I have a quick check most weekday lunchtimes).

Apart from all the usual inhabitants (Canada Geese + the 1 Greylag, Black-headed gulls, Mallards, Goosanders) I could also see a shoal of approx 30 substantial fish - all about 15-16 inches long.



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Michael Hood


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Late lunchtime today upstream of Broughton Bridge...

61 Goosander - 30 Male, 27 Female and 4 goosanderlings (far too cute to merely be called ducklings) all on or in-front or near the shingle bank in the photo (phone maximally zoomed so not great quality), and there were a couple more Goosanders both upstream & downstream

2 Grey Wagtail

2 Pied Wagtail - although one may be a White Wagtail (I'll post some photos on the Basic identification help! thread) - Edit: further looking at the photos I think it's just a rather grey Pied female

Plus the usual Mallard (well outnumbered by the Goosanders), Canada Geese (some goslings) and Black-headed Gulls



-- Edited by Michael Hood on Tuesday 10th of May 2022 09:55:34 PM

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Michael Hood


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Quick walk along the riverside path this afternoon between Broughton Bridge and the first footbridge upstream (Linen Ct to Riverside)...

13 Goosander - the river brings down loads of unsightly rubbish but the water itself must be fairly ok if it's supporting so many fish eaters

Wagtails - at least one Pied and one Grey, possibly a White Wagtail as well (Edit: quick read tells me it's more likely to be a 1-year old Pied still in winter plumage) but didn't have binoculars with me so can't be sure - I'll have them with me next time 

Just downstream from Broughton Bridge - a Greylag Goose amongst the Canada Geese, pair of Lesser Black Backed Gulls

Lots of Black Headed Gulls and Mallard around of course



-- Edited by Michael Hood on Thursday 31st of March 2022 08:55:20 PM

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Michael Hood


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Quick walk around the wetlands Friday pm - (relatively) notable sightings...

Wetlands: Mute Swan pair, Little Grebe 1, Gadwall 2M, 1F

River Irwell: Little Grebe 1, Goosander 1M, 2F

Kersal Dale (path back up to car): Goldcrest 2, Sparrowhawk 1

 



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Simon Gough


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Pretty sure I heard a singing Black Redstart on the Meadow side of the river at Peel Park this lunchtime. Not enough time to go and look before I had a meeting though...

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Simon Gough


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A quick look around Kersal Wetlands this lunchtime as I am on campus at work today. Not a lot on there, it needs some trees and bushes to grow up a bit I reckon, and maybe you'll get more stuff. I did see 4 Goldeneye bombing down the river towards Peel Park.

Clear highlight was 8-9 Siskins in the Alder trees at the end of Basset Avenue as you come onto the wider bit of the riverbank footpath, point blank views above my head, lovely!

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Michael Hood


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12 Goldeneye today at about 12:00; 1 (M) upstream from Cromwell Rd Bridge, the other 11 downstream (6M, 5F) - I think, so difficult to count when they're all constantly diving but definitely more than 10



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Michael Hood


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9:30am 20/01/2022

5 Goldeneye - 3 downstream from Cromwell Rd Bridge (2M 1F), 2 upstream from Kersal Wetlands footbridge (1M 1F)

2 Little Grebe - downstream from Cromwell Rd Bridge

1 Tufted Duck - upstream from Cromwell Rd Bridge

Lots of the "usual suspects"; possible Common Gull amongst the Black Headed Gulls on the wetlands but sun in the wrong direction and no binoculars (running)



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Chris Knight


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14 Goldeneye (7 of each sex) a little West of Broughton bridge yesterday (plus 3 goosander further East)



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Steven Heywood


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Spotted flycatcher showing nicely in the trees by the path at the southern end of The Meadow.

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Adrian Dancy


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This evening around 'The Cliff' and flood plain.
5 grey herons
2 mute swans with 3 cygnets
2 ring necked parakeets flew over and landed in trees and disturbed a great spotted wood pecker
1 snipe

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John Doherty


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An impressive raft of Nine Redhead Goosander all together on the Irwell

One Swift through headed south 



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James Walsh


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Sunday 15th August 2021

1 Kingfisher viewable from the Cromwell Bridge on the River Irwell

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James Walsh


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2 Kingfisher
1 Greylag Goose
2+ Little Grebe
2 Mute Swan
9 Goosander
10 Grey Heron
c20 Sand Martins

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Pete Hines


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Curlew 3 flew over north calling at 07.48 (lousy record shot attached) Goosander 25, 16 adult redhead and 9 juvenile

-- Edited by Pete Hines on Wednesday 16th of June 2021 09:59:14 AM

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John Doherty


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Was stood at the river bank today minding my own when a male Sparrowhawk swooped from nowhere meters away. 

 

Also had sandmartins (3), 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Goosander and 1 Little Grebe 

 



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Kev Jin


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4.2.2021 14.00-15.07

13 Grey Heron

2 Little Grebe

1 Goosander

1 Lesser Black Backed Gull

 



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Steven Heywood


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12:45 2:40, Broughton Bridge to Frederick Road, including Peel Park and the Meadow. 26 goldeneyes, including a group of six drakes and three ducks; a couple of dozen goosanders, mostly drakes with four redheads by The Crescent. Just the one grey wagtail, with pied wagtails by Frederick Road. Interesting bookends to the walk with three mistlethrushes rattling from a treetop by The Friars Primary School and another trip in a treetop by the Art Gallery.

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Kev Jin


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07.12.2020

10.30-11.00

12 Grey Heron

1 Wigeon

2 Pied Wagtail

4 Goldfinch

2 Reed Bunting (male and female)

8 Goldeneye (counted 8, but there were more, all female)



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Adrian Dancy


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A walk from The Cliff to Hough End Bridge yesterday. (the bridge is closed to the public and will remain closed till 10th Dec, if I am correct.
4 grey herons
2 mute swans
6 mistle thrushs
2 female goldeneye
1 male tufted duck
6 little grebes
4 female goosander
2 kingfishers chasing each other
circa 200-300 crows

A few images attached. A firework (larger banger type) was thrown over a bank into the river. It exploded about 2 feet away from the goosander you see in the image attached. The sound almost deafened me so god knows what it did to the bird. The bird was not targeted. The idiot threw the banger blind (no defence). I thought banger type fireworks were banned?



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Kev Jin


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25.09.2020

11.45-12.35

Kersal Wetlands

1 Kingfisher

6 Grey Heron

8 Black Headed Gulls (first winter plumage)

2 Mute Swans

1 Grey Wagtail



-- Edited by Kev Jin on Friday 25th of September 2020 09:23:13 PM

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Charles Farrell


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Sat 12-Sep-20 (14:30 - 17:00):

Walked from Victoria Station

River Irwell south of Kersal Wetlands:
- c 7 'redhead' Goosanders along a long stretch of the Irwell
- 2 adult Little Grebe - seen from Broughton footbridge
- 1 Kingfisher - seen from Broughton footbridge
- 3 House Martin

River Irwell south of Kersal Wetlands:
- 1 juv Little Grebe
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- c10 House Martin
- 2 Swallow
plus usual Corvids and small passerines




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James Walsh


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Wednesday 26th August 2020

2 Swifts and 2 Mute Swans on Salford Wetlands

Kingfisher on the River Irwell adjacent to Kersal Dale LNR

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James Richardson


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Broughton footbridge, (where the gravel bank is) yesterday
1 Kingfisher hunting, 2 late swift with 2 swallow, a few sand martin, 4 lapwing, several lesser black backed gulls, 1 grey heron, 1 moorhen

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Steven Heywood


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Stroll from New Bridge Road to Adelphi Bridge, 1:50pm - 2:40pm Highlights included 1 kingfisher, 20 juvenile goosanders and a family of four grey wagtails. A cormorant and seventy-four Canada geese by Broughton Bridge.

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James Walsh


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Thursday 13th August 2020

Salford Wetlands / River Irwell

2 Kingfishers and 20 Goosanders on the River Irwell

Little Grebes and Common Buzzard on Salford Wetlands

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Bryan Deighton


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1030-1230 6th August

 

Wetlands 

 

Blackbird x 4

Chiffchaff x 1

Coot x 8

Goldfinch x 8

Grey Heron x 3

Little Grebe x 2 (adult and chick)

Mallard x 6

Swift x 6

Wren x 1

 

Plus usual rafts of Canada Geese, Magpies, Wood and Feral Pigeons, Carrion Crows and Jackdaws.

 

River Irwell

 

 

Canada Goose x 8

Goosander x 11 - all female in two separate flocks. 5 flew past and went downstream towards the city shortly followed by another 7 who were in the river. They split shortly after some hunting and going back upstream whilst others continued down stream.

Kingfisher x 1

Mallard x 7

 

Cheers 

 

Bryan



-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Thursday 6th of August 2020 02:53:35 PM

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phillipskelly


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First ever mooch around the wetlands this afternoon.

R.Irwell.
Canada goose - c50.
Goosander - 2 f.
Plus lots of Sandmartin.

Wetlands .
Grey heron - 1 + 1 over.
Chiffchaff - 1 heard.
Mixed Jackdaw/Carrion crow flock c50.
Little grebe - 1 + 2 young.
Coot - 4 +2 young.
Black-headed gull - 3.
Starling - 20.
Mallard - 2.
Sand martin - c50.

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Bryan Deighton


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First trip to the wetlands with my little lad today whilst daughter was trampolining around the corner.

 

Highlight was two pairs of Kingfishers on the Irwell. I'm presuming parents and offspring.

 

One pair had an almighty kick off with a magpie and were clearly warning the other two who were perched further upstream. Watched them up and down and circling the river for a good ten minutes. Was a beautiful sight to behold.

 

Also seen:

2 Blackbird

1 Dunnock

22 Goldfinch, 7 of which were juveniles

2 Great Tit

2 Little Grebe (adult and chick)

Numerous Magpies

2 Pied Wagtail

1 Robin

Dozens of Sand Martin's in flight

10 Wood Pigeon

 

As well as huge flocks of Carrion Crows, Jackdaws,a Canadian Geese and starlings. All of which has 25 + per flock.

 

There was also almost all white gull type bird wading and swimming in the wetlands but I wasn't able to identify it.



-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Thursday 30th of July 2020 03:46:17 PM

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Stuart Marsden


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Kersal Wetlands
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Two little egret on the wetlands this afternoon, 4 stock dove, buzzard



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James Walsh


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RE: RIVER IRWELL, SALFORD, INCLUDING KERSAL WETLANDS
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Monday 1st June 2020

Kingfisher and female Goosander on the River Irwell, Kersal Dale

1 Lapwing and 2 Little Grebes on the Wetlands

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James Richardson


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Absolute joy to watch dozens of sand martins, a few house martins and up to 10 swifts feeding over the wetlands, river and woodlands yesterday afternoon.

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James Richardson


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2 great crested grebes on the Irwell by the sports village this morning, think that's the first time i've seen this species in the area. also 2 swifts and some house martins have joined the sand martins over the wetland.

-- Edited by James Richardson on Sunday 19th of April 2020 01:52:02 PM

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Simon Gough


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Some nice birds in Peel Park this lunchtime:
3 Bullfinch - 2m 1f - my first since i started here
3 Goosander on the river - 2m 1f, no Goldeneyes or Little Grebes that are normally around
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 drumming
approx 10 Redwing feeding on the ground
Nuthatch
Mistle Thrush

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Simon Gough


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11am

Black Redstart singing in trees within the University Campus, up the steps from Peel Park. Brief views before it flew off. Weather is sufficiently filthy that I can't see it moving far so worth a look tomorrow I imagine

Song akin to the first phrases in this item in Xeno Canto:

https://www.xeno-canto.org/503962

It is in a public space but visitors should be mindful that the park boundary is at the base of the steps and ramp, so at the top you are within the campus.

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Charles Farrell


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Sun 22-Dec-19 (11:30 - 14:00), Generally Mild and dry.

My first visit to this site. Shame about the irresponsible dogwalkers disturbing the Gulls, but at least it demonstrated that there were no waders present :(

On the Irwell

- 6 or maybe 7 Goldenye (2 males)
- 5 Goosander (2 males)
- 1 Tufted DUck
- 3 Little Grebe

Elsewhere
- 1 Buzzard
- 2+ Jay
- 3 Mistle Thrush
- 6 Meadow Pipit
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 1 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Pied Wagtail

+other usual species. 33 species in all.

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James Richardson


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I believe the proposed development area is the bit of land currently fenced off to the south of the flood basin. The wetland and route around the river will therefore probably experience a lot more disturbance in future but as for physical destruction I don't think so - it's been specifically designed to be a flood zone and wetland.
see article here.
https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/salboy-wins-bid-race-for-castle-irwell/

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fredford


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Will this area be destroyed by the new house building project ?

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Simon Gough


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7 Goldeneye from Peel Park just now, I had imagined this might be a fair sighting but reading through this thread it is to be expected. Also 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe all catching the sun nicely.

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Stuart Marsden


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Early morning - 7-7.45 am - to Kersal wetlands - good to see 4 spp of duck on the wetland - 1 wigeon, 3 teal, 2 gadwall and several mallard. Also 2 kingfisher and 5 little grebe



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Stuart Marsden


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Late post from visit to Kersal wetlands yesterday just after midday. Singles of Little egret, Green sandpiper, Kingfisher, gadwall and Kestrel on the wetlands. Also 5 Little grebe and 9 Grey heron, and 2 buzzards.



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James Richardson


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Little egret on the wetland earlier, flew south down the Irwell where I caught up with it. It headed back towards the wetland after.

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Simon Gough


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My first Kingfisher in the locality today, doing a loop of The Meadow at Salford Crescent at about 14.30. Also a few Sand Martin and a singing Blackcap, plus some smart Little Grebes on the river. My list for the park and the Meadow is now 45, but running out of common birds to see now!



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James Richardson


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One oystercatcher on the Kersal wetland yesterday afternoon amongst the usuals

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James Richardson


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There were over 20 swifts, dozens of sand martins, a few house martins and even some swallows over the Irwell and adjacent Peel Park/playing fields yesterday afternoon.
All feeding very low over the water/wildflowers and affording some great views.

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James Richardson


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An excellent morning before the dog walkers arrived, from 06:20 til 08:20ish. Highlights:
1 common gull early but flew off
2 lapwing
1 chiffchaff
1 willow warbler
1 whitethroat
2 blackcap
2 kingfisher
1 greenfinch
several sand martin &
12 swift &
5 swallow all feeding together over river and wetland
1 treecreeper
1 grey wagtail
5 stock dove
1 collared dove
3 goosander on river
1 mute swan on river



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Stuart Marsden


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KERSAL WETLANDS
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6.40 am for an hour with Ollie Metcalfe. Similar birds to James except 2 Little ringed plover, 1 lapwing, and, unusually, a single Rook - not sure if rooks are regular round these parts



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James Richardson


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RIVER IRWELL, SALFORD, INCLUDING KERSAL WETLANDS
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And one blackcap by Salford Uni at the southern end of 'the meadow'

-- Edited by James Richardson on Saturday 6th of April 2019 10:39:04 AM

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James Richardson


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Visit this morning from about 08:30. Highlights - C30 sand martin, 1 little ringed plover, 2 sparrowhawk, 1 stock dove, 3 mute swan, 3 grey heron, 5 meadow pipit, 2 grey wagtail, 1 chiffchaff, 2 great spotted woodpecker, nuthatches calling, 2 goosander and kingfisher heard on river.

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