The usual lake denizens [Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Grey Wagtail] but they've been joined by a male Goosander.
Yesterday (Tue 19 Jul 2016) saw the usual Park pond residents - 4 mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted, Coot, Moorhen, 4 Terrapins, with Feral Pigeons, a couple of Carrion Crows and a few Blackheaded Gulls flying over. And, of course, Ringnecked Parakeets all around. Difficult to count now that the leaves are hiding them, but there hasn't been a single day without hearing or seeing them since I moved here in January. 4 flew past last month, 2 of which had shorter tails and were presumably juveniles. Last night at 10.30, I heard a Tawny Owl for the first time here.
The usual lake population - Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot and Herons - 3 young in one nest and one in another I think. On the floating pallet, usually occupied by Tufted Duck, 2 terrapins were sunbathing (Yellowbellied Sliders, I think). Nuthatches, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers about the park, plus Ring-necked Parakeets.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 23rd of April 2016 03:46:43 PM
As I had begun to suspect, the head of one of the 2 Goosanders on the lake is now clearly darkening, so a Redheaded juvenile is coming out as a drake. The other is very red, so I think we have a pair. Photos through today's snow are not very clear but I'll get a clear picture of both to show the difference when the sun comes out.
Plus away from the lake: Mistle thrush; Blackbird; Robin Blue tit; Great tit Wren; House sparrow Carrion crow Magpie Woodpigeon Feral pigeons Nuthatch Treecreeper (yesterday)
During the last week, there has usually been a single redhead Goosander on the lake. Both the north and south Heron nests have been busy with pairs nest-building and mutual-preening. Parakeets have become even noisier. There were 8 feeding in the conifer next to the south Heron nest, plus others spiralling around. 13 is my maximum definite count so far.
The fields have had their usual thrushes - mainly Mistle and Redwing. In the short time since I moved here, as well as Robins, I've seen Song, Mistle, Blackbird (including Luke, a leucistic bird - see picture), Redwing & Fieldfare. I'm waiting for a Ring Ousel.
A Nuthatch joined the Blue tits at my feeder on Demesne Road yesterday.
Monday 15th February. Heron mobbed by gulls, heron on nest on island of the lake. Group of tufted duck of both sexes. Several noisy ring necked parakeets. Nuthatch.
Female goosander still on the lake.
-- Edited by Fiona Moate on Thursday 18th of February 2016 06:49:40 PM
Yesterday, Sunday 7 Feb, the sun came out for a while and I started my walk by watching the Herons in Alexandra Park for a while. There are 2 pairs on nests at the north and south ends of the island. The south pair are clearly visible, more so than most of the nests in the Chorlton Ees heronry - no branches in the way and no leaves yet. One was sitting low in the nest, presumably on egg(s). The north nest is more hidden.
Thursday 4th February, very large flock of winter thrushes feeding on the cricket pitch in the rain. Mistle, redwing and probably fieldfares. It was very poor visibility so hard to see details.
Off the water: Feral & Woodpigeons, Great, Blue and Longtailed Tits, Wrens, Blackbirds, Robins, Mistle Thrushes. I think I heard Goldcrest, but at my age, I have lost the higher frequencies.
Also a screaming Kestrel harried by Crows and Magpies. It passed my window on Demesne Road later, still screaming, at about 2pm.
Yesterday (Wed 9 Dec), amongst the Coots, Mallards, Moorhens, Canadas, Blackheads & Tufties on the lake were 2 male Goosander, and flying in out of a nearby conifer next to Demesne Road was a very smart Fieldfare.
A quick wander around the lake whilst out at work this morning:
Grey Heron with two fairly well grown young in the nest. First winter Cormorant Two Coot nests 36 Tufted Duck Two singing Treecreeper Nuthatch Four Long-tailed Tits
Cormorant on the pond today. Not sure if anyone has seen them here before, but this is first one I've seen here. Was sunning itself on a low branch over water, just beneath Grey Heron on nest. What looked like a juvenile heron was also tentatively making its way into the water nearby. The Tufted Ducks seem to be doing well here, with many more around than last year around, along with plenty of Coot, Canada Goose and Mallard.
GUYS! They're gonna start draining the lake soon . by a metre. to rebuild the wall (which means it will take ages) there's a heron chick that needs protecting - theyre doing it at the wrong time of year - the fact theyre doing it altogether is outrageous as it will affect the whole ecosystem of the lake. please take action!
Quick walk in the park today - large areas of the park devastated by the tree felling since my last visit. Will undoubtedly have a negative effect on many species.
Spent some time at the other side of the park, around where the firecrests had previously been reported. No firecrests or goldcrests as I was really hoping for (the former more in unduly optimistic hope, as they have perhaps now moved on permanently as has been suggested on here), but did see a couple of bullfinch which brightened up the day.
Steve - I fear you're right. But I spoke to the RSPB this morning, who confirmed that if any evidence of bird nesting behaviour (even just flying from tree to tree carrying nesting materials) is evident in the park, then it is unlawful for the felling to continue. That's why I'm urging any local birders with a half decent zoom lens to get down to the park and see if they can spot, and photograph, any such behaviour, ASAP...
Spent an hour last Saturday 26th January watching birds in the area which is soon to be felled to make way for tennis courts (unless we can provide evidence of bird nesting behaviour in the park ASAP). Spotted the following:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Nuthatch 1 Treecreeper 5 Redwing 1 Chaffinch (f) 1 Coal Tit 2 Long Tailed Tit 1 Wren 1 Robin 1 Blackbird
... as well as the usual suspects (blue tits, great tits, woodpigeon, magpies, etc).
Today, 5th Feb, saw a stunning male bullfinch in a tree, moments before it was felled. Absolutely gutting that they're destroying this wildlife habitat. See Save Alexandra Park's Trees for more info.
Yes, who knows what the locals thought with a crowd of folk gathered under the dark trees only legs showing...some sort of drug party! Anyway, second time lucky for me and arrived about 1110, so great timing after dipping yesterday!
16/12/2012 - 8.45am-12pm with Phil Owen and a good crowd of Mancunian birders:
1 Firecrest - male, showed well after a couple of hours around the yews and hollys to the east of the lake by the boarded up building
And in addition to yesterdays sightings (44 species in total): 3 Common Gulls 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 5 Ring-necked Parakeets 1 Grey Wagtail - over 1 Dunnock
Two Firecrests feeding on birch catkins with a Goldcrest for company early this am at about 9.30. Seen at the south-west corner of the lake.Tried again later without success. May wander down late afternoon as this looks a good time for spotting these. Also 3 Goosander, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Nuthatch, Jay, Redwing, Chaffinch.
Record shot at flickr Thanks to the finder and posters of these Firecrest sightings. First one I've seen.
No luck for me or Phil Owen between 10am-12pm for the Firecrest, will have another crack in the morning.
In addition to other reports today there were: 1 Treecreeper 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Mistle Thrushes 1 Grey Heron (1w) 1 Pied Wagtail 2 House Sparrows 2 Greenfinches
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Saturday 15th of December 2012 06:38:07 PM
Well done Tim,you deserve it after all those hours you put in Thanks for getting myself and other birders onto the firecrest at 2.10pm in the birch tree you mention,cracking little bird nice to get one so close to home after recently getting two out off county. Nice to meet other birders Other birds off note... Several goldcrests Several redwings 2 nuthatches 2 collared doves 2-3 sparrowhawks 1 bullfinch,male Goldfinches,chaffinches Blue/great/coal & long tailed tits 1 jay,just outside the park on Stanley rd 1 shoveler,male 3 goosanders,male At least 5 tufted ducks Plus usuals
-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 15th of December 2012 05:45:09 PM
I managed to get the firecrest after about 15min, very lucky! Thanks to Tim Wilcox and Tony Darby for showing me where it was. :)
Also great to meet steven burke and Neville Wright. Good company and a stonking bird. I think I saw the duller bird (missed the bright male by 5min, but not complaining!) See Tim's directions below
Also jay, nuthatch, 3 male (at least 1 sub-adult) goosander, male shoveler and lots of goldcrest plus some commoner woodland species.
The firecrest was not seen after about 1445hrs. (But heard it call as I was leaving)
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 15th of December 2012 03:35:18 PM
YEES! My 6th visit since last Sunday and after over 8 hours fruitless vigil all told this week I finally got lucky. Tony Darby arrived at about 12.45 and straight away picked up a movement in the Holly just south of the deep water signage on the south side of the lake. A splendily bright male Firecrest showed right in front of us at about 10 feet then worked its way inside the tree and disappeared. Then there was nothing for a bit till I picked up probably the same bright male from the road but again it disappeared. About an hour later I was watching 3 Goldcrests fly-catching in the Silver Birch towards the west end and thought they might bring out a Firecrest too and one appeared. This bird was then seen well by all assembled. To me it seemed like a different bird - probably a male but not quite as bright on the crown which on the first bird was a brilliant orange but on the latter bird more a yellowy-orange with slightly duller supercillium.
Also a Siskin, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Redwing , 2 Collared Dove and Steven Burke saw 2 Sparrowhawks through
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Saturday 15th of December 2012 05:40:54 PM
Firecrest still present in holly and conifers on the south side of the lake at 1.30pm today but keeping to the middle of the trees in the very wet weather!
Firecrest (m) seen at 2:45 - 3:00. It flew in from the conifers at the entrance and stayed for at least 15 minutes (Thanks to the other birder who pointed me in the right direction. It was also seen flying into the birch on the West side of the lake.