MB

 

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Highfield Wigan


Status: Offline
Posts: 141
Date:
Highfield Wigan


Mixed flock of gulls 100 + over jewsons heading south ,feeding at height ,12 15 pm,

 



-- Edited by David Hughes on Monday 8th of August 2022 12:17:15 PM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 141
Date:

On Victoria st today i saw a dead red legged partridge 



__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

 Big Garden Bird Watch 9.30-10.30 on 30/01/2016

Results for me

Robin - 2

Bullfinch - 4

Blue Tit - 4

Great Tit 4

Goldfinch 2 disappointing

Nuthatch 2

Coal Tit 2

Song Thrush 1

Blackbird 1

Made up to see a Song Thrush sadly so rare these days.

50 years ago if Id been doing this Id have chucked out some bread, had a string of monkey nuts hung up and a handful of Swoop on the path.Id have had loads of Sparrows, Starlings maybe a Blue Tit and Blackbird or two possibly a Song Thrush and the odd Greenfinch on the nuts as well.

How times have changed. Im not sure whats more depressing really. The fact I can actually go back 50 years or the sad demise of the once common House Sparrow.



__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Grey Wagtail spotted yesterday afternoon in The Woods adjacent to my house hopping on the logs in one of the stagnant ponds.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Out for a walk this morning. I spent a good 5 minutes watching a Song Thrush collecting a beak full of worms by Pony Dick Bridge. It then flew off into Winstanley Park. A very early nesting attempt it would appear.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Heard my first Chiffchaff of the year at Pemberton Station yesterday morning.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 16
Date:

I have the same racket in the trees at the back of my house,.........its grey squirrels.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

MJKeating wrote:

Over the past couple of weeks I've heard a squarking noise at the back of the house after dark. Tonight it started off about 7pm and has been active since. Actually seems louder as I type this. It sounds like a Sparrowhawk but I'm not 100% sure. Does anyone know what this could be in the area? Sounds like it's either on Triangle Valve or near St Matthew's Church.

Tempted to go walking to get closer but don't think I'd be any the wiser!





There are loads of Pheasants about at the minute especially on the path near the railway line and in the woods across the little bridge at the bottom of Celadine.They are very vocal as well so I imagine that's what you heard.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 75
Date:

Over the past couple of weeks I've heard a squarking noise at the back of the house after dark. Tonight it started off about 7pm and has been active since. Actually seems louder as I type this. It sounds like a Sparrowhawk but I'm not 100% sure. Does anyone know what this could be in the area? Sounds like it's either on Triangle Valve or near St Matthew's Church.

Tempted to go walking to get closer but don't think I'd be any the wiser!

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Song Thrush numbers seem to be on the up in Highfield.

Each time I've taken Archie for a walk in the woods near Winstanley Park for the last week or so I've seen at least 3 or 4 Song Thrushes every time.

I haven't seen one in the woods for years and it's great to see them again.

When we first moved here in 1988 they were common and I had no snails in the garden. Now you can't move for snails.............hmm

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Had a walk from my house up to the motorway bridge at the top of Windy Arbour this morning at 7.30.Saw loads of birds because the roads were so quiet and I was the only person about.

I can't believe the numbers of Wood Pigeons. One or two every 10 yards it seemed all the way up and back. Loads of Blackbirds as well about every 100 yards there was one or two foraging on the grass verges. There was a large party of Rooks in the horse field. Not sure where they would have come from as there are no Rookeries in the vicinity.The nearest one is Appley Bridge. There was also a pair of Lapwings displaying over the large farmers field and they were also doing battle with a party of LBB Gulls. Nice to see several Starlings and House Sparrows as I don't get them in the garden. Loads of Goldfinches in the trees.Blue and Great Tits about.Heard Dunnocks, Robins, Wren,Chiffchaff and Pheasant. Jackdaw over and several Collard Doves. Also A couple of Carrion Crows.One appeared to be standing guard over a large nest at the top of the hill.

Had a pair of Bullfinches on my feeders this morning as well.

Nothing exotic but a healthy bird population for a main road.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Out for a walk in the woods adjacent to Winstanley Park. this morning. Spotted a Song Thrush. At least 3 Chiff Chaffs heard singing. Saw a Mallard with 11 ducklings on the lower pond of The Summersales Minewater Drainage Project. The lakes are totally fenced in so they should be fairly safe. Pair of Coots and a Moorhen on the pond as well.

I was stood on a wall looking at the ponds and a low flying Kestrel came down the path just over my head - brilliant.

Found my first nest of the year this morning. Blackbird sitting on 4 eggs. Fingers crossed.

A good start to the weekend.

Come on Latics !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Chiffchaff heard in the trees by the front garden at 8:30 this morning and then another heard at Pemberton Station at 08:40.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

A Heron landed in the field adjacent to my garden yesterday afternoon. It was checking out the developing reed beds at the Summersales Minewater Reclamation Project.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Cock pheasant strutting proudly by the side of Pemberton Road near the white cottages at 5.30pm tonight.

Hope it's not road kill when I go to work in the morning.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Delighted this morning.

A pair of Siskins on the feeders. The first in the garden for about 15 years.

Also 3 Nuthatch,several Goldfinches and Long Tailed Tits, Blue,Great and Coal Tits a Chaffinch and hurray a House Sparrow !!!!

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

The snow has brought me some fantastic sights this weekend.

8 Goldfiches and 6 Long Tailed Tits at the same time yesterday and this morning.

Also 3 Bullfinches this morning 2 male, 1 female. 2 Nuthatches and loads of Blue and Great Tits plus a couple of Coal Tits.

Saw a Song Thrush as well this morning as well as several Blackbirds and a Robin.

Mistle Thrushes in the garden yesterday.

Not a single Sparrow or Starling to be seen anywhere ??

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

A record.

15:55 on 20/01/2013

9 Long Tailed Tits on the fat balls.

Fantastic.

-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Sunday 20th of January 2013 03:58:05 PM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Loads of activity on my feeders this Winter.

Currently 7 goldfinches on the sunflower hearts and niger seed.

About 20 minutes ago we had 6 or 7 Long Taled Tits on the fatballs.

Regular visitors include Great,Blue and Coal Tits. I've also had a few visits from either a Willow or Marsh Tit but not sure which.

Nuthatch - a pair and Chaffinch are regular visitors. Not seen any Woodies for a while though since I moved the feeders closer to the kitchen window. I must be scary !!

Tawny Owl very vocal a couple of nights this week as well.

Also not Highfield but when I was leaving Latics yesterday there must have been around 100 Pied Wagtails in the tree outside First Choice at Robin Park.

-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Sunday 6th of January 2013 11:24:24 AM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Heard the first Tawny Owl since July last year in the trees adjacent to my back garden last night.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

The Highlight in my local wood today was a pair of Wagtails flittng from sunken log to log in the stagnant pool in the centre of the wood.

They weren't Pied so I can only assume they were Grey Wagtails although they seemed to be similarly marked but I couldn't get close enough due to Archie running about and scaring them off to the other side of the pond. I've seen Greys on the stream before though. Not reallty the habitat for Yellow Wagtails I guess????



__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

In the woods at the back of my house yesterday afternoon, a Buzzard landed on a tree branch about 100 yards away from me. I was unable to get closer though as there was a stream and a barbed wire fence between us.

We watched each other for a good 5 minutes before he/she flew further into the wood.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Thought I should mention that I saw a Song Thrush on my estate one morning last week.

The first one for several years . I hope it finds its way to my garden.I need help with all these bloody snails !!

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Out for a walk up the hill towards the motorway bridge at Winstanley last night.Walked back via Pine view.Goldfinches everywhere at least 15-20 heard and seen.

Also delighted to spot a pair of Greenfinches 2 streets away on my Estate checking out a tall conifer for a potential nest site I presume. The first I've seen in Highfield for about 5 years !!!

Still no Starlings around here though !!



-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Tuesday 17th of April 2012 08:21:06 AM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

I heard the first Chiffchaff of the year yesterday morning in the wood across the stream from my house.We've lived here since 1988 and I still don't know the name of it !!!!

The Bullfinch was back again this morning.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 29th of March 2012 11:05:07 PM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

A very good day on the feeders so far today.

The highlight so far is a male Bullfinch.

Also

Pr goldfinches,
3 Long Tailed Tits
Great Spotted Woodie
Nuthatch
Pr Collard Doves
Woodpigeon
Pr Robins
Pr Dunnock
House Sparrow
Pr Blackbirds
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Loads of Great Tits

Chaffinches adjacent pinking away but I guess they don't like the food on offer!!

What do they like anyway??

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Not really Highfield but when I was on my way home from work last Thursday around 5.30 on the s-bends between Billinge and Windy Arbour a Barn Owl flew across the road in front of my car from one farmers field to another.

My first ever live Barn Owl in the wild!!!

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Just back from hols all feeders empty thanx to elder daughter. Filled them all but not a sausage turned up yesterday.

However this morning so far

Pair Nuthatch

Pair Collard Doves - making a comeback after 18 months.

Female Great Spotted Woodie

Female Chaffinch

Blue, Great and Coal Tits

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

There was a very vocal Tawny Owl in the trees adjacent to my garden at 1.00am this morning.

-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Sunday 10th of July 2011 01:08:45 PM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

So far today in the garden

3 Goldfinches
1 pair Nuthatches
1 pair Mistle Thrush
Greater Spotted Woodie
Collard Dove
Pr Wood Pigeon
Several Blackbirds - adult and juvenile
Loads of Blue and Great tits
Coal Tit
Wren
Jay
Magpie

Also 2 Warblers scrapping outside the kitchen window in the same Elder I saw the Blackcaps recently.Either Chiff Chaffs or Willow Warblers - probably the former.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Even more delighted and totally amazed to have a male Bullfinch on my garden seed tray for a good 10 minutes around 6pm tonight.

What a beautiful bird.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Delighted and amazed to watch a male Blackcap feeding a fledgling in an Elderberry bush opposite my kitchen window this morning.

It was worth being up at 6.50am just to observe this.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Loads of activity this evening in my garden.

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker attacking the fat block and taking big chunks to feed young I presume.

Adult Blue Tit with 3 fat little fledglings.

Pair Great Tits.

Pair Goldfinches on the Niger Feeder.

2 Male House Sparrows

Pair Wood Pigeons

Hen Chaffinch.

Robin

Nuthatch earlier.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Just been out with Archie - the worlds cutest dog

Delighted to spot a female Grey Wagtail on the stream 200 yards from my back garden!!biggrin.gif

-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Monday 2nd of May 2011 05:44:56 PM

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Our street Swallows arrived back yesterday - the first I've seen this year.

I also witnessed what appeared to be a stand off between 2 male Great Spotted Woodpeckers fighting over my fat balls.

Amazing isn't it I can't find a common or garden Starling for love nor money but I get woodpeckers in the garden!!!!!

The worlds gone mad !!!!!!smile.gif

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Pair Goldfinches, Pair Long Tailed Tits, pair Robins,Pair Chaffinch,Great Tit,Coal Tit, Dunnock all on the feeders or surrounding ground this morning. Just back from a walk in Winstanley Wood. Pair Mallard in the wood,Heron over,Chiffchaffs - at least 3. New Woodpecker hole which I will now keep a keen eye on ,2 new Magpie nests. Pheasant heard. No other nests found as yet.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Great Spotted Woody on the fat balls. Fantastic site to start the day !!smile.gif

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

A day of firsts today First Chiff Chaff of the year heard at 9.15 this morning in the trees by my house.. Secondly the first Goldfinch on the niger feeder after 2 weeks.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 2653
Date:

dave broome wrote:

6 Whooper Swans flew NW over Tunstall Lane at just before 5:20 this afternoon and onwards over Pemberton





I wonder if these are the same birds from Elton this a.m. if so then where have they been all day?
Cheers Ian

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 2841
Date:

6 Whooper Swans flew NW over Tunstall Lane at just before 5:20 this afternoon and onwards over Pemberton

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Buzzard over Pemberton Road at 9.05 this morning.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

It's great where I live I don't have to leave the house.

Just looking out of the kitchen windows drinking tea and listening to Wishbone Ash. aww.gif

So far this morning

Mistle Thrush back and forth to the bird feeders every couple of minutes - obviously has young to feed.

Nuthatch

2 House Sparrows

Robin

Wren

Blackbird

Magpie

Wood Pigeon

Chiff Chaff - heard not seen.



__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Thanx for the reply Bill.

The rise of the Wood Pigeon. They don't seem to be as timid either.We have a pair in the tree outside my office in St Helens.They seem to spend the day either billing and cooing or intently watching whoever is eating something.

The number of exposed Pigeon/Dove nests in St Helens Town Centre after last Autumns leaf fall was quite staggering really.



__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 1025
Date:

Neil Ferguson wrote:

Just bobbed up from emptying the washing machine and Just also had a pair of Wood Pigoen on the back lawn. Amazing really, 5 years ago we couldn't move for Collard Doves around here. Now loads of Wood Pigeon and I haven't seen a Collard Dove for about 18 months.

Hi Neil,

I read your post on Collared Doves and Woodpigeons with some interest. Where I live in Chaddeton, Oldham there was a noticeable winter influx of Woodpigeons during the harsh wintry weather. This in itself was unusual but the expectation was that they would clear off once the breeding season loomed. This hasn't been the case! And for the first time that I can recall I have breeding Woodpigeons viewable from the house...not one...but two pairs in gardens either side of where I live - one can be clearly seen sat on a fairly exposed nest in a Scots Pine and the other nest is in a medium sized Leyllandii. I think the Woodpigeon population must be at an all time high and they have come into niches that the Collared Dove has exploited for a good few decades and are probably now out-competing them. Maybe this is one of the reasons that Collared Doves are starting to nest build in unusual locations - like on satellite dishes..because all the premier sites are now being taken by Woodpigeons? Maybe the inexorable rise and spread of the Collared Dove is coming to an end? worry.gif

Cheers,

Bill.



-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Thursday 29th of April 2010 04:06:54 PM

__________________
GREATER MANCHESTER NEEDS YOUR BIRD SIGHTINGS!


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Just bobbed up from emptying the washing machine and was delighted and amazed to see a male Blackcap on my garden fence 4 feet from the kitchen window.

I've also just seen what appeared to be a light brown Jay!! It still had the blue wing patch and the black and white bars but the rest of the plumage was beige rather than pink!!!

Just also had a pair of Wood Pigoen on the back lawn. Amazing really, 5 years ago we couldn't move for Collard Doves around here. Now loads of Wood Pigeon and I haven't seen a Collard Dove for about 18 months.

Our resident street Swallows arrived back on Sunday.

Heard Chiff Chaff and Goldfinch whilst pegging out the washing.

__________________


Status: Offline
Posts: 197
Date:

Hello everybody. My first obs post - the first of many I hope.

Just back from a stroll in the woods at the Highfield edge of Winstanley Country Park.

Just the usual suspects

5 Magpies fighting over a new nest
Carrion Crow
2 Jays
Chiffchaff
2 Robins
Wren
Mistle Thrush
2 Dunnock
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Chaffinch
3 Wood Pigeon
2 Mallards on the stream.

The pair of Grey Wagtails present on the stream last week appear to have been scared off by the late afternoon/early evening "Chav" activity. The good weather has seen them emerge from beneath whatever rock they spent the winter under unfortunately.furious.gif

-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Sunday 11th of April 2010 11:04:36 AM

-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Monday 12th of April 2010 08:12:58 AM

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

RODIS

 

This forum is dedicated to the memory of Eva Janice McKerchar.