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Anybody know where i can get a cheap handle for my slik tripod as i have lost mine

5 snow buntings - just SW of ainsdale discovery centre, 40 twite at Weld rd carpark, Birkdale, drake scaup at Marshside

Greenbooth - BH Gulls x 45 Mallard x 4. Green Woodpecker calling. Blackbird x 6. Jay x 2 Middle Naden - slowly filling following work on dam. Mallards c 30. Higher Naden - being filled for first time since savage thunderstorm 4.5 years ago that swept out it's upper bridges. Top of valley swathed...

2 Dipper 1 Grey Wagtail 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Heron 1 Mallard 1 Nuthatch 1 Treecreeper plenty of fungi though, including some rare stuff, all on wildlife forum Dave

A record has been submitted to the Bird Atlas of a Marsh Harrier at Uppermill on 13th April 2008. Although the species is not a county rarity (only "scarce") it is definitely rare in this neck of the woods, so I queried the record. The chap who submitted the record says he saw the bird with seve...

Three short eared owls this afternoon on Darwen moor about one mile south of Darwen tower. Great views of birds both flying slowly just above the snow covered heather, and diving down into it from time to time and also perching on posts. Plenty of grouse about. The informetion centre/ cafe along th...

South Manchester parrot explosion continues with 3 (I think adult male) Crimson Rosella's in Whalley Range. Caught up with them on the way home from work tonight, regretably without my camera - they are truly stunning. http://www.avianweb.com/crimsonrosella.html

hi peeps were is the best place to see waxwings in the oldham/saddleworth area thanks -- Edited by kipper1 at 18:18, 2009-01-20

3pm dull, rain threatening Quick visit on my way home. 20 canadas 12 mallard 41 tufties 9 goldeneye 5m 4f all in absolutely prime condition 8 l.t.tits 1 chaffinch 2 magpies Mike

Many thanks to Ian & Adrian for the excellent article. It brought back some great memories as I was there when Adrian took a lot of the photos. It also goes a long way to answering some of the questions we were asking each other by e-mail (in those bygone pre-forum days) about first summer plumage. ...

late reports 2 carrion crows sighted with paler wingbars/patches on willesden avenue,longsight.....on sunday 11 january about 2.30pm a large flock of mixed gulls, herring, lbb, common, b h well over 500 sighted at the heywood turn off m66 at about 12.15 saturday 17 jan another large floc...

A pleasant walk, was twitching some fungi and found some birds along the way 2 Nuthatch 2 treecreeper 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 4 Goldfinch 2 Bullfinch 6 Great Tit 2 Chaffinch. Dave

a.m. - A pair of Mandarins, under trees beyond the bridge on Adlington Reservoir. Also four Teal there, and a Little Grebe. On other reservoirs: Two Little Grebes, three Great Crested Grebes, two Grey Wagtails, a Cormorant, and about 700 assorted gulls, mostly Black-headed, though two hours late...

Am up in Manchester tomorrow visiting family and friends. Where is the best place to see the Ring Neck Parrakeets around south Manchester area. I will be passing through here as I will be going into town first. Cheers! Matt

I am currently forced to spend my time at home in my terraced house and Paul has suggested a 'window list'. So far that would go BH Gull, Magpie, Starling, Feral Pigeon and sometimes House Sparrow. There is not a lot to be seen in such a cramped urban setting. Or so it seems. I think maybe I could get a bird ta...

To help celebrate thirty years of Big Garden Birdwatch, RSPB have teamed up with The Observer newspaper to offer a free 48 page booklet with every copy sold on Sunday 25 January. This illustrated guide is packed full of information about the top 50 birds seen in gardens, and has plenty of ideas to get ki...

I was day off work today and was pleased to get a telephone call from Simon Hitchen, Simon had found a pair of Gadwall, the birds were out in midd water.In general birds at this location dont stay around long too much boat traffic! After seeing the ducks I took a walk over to Whittaker wood, not a lot to say...

Thought I`d start a new one for the long winter nights..................... How many times have you been out birding, minding your own business, and some local yokel comes up to you and starts with the immortal words - "I`ve just seen this strange looking bird............." All manne...

A drake Eider is on the River Roch in Heywood for it's 2nd day roughly below Elbut Wood at grid reference SD840115. The bird can be difficult to see due to accessing the stretch of river it's on but further detailed directions will follow. -- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 08:24, 2009-01-06

I have just been offered a new Canon EOS 450D DSLR with an EF 15-55mm lens. My mum won it in a competition at Xmas and doesnt want or need a new camera so I'm lucky enough to have been given first option and naturally said Yes. Unfortunately I have no knowledge whatsoever of cameras and photography, but am v...

Three male Mandarins, plus a Gadwall and 18 Tufties today on the small bit of the Reservoir not covered in ice. The reservoir is near the junction of Wigan Lane and Mesnes Road, about a hundred yards from the Cherry Gardens.

was walking between offices this morning a always use a path that takes me down to a small river in Bolton (dont know name!)it runs along side of railway line off Fern Street all normal birds about then Spalsh straight in front of me fish in beak Mr king.Made my day anyway.

DRAKE EIDER still present at 1400hrs along same stretch of river as previous postings, bird observed diving close to the bank, also a Dipper feeding up and down the river. Thanks Paul for the directions,spot on.

LITTLE EGRET seen by Paul Cliff at 12:45 flying due east along the B6222 near Fairfield Hospital, Rochdale today. Refound at 14:10 by Paul and David Winnard on a small lodge by a nearby paper mill but then flew to the River Roch and is currently being looked for once again. Info thanks to Paul Cl...

Just read Paul's gloat about predicting the Glossy Ibis this Year. What about predictions for next Years new rarities. Cheers Ian

Due to someone unfortunately having to pull out there is one spare place on the trip.Dates are Fri 27th Feb to Sun. 1st March.Costs are 50 quid for two nights B&B,plus shared cost of petrol.If anyone is interested ,or wants any more info please get in touch. Pete Berry

Hi all, am after a bit of help. I am a bit behind now with the technologies of bins etc and i was wondering if anyone can recommend a cheapish pair that are of a decent quality. My better other half has now got an intrest in birding and i want to get her a pair of bins so we dont have to share my pair and we miss stuf...

On Greenbooth 1 Pink-footed Goose 67 Canada Goose 1 Heron 2 Goosander Dave

Can anyone advise me of the best spots for Owls, I am a new member new on the site. John -- Edited by John Lyon at 19:42, 2009-01-02

Well I'm returning home to Manchester from my families tomorrow :( So thought I'd do a quick write up of what I've managed to see in my time here! Garden - Sparrows (more in the garden than you can shake a stick at) - Coal tit - Great tit - Blue tit - Black headed gull (overhead) - LBB gull (overhead)...