15.45-17.00 The mossland NR was largely birdless apart from the odd Woodpigeon, a few passing gulls, single Buzzard and a lonesome Blue Tit. A stunning display of Scarlet Elf Cup fungi though. Just North of the M62 though a field alongside the River Glaze (Cheshire Side) held a tremendous flock of mi...
Just within the boundaries I think? Sunday afternoon visit in warm sunshine - large numbers of emerald damselfly and black darter particularly around the large pool nearest the footpath / train lines. Singles of small tortoiseshell and peacock on the heather. A baby common lizard was a slight su...
Couldn't find a thread on the canal and I intend to bird it regularly, so here goes: I don't have access to transport so literally, today, I must have covered near 20 miles - I walked from my house in the Collyhurst area all the way to Ashton and back via Drolysden and the Medlock Valley. I saw: A ringed teal...
We have just in, on Commission, a Swarovski ATS65 scope plus 20-60x Zoom eyepiece with stay-on case, box and accessories.It is in excellent condition and is a steal at ONLY £1099. Please call 01925730399 during shop hours to arrange an appointment if you wish to view or buy this scope. All our COVID pr...
A cracking Little Tern today on Winsford Bottom Flash, settling close to shore in a small bay with sand banks, along with 3 Common Sands on the same banks. Cracking photographic opportunities. Park in the car park along Rilshaw Lane, Winsford & walk down to the nearest shore line of the flash. Che...
28/2.
Visited this area of Oldham this afternoon primarily for a walk but was pleased that I had my binoculars when I unexpectedly disturbed 2 Crossbills from a conifer near Grains Bar. I suppose these birds might be from those seen at Dovestones earlier in the winter? - which isn't too far away as th...
We have recently acquired on commission sale a very good condition Swarovski ATX65 Telescope. This has all the boxes and is under 5 years old and so still has half its warranty remaining. The customer wants ONLY £1899for this with the discounted price on our web being currently £2490, so a saving of al...
We have just taken in on commission a Swarovski 85mm front objective section for an ATX/STX scope. This is in excellent condition, hardly used, boxed and has 7 years warranty left. It also comes with a Swarovski Stay-on case worth over £100. This has an RRP of £1408 for the objective plus case, and the s...
We have just taken in, on Commission, a Swarovski ATX Eyepiece Module with genuine Swarovski stay-on case. This is in Mint Condition and is nearly new with still a full 7 years transferrable manufacturers warranty remaining. Both module and stay-on case are boxed. This is a real bargain which shou...
We have just received on commission sale a pair of the original Swarovski 8.5x42 ELs. These are under a 30 year warranty and have over half of that left. They have just been refurbished by Swarovski and gone straight on sale on return, so are in really nice condition. The have a new rainguard and new stra...
The following books are going cheap and are in tip top condition: Raptors of Europe and The Middle East, A Handbook of Field Identification by Dick Forman; simply the raptor bible, a must have! Flight Identification of European Seabirds by Anders Blomdahl, Bertil Breife and Niklas Holmstrom; grou...
Well, today I was finally getting fed up with Netflix, Killer Sudokus, and above all else, the ongoing depressing News, so instead I indulged in daydreams mulling over happy birding in bygone days. One instance came to mind from early October of 1999. Barb and I were on a month long trip with a certain M...
We have this week seen the legal restrictions on certain COVID measures lifted by the English Government. Given that our shop unit has no windows or additional ventilation we have decided to continue with our current COVID protocols for the safety of staff and customers. The appointment system rem...
I have just taken in, on commission, a cracking pair of compact binoculars that will not be with us for long in my opinion. They are Swarovski 8x25 CL Pockets in green. They are boxed, have all the accessories and still have 9 years of their original 10 year warranty left on them. Most importantly they ar...
We have a pair of the compact bins which I consider to be the top compacts and the only ones that I personally would use in serious birding rather than just for the convenience of size and weight. They are the Swarovski 10x25 CL Pockets and are on commission sale at ONLY £399. The current RRP is £660 and the...
With a drake ruddy shelduck currently at Hope Carr, I just wondered what the latest thinking is regarding this species. My understanding is that the species is not on the British list and therefore obviously can't be a Manchester tick or any other tick! All records are usually considered to be escape...
Near the Veledrome Prickly Lettuce, Common Mallow, Common Centuary, Dyers Rocket, Gypsywort, Skullcap, Water Mint Water Dock, Water forgetmenot, Yellow and Purple Loosestrife, Petty Spurge, Common Fumitary, Field Bindweed, Yarrow, Marsh Woundwort, Shepherds Purse, ORANGE BALSAM Wall Rue...
Blackley Forest, the remnant of a Norman Deer Park (alas now little more than a wood) stands on the east bank of the Irk opposite Heaton Park. Directly to the north the Irk flows past Rhodes Lodges and Alkrington woods, whilst to the south and east it bends round and runs parralel to Blackley New Road. Th...
Late am/pm with Simon Ghilks Speckled Wood abundant Red Admiral An impressive showing of Fly Agaric on Hobson Moor Road, we were disappointed to discover that it appeared someone had taken the best specimen when we passed on our way back
We have a pair of the highly regarded Zeiss 8x42 Victory SF Binoculars on commission sale. The seller is asking £1529 for these which are boxed with full accessories and in good condition. The RRP of these is £2200 and even when discounted is around £2000, so a big saving from new. More details on our web...
We have on Commission Sale a beautiful pair of the sought after Leica 8x42 Noctivids. These are in excellent condition and come with all accessories, but no box. They have an additional cleaning cloth too. The have a small mark on the hinge where a tripod mount was attached but otherwise look almost un...
We have on commission sale an economical pair of binoculars which is something we don't often get in! They are the Nikon Prostaff 3s 10x42 variant and are boxed as new and come with all the accessories. We don't have a Nikon account but all our main rivals are selling these new for £134, the seller is aski...
Just back from a few very enjoyable days birding at Lakenheath. Highlights were the Golden Oriole 2m 1f, Bittern, Crane, Little Egret, Cuckoos everywhere, numerous Marsh Harrier, Cettis Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler and of course the primary reason for my visit, the Hobby, although most of the 70...
Broad-leaved Helleborine - I do a yearly count of this plant growing on the old railway line between Godley and Apethorn Lane, Hyde. Best counts up to and inc. 2011 have been 52 flowering spikes. This year has been exceptional with 107 flowering spikes counted yesterday and a considerable extension...
Late report from 16/6/21 of a Curlew seen from the Runway Viewing Park and heard calling south of main runway. Has also been seen and/or heard on 2 previous visits in May. Possible nesting?
Was way up in the North of Scotland this week and took half a days leave to get some birding in on the way back to the airport. Didn't quite go to plan as there was a whiteout and some scary driving conditions which meant I had to stick to the coast rather than go eagle spotting...
Highlights:
Perfect gr...
