The Sandstone Trail runs for 34 miles roughly north/south from Frodsham, in Cheshire to Whitchurch, just over the county boundary in Shropshire. Apart from the last three or four miles, the trail is in Cheshire. We did the first section in January starting in Frodsham centre, up to Overton Hill and t...
Now I have always had a passion for corvids and recently the Hooded Crow is making a weekly entrance into my notebooks, I cannot get bored of this beauty, and it has now crossed my mind that this bird seems very settled, I have seen joggers screaming kids on bikes and barking dogs under the tree, while thi...
Just back from an 11 night tour of Sri Lanka. This is a brief overview, I hope to write a full trip report in due course. I organised the ground arrangements through the well recommended "Walk with Jith" and found them to be faultless and willing to 'go the extra mile'. For example arranging, free of char...
"Birds of the Western Palearctic' by Snow and Perrins (Oxford University Press) Volumes 1 & 2 £50 Pick up only (Wigan area) Weighs a ton ! Phone Les on 07760 343773 -- Edited by Les Steele on Thursday 15th of February 2018 04:29:57 PM
Sylvia Warblers by Shirihai, Gargallo, and Helbig £20 Raptors of the World by Ferguson-Lees and Christie £10 Ring Les on 07760 343773 -- Edited by Les Steele on Thursday 15th of February 2018 04:22:19 PM
Three male Goosander on the middle reservoir today. Several coots, one on nest site Two moorhens Many Canada Geese Three pairs of mallard In park pair of nuthatches 3 blue tits.
Dear forum I have a copy of the above in pdf format. If anyone is interested I can email them a copy 14mb . Feel free to send me a private message containing your email address. Best wishes
A dead Fox at the side of the road last night was a sad sight, roughly opp the Car showrooms -- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 3rd of February 2018 10:39:54 PM
Hiya all, just a quick reminder and for those that haven't read the news on our dedicated section of these Forums, that Focalpoint Optics have moved premises. We are the main sponsor of these forums and regularly welcome many members from here into our shop. Regulars will have noticed recently that t...
Exciting news, we are relocating to new warmer premises, something I personally will welcome having sat shivering here during the cold spells this Winter The move is forced due to lack of maintenance of the current premises by our landlord, despite repeated requests. Also the expansion of Chesh...
Just seen on the BBC local news that a flood relief area has been created on 12 acres of land at Lower Kersal on a loop of the River Irwell in what was possibly part of the old racecourse area?.It's described as an "Urban wetland area" and looking on Google Earth looks like a series of scrapes and pools whic...
As a long time birder( well, 40 years ish) I have only recently been looking at Internet birding and to be honest ,have found it quite inspirational.. reading what other folk get up to each day and what they see has certainly made me pull my finger out and get back into birding again. reading the accounts...
Hi all, I am currently looking to buy a 2nd hand Canon 100-400mm Mk1 lens for a 2 week trip to Tanzania I am taking at the end of this month. Please get in touch if you are looking to sell, or know anyone that might be! Many thanks Eugene
Hi everyone,
I am just doing a little research for my father who is now starting to struggle with his current hearing aids (from the nhs) and missing a lot of calls and song, which frustrates him, particularly when hes out with someone like me whos hearing it, as it flags the issue more.
Does anyone e...
A casual stand of water on Jackson's Lane, Hazel Grove, opposite Arundel Avenue. It just may attract some waders over the coming weeks. Today's sightings: Teal 2 Mallard 2 Grey Heron 1 Canada Goose 4 Greylag Goose 9 (probably straight from the nearby farm) Cheers John -- Edited by John Rayner on Tuesd...
I notice that a couple of stalwart forum members have recently really put their backs into doing a 'Big GM Year'. I was wondering if either Dave or Ian was likely to write up an account of the trials and tribulations of seeing 170+ species in the county in a year? I for one would love to hear about it as the ex...
Radio 4's Infinite Monkey Cage was about bird behaviour today- didn't catch all of it, but what I did hear was interesting. Here's the link should anyone want to listen to it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09ly26f
- A birdwatching guide to Extremadura by John Muddeman, and A birdwatching guide to Mallorca by Graham Hearl - some notation otherwise excellent condition - £30 ring Les on 07760 343773 -- Edited by Les Steele on Saturday 13th of January 2018 08:29:36 AM
For sale - Nikon ED82 fieldscope with 25x to 75 x zoom eyepiece - comes with case, tripod, and hide mount - excellent condition £600 - phone Les on 07760 343773
Afternoon All, Are there any murmurations happening local to Manchester, worst case up to 50 mile away? I am asking on behalf of a local lady, whom has an elderly relative who cannot walk great distances wanting to see one. Have pointed out Blackpool, Martin Mere and Marbury/Neumann Flash, but was wo...
I have recently returned to birding after twenty years away. So imagine my delight when I came accross this forum. Lot's of local infomation, maps and everything. Just what I needed to get me going again. Well done!
I live on Crankwood Rd, and my garden backs onto Crankwood. So I thought you may be inte...
"Stunning for Who?" I'll confess I am a newbie here and not really a birder - but I do love birds! I'm concerned (for several reasons) about planned tall buildings in central Manchester. Could we be overlooking the effects of light pollution on birds? I commented on the Messenger thread (It is an ex...
Walk from Doctors Gate across to Alport Moor and back. The fauna on the high moor in winter consists of mainly of Red Grouse. Red Grouse appear numerous. A Buzzard soared high above the moor, and a female Kestrel hunted close to the A57. A 30 minute scan across the conifer woodland at Lady Clough produce...
I had some interesting reports of plants The woods themselves were pretty normal Wood Aven, Enchanter Nightshade, Herb Robert etc. The entrance to the Cemmy gave a bit more Meadow Cranesbill, Tufted Vetch, Teasel, Common St Johnswort and then some that looked like they had been introduced Betony,...
The January 2018 edition of British Birds includes a paper on the status in Britain of the Mute Swan colour morph known as Polish swan. It includes a map and table of records by county from 1973-2016. The Polish swan occurs chiefly down the eastern counties of Britain, though there are records elsewhe...
Many of you will already know, but just a reminder that we are closed at Focalpoint for a little longer over the festive period than usual. We are in all week this week, normal winter hours of 9.30am-4.30pm, then in on Saturday 23rd from 10am til 3pm or 4pm on demand. We will then re-open on Tuesday Jan 2nd...
Watch the trailer hereAward-winning documentary film partners with UK producer of bird-friendly coffee to raise awareness of the plight of migratory songbirdsFeature length documentary The Messenger explores our deep-seated connection to birds and warns that the uncertain fate of song...