Late news: I was given a report of a Great Crested Grebe that was found on playing fields in Cadishead last week. It was rescued and released successfully on the M/cr Ship Canal.
Burleigh Rd. Stretford, street tree feeders. - Sparrowhawk returned at 2.45pm . This time the feeders were occupied by about 15 goldfinch, which scattered but the sparrowhawk singled one out and a short chase followed , with the goldfinch twisting and turning to eventually (whilst still calling) evade it's persuer . The defeated sparrowhawk retired to the birch tree again, before setting off after the Chester rd. "Kebab shop(s)" pigeons c50. I'm not sure about any outcome as the birds involved all dissappeard behind the rooftops and chimney stacks of Gorse Hill. But great to watch (unless you're a golfinch or ferral pigeon).
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Sunday 16th of October 2016 03:47:16 PM
Burleigh Rd. Stretford, Street tree feeders. - Sparrowhawk flew past the vacant feeders (as I'd just disturbed all the finches when I filled them, then gave the pavement a good sweeping because of the dropped seed getting wet and crushed under foot becoming slippy ). The unlucky Sparrowhawk landed in a nearby Birch tree but didn't linger.
3 Redwing flocks seen on commute to work this am. c.30 south over Mossley common, c.60 south east near Worsley garden centre and 42 (sat stationary so could count!) south over washway road.
Burleigh Rd. Stretford, street tree feeders - Young Goldfinch still begging food off parents in the tree canopy, with other young already on the feeders taking their own seed , together with two Greenfinch (10-15 birds in total ) . Also a lightning visit by a Sparrowhawk (which didn't manage a kill) , leaving to circle high above Chester rd.
Burleigh Rd. street tree feeders, Stretford. Standing on the doorstep after filling the feeders at 11.15am this morning I noticed the "clean-up crew" of feral pigeons sat on my roof suddenly departed with a loud clap of communal wings, followed by a swift evacuation of the feeders by c10 goldfinch....20 seconds later a Sparrowhawk glided leisurely past the feeders and landed 20m away in a Beech tree , stayed a moment then glided back past, on the other side of the Beech hedge adjacent the feeders , again landing but in one of the tall Birch trees 20 m away. It stayed 30 seconds or more looking over its shoulder (could have been at me maybe) before it left. A great sight in this built up area . Less than 5 minutes later everything was back to normal, ie goldfinches on feeders, pigeons on the pavement WATCHING a cat trying to sneak up on them ....as if .
Pinmill Brow/Fairfield Street early afternoon today- one Buzzard (mobbed by a Crow for a bit before being left to it's own devices). Not seen one so close to the City Centre before.
Burleigh Rd, Stretford, street tree feeders - 3 young goldfinch begging and chasing adults around tree eventually getting to the feeders and being joined by a mobile flock c25 of other goldfinches mainly juveniles who don't stay long but keep returning after a while . Not seen any Greenfinch over the last few days .
Approx 5.00 - 5.30pm. Quick stop at Redgate Recycling in Gorton on way back from a full day delivering in town.
Plenty of usual large Gulls around but one of particular interest just happened to land right near where I was parked. Taking everything into consideration I initially thought Yellow-legged Gull. But I'm always cautious now with Gulls so I wasn't prepared to stick my neck on the line and call it. Maybe I should've done! Many thanks to Ian and hopefully no issues with the Rarity Committee's decision as and when, it looks like a 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull.
Burleigh Rd. Stretford street tree feeders - 4 young goldfinch begging and chasing parent around the tree and finally finding the feeders. They don't quite know what to do when they get there but soon get the hang of it even if they are a bit clumsy and take ages eating each seed .
Juvenile Bullfinch seen in Garden at Gretna Road, Atherton whilst working this week. Also a Pair of Collared Doves in and out of a nest. If you can call it a Nest looks like a couple of twigs.
ring necked parakeet , present in my garden for the last month, feeds on the coconut shells plus the peanuts seems quite content , just comes and go's....
Burleigh rd . Stretford ,Street tree feeders. Lots of young birds attending the feeders this week; Blue tits,Great Tits, Goldfinch and Greenfinch (the majority being gold and greenfinches). Two adult Goldfinch turnded up earlier today with 5 young at the feeders , all begging food. One by one the clumsey young ones found how to use the feeders. But as they were feeding a Magpie flew in with it's feet raised; I wasn't sure if it grabbed one . I found it with it's own young one when another adult bird turned up and helped feed it, but not with a goldfinch as 5 young goldfinch returned for more sunflower hearts .
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Sunday 26th of June 2016 04:30:19 PM
Burleigh rd Stretford, street tree feeders. 5 fledged Blue Tits chasing adults to the feeders again. The adults were breaking up the sunflower seed and feeding it to the young but not always, sometimes giving whole seeds. One youngster tried pecking at a seed between its feet but dropped it. Again young Gold and Greenfinch in ones and twos in attendance, plus the 6 Starlings which seem to be a family group with 4 young . A Great Tit was also present briefly plus a Blackbird taking cherries .
Yesterday S13.06 2.06.16 Street tree feeders, Burliegh rd . Stretford - About 5 fledged Blue Tits being fed by adults in tall Birch trees at Greatstone Appartments adjacent the feeders. (spotted by Leon , a neighbour ). The Cherry Tree with the feeders is now producing fruit (which taste really bitter , yuk !) and gangs of Starling keep arriving for the fruit , usually around 6. As well as 1 Mistle Thrush , 2 Woodpigeon and lots of feral pigeon. On the feeders - Goldfinch young in 1's and 2's plus adults . Greenfinch young also in 1's and 2's plus adults . Also nice to see a young House Sparrow being fed , as well as 2 adults taking seed from the feeders. 2 Blackbird (m) also taking fruit . Ps. 4 adult Lesser Black-back Gulls came in low over the tree several times but didn't land. Also no sign of the young Blue Tits today mon13.06.16 .
Burleigh rd Stretford, Steet Tree feeders, Just seen a fledged Goldfinch begging food off adults. I heard it last week and also midweek but couldn't find it. It's fairly early to find one compared to last year .
Friday 27.05.16 Feral pigeon with Pink shoulders still outside the old post office ,Kingsway, Stretford feeding on bread with about 50 others at 5.45pm. Looks like it's gonna get it's p45 if it ever gets back to it's loft.
Saw a feral pigeon feeding with others on the grass outside the old Stretford post office adjacent Kingsway./>It had a mainly dappled white body but PINK shoulders !!! Do pigeon keepers spray their birds ? There was another pigeon with it wearing a Blue ring on its right Leg.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Wednesday 25th of May 2016 08:23:39 PM
Sounds like a couple of racing pigeons slumming it with the locals
Saw a feral pigeon feeding with others on the grass outside the old Stretford post office adjacent Kingsway./>It had a mainly dappled white body but PINK shoulders !!! Do pigeon keepers spray their birds ? There was another pigeon with it wearing a Blue ring on its right Leg.
-- Edited by phillipskelly on Wednesday 25th of May 2016 08:23:39 PM