200 + Fieldfare flew NE at dusk

Small flock of redwings in the paddock at Whittaker lane entrance. Found another Harris's hawk, def different bird from last year as this one has bells on its anklets. Full crop so obviously managing to feed well.

-- Edited by Ivan Ellison on Tuesday 8th of December 2015 02:29:18 PM

over 3000 Redwing flew over the park this morning some very high... the biggest flock 500+

3 skeins of pink-footed geese east 30, 50 & 100

Also a large white heron (possibly Great White Egret) was picked up too late flying north towards Simister but dropped down and was lost behind trees

Hobby south over the park
500+ Swallow SE
6 Common Buzzards
17 Siskin east
Great spotted woodpecker
Treecreeper
Stock dove

This bodes well for my garden then. I have a male visiting everyday. He calls noisily from the tree tops and feeds on peanuts and fruit. With three more nearby he may well pull the others in. Thanks Simon for this info.

2 Siskin flew over the highland cattle field
15 House martin feeding over same area

No sign since 11-56am.
Dave Ousey

As Alan says both Red Rumped Swallows still present just after 11am and showing very well at times, best place to view is along the path just before the trees appear on the right hand side. They are feeding over the reservoir and over the trees and giving views even identifiable with the naked eye at times! I only know this as i nipped out of work and then remembered my bins were at home as i had been off yesterday!! A massive thanks to Andy Makin for the loan of his bins to have some better looks at these two though and i would not recomend the no optics approach as it is so frustrating when trying to pick them up again.

good news is very few swallows present with the mainly Sand martin flock so stood out like a sore thumb!

Bad news, cloud breaking so may get up higher!



-- Edited by Andy Isherwood on Friday 17th of April 2015 12:00:54 PM

Both Red-rumped Swallows still present in the original location at 10:40

Info thanks to Brian Fielding

Two Red-rumped Swallow currently at Heaton Park Reservoir, flying over fields at the northern side of the reservoir; take Bridle Road which runs East off Heywood Road, between the northern side of the reservoir and the school to view the area. Bird has also occasionally flown over the reservoir too.

Info thanks to Simon Johnson

from the park

over 3,000 Fieldfare flew SW this morning with some very impressive flocks
2 Bullfinch near mast
Great spotted Woodpecker
Nuthatch
Ring-necked parakeet - heard near st Margaret's road entrance

250 Lapwing seen heading west out towards pilsworth

Bernard,

I notice that you didn't mentioning frightening all the lads up at Watergrove by turning up with no teeth in whilst the same said gnashers were putting the breeze uo the dog-walkers in the car-park by smiling at them off your dash-board !

So that's two double whammys you've had in one day.

Roger.

Buzzard just east of the Park on the other side of the M60 north of Junction 19 at 13.00. Making good use of the wind to scan the woods below it.

-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Friday 10th of October 2014 08:06:43 PM

North end of park

Whimbrel south
Buzzard
Peregrine landed on nearby pylon
Kestrel on BT tower
Female Sparrowhawk
27 Greenfinch
20 Goldfinch

Large numbers of hirundines including 230 House Martin sw
398 Swift south

The highlight from this afternoon's visit was a pair of Sparrowhawks on the thermals together, plus 2 then 1 Swift 5+ Blackcap and 1 singing Chiffchaff - the tamest squirrels around live here - scary even as I'm not used to them being nipping distance!

Areas visited mainly around boating lake,lakeside woods,old swimming pool,Dell and surroundings.
Pleasant morning walk.
Large numbers of the commoner passerines.
Good numbers of Nuthatch,Treecreeper,Chiffchaff and several Blackcaps.
Willow Warbler heard near east side of boating lake.
A single Swallow seen near Rose gardens.

Things fairly quiet in the park around lunchtime today,but heard a Chiffchaff near the old outdoor swimming pool

In heavy showers

wheatear - male
38 Sand Martin
Curlew over
Buzzard
3 Stock Dove

Hour or so today. Not as warm as previous days, but some good rewards.

Main boating lake - 2 drake Pochards together doing plenty of diving, plus 5 Tufted Ducks and two Mute Swans

Forest/woods - Coal Tit and Nuthatch heard.

A M Sparrowhawk briefly over the beehives near BT tower

Two Goldcrests with brief song in conifers alongside reservoir

Half a dozen Mistle Thrush sitewide, and a singing Song Thrush showing well in a treetop.



-- Edited by John Doherty on Wednesday 5th of March 2014 04:17:43 PM

JamieDunning wrote:

---

Kumlien's gull reported throughout today, presumably on res?
any further info?

---

Viewing the reservoir for the evening gull roost is possible from outside the perimeter fence by the BT tower but is likely to be frustrating. There is absolutely no access to the reservoir without a permit or a key (supplied to permit holders) for the access gate though I'm afraid.

I almost forgot! I also saw a Fox in the park today-first one for ages.

Sunny,with a strong cold wind.Mid-morning walk.

On boating lake:
Great-crested Grebe x 1,[1st.winter]
Cormorant x 1
Pochard x 7,[M x6 F x 1]
Goosander x 2,[M x 1,F x 1]
Herring Gull x 1,[1st.winter]
Common Gull x 9,[including several 1st. winters]
+ usuals.

Elsewhere in park:
Grey Heron x 2,[Golly pond]
At least 24 Redwing on the horse field.
In the woods near the old outdoor swimming pool, good numbers of Jay, Wren, mixed Tit flocks including Nuthatch and Treecreeper ,all showing well, and good views of a Wood mouse there also.

Yesterday 

150 Redwing near the tram stop entrance with a single Fieldfare and lots of Starlings

2 Buzzard north area of park

lots of birds singing Great tit Mistle Thrush etc

-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Saturday 11th of January 2014 07:29:05 AM

Pleasant mid-morning stroll.

On boating lake:
Cormorant x 1
Pochard x 2,[M]
Goosander x 3
Common Gull x 3
+ usuals.

Elsewhere:
Buzzard x 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 2
Pied Wagtail x 2
Mistle Thrush x 3
Redwing x 1
Plenty of the usuals.The Jay count just seems to be going up and up!