A very windy day on the Quays today, but I wanted to test my new camera lens so I braved the weather and found only the usual birds until a Common Sandpiper popped up whilst next to Sam Platts pub, on the far bank doing a spot of eating.
Pair of Mandarin Ducks on the Manchester Ship Canal early morning by Trafford Road Bridge, male displaying to female, birds were flushed by a rowing boat & flew off NE @ 0735 calling
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John, your post made me have a look over the Quays from my office window, not sure of the time of your sitings but just had male Peregrine circling high over Quays, now heading off over towards Pomona.
1330hrs today - 24 Cormorant in South Bay all jostling on the pontoon inc one of the very white headed birds (assumed older male carbo). Plus one Grey Wag. Also one lone white headed individual in St Louis Bay.
Also one Kingfisher under Sam Platts pub and also, unforturtunately, one Mink. Cheeky little bugger let us approach within 5 metres (poor shots on camera phone - see Manchester Wildlife forum). When the BH Gulls saw him they were up and mobbing, obviously recognise it as a threat.
Did a late WeBS count on the Quays yesterday, went down just before 4pm expecting lots of Gulls. Not a single one !!! Very strange, never seen the Quays totally devoid of Gulls before. It was very quiet ! Of course they are back in force today ! Not sure if there was some form of activity on yesterday that cleared them all off.
Of note was the zero number of cormorant, presumably all gone off to Rostherne to roost. Canada Geese numbers down also, I know there are usually 20-30 in the area so presumably most have moved off to safe roosting sites.
Plus one fly over Peregrine going towards city centre
-- Edited by Nick Hilton on Sunday 19th of September 2010 08:20:08 PM
1 Common Tern still present just west of the Lowry, slightly further downstream from the earlier sighting, at 2pm. Thanks for the info Nick. Also a Herring Gull (2s) present amongst the Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Black-headed Gulls. 2 Skylarks, 3 Lapwings and 2 Oystercatchers (over) at Pomona Docks.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Wednesday 12th of May 2010 03:52:23 PM
WEBS count from the War Museum to Trafford Road bridge at midday; Mallard = 19 Coot = 13 Moorhen = 2 Cormorant = 10 Mute Swan = 30 Canada Goose = 22 B H Gull = 298 Common Gull = 31 LBB Gull = 7
No diving duck today. Unconfirmed report of a "Black" swan on the Quays in the week.
tiny amount of open water mallard coot 20 mute swan 50 canada geese 1 mistle thrush 1 female sparrowhawk 1 male goldeneye giving brilliant views 2 pied wags 1 grey wag massive collection of gulls on frozen ice viewable on river from red swing bridge or bridge between lowry and imperial war museum - about 750 birds: common gull bh gull lbb gbb thought may have had a 1st winter iceland gull but flew off before i could identify What i'm saying is this is a potential hotspot for which i would encourage any gull spotters out there! I'm sure its a gold mine. i just haven't the skills to find the gold!
-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Saturday 9th of January 2010 04:53:44 PM
-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Saturday 9th of January 2010 05:04:35 PM
Interesting behaviour observation on the Quays today, the resident Black Headed Gull flock rose as one and then proceeded to decend on the Quays Rowan Trees and take the berries from the trees whilst on the wing. Not something I've observed before with Gulls !! Theres a good crop this year and was hoping for a couple of Waxwings, at this rate there will be none left !