Lawrence thanks for the early post much appriciated, The bird was showing when I arrived singing perched on top of your chimney pot, viewed from the pavement gave very close views, The species seems to have in this country at least an affinity with interesting period architecture, Supported in this case by the fact it seems to favour your ornate chimney pot above the more functional featureless ones on offer by your neighbours.
-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Saturday 28th of February 2015 11:14:06 AM
I saw the Black Redstart last on Tuesday, but have been working since so have had little time at home. I will have a look tomorrow morning early and post if I see it.
Steven your timing is obviously better than mine, I was there at 8.30am till 8.55am viewing from the grassed area at the end of the back alley, No sign of the bird for me, I gave up in the end as I felt a little self conscious scanning the rooftops in a densly populated area.
Mark, the bird was showing on the chimneys at the back of No 6 at about 10.15 this morning
It tends to spend more time near the other gates at the other end of the alley between my house and the back of Cheshire plumbing supplies. I will let any neighbours know what the various bird watchers are doing if they get concerned, but as yet they have no problem that I have come across. I have seen a number of birders outside my house and have let them through the gates for a look and all has been fine up to now. If I see you I will let you through. As with all residential birds the discretion of the birders is most welcome.
I have just had the Black Redstart and Grey Wagtail feeding in my back yard at 12.00.
Steven
Thanks for the conformation of the sex of the Sparrowhawk. Its good to see them around here more regularly.
Steven your timing is obviously better than mine, I was there at 8.30am till 8.55am viewing from the grassed area at the end of the back alley, No sign of the bird for me, I gave up in the end as I felt a little self conscious scanning the rooftops in a densly populated area.
Black redstart on chimney of Brookfield st at 8.25am it then flew down towards the waste land behind the opposite houses, could not see it though. Whilst waiting for the train at earlestown the chimney is still clearly visible from platform 4 but no signs whilst waiting for the train. Lawrence, there was a female sparrowhawk lingering around the area while I was waiting for the train.
A Sparrowhawk (sex undeterminable as distant) has just flushed the resident flock of Feral Pigeons over the road from my house. This bird was a reasonable size but definitely a Sparrowhawk. Black Redstart still sitting on next doors chimney.
-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Saturday 21st of February 2015 10:33:14 AM
That's possibly the bird I saw, just put it down as a large female sparrowhawk. It went through at the opposite end of the houses from the Black Redstart. I didn't get chance to photograph it.
A very newsworthy report from around 10:30 this morning. I managed to find the black redstart on its favoured chimney and took several shots. However, when I was about to leave, I saw what I thought a sparrowhawk circling nearby. But then, another birdwatcher with a lot more experience than me said that the bird actually resembled a goshawk in the shape and flight style. I'd never saw a goshawk, so I wasn't sure what to look for. I took some pictures, and as soon as I can I'll put a link to them on this page. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Black Redstart still showing well on the chimneys of the terraced housing along Brookfield Street, Newton-Le-Willows. Seems to be favouring the 'spiked' chimney pot nearer the main road end.
Black Redstart showing very well this lunchtime, feeding on Lawrences back wall, and it was bin day so the alley gates were open
Nice to meet Lawrence, cheers for the heads-up as to its location.
Also Sparrowhawk zoomed through at the top end of the street.
Hi Lawrence, Thanks for the updates. I saw it myself today. We drove down Brookfield street and parked at the end of the terrace on the right hand side. Then we stood on the grass and looked down the alley between Brookfield street and Collingwood road. We could see it quite distantly on top of a chimney, but by walking down Collingwood road we found a gap in the houses and fortunately could see the bird much closer, still on top of the chimney. I put some photos on my blog here http://birdingsthelens.blogspot.co.uk/.
Only the second black redstart I have ever seen in St Helens borough.
Colin
-- Edited by colin davies on Monday 16th of February 2015 11:06:48 PM
The Black Redstart has returned to the feeder in my back yard this morning so it looks like it may be here for a while yet. It is also joined by the winter resident Grey Wagtail.
I was out all yesterday so no sighting, but all the food was gone so I assume the Black Redstart and Grey Wagtail have fed well. I put more food out last night but have yet to see her (it looks like a female) today. I will post as soon as she re-appears.
Hi Paul No my house backs onto the backs of Hope Street. It is feeding at the moment in the back yard but the back alley is behind alley gates. It often sits on the rooftops of the surrounding houses so may be visible.
I'm just leaving to look for the Laughing Gull. Thanks Lawrence
To my amazement I have just seen a Black Redstart in my back yard in Brookfield Street, Newton Le Willows. We also have our winter resident Grey Wagtail which along with a robin, Blackbird, Wood pigeon and the odd Jackdaw and Magpie are our only visitors.
Only a few birds visit our yard eve though we put food out in the winter which makes this one all the more surprising.
I have noticed a number of birds on my allotment so I thought I would start an ongoing list and post new and interesting birds as I see them while digging over winter.
No 1 = Great Spotted Woodpecker (flying and calling)
It will be interesting to see how many species I can see. The site is off Market Street and is surrounded by houses but there are a number of trees and some green space as well.
By coincidence, not in Newton, but in Cheshire, I had my first ever Jay over my garden in Moulton near Northwich last week. Granted I'm at work most days so miss a lot of the time at my house but this species has taken 15 years to get on the garden list!!
Just had an e-mail from Jon as hes just left the lake and there has been no sign all morning up to now.What I did notice last night was it was sticking with a female Tufted all the time,so may have followed that somewhere,but last night it looked really tired,so could have had a good rest then moved on further north as tends to happen with these American vagrants,that still migrate as though they are still in the USA,so could be in the Lake District now,but penny will be worth checking as the tufted may travel from Newton to the SE bay at penny. Glad I went last night as it was in the best condition of any Male ring necked duck I have seen in the wild. Lets hope it returns later today
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 8th of April 2014 12:51:46 PM
You're right John, it really was a good looking bird and in almost pristine condition. And I'm glad I took the trouble to go and see it otherwise would've regretted it. I heard one birder say he didn't think it was going anywhere in a hurry, and I remember thinking Don't bank on it mate...if that female Tufted Duck decides to go then he's going with her. I thought it was rather comical the way he kept swimming closer to her when she drifted away so he must've been watching her most of the time! Cheers Rob
-Makes sense John. April seems to be a good month for these to turn up (certainly holds true for Co. Durham over the last decade). If the Newton bird has indeed now headed off north, it's only 7/8 kms due north to Wigan Flashes.....
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Just had an e-mail from Jon as hes just left the lake and there has been no sign all morning up to now.What I did notice last night was it was sticking with a female Tufted all the time,so may have followed that somewhere,but last night it looked really tired,so could have had a good rest then moved on further north as tends to happen with these American vagrants,that still migrate as though they are still in the USA,so could be in the Lake District now,but penny will be worth checking as the tufted may travel from Newton to the SE bay at penny. Glad I went last night as it was in the best condition of any Male ring necked duck I have seen in the wild. Lets hope it returns later today
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 8th of April 2014 12:51:46 PM