Waxwings (in Greater Manchester)

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

RE: Waxwings

Jill Islam · Status: Offline

16 Waxwings briefly in my garden at Lowercroft, Bury at 12.15 but driven from a neighbouring rowan tree by mistle thrushes, who, to be fair, have been guarding the berries since October.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Late news for yesterday

13 Waxwings on Willowmead Road, Caldershaw, Turf Inn

Info thanks to Judith Smith

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

3 flycatching from the lampost all afternoon to just before dusk when they flew towards Woodley presumably to roost.

Good to see Paul Hackett out and about again, and a good sprinkling of interested locals, including one person who asked me if we were waiting for an eclipse - clearly a duck fanatic?!

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

5 at Lower Bents Lane, on lamp post, opposite Marina Drive at 10.05, they stayed for 5 mins before flying away.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

3 at the same place at noon today, but none at Woodley precinct yet. Only round the corner from me, so will keep looking at Woodley this week.

Song Thrush in the precinct, and a Redwing in the trees behind the houses at the rear of the precinct.

-- Edited by Geoff Walton at 13:57, 2008-12-21

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

4 on Lower Bents Lane, Bredbury opposite Marina Road this morning.

John Rayner · Status: Offline

17/12/2008 (14.35 - 14 55)

5 Waxwings behind the church on Old Hall Drive, Offerton (this may be the wigwam church that Rob referred to. I failed to get the name but I presume it's St John's). They tried to feed on the yellow berry trees at the back of the church but were quickly moved on by a noisy Mistle Thrush. They then settled in a tree in the church car park before disappearing at 14.55 over the A626 towards Hall Pool Drive Estate.

Managed to see these by bike today so they are now on my very local 'cycle from home' list which stands at 110 this year (all within 5 miles of my house).

Cheers, John

John Rayner · Status: Offline

Hi Rob,

From Golden Hind go down Lisburn Lane, 1st left into Crosthwaite Rd, 1st left into Half Moon Drive and its at the bottom on RHS.

I'd already checked the 'Birds Estate' and St John's Wood earlier this PM and nowt there. These birds flew with Starlings in the Lisburn Lane direction, presumably to roost, so Henry Street might be worth a look but not that many berries to keep them there.

Cheers, John

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Is Otterburn Place near the church that looks like a tent/wigwam?

If so I've seen them there before and they were commuting to St John's Wood over the A626 - so that might be worth checking.

John Rayner · Status: Offline

Robert Adderley wrote:

Sat 13/12/08

A single feeding on Apples at Otterburn Place, Offerton mid morning before being flushed by Blackbirds.

Tuesday 16/12/08 15.00

I went on another tour of all the Offerton berry trees this afternoon and found 3 Waxwings, together with 4 Blackbirds and 15 Starlings, feeding on apples at Otterburn Place.

However, within minutes I was accosted by 2 community police officers on pushbikes who wanted to know what I was up to with binoculars. When they checked my car they said they were looking for someone else with bins and not me. A resident had reported a suspicious bloke, so someone else must have been there shortly before me. I asked them to explain to whoever had reported in that birders were looking at birds in trees and not through windows and they said they would, but if anyone else goes down be aware of the sensitivities of the residents.

Cheers, John

-- Edited by John Rayner at 17:22, 2008-12-16

Brian Harding · Status: Offline

is it a particularly good year this year for waxwings? or is it normal to get so many sightings?

Jimmy Meadows · Status: Offline

3 Waxwings this Afternoon New Springs Allotments

info thanks to Tom Morton

could these be from Swinley

Dave Thacker · Status: Offline

A pair of Waxwings flew over the EMR scrapyard alongside Liverpool street in Salford today at 2.25pm.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

Gordon Yates had 7 Waxwings in Smalley St., Castleton on 12th but gone 13th.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

There were 6 at the top of a fir tree yesterday behind 22 Duke St, Swinley, Wigan. Lotsof berries in the vicarage garden opposite 22. But the birds may be feeding in the gardens of Duke St (not visible). They then perch in the top of the fir tree to digest them.

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Paul Owen wrote:

Reported sightings on Birdguides from Wigan. Anyone know the exact location.
Paulo

According to Birdguides "three in Swinley early morning only" today. A couple of days ago also on Birdguides was "two in Swinley in a garden on Duke Street".

Paul Owen · Status: Offline

Reported sightings on Birdguides from Wigan. Anyone know the exact location.
Paulo

Jimmy Meadows · Status: Offline

3 Briefly early this morn but no sign of any 11:30 at Swinley

Paul Cliff · Status: Offline

No sign of any there at the minute...

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Judith Smith wrote:

on Edinburgh Way behind RRG (whatever that is) .

Toyota car dealers (RRG rochdale)

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

About 20 Waxwings in Rochdale today, on Edinburgh Way behind RRG (whatever that is) at 0900hrs. Info from Steve White (Lancs recorder) per Albert Halfpenny.

Jimmy Meadows · Status: Offline

6 Waxwings at Duke St Swinley 2:30:biggrin:

Robert Adderley · Status: Offline

Sat 13/12/08

A single feeding on Apples at Otterburn Place, Offerton mid morning before being flushed by Blackbirds.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

News of Waxwings in Lowton last week - 5 were on rosehips at the bottom of Stonecross Lane N on 8th and 5 (presumably same) on Newton Rd nr Stonecross Lane S, on 5th. Lots of berries on the industrial estate at Stonecross; paths accessible from stile on Nook Lane. (Information from Dennis Price)

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Good service Ian thanks - just what we would expect from our forum

Sid A

Ian McKerchar wrote:

In Risley, off Daten Avenue in Temple Court at Fujitsu (keep to public rights of way).

Info via the as ever reliable and instant BIRDNET pagers.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

In Risley, off Daten Avenue in Temple Court at Fujitsu (keep to public rights of way).

Info via the as ever reliable and instant BIRDNET pagers.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Just noticed Birdguides report Waxwings in Warrington - anyone seen them or know where they are?

Sid A

Steve Collins · Status: Offline

I checked out the Brassington Street area too Alan about 1.30 and only found the trees empty of berries and not a Waxwing in sight!
There were however over 50 Mistle Thrushes on the ground on the grassed area up Brassington street which would suggest that there isn't a tree with berries worth defending! So I think you are right Alan and the Waxwings have moved on. Missed 'em again!

Steve

Jimmy Meadows · Status: Offline

at least 7 Waxwings on Old Pepper Lane jtn Robin hill dr Standish this pm
info off Sheila one of the members of local RSPB group
Worse for me i was in Standish all afternoon and only got the phone call when i got home 3:30:no:

Alan Warford · Status: Offline

Checked Brassington Avenue, National Drive, Pheobe Street and Comus Street between 12-30 & 1-30.
No berries hardly and not a Waxwing or Mistle Thrush in site. Looks like they've moved on.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

2 Waxwings this monring at Duke St, Swinley, Wigan, in gardens and top of a tall pine nr St Michael's Church - they then flew towards the town centre. (information from Paul Sands) There are cotoneaster bushes near GO! (formerly B&Q)/Staples, and on Chapel St at the junction with Queen St, that often have good berry crops.

Pete Hines · Status: Offline

8 at Chorlton WP very briefly at 13.05. My colleague, Dave Harrison, saw them land in the maple behind the car park notice board then fly off east to the Merseybank Estate. I was only a few metres away, putting the kettle on in the mess room & missed them

Rob Thorpe · Status: Offline

Brassington Ave birds still present @ 15:45. As i pulled up in the car they "did one" before i got chance to count them, but i'd say there were still 9 at least.

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

12 there between 13:00 and 14:00 but they were missing for long periods.

Amongst the 50+ Mistle Thrush here is a very striking partial albino, never seen albinism in a Mistle Thrush before.

Alan Warford · Status: Offline

9 Waxwings Brassington Avenue, off Pheobe Street Ordsall Estate at 12-30 today.
Plenty of Berries still here.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

close to the junction with the mancunian way in hulme, was just going to edit my post after realising my error, my you were quick

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

Princess Road - which one, Ian - 12 in the street directory for Greater Manchester

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

3 waxwings in trees on princess road about 9:46am this morning, no obvious berry trees around though

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Ian McKerchar wrote:

slightly off topic but having covered the 'gritty side' of the ordsall estate at work for the past 15 years and having atleast some access to crime figures for there, my opinion varies slightly from yours andy (my best attempt at a smiley face seeing as its from my mobile!). The area does seen to have gotten better over the past few years however but as with many estates around the city centre (not to mention anywhere else really) its still best to be cautious.

Yesterday as we were mistaken for a film crew a numbers of the locals were asking questions about the waxwings, and showed some keen interest, I lent my bins too one lad who was very impressed with a good view, infact all of the people bar one were interested, the last one said "whatever floats your boat" and promptly went back inside as it was cold.

Last week at the same location I rescued a skunk stuck in the school gates, that lived on the estate as well, and everyone showed alot of interest in its welfare.

One chap was most miffed as all he got on his feeders were pigeons whilst his neighbour had greenfinch, tits, thrushes and now waxwings on the berries in her garden.

Urban birding, the people are great its the 1% club that spoil it always take care anywhere but,

Keep birding.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

I had a flock of around 35 which flew S down Phoebe St, Ordsall at about 1515hrs, stopped very briefly in a tree on a park area, then continued flying S out of sight. There was a cul-de-sac called Brassington Ave that had 2 rowans full of yellow berries and only 1 Mistle Thrush; I also saw a similar tree on Craven St.

I was in the car mostly, saw one hoodie only, and chatted to 2 nice old dears who thought I was from the Council and wanted to complain about lack of gritting!

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

slightly off topic but having covered the 'gritty side' of the ordsall estate at work for the past 15 years and having atleast some access to crime figures for there, my opinion varies slightly from yours andy

(my best attempt at a smiley face seeing as its from my mobile!). The area does seen to have gotten better over the past few years however but as with many estates around the city centre (not to mention anywhere else really) its still best to be cautious

Andy Bissitt · Status: Online

Hope none of you came to any harm on the estate I lived on for 12 years. Really it is not as dangerous as you made out (well no more dangerous than anywhere else at least). Anywhere away from familiar surroundings is bound to make you feel uneasy so don't knock 'hoodies' as that was once how I was probably seen as being by outsiders (until I knocked some sense into them of course)

Jimmy Meadows · Status: Offline

Nice Rowan tree at Crabtree Lane jtn Hamilton St with plenty of berries on and guarded by a Mistle Thrush today
Jimmy

Alan Warford · Status: Offline

Failed to see any Waxwings in Salford this afternoon 1.45-2.45pm.
Cut my losses and went to Clifton Country Park.
On way home from Clifton CP at 1545 I had 25+ Waxwings in flight by Unity Brook on Manchester Rd Kearlsley/Clifton.
They landed in tree briefly, then flew east towards Ringley etw.
My first this year.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Rob Smallwood wrote:

I managed a few half decent shots that I'll let Ian have for his "Oh no, not more Waxwing photos" section.

As always, any and all photos are appreciated, I'm collecting all the waxwing photos i receive currently for a specific photo gallery for them early next year (or when they all decide to bugger off) so keep 'em coming

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Waxwings in Salford this p.m. a Manc tick for me today

Just a thanks to the finder of these fantastic birds.
Cheers Ian
............................
John, to be honest I came to find you as I was scared on my own

, good to meet you again and they made up for us both missing out at Elton last weekend!

-- Edited by Ian Campbell at 17:08, 2008-12-09
.........................................
Think that might be Pete,that thanks are due to

Thanks

-- Edited by Ian Campbell at 21:23, 2008-12-09

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

John Rayner wrote:

2.30 - 3.00. A single flock of 33 on National Drive/Linden Drive although not many berries left here. Ian Campbell, who re-found these and kindly drove round the estate to find me, had a few more than this.

Passers-by were interested in what was going on and and a local hoodie, who took a phone photo of one Waxwing, told us that a camera crew had been down filming earlier this afternoon. Perhaps on the local news tonight.

Cheers, John

I think that the film crew may have been myself (digiscoping) Paul Heaton (DSLR - small lens) and Steve Round (DSLR - massive lens).

We drew quite a procession of interested parties, but the most un-nerving was the mountain biking hoodie who passed us at least 5 times in half an hour, I think the combination of Paul's uniform and my bulk might have suggested we were Police!

Steve showed me acouple of his latest photos - Bitterns at Moore - not sure if they are on his website, but well worth looking out for.

I managed a few half decent shots that I'll let Ian have for his "Oh no, not more Waxwing photos" section.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Six Waxwings still at Comus St/Duncan St junction at 15.00 this afternoon plus 4-6 Mistle Thrush. Still some berries on the tree.

Sid A

John Rayner · Status: Offline

2.30 - 3.00. A single flock of 33 on National Drive/Linden Drive although not many berries left here. Ian Campbell, who re-found these and kindly drove round the estate to find me, had a few more than this.

Passers-by were interested in what was going on and and a local hoodie, who took a phone photo of one Waxwing, told us that a camera crew had been down filming earlier this afternoon. Perhaps on the local news tonight.

Cheers, John