We walked the Ashton canal from Portland Basin to Manchester on Sunday. Pretty quiet really, the highlight being a flock of 10+ long-tailed tits and blue tits not far from MCFC. Also a pied or grey wagtail but it flew away before I could get a decent look. Plus what we think was the caterpillar of an elephant hawk moth.

Peregrine at about 8.15 (flying from roost?) this morning in Dukinfield a few metres from the house, nearly a garden tick. Possibly the bird seen in Ashton in July/August. Flew towards Ashton.

Also two Dippers on River Tame this evening and a noisy Jay in the valley.

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Monday 7th of September 2009 07:06:29 PM

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Monday 7th of September 2009 07:43:37 PM

On my way home tonight, even though it was raining, I stopped as usual to look for the Dipper from Dukinfield bridge. I couldn't immediately see a Dipper, but something else caught my eye. There was a Kingfisher directly below and to the left of me perched on a couple of rocks. I stood there staring mesmerised by the bird, whilst trying to control my wantaway brolly. Even though the bird must have been aware of my presence it continued to sit there as if it was waiting for the rest of the audience! After the best part of 10 minutes it decided to catch a small fish and landed on a different rock, manoeuvring what looked like a very small fish to a position where it could swallow it. I watched until it managed to swallow it completely, whereupon it took off and started hovering right in front of me. It again landed on the rocks and after a few seconds it left flying down river. and I didn't even get my bins out of my bag.

And there was a Dipper there too.

Karen Foulkes wrote:

---

As I watched the one on the crate, I heard someone shout boo, I turned round and saw a teenage scumbag on a bike, I think I gave him a shock though when I took off after him, nearly catching him until he accelerated away

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Oh the joys of birding in "Greater" Manchester. Greater than what exactly???

I decided to risk the chance of a good soaking tonight and walk along the river.

It was a good start as I walked past Asda and saw a Sparrowhawk drift over from Ashton into Dukinfield.

I made my way to the river path (avoiding the piles of dog dirt) and was immediately treated to the sight of two Dippers. Our Dippers aren't as tame as some of the ones around and these two birds moved slowly out of my sight and as there is no path along the river past this point I reluctantly left them, but not before a Kingfisher flew past me up river. I carried on and saw the brownest Grey Wagtail I have ever seen I also saw what was probably the same Kingfisher as previously in this area. I saw nothing else until I got to the road and crossed to look over the river on the other side. As I walked up I saw two Herons, one an adult, the other one of this year's birds, and there was also a young Moorhen showing well.

While I was watching this a third Dipper flew onto the rocks below me this one coming from up river and a Kingfisher flew up river, perhaps the same one as previously seen on the lower stretch. The Dipper then also flew off, back up river.

Dipper showing off again this morning, perched on junk in the river.

We've had plenty of G S Woodpecker activity in the garden recently with a juv bird and adult birds visiting frequently over the last week.

I didn't see the Black Redstarts today, but there is always something to look at if you keep your eyes open!

A mixed flock of 50+ hirundines (Sand and House Martins) over the Whitelands Road railway bridge.

A look over Dukinfield bridge produced a Dipper, which did good impressions on several occasions of a drowning Dipper. This looked like one of this year's birds. I was that engrossed with the Dipper that I don't know how long a Kingfisher had been there, but when I realised it was there I was able to get both in one binocular view at the same time. The Kingfisher caught a fish and flew into a sycamore and the Dipper carried on trying to drown itself!

Oh and there seems to be a good population of House Sparrows in Ashton Town Centre.

Also seen this week around Tulip Foods a returning Lesser Black Backed Gull and one of this year's Black Headed Gulls.

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 1st of August 2009 09:21:37 AM

On my way home tonight a mixed flock of 100+ Swifts and hirundines on the Dukinfield/Ashton border near Whitelands Road railway bridge. At least 50 of these were Swifts which is the highest number I've seen in the area this summer, shame they'll be gone soon

Pm

At least 10 Sand Martins seen from bridge on Dukinfield/ Ashton border, looks like breeding success in the area! Also whilst watching these a Kingfisher flew out of water towards me with a fish. Unfortunately landed out of view.

Blackcap singing by river this am

2 House Martins in Ashton town centre this am.

Pm on way home.

At least 3 Sand Martins around canal/river area on Ashton/Dukinfield border.
3 Grey Wagtails on river and 2 Grey Herons

4 Sand Martins over river this pm
2 Swallows on wires on Close today
First 2 Dukinfield Swifts also this evening

2 Blackcaps still singing in the area also

A drake Goosander on River Tame in Dukinfield this evening, latest I've ever seen this species here. Also a heron feeding here.

2 Siskin (pr) in the garden this am.

On way to work between Dukinfield and Ashton
2 Blackcap, 1 singing on each side of road by river
1 Dipper, looked to be feeding
Willow Warbler, first of the year for this area, between railway and Ashton bypass, singing briefly

Chiffchaffs appear to have moved through though

Chiffchaff still behind Garden Centre, also another one heard singing near Asda at weekend. These birds are almost certainly two different males.

Chiffchaff singing this am behind Whitelands Garden Centre in Ashton. Also female Grey Wagtail on river plus one over.

River Tame, Dukinfield/Ashton border this pm.

4 Sand Martins, good to see them back

Had a walk towards Asda this am.

1 drake Goosander in Dukinfield
Female Grey Wagtail in her usual spot
1 Dipper flew down river on Dukinfield side, couldn't find it where I expected it to be, near Asda
3 Bullfinches (1 male, 2 female) near Asda
Lots of birdsong

Pm

Pair of Bullfinches in garden, then walked to Portland Basin where I had another Bullfinch and at least 18 Canada Geese and on the way back 3 Goosander, the drake probably being the one from the morning.

Dipper this am on river in Dukinfield, must be a Monday morning bird

I hid in the bus shelter and spied on him and he is not a ringed bird, then he flew to the middle and started singing

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes at 19:02, 2009-02-16

As I was leaving the office today in Ashton town centre, there was a Sparrowhawk being mobbed by about 20 feral pigeons.

There were also about 40 Pied Wagtails coming in. I don't know where they went though, because when I left work at about 4.40 there were only about 10 at the roost site, although each building in the vicinity seemed to have at least one perched on top of it!

Hi,

New to the site and relatively new to birding to be honest! Just thought I would post and add my sightings.

2 Goldcrests seen in conifers and in and out of my garden (Dukinfield) - for past few weeks on and off. What lovely and charming birds these are - and they seem to be quite bold and friendly too?!

This morning had 3 coal tits on feeders in garden - a nice sight to see in all the fog!

Tracey.

Dipper again on the river in Dukinfield first thing this morning, showed extremely well opposite Riverbank pub. Unfortunately owing to being on way to work, didn't have bins with me, so cannot confirm whether a ringed bird or not.

Hi Karen

if you see any colour rings on Dippers can you post details on this forum or send a message to Tony Wilkinson? Tony & Co. have been ringing lots of Dippers upstream from Stalybridge for the last two years. They often disperse downstream in the winter but there doesn't seem to have been much evidence of this happening this year.

Many thanks - keep Dippering!

Steve

One drake Goosander landed right in front of me as I walked to work this morning. Looked gorgeous against the snow on the bank

I suspected Dippers bred in the area in 2007 but unfortunately was unable to confirm.

Went to have a see what was around this morning. Was on my way out shopping, and made the mistake of not taking my bins

Flock of about 30 Long Tailed Tits on opposite side of river in Dukinfield and good numbers of Blue and Great around.
4 Goosander from bridge on Dukinfield side of river including 3 males.

Walking towards Asda and found a mixed flock of about 20 Goldfinch and Siskin, which fortunately came and bathed at the water's edge. Definitely at least 6 Siskin and still food on the alders.

1 Dipper and 1 red head Goosander near bridge.


-- Edited by Karen Foulkes at 16:46, 2009-01-02