So Gervase, you've been called a woman (not that that's in anyway an insult, of course, all females reading this, after all you lot do comprise about 50 per cent of the population) and you've had to undergo trial as a possible egger........welcome to the Manchester Birding Forum
If this is the way things are going then being recruited by MI5 would be more straightforward

Ahem. Thanks for the back up Steve. However had we actually met or spoken you would have been able to tell from my voice and plumage that I am in fact a male of the species.
It's a strange name I know. Old English I'm told. Means spear carrier or something. Modern form is Jarvis.
Now I've cleared that up how does this private messaging work?
Anyone likely to be in town between 9 and 10 tmrw morning?
Cheers
G

Hi Gervase,

You are of course right to think us cautious and I'm sure you understand why. Any reply on the subject should be done by a private message to you but I'm sure our band of birders will be happy to help you out. Especially as you've gone to the lengths of providing us with 'evidence' of who you are

Hi
I'm new to manchester birding. Live really close to chorlton ees and have been enjoying the warblers plenty. I'm going to catch a train tomorrow morning and would love to see the B. Redstarts. Could you tell me where to look on chona lane and where the other presumed territory is please.
Thanks
Gervase

Yesterday and today I did a tour around the Buddhist Centre I dropped round to see Steve yesterday but unfortunately it was his day off. However I recall making a sighting last year only a stone's throw away from the B Centre. Sadly no BXs . I was pleased to see the hanging feeders in Roman Street no wonder there's a good blue tit population around there.

I visited the China Lane site this evening and clocked both birds. I immediately went over to the other site and got a bird which sat on a low roof. It appeared to have some signs of pale wing patches. It disappeared for a while then I caught sight of it 20 mins later where it must have been feeding along the canal. It flew past me very close hugging the ground till it got to buildings and went where I expected it to go.

Still no have no hard evidence of two territories but the probability is good for two.

1 flew out this afternoon, shortly after 2 flew in shortly before a heavy shower.

The odd strange character hanging around - and that was just Adrian!

Very interesting, Tim. A male was seen on the roof of the Buddhist Centre about four years ago. Will keep my eyes open as it's only a two-minute walk from where I work.

Steve

Should have pointed out that it was my significant other who made the spot

Adrian Dancy wrote:

---

I am glad you got some good views. I was able to snuck up behind a wall and watch the female very close preening itself.

---

No luck with the Black Redstarts then Adrian?

In just over 2 hours of city centre birding this morning

2 Peregrines.
Male and female Black Redstart seen together at one site (and possibly a second female at another site)

Plus Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Dunnock, Magpie, Blue Tit, Feral Pigeons, Blackbird, LBB Gull and a total of 7 birders.

Cheers, John

It's a fair point Rob but other similar sites in the city centre previously haven't suffered any problems (as far as we're aware). The Dale Street birds used to attract a fair crowd too.

That said it depends on their exact breeding location which of course is not to be diclosed or discussed here or with other 'birders' we don't know. If such a location was quite low down then they could be disturbed by birders/photographers and also attract adverse publicity from the undesirables that groups of birders might draw.

We really just need to use our common sense. If the birds look agitated then we need to back away and give them space. I would ask that if anyone witnesses any 'unacceptable behaviour' or problem with these birds to let me know asap so I can liase with the right people if necessary.

I think at the end of the day they're more tolerant than we
might give them credit for. The city centre hustle and bustle doesn't bother them and it's louder and more hectic than some might appreciate

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 26th of June 2009 04:19:14 PM

Heard Male singing and brief glimpse about 2-15. Nice to meet you Adrian, Hope to be there Sunday

Will anybody be going down to the area on Sunday, If they are what time please.

SAM RIDGWAY

Adrian, I could hear one in Pic gardens at 2:30 but did not see it.

SAM RIDGWAY

One bird present at 2.30 and both birds together at 3.30pm.

One bird present and correct at 12.30pm.

Nothing in a 45 look late afternoon, unless you count the odd street-pecker, street-walker and unseasonal shower!

First tram out of Alty this morning, am I mad, got me to the Back Piccadilly area for 06.30 and immediate views of a preening female Black Redstart. Watched her for a while then moved up to Port Street car park - nothing in the way of BXs there although I did see and hear a Wren in some scrubby bits opposite the car park entrance. Back to the original area and had a repeat show from the female. No sign of any undesirables - thanks to Dave T for the advice and Adrian for the directions

2 brief glimpses of a single female this morning, 1 quick photo op, lots of song, 1 grey wagtail and 1 pied that we saw and heard, nice to meet Adrian and Roy and mr crutch man!! Shame we never saw the male, but not disapointed.

Just done my late BBS round Southern Cemetry/West Didsbury

A gang of 8 'feral' youths obviously up to no good at 06:20. All in balaclavas and scarves creeping round alleys off Burton Rd. Luckily they didn't spot me

In the words of the Hill Street Blues sergeant - Lets be careful out there

-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Sunday 21st of June 2009 09:19:30 AM

Unfortunately the scroats were in my view affecting the birds' behaviour. I informed the police and will visit the police station on Monday.

Hi Sid

As long as you can run you will be ok.

Seriously though, there were some dodgy characters about

I had a wander around the area for over an hour this afternoon and eventually had a 30 second view of a male Black Redstart at 16.05pm.

The area is not a very nice safe place to go birding and I would not recommend any females or youngsters to visit on their own.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 22nd of June 2009 12:54:43 PM

I bet the grey wags from last year are the ones now nesting outside my office kitchen window in the Triangle. Watching for BXs with bated breath...

Paul