Made up to see a Song Thrush sadly so rare these days.
50 years ago if Id been doing this Id have chucked out some bread, had a string of monkey nuts hung up and a handful of Swoop on the path.Id have had loads of Sparrows, Starlings maybe a Blue Tit and Blackbird or two possibly a Song Thrush and the odd Greenfinch on the nuts as well.
How times have changed. Im not sure whats more depressing really. The fact I can actually go back 50 years or the sad demise of the once common House Sparrow.
Out for a walk this morning. I spent a good 5 minutes watching a Song Thrush collecting a beak full of worms by Pony Dick Bridge. It then flew off into Winstanley Park. A very early nesting attempt it would appear.
Over the past couple of weeks I've heard a squarking noise at the back of the house after dark. Tonight it started off about 7pm and has been active since. Actually seems louder as I type this. It sounds like a Sparrowhawk but I'm not 100% sure. Does anyone know what this could be in the area? Sounds like it's either on Triangle Valve or near St Matthew's Church.
Tempted to go walking to get closer but don't think I'd be any the wiser!
There are loads of Pheasants about at the minute especially on the path near the railway line and in the woods across the little bridge at the bottom of Celadine.They are very vocal as well so I imagine that's what you heard.
Over the past couple of weeks I've heard a squarking noise at the back of the house after dark. Tonight it started off about 7pm and has been active since. Actually seems louder as I type this. It sounds like a Sparrowhawk but I'm not 100% sure. Does anyone know what this could be in the area? Sounds like it's either on Triangle Valve or near St Matthew's Church.
Tempted to go walking to get closer but don't think I'd be any the wiser!
Had a walk from my house up to the motorway bridge at the top of Windy Arbour this morning at 7.30.Saw loads of birds because the roads were so quiet and I was the only person about.
I can't believe the numbers of Wood Pigeons. One or two every 10 yards it seemed all the way up and back. Loads of Blackbirds as well about every 100 yards there was one or two foraging on the grass verges. There was a large party of Rooks in the horse field. Not sure where they would have come from as there are no Rookeries in the vicinity.The nearest one is Appley Bridge. There was also a pair of Lapwings displaying over the large farmers field and they were also doing battle with a party of LBB Gulls. Nice to see several Starlings and House Sparrows as I don't get them in the garden. Loads of Goldfinches in the trees.Blue and Great Tits about.Heard Dunnocks, Robins, Wren,Chiffchaff and Pheasant. Jackdaw over and several Collard Doves. Also A couple of Carrion Crows.One appeared to be standing guard over a large nest at the top of the hill.
Had a pair of Bullfinches on my feeders this morning as well.
Nothing exotic but a healthy bird population for a main road.
Out for a walk in the woods adjacent to Winstanley Park. this morning. Spotted a Song Thrush. At least 3 Chiff Chaffs heard singing. Saw a Mallard with 11 ducklings on the lower pond of The Summersales Minewater Drainage Project. The lakes are totally fenced in so they should be fairly safe. Pair of Coots and a Moorhen on the pond as well.
I was stood on a wall looking at the ponds and a low flying Kestrel came down the path just over my head - brilliant.
Found my first nest of the year this morning. Blackbird sitting on 4 eggs. Fingers crossed.
A Heron landed in the field adjacent to my garden yesterday afternoon. It was checking out the developing reed beds at the Summersales Minewater Reclamation Project.
Currently 7 goldfinches on the sunflower hearts and niger seed.
About 20 minutes ago we had 6 or 7 Long Taled Tits on the fatballs.
Regular visitors include Great,Blue and Coal Tits. I've also had a few visits from either a Willow or Marsh Tit but not sure which.
Nuthatch - a pair and Chaffinch are regular visitors. Not seen any Woodies for a while though since I moved the feeders closer to the kitchen window. I must be scary !!
Tawny Owl very vocal a couple of nights this week as well.
Also not Highfield but when I was leaving Latics yesterday there must have been around 100 Pied Wagtails in the tree outside First Choice at Robin Park.
-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Sunday 6th of January 2013 11:24:24 AM
The Highlight in my local wood today was a pair of Wagtails flittng from sunken log to log in the stagnant pool in the centre of the wood.
They weren't Pied so I can only assume they were Grey Wagtails although they seemed to be similarly marked but I couldn't get close enough due to Archie running about and scaring them off to the other side of the pond. I've seen Greys on the stream before though. Not reallty the habitat for Yellow Wagtails I guess????
In the woods at the back of my house yesterday afternoon, a Buzzard landed on a tree branch about 100 yards away from me. I was unable to get closer though as there was a stream and a barbed wire fence between us.
We watched each other for a good 5 minutes before he/she flew further into the wood.
Out for a walk up the hill towards the motorway bridge at Winstanley last night.Walked back via Pine view.Goldfinches everywhere at least 15-20 heard and seen.
Also delighted to spot a pair of Greenfinches 2 streets away on my Estate checking out a tall conifer for a potential nest site I presume. The first I've seen in Highfield for about 5 years !!!
Still no Starlings around here though !!
-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Tuesday 17th of April 2012 08:21:06 AM
I heard the first Chiffchaff of the year yesterday morning in the wood across the stream from my house.We've lived here since 1988 and I still don't know the name of it !!!!
The Bullfinch was back again this morning.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 29th of March 2012 11:05:07 PM
Pr goldfinches, 3 Long Tailed Tits Great Spotted Woodie Nuthatch Pr Collard Doves Woodpigeon Pr Robins Pr Dunnock House Sparrow Pr Blackbirds Coal Tit Blue Tit Loads of Great Tits
Chaffinches adjacent pinking away but I guess they don't like the food on offer!!
Not really Highfield but when I was on my way home from work last Thursday around 5.30 on the s-bends between Billinge and Windy Arbour a Barn Owl flew across the road in front of my car from one farmers field to another.
3 Goldfinches 1 pair Nuthatches 1 pair Mistle Thrush Greater Spotted Woodie Collard Dove Pr Wood Pigeon Several Blackbirds - adult and juvenile Loads of Blue and Great tits Coal Tit Wren Jay Magpie
Also 2 Warblers scrapping outside the kitchen window in the same Elder I saw the Blackcaps recently.Either Chiff Chaffs or Willow Warblers - probably the former.
Pair Goldfinches, Pair Long Tailed Tits, pair Robins,Pair Chaffinch,Great Tit,Coal Tit, Dunnock all on the feeders or surrounding ground this morning.
Just back from a walk in Winstanley Wood. Pair Mallard in the wood,Heron over,Chiffchaffs - at least 3. New Woodpecker hole which I will now keep a keen eye on ,2 new Magpie nests. Pheasant heard.
No other nests found as yet.
A day of firsts today
First Chiff Chaff of the year heard at 9.15 this morning in the trees by my house..
Secondly the first Goldfinch on the niger feeder after 2 weeks.
The rise of the Wood Pigeon. They don't seem to be as timid either.We have a pair in the tree outside my office in St Helens.They seem to spend the day either billing and cooing or intently watching whoever is eating something.
The number of exposed Pigeon/Dove nests in St Helens Town Centre after last Autumns leaf fall was quite staggering really.
Just bobbed up from emptying the washing machine and Just also had a pair of Wood Pigoen on the back lawn. Amazing really, 5 years ago we couldn't move for Collard Doves around here. Now loads of Wood Pigeon and I haven't seen a Collard Dove for about 18 months.
Hi Neil,
I read your post on Collared Doves and Woodpigeons with some interest. Where I live in Chaddeton, Oldham there was a noticeable winter influx of Woodpigeons during the harsh wintry weather. This in itself was unusual but the expectation was that they would clear off once the breeding season loomed. This hasn't been the case! And for the first time that I can recall I have breeding Woodpigeons viewable from the house...not one...but two pairs in gardens either side of where I live - one can be clearly seen sat on a fairly exposed nest in a Scots Pine and the other nest is in a medium sized Leyllandii. I think the Woodpigeon population must be at an all time high and they have come into niches that the Collared Dove has exploited for a good few decades and are probably now out-competing them. Maybe this is one of the reasons that Collared Doves are starting to nest build in unusual locations - like on satellite dishes..because all the premier sites are now being taken by Woodpigeons? Maybe the inexorable rise and spread of the Collared Dove is coming to an end?
Cheers,
Bill.
-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Thursday 29th of April 2010 04:06:54 PM
Just bobbed up from emptying the washing machine and was delighted and amazed to see a male Blackcap on my garden fence 4 feet from the kitchen window.
I've also just seen what appeared to be a light brown Jay!! It still had the blue wing patch and the black and white bars but the rest of the plumage was beige rather than pink!!!
Just also had a pair of Wood Pigoen on the back lawn. Amazing really, 5 years ago we couldn't move for Collard Doves around here. Now loads of Wood Pigeon and I haven't seen a Collard Dove for about 18 months.
Our resident street Swallows arrived back on Sunday.
Heard Chiff Chaff and Goldfinch whilst pegging out the washing.
Hello everybody. My first obs post - the first of many I hope.
Just back from a stroll in the woods at the Highfield edge of Winstanley Country Park.
Just the usual suspects
5 Magpies fighting over a new nest Carrion Crow 2 Jays Chiffchaff 2 Robins Wren Mistle Thrush 2 Dunnock Great Tit Blue Tit Chaffinch 3 Wood Pigeon 2 Mallards on the stream.
The pair of Grey Wagtails present on the stream last week appear to have been scared off by the late afternoon/early evening "Chav" activity. The good weather has seen them emerge from beneath whatever rock they spent the winter under unfortunately.
-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Sunday 11th of April 2010 11:04:36 AM
-- Edited by Neil Ferguson on Monday 12th of April 2010 08:12:58 AM
