The Harris Hawk flew across the main Manchester road near the canal at Broadheath yesterday afternoon - I nearly crashed the car, I thought it was a ringtail Hen Harrier for a second!
A flock of Pink Footed Geese over Alty precinct at 1720 unseen in the dark.
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
Harris's Hawk in Altrincham - perched in tall fir tree near John Leigh Park on Sunday evening (last seen here in 2021) - Gull and 2 Crows not happy it being there!
For comparison a photo I took a few years ago in Timperley garden - Buzzard? sat on fence - he was looking over at neighbours fish pond and visited a few times
Thanks for confirming ID, he was there again this morning, same time 10am-11am on exactly the same branch at top of tallest tree around. Definitely has a large yellow beak and pure white undertail, saw him rotate head almost 180 degrees. He may have spotted our rabbit in the garden mesh run or fish in neighbour's pond but again heard sound of gulls/screeching,
The Harris Hawk has been semi resident around the canal at Broadheath for some time now, roosting on buildings on the north Bank visible from the towpath just west of Manchester Road
Hi Andy, its a Harriss Hawk, or at least judging by the single image it certainly appears to be one. The fairly large looking yellow bill, and the black and white tail pattern look to be that of a Harriss Hawk that is native to The Americas.
A fairly common kept Raptor by those in the Falconry hobby but they do occasionally escape and are adaptable. Theres been a few around GM over the last few years, some sightings could relate to the same bird due to location proximity. Places include City centre, Prestwich, Bury, Bredbury, Reddish, to name a few. Cheers
Large bird of prey - possibly a Goshawk or Common Buzzard? (see photo) appears to be nesting in huge fir tree on Wainwright Rd in Altrincham - was screeching at gull which was dive bombing. Also spotted there last year and chasing after parakeets that live in John Leigh Park, fewer wood pigeons around recently
It,s been 5 year or so since I saw the Alty towers couple,but on Wednesday they had four young on the mast low down and larking around,they may have had broods before.
Geoff
12.30 p.m. I couldn't see anything on the Raven nest platform, but half way down the mast, sitting on a horizontal bar facing Moss Lane, there were 2 x Ravens.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 21st of May 2021 10:50:02 PM
12May21 20.30, right now. 2 at the very top where no nest. You can see them it you stand at end of Golf Road, by the road barrier. You are under them but can see them. Also if you stand by the Sabre Valves Delivery notice you can see 2 more on the actual nest platform...I got a view because they were walking around. So definitely at least 4.
Hi Sid, Go up Golf Road (metres from Alty FC), about 40/50m on the left, there is a big brick wall set back in an open space. I leant against it for 10 mins. The nest is almost at the top of the mast. There was a lot of movement but you can easily see them; maybe better when they are feeding.
Thanks Ian, I tried that spot but felt I was only looking at the bottom of the nest and in the hope of a sideways view of the birds at the nest I had to walk away from the tower through the car park behind the football ground towards the allotments. That wasn't much better because the view was partially obstructed by trees. At least from there I had two sightings of birds on the structure as I reported on the Hale thread. I did go round towards the main post office and even with my scope it was not much better.
My feeling is that the young have fledged and maybe the group is setting up a colony based on the tower. The "Tower of Altrincham" in fact
Hi Sid, Go up Golf Road (metres from Alty FC), about 40/50m on the left, there is a big brick wall set back in an open space. I leant against it for 10 mins. The nest is almost at the top of the mast. There was a lot of movement but you can easily see them; maybe better when they are feeding.
Fri 07May21, 7.45 p.m. At the top of the telecommunications mast, next to Alty FC, there were at least 2 Ravens on the nest when a third arrived and perched about 1m above the nest.
Hi Ian sounds as though you have had a good view of the birds on the nest, better than my attempts that I reported on the Hale thread on 28th April further back on the forum.
Where actually did you view from as wherever I tried from around the area I couldn't get a decent view? I ask because I live about half a mile from the site and would like to check it out occasionally. Ta.
Fri 07May21, 7.45 p.m. At the top of the telecommunications mast, next to Alty FC, there were at least 2 Ravens on the nest when a third arrived and perched about 1m above the nest.
Was a teeny bit gobsmacked to see a Raven gliding south over Wetherspoons not far above rooftop height at 12:45 pm today, following the line of buildings. At 3.30pm it (or another) flew NNW ish over almost the same spot. Given the time of year you have to wonder if it's found a tall building somewhere to nest on.
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
Just added to my "Birds seen whilst going shopping to Sainsburys Altrincham list" - a Common Buzzard seen floating around over the end of Hale Road was a nice surprise
Just did a circuit of King George V pool, plenty of activity today including 3 Cormorant, 7 Goosander (5 female and 2 male), male and female Pochard, a Grey Heron perched in the same tree on one of the small islands as two Little Egrets.
Interestingly I discovered a bit of history about the pool today. It is a small artificial lake constructed between 1910 and 1911 in celebration of the coronation of King George V and was gifted to the people of Atrincham in the king's memory in the hope that the folk of Altrincham would take an interest in the pool's birdlife.
Just seen a large bird of prey circling over Atlantic Street, nothing unusual as Buzzards often circle over, but immediate instinct was it wasnt a buzzard, with a white rump and undertail, and the gulls above it were going mad. Similar size to Buzzard, perhaps a touch bigger but with deeper wings. Seemed to have banding underwing but was looking up into the sun. Obvious light bills too.
I though Harris Hawk but keep your eyes peeled. Headed over the canal towards Althrincham, with ensuing gulls!
Only a brief glimpse but second time now. Reasonably sure there is a Spotted Flycatcher on Altrincham Golf Course. In the hedge between the 5th Fairway and a pond near the green on the 6th.
When visiting the Blue Chip Busness Park on Atlantic St this afternoon I heard what I thought was a Peregrine calling. It seemed to be calling quite loudly at regular intervals and it turned out to be a recording being used as a bird scarer. It was certainly working, there was not a single bird to be seen in the area
A non-birding friend of mine saw, what sounded very much like, a Jack Snipe near Costa Coffee in Altrincham shopping precinct last night! This was at 21:00 (he was still sober ). Couldn't be anything else from his description. He had an attack of conscience once he'd got to the pub; contacted me and I gave him the Lower Moss Wood rescue place number, but, he said it went to voicemail. So, I guess my question is did anyone else hear about this bird and, more pointedly, what happened to it? Don't they migrate at night? I guess it's possible it was brought down by weather? Certainly most unusual!
30+ Redwings around Sainsbury's car park this afternoon. Plenty of berries on the bushes especially the one near the recycling containers on the overflow car park where the Waxwings fed a couple of years ago - could we be lucky enough to get some this winter? - there have been sighting reports from a number of parts of the country in the last few days.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Wednesday 31st of December 2014 01:30:05 PM
Had to look twice at a Blackbird feeding on berries on Tesco's car park, opposite the ice rink - it had a clear round white patch on the back of its head/neck.
Grey Wagtail in Altrincham town centre at 9.30 this morning - on the rooftops behind Timpsons. (One for the birds-seen-while-returning-garments-to-Marks & Spencer List!)
From time-to-time i've seen or heard a Grey Wagtail in the Greenhalghs/Country Bumpkin area of Alty over the last couple of winters, i remember remarking to Henry Cook - where's the water? They don't need much, one wintered in Bangor town centre a few years ago in the vicinity of a leafy trickle down a public footpath - but there's usually some water somewhere. Perhaps a blocked gutter or a flat roof with a puddle?
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Timperley life list c. 89 (ish). Barn Owl 4.11.19, Green Sand 27.8.19, Little Egret 13.2.19, ringtail harrier sp 20.10.18, Fawn Yawn 15.10.18, Grasshopper Warbler 15.4.16, Tree Pipit 13.4.16, Yellowhammer 5.4.15, Hobby May '11, Wigeon Dec '10
Grey Wagtail in Altrincham town centre at 9.30 this morning - on the rooftops behind Timpsons. (One for the birds-seen-while-returning-garments-to-Marks & Spencer List!)
I have been keeping an eye on some berry trees at the junction of St Johns Road and Delamere Road in the hope of getting some Waxwings closer to home. Had a look late morning and there were 8 Redwings going at the berrys also a Goldcrest in one of the trees but alas no Waxies.
