Interesting to know that there are lots more about in the area!!
I have read a few articles recently that stated the Buzzard was now our most common Bird of Prey. Which explains why we have seen so many recently - especially considering I didn't know what they were a few years back.
I haven't yet had a wander on to any of the Mosses yet - infact I never knew they were there until about a month ago. Definately making it a plan to do so soon!!
Hi Jojo - welcome to the forum!! I've lived in Irlam (and Cadishead) all my life. Buzzards have become a regular sight around Irlam in the last 15-20 years or so. Certainly in the 1980's they were only to be regularly found in places like Wales, Lake District, Scotland or West Country etc. But there has been a population explosion and Buzzards are now found throughout the UK and have become our commonest bird of prey. Certainly on the mosses around Irlam you will regularly see numerous Buzzards in the sky at once - my record is 8 but I'm sure others have seen more. They have bred for many years here. There is a long established thread for Irlam, Barton and Astley Mosses. A check through the archives will give you an idea of Buzzard sightings here. They also commute between here and Carrington Moss as I often see them fly over Irlam in that direction. I also saw a Buzzard fly below Barton M60 bridge the other day as I drove over the top!
Hello - I'm new to this site so firstly I apologise if I'm covering something already covered in a different thread!
We've been seeing a lot of a pair of buzzards around where we live recently (I assume its always the same pair).
Now I never used to notice much of them and I first saw them circling above the M60 bridge (my husband calls it Barton Bridge - but we're not local so he could be making this up for all I know). This was probably about 6 months ago. Then my husband said he saw them flying about over some houses in Irlam.
Now however we see them very regular! I see them most days circling above the M60 Bridge when the wind is right - usually when I'm on my way home from work at about 4pm. Then last week they were actually circling above our house.
Today has been my closest encounter! I was joining the M60 southbound from the Irlam junction and as I had my 2 cats in the car (on the way to the vets) I was only gently accelerating (Luckily) as one of the Buzzards whipped up from under the bridge and over into the first lane only feet away from my car before it drifted high into the sky!! I jumped out of my skin and was amazed all at the same time. When I told my husband he said one had been above his work that day (in Irlam). On my journey back from the vets I spotted one Buzzard high in the sky above the Bridge, then I finally spotted the second one when I got home over the fields at the end of our street.
Have these birds always been about Irlam? I've only lived here a year and half but I never used to see them so much - or is it just that I am now aware of them being there? - They are quickly becoming favourites of mine I just wish they were close enough to photo some time - just not in front of me when I'm driving..... I'm now also left worrying about them getting so close to the M60 Traffic!!! But as I've only seen this the once I'm hoping it is a rare happening!
