Some sightings from the area over this week

Tuesday

A small Peregrine (presumed male) landed on the gasometer at the end of Varley Street late afternoon

Wednesday

A 30 strong mixed flock of Tits and Goldfinches flew across the Victoria Mill car park early morning
Early evening male Kestrel on lamp post on ground by the canal at the end of Upper Helena Street
Many Pied Wagtails in the area early evening, appear to be roosting around the Next/Asda area at Eastlands

Thursday

4 Meadow Pipits south over Victoria Mill early morning

Friday

12 House Martins south west over Varley Street early morning
8 Black-headed Gulls
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls including one juvenile
Jay seen from office window


-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Friday 4th of October 2013 08:02:03 PM

Two juvenile Grey Wagtails were chasing each other back and forth along the canal towpath late afternoon today

There also seemed to be more Blackbirds present in the general area than normal.

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Wednesday 25th of September 2013 06:10:27 PM

This morning

6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 9 Black-headed Gulls along with 4 Starlings feeding on the corner of Bradford Road and Varley Street.

This afternoon

A family party of 5 Mistle Thrush and 20+ Starling feeding on the corner of Varley Street and Bradford Road.

Swallow also present

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Tuesday 3rd of September 2013 10:29:15 PM

Really excellent result, Karen - it gives rise to hope that I could just find my own whilst casually wandering to Aldi

1130-1230

Upper Helena Street

Bullfinch
2 Willow Warbler calling
Chiffchaff singing

A juvenile Grey Wagtail was flycatching by the canal this morning
Mallard with her seven ducklings still present
30 Canada Geese were blocking the pavement this morning! 50+ have been grazing on the grassy areas this week
A colleague told me one of the Mute Swan cygnets has been separated from the rest of the family and was apparently east along the canal yesterday

Blackcap singing this morning in the same area as yesterday
Mallard brood reduced to seven ducklings

Swan family on the banks of the canal last night too; cygnets seem well grown and doing well.

Holt Town tram station area

6+ Sand Martin
4 Swift
Grey Heron on Medlock
Bullfinch calling
Great Tit
Blue Tit

There are actually 9 ducklings in the Mallard brood, one must have been hiding in the reeds yesterday!


Also this morning along Bradford Road and Varley Street, 100+ Starling in three separate groups (adults and juveniles present)
Mistle Thrush also collecting food

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Friday 12th of July 2013 05:07:26 PM

Willow Warbler singing this morning on Varley Street 30+ adult Canada Geese and the same family party of 6 as seen earlier in the week 3 Swift near Victoria Mill as I left work this afternoon

This morning between Holt Town tram stop and Victoria Mill

4 Sand Martin
2 Swallow
Jay
2 Blackcap (heard only)
Kestrel
2 Bullfinch
2 Greenfinch

Around Holt Town Tram Stop to River Medlock

Sand Martin
Swift
Blackcap singing
Family party of 10-12 Long-tailed Tit
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Juvenile Magpie
Grey Heron fishing on Medlock

-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Sunday 9th of June 2013 05:28:20 PM

Wow, I am only 10 minutes up the road (in Failsworth) how honoured are you??? And to think how close to Manchester town centre you are! When I worked in Manchester town centre, walking through Piccadily Gardens, in the few sparse trees, I used to see goldfinches and tits, also coming up to winter (when the german markets were on) the trees used to be alive in St Anns Square with what I at first thought were long tailed tits, but later realised they were wagtails. I am trying to educate my hubby at the moment dragging him along the canal and pointing out different things (we saw a male bullfinch last week, and even hubby could see the difference in the colour , between him and a robin) . Thank you and I will keep my eyes and ears open to see if any of your birds come this way.

Between Holt Town and Etihad Campus tram stops:

This afternoon

Spotted Flycatcher, flycatching over the Medlock, also picking insects from the surface of the river.
Willow Warbler and Blackcap also present in the area



-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 18th of May 2013 04:36:59 PM

This morning:

A female Wheatear on the grass on the corner of Varley Street and Bradford Road, a true Miles Platting mega!

Blackcap singing by the canal
Several Starlings collecting food

8/5/13

Both the Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff still present and a pair of Canada Geese with a brood of 5 goslings on the canal

2 Swallows were present whilst I was waiting for the bus late afternoon on Bradford Road

Chiffchaff still present on Varley Street.
Willow Warbler also present today.

Chiffchaff singing this afternoon on Varley Street

30+ Meadow Pipit feeding on the corner of Varley Street and Bradford Road this afternoon.

Today's sightings from lunchtime

A cracking flock of 25+ Siskin alongside canal near to bridge on Varley Street
1 Lesser Redpoll singing briefly near Park View school
Grey Wagtail flew over Victoria Mill car park calling
10 Magpies including two nest building in trees six feet apart!
15 Starling
1 Mistle Thrush singing

Bill Myerscough wrote:

---

MARK HULSE wrote:

---

pity this is under the heading of miles platting
this site is most certainly newton heath being
a very proud newton heather i just felt the need
to mention this.

---

And you're right to be proud of your own area too Mark! I don't know if you are aware Mark that Newton Heath does have it's own dedicated thread and this can be found using the search facility. I think there are some old records of wintering golden plover flocks in this area on that particular thread.

Best wishes,

Bill.

---

hi bill, I did know that newton heath as its own thread just being a bit cheeky
but I will check the records for the wintering flocks of Golden plover I am interested
to know what they look like ,it was a pleasure to watch them yesterday they looked so
at home pity it will not always be there [the site]
many thanks Bill , all the best Mark.

2.30 PM-3.45 PM
SATURDAY.

44 lapwing
2 lesser Black Backed GullS
approx 16 Black Headed Gulls
6 long tail tit
14 golden plover.

pity this is under the heading of miles platting
this site is most certainly newton heath being
a very proud newton heather i just felt the need
to mention this.