James Richardson wrote:

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At least 2 Roesels bush crickets chirring along the Irwell by peel park today. Im from Kent and its a familiar sound there but Ive never heard them this far north west before.

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Hi James

Interesting that, as during this week I thought I heard one on Parsons Meadow in Wigan, but dismissed it and didnt hang around. I hadnt heard them since working at Sandwich Bay in the 1990s, but distinctive as you say. 

Cheers

Dave

Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady in Peel Park just now

Hey Steve, I've just seen a male Banded Demoiselle near where I saw my green one last month, and it was a similar size to that creature, so I think you might be right, given the notes I see about flight periods and habitat preferences too. Nice one, thanks for the suggestion

I saw a damselfly on Friday 17th May on the Meadow at Salford Crescent, that looked to be an Emerald, pretty big and a stunning green colour. No idea if this is a bog standard or decent record, if anyone has a view let me know?

Three terrapins seen in lake at Clowes park, higher broughton this afternoon

Three rabbits feeding on the grass verge opposite Weaste ETW between Coronet Way and Pacific Way at 22.15 on Wed. 23rd Sept.

Singles of Holly Blue, Brimstone, Comma and Speckled Wood at Dukes Drive, Monton today

Mike Savage wrote:

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Stopped to have a look at Weaste WWTW and as I was leaving spotted something odd happening above a big Poplar just west of the works - a smoke-like motion which turned out to be some thousands of flying insects - guessing a swam of bees? Have seen something similar with blackflies near Lough Neagh but didnt seem right for this location

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Mike, as a beekeeper, it would seem extremely unlikely for honeybees to swarm at this time of year - summertime is swarming time, when the colony size is on the increase, and bees swarm due to lack of space (among other reasons). At this time of year the colony is shrinking, and the queen laying rate on the decrease. Other bees don't swarm. That said, I haven't any positive ideas as to what they may have been. I haven't seen any flying ant swarms for a few weeks locally?

Hi Gary
The young Roe deer was actually in my works yard. Two BT engineers who saw the deer running down Liverpool street wisely managed to divert it into my yard to stop an accident happening on the road. I locked it in along with two police officers who were passing and rang the RSPCA. The deer was breathing fast and was panicking and even charged us a couple of times with its little 8" antlers at the ready. After 40 minutes it had calmed down a bit then decided it could squeeze out of a gap between the gate and fence and off it went. The RSPCA turned up two minutes later so missed all the fun. I found the deer a couple of hours later hidden away in some bushes nearby so if it stays there till dark it should be safe. It was good to see one so close.

Mink seen swimming in the Manchester Ship Canal at Weaste

-- Edited by James Walsh on Tuesday 28th of May 2013 08:59:43 PM

Saw a Vole briefly on Pomona today

My mum and dad saw a brimstone butterfly on their allotment in Eccles yesterday.

Tuesday 12th March

Mink on MSC viewed from Halfpenny Bridge (Woden Street)

Last weekend while wandering on the mosslands I was given four freshly shot Wood pigeons which have been waiting in the boot of my car for the Fox which visits my workplace. This morning at 5.55am he finally turned up as I arrived at work. I gave him all four birds, he hid three in the undergrowth and then spent 10 minutes removing the feathers from the remaining bird before eating it.

A Fox ran in front of my car on Liverpool street last night as I was leaving work at 9.20pm. It trotted off down West Egerton street. This morning probably the same Fox was waiting for its breakfast in the undergrowth outside my works as I arrived at 6.20am. A tin of dog food warmed him up

Fox along the disused railway line nw/of Weaste ETW

3 Pipistrelle Bats, Pomona

Weasel by Manchester Ship Canal, in the Lange car park, in the area known as "Weaste Point"

Also, an adult fox near Etap Hotel/Frankie and Bennys seen many times by my colleagues :)

A Mink on Salford Quays, Wharfside Promenade by Sam Platts Pub

-- Edited by James Walsh on Tuesday 3rd of July 2012 08:11:06 PM

Dave Thacker wrote:

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Great work Melanie
Don't forget to check your welly warmers for ticks

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will do..gulp!!

Great work Melanie
Don't forget to check your welly warmers for ticks

Wonderful, big Hedgehog dicing with death on Tetlow Lane this morning. Managed to get him, picked him up with my Welly Warmers, put him in a lined RSPB bag and put him to safety
10 minutes late for work but my boss understood...

As I arrived at my workplace this morning at 6.05am a dog Fox was sat just inside the bushes next to my work gates. I went and got some dog biscuits which I keep in work and "borrowed" two eggs from the canteen. He was a bit wary at first but eventually came and started feeding. I also put out a bowl of water and one of my cheese and onion butties which it also ate.

At 12.20pm it was still hidden in the undergrowth next to my gates so I went and got a tin of dog food and l placed it just inside the bush.

I checked again as I was leaving tonight at 7pm and it was fast asleep and all the food was gone

The Fox was in great condition but it absolutely stunk . I'm sure that I have fed this one before probably about 4 weeks ago and its good to see him again

Early Tuesday morning at 1.45am as I was leaving Salford Royal hospital I watched a Fox digging for worms in the hospital gardens beside Stott Lane. She watched me as she carried on digging for about 10 minutes before she trotted off towards the old A&E.

-- Edited by Dave Thacker on Wednesday 7th of March 2012 08:15:33 PM