Jackdaws are amongst my favourite birds, but I hadn't realised how avidly they guard a nest site until recently. A squirrel gnawed a semi-circular hole in a neighbours soffit board a few years back, but until this spring nothing had ever paid much attention to it. Then, this spring, a pair of jackdaws began to show an interest. I would guess they are an inexperienced pair because their efforts in trying to build a nest were half-hearted and comical. The size of the sticks they tried to insert into a smallish, horizontal hole were totally inappropriate. Most ended in our garden. Anyway, nothing came of the attempt, but they (I presume the same birds) are still visiting the hole on a daily basis, either just siting on the roof above it, or actually going inside (as per this evening), with accompanying calls and general chatter. I would never have said that jackdaws stayed loyal to a site to such a degree with the breeding season weeks away, but I guess that with the ease food can be had in semi-rural areas, they do not need to join the flocks in the countryside. Anyway, I look forward to having squawking juveniles right outside my bedroom window in May (not!!!).
I have been really surprised by the size of the carrion flocks in the area I live (Boarshaw, Middleton) . They are mainly made up of Jackdaw with a few Crow and Rook. There seem to be two main populations of 100+ birds each.
They flock on two different field systems at the edge of the town but break down into smaller groups across the whole area at times. Its like a scene from a horror movie when they all take off and start calling
I have lived here for a long time but only really noticed them this year (There again I have only been actively looking this year)
They're certainly thriving here in Mossley, nesting in (and falling down ) my chimney.
I've been analysing Jackdaw records for the county report for the last few years and they are most numerous in Mossley, Greenfield and Uppermill BBS squares - all of which have predominantly old stone houses with traditional chimney pots. They seem to prefer them to trees anytime!
Jackdaws have increased greatly in the last few years Charles in the Hale Barns area. I think this is to do with the change of farming just to the west of where you are which gives them more feeding habitat. There has always been plenty of nesting habitat around (chimney pots and mature trees etc) but until recently not too many birds.
-- Edited by Henry Cook on Monday 10th of October 2011 11:42:09 AM
Ive always associated Jackdaws with the countryside but over the last year I have seen them in Northenden,Wythenshawe Park and now they are encroching into Benchill,7 seen yesterday on the estate. Is this unusual or are they on any other Town etates.
. They are mainly made up of Jackdaw with a few Crow and Rook. There seem to be two main populations of 100+ birds each. 
) my chimney.