I have now had the opportunity of speaking to some locals and a man that works the market. I am satisfied that the blocking up of the holes with carpet bits was not done recently and so no live nests were affected and no laws broken. The area is under a redevelopment plan so I will contact the local council and request that nest boxes be installed by the developers...I am not sure how this will pan out but I will give it my best shot and won't give up easy.

-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Tuesday 11th of July 2023 09:57:34 PM

Yesterday, I visited the bridge over the Irwell to see the Sand Martin Colony located on the flanking wall to the markets and CAB. I noticed the nest holes were blocked up with what looked like tissue paper. I noticed renovation taking place. I do not know when the holes were blocked up. Putting aside if they were blocked up whilst nest building had started, it would be a shame if the renovators/building owner(s) cannot agree to installing some suitable specially constructed nest holes so that the colony size can be maintained.

It may be that some local birders have this matter in hand. If this is the case please let me know ASAPP. I'm surprised that this has seemingly gone unreported!

Thanks

A Goosander with 17 well grown young on the Irwell behind Close Park this afternoon.

Two adult Mediterranean gulls on the field by Bridge 18 on the canal, by the road between the farm and Bury Road

Yesterday's news:

Raven x3 flew over my workplace, two of which were in an aerial dispute with each other as they passed. They headed towards Whitefield direction from Ainsworth Road.

Ta!

A few photos from Close park in the snow last week and a list of sightings over the past week on top of the usuals!

Kingfisher x1 (seen on most visits either along the stream or on the Irwell)
Goosander x1
Nuthatch x1
Pied wagtail x2
Grey wagtail x1
Bullfinch x1
Goldfinch x1
Longtailed tit x6
Meadow pipit x3
Redwing x1
Kestrel x1

Peter

Thanks for the updates on sightings in Close Park. Where did you see the Woodcock? Also I see you saw a Tawny Owl earlier in the year - we used to have one outside our house each evening (Riverside Rd) before they removed the trees during the flood defence works. I've not heard it since but good to know they are still around. Great Spotted Woodpecker is another I've not seen since they removed the trees although I thought I heard one in the wooded area along the Irwell.

We've seen a Kingfisher along the stream the last two days during our walk around the park. They were common earlier in the year until they cut back all the vegetation along the stream but good to see them back again.

2 Kingfisher this afternoon on the Irwell next to Close Park. One appeared to be carrying a faecal sac.

Female Goosander with 11 young that I have reported in the past. The young are now as big as the female.

Also a further 5 Goosander down river.

 

-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Tuesday 17th of August 2021 04:47:30 PM

This afternoon on the Irwell behind Close Park a female Goosander with 11 young. Photo attached.

cycling along the Outwood trail, (heading southwards,) was a Marsh tit in song (this made my day considering we usually only have Willow tits).

This was just past the Ringly Bridge area.

Ta!

Very large numbers of Jackdaws coming in to roost tonight. A spectacular display.

Cheers for the info Martin! Aye its a shame.. hopefully we get to see them naturally reintroduced someday! Though i dont imagine many wild birds would see the appeal of radcliffe hahahhah

Sorry if this is off-topic/inappropriate for this thread but thought it was interesting to say the least.

Friend sent me this screenshot of a fb post... anyone got any idea where it could be from?

An old mate of mine from school spotted an escaped eagle owl near ainsworth way back in 2011... as they live for 20 years could it perhaps be the very same bird?

Close Park this morning -

2 Treecreeper

2 Kingfishers

3 Bullfinch

4 Goosanders on the river

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 16th of January 2021 02:07:06 PM

A Green Sandpiper was on the Irwell at Close Park this morning.

Circa 120 Pink-footed Geese flying west at 10:50

-- Edited by Peter Johnson on Wednesday 9th of December 2020 11:10:33 AM

A Green Sandpiper was heard calling over the MET stop at 12pm

19/21 (I was driving), Whooper Swans above Ainsworth Road this a.m. at 9.25 a.m.
Cheers Ian

Raven seen flying over near stopes road/ Bolton road area. Ta!

I was banging my head against the wall yesterday because for over a decade, I've known about the Sand Martins and i used to enjoy watching them as I passed every week but never had the right equipment to enjoy taking pictures whilst watching them.

When my circumstances changed in 2015, I eventually forgot about them until the report from Adrian, so I'm most greatful and im now indebted to the reminder.(thanks)

I went early when it was quieter before my visit to Elton. Things worked out well and I'm now pleased with it!

One thing - I won't forget them again, they are far too valuable to take for granted!!!

2 things noteworthy from around the locality: 1. Kingfisher on river irwel heard calling near Dumers Lane. 2. Pied wagtail adult male had no white on him except on his face in the town centre. Ta!

Goosander with 9 large young on the Irwell adjacent Close Park this afternoon, possibly the same brood I reported several weeks ago. If so it's great to see them doing well.

Another brood of Goosander. This time with 10 young. Seen at the same location as the last female with 9 young. 

A Goosander on the Irwell with 9 young this morning.

Cheers Martin, will keep an eye out