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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> COVID- 19 GARDEN LOCKDOWN BLOGS 2020: CLOSED -> Karen Foulkes, Dukinfield (COVID-19 garden lockdown)
Post Info TOPIC: Karen Foulkes, Dukinfield (COVID-19 garden lockdown)
Karen Foulkes


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RE: Karen Foulkes, Dukinfield (COVID-19 garden lockdown)
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Plenty of birds have been in the garden over the last few days.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling from somewhere at the front of the house on Monday.

Yesterday a female Chaffinch visited, which was a new lockdown bird.

So far today, there have been two Jays in the garden, which whilst not a new lockdown species are always good to see. Unfortunately the Woodpigeon flock seems to have hoovered all the food up!

Woodpigeon, Starling and House Sparrow have been collecting nesting material and two Dunnock have been feeding regularly on the lawn.

Still waiting for Collared Dove!

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Karen Foulkes


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A flyover Black-headed Gull was an additional species this afternoon, but the garden generally was much quieter, probably due in no small part to a large ginger Tom cat which sometimes hangs around.

A pair of Long-tailed Tit was seen collecting cobwebs though

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Karen Foulkes


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Other birds seen so far today

Starling, the local pair seen mating on the neighbour's chimney as well as collecting nesting material from the patio
Robin, the local pair were about, one bird bathing
House Sparrow, one with nesting material and at least three using the feeders
At least two Goldfinch using the feeders
Four Greenfinch on the feeders
Three Blackbird, the local pair chasing an intruder away
Three or four Long-tailed Tit in the magnolia
Two Blue Tit


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Karen Foulkes


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After a quiet day yesterday, today started with a bang!

A cracking Grey Heron landed on the lawn briefly, possibly attracted by the pond. Certainly a great start to the week!

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Karen Foulkes


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A male Sparrowhawk flew over the front garden this afternoon as I was on my way out for a walk.

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Karen Foulkes


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With hindsight, the Blackcap was perhaps a week or so early and leads me to wonder whether it may be an overwintering bird.

Otherwise a Mallard flying over this morning was a new bird for the COVID list

15 species over and in the garden so far, plus several heard only. Some common species are still missing from the list.

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Karen Foulkes


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Going outside was definitely worth it! A Blackcap was quietly singing in next door's garden. Not seen, but the date about average for this species. Usually two or three singing birds around each year.

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Karen Foulkes


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Plenty of birds singing today in and around the garden.

A Chaffinch was singing near the garden, but hasn't ventured in so far. Three Goldfinch arrived on the feeders. The female Blackbird bathed and preened for a while and her mate chased all the smaller birds away including the aggressive Robin.

Canada Goose and Lesser Black-backed Gull have been garden flyovers since yesterday evening.

Plenty of insects around. I'm off out to try and identify some!

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Karen Foulkes


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Today's best bird was a Jay, always a good record for the garden. A Magpie also came into the garden

A pair of Robin mated three times in the Magnolia and a pair of House Sparrow came in to feed on the ground. Both male and female Blackbirds came in, although neither used the facilities!

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Karen Foulkes


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Since Monday,

Dunnock, singing daily, mainly in the evening, alternating between our garden and the neighbour's garden. Blue Tit and Great Tit have both been on the feeders and there were two Greenfinch in the Magnolia this morning. A Magpie also visited taking food from the floor. Both male and female Blackbirds have been bathing in a small plastic overgrown pond, usually in the morning. Wren, Robin and Goldfinch have been singing in and around the garden. There is a Nuthatch nearby as I have heard it calling on a regular basis and also a Coal Tit was singing nearby yesterday. Woodpigeons and are displaying regularly over the garden. The Jackdaw colony seems to be busy with four birds present as I write.

I was hopeful that a Starling pair would nest above my bedroom window when I saw one with a beakful of moss on Monday, but they seem to be nesting elsewhere.

I'm hoping that more birds will visit the garden in the coming days.

Other wildlife in the garden includes frogspawn, Peacock butterfly and White-tailed and Red-tailed Bumblebees.

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Karen Foulkes


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My garden is a small south facing plot. It is quite messy but contains a small pond. The best bird that actually visited the garden was a Brambling, but a Grey Heron visited the pond once and a Grey Wagtail has visited the garden twice. There is a thriving Jackdaw colony on the house behind the garden.

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