Kersal Wetlands. Eighteen goldeneyes on the river including eight displaying drakes. Three goosanders, all redheads including one first-Winter drake starting to show his adult colours. A pair of dabchicks were displaying close to the river bank. Over a hundred black-headed gulls on the wetlands with handfuls of herring gulls and lesser black-backs and a couple of first-Winter common gulls, also a dozen herons. A couple of ring-necked parakeets screeching in the trees to the North.

Friday 22nd late lunchtime (of note):

• 21 Goldeneye (6m, 15f) - there have been at least a couple of Goldeneye on this stretch every time I've been
• 2 Goosanders - both males in full breeding plumage
• Not seen a Kingfisher for a little while - I think the river's been a bit full & fast & murky recently for optimum Kingfisher fishing conditions although it doesn't appear to affect the Goldeneye

Tried photographing the Goldeneye with smartphone + adaptor through my compact spotting scope but the results are not so good as soon as it's on anything larger than a smartphone screen - think I might have to invest in a proper camera

30 Goldeneye today (11 drakes, 19 ducks), there must be plenty of edible stuff in the river

10 Goldeneye (4 drakes, 6 ducks) on "my" little section of the Irwell. They even had the decency to stop diving for a while so that they could be confidently counted.

A first for me today on "my" little section of the Irwell (Broughton Bridge to Adelphi Footbridge) - 2 male Goldeneye, one fully breeding plumage, the other almost completely out of eclipse.

Have now seen a Little Grebe a couple of times on this stretch (I'd seen them previously on other bits of the Irwell).

I've been regularly spotting Kingfishers and I think I've only had one occasion when there hasn't been at least 1 Goosander about; starting to get some male plumage back, green heads and pinky lower halves are become more frequent.

Realised the other day that I can see the top of the CIS building - now hoping for a distant Peregrine spot to add to my "site" tally.

On "my" little section of the Irwell:

• The Little Egret was back today
• Seeing at least one Kingfisher most days (2 today)
• Watched some impressive fishing by a Cormorant in today's murky water - 2 good sized fish within a minute - absolutely no time wasted eating, just gulped down
• The Greylag Goose has apparently been part of the Canada Geese flock for at least a couple of years

Today on "my" little section of the Irwell - between Broughton Bridge A5066 and the Adelphi Footbridge - I had the pleasure of watching a Kingfisher fishing for about 15 minutes - only the second time I've seen one on this stretch (I have a quick check most weekday lunchtimes).

Apart from all the usual inhabitants (Canada Geese + the 1 Greylag, Black-headed gulls, Mallards, Goosanders) I could also see a shoal of approx 30 substantial fish - all about 15-16 inches long.

Quick walk along the riverside path this afternoon between Broughton Bridge and the first footbridge upstream (Linen Ct to Riverside)...

13 Goosander - the river brings down loads of unsightly rubbish but the water itself must be fairly ok if it's supporting so many fish eaters

Wagtails - at least one Pied and one Grey, possibly a White Wagtail as well (Edit: quick read tells me it's more likely to be a 1-year old Pied still in winter plumage) but didn't have binoculars with me so can't be sure - I'll have them with me next time 

Just downstream from Broughton Bridge - a Greylag Goose amongst the Canada Geese, pair of Lesser Black Backed Gulls

Lots of Black Headed Gulls and Mallard around of course

-- Edited by Michael Hood on Thursday 31st of March 2022 08:55:20 PM

Pretty sure I heard a singing Black Redstart on the Meadow side of the river at Peel Park this lunchtime. Not enough time to go and look before I had a meeting though...

12 Goldeneye today at about 12:00; 1 (M) upstream from Cromwell Rd Bridge, the other 11 downstream (6M, 5F) - I think, so difficult to count when they're all constantly diving but definitely more than 10

14 Goldeneye (7 of each sex) a little West of Broughton bridge yesterday (plus 3 goosander further East)

This evening around 'The Cliff' and flood plain.
5 grey herons
2 mute swans with 3 cygnets
2 ring necked parakeets flew over and landed in trees and disturbed a great spotted wood pecker
1 snipe

Sunday 15th August 2021

1 Kingfisher viewable from the Cromwell Bridge on the River Irwell

Curlew 3 flew over north calling at 07.48 (lousy record shot attached) Goosander 25, 16 adult redhead and 9 juvenile

-- Edited by Pete Hines on Wednesday 16th of June 2021 09:59:14 AM

4.2.2021 14.00-15.07

13 Grey Heron

2 Little Grebe

1 Goosander

1 Lesser Black Backed Gull

 

07.12.2020

10.30-11.00

12 Grey Heron

1 Wigeon

2 Pied Wagtail

4 Goldfinch

2 Reed Bunting (male and female)

8 Goldeneye (counted 8, but there were more, all female)

25.09.2020

11.45-12.35

Kersal Wetlands

1 Kingfisher

6 Grey Heron

8 Black Headed Gulls (first winter plumage)

2 Mute Swans

1 Grey Wagtail

-- Edited by Kev Jin on Friday 25th of September 2020 09:23:13 PM

Wednesday 26th August 2020

2 Swifts and 2 Mute Swans on Salford Wetlands

Kingfisher on the River Irwell adjacent to Kersal Dale LNR

Stroll from New Bridge Road to Adelphi Bridge, 1:50pm - 2:40pm Highlights included 1 kingfisher, 20 juvenile goosanders and a family of four grey wagtails. A cormorant and seventy-four Canada geese by Broughton Bridge.

1030-1230 6th August

 

Wetlands 

 

Blackbird x 4

Chiffchaff x 1

Coot x 8

Goldfinch x 8

Grey Heron x 3

Little Grebe x 2 (adult and chick)

Mallard x 6

Swift x 6

Wren x 1

 

Plus usual rafts of Canada Geese, Magpies, Wood and Feral Pigeons, Carrion Crows and Jackdaws.

 

River Irwell

 

 

Canada Goose x 8

Goosander x 11 - all female in two separate flocks. 5 flew past and went downstream towards the city shortly followed by another 7 who were in the river. They split shortly after some hunting and going back upstream whilst others continued down stream.

Kingfisher x 1

Mallard x 7

 

Cheers 

 

Bryan

-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Thursday 6th of August 2020 02:53:35 PM

First trip to the wetlands with my little lad today whilst daughter was trampolining around the corner.

 

Highlight was two pairs of Kingfishers on the Irwell. I'm presuming parents and offspring.

 

One pair had an almighty kick off with a magpie and were clearly warning the other two who were perched further upstream. Watched them up and down and circling the river for a good ten minutes. Was a beautiful sight to behold.

 

Also seen:

2 Blackbird

1 Dunnock

22 Goldfinch, 7 of which were juveniles

2 Great Tit

2 Little Grebe (adult and chick)

Numerous Magpies

2 Pied Wagtail

1 Robin

Dozens of Sand Martin's in flight

10 Wood Pigeon

 

As well as huge flocks of Carrion Crows, Jackdaws,a Canadian Geese and starlings. All of which has 25 + per flock.

 

There was also almost all white gull type bird wading and swimming in the wetlands but I wasn't able to identify it.

-- Edited by Bryan Deighton on Thursday 30th of July 2020 03:46:17 PM

Monday 1st June 2020

Kingfisher and female Goosander on the River Irwell, Kersal Dale

1 Lapwing and 2 Little Grebes on the Wetlands

2 great crested grebes on the Irwell by the sports village this morning, think that's the first time i've seen this species in the area. also 2 swifts and some house martins have joined the sand martins over the wetland.

-- Edited by James Richardson on Sunday 19th of April 2020 01:52:02 PM

11am

Black Redstart singing in trees within the University Campus, up the steps from Peel Park. Brief views before it flew off. Weather is sufficiently filthy that I can't see it moving far so worth a look tomorrow I imagine

Song akin to the first phrases in this item in Xeno Canto:

https://www.xeno-canto.org/503962

It is in a public space but visitors should be mindful that the park boundary is at the base of the steps and ramp, so at the top you are within the campus.