At least 32 Pied wagtails met up in a large Hawthorn bush at the rear of my works on West Hope street Salford this afternoon at 3.10pm. Very vocal and they eventually flew off in the direction of Manchester a couple of minutes later.
Spent the afternoon Christmas shopping in Manchester and visiting the German Market.
Decided to check out the St Anne's Square roost at 4.30pm and at least 200 birds were present flying around from tree to tree and onto nearby buildings before settling down for the night in the usual trees decorated with Christmas lights.
If you decide to visit the German Market, the roost is not to be missed!!
The St.Annes Square, City Centre roost began at 16:30 precisely this evening. Birds could be seen flying onto surrounding building for 10-15 minutes prior to this when they suddenly coverged on the two largest trees in the square. Unfortunately I had to leave at around 16:40 when birds were still flying in but the overall total was at least around 200 by then and should easily surpass that. Certainly in years gone by, especially with the added heat from the Christmas Market there the roost has reached upto 800 at least.
60+ Pied wagtails flying above the Asda car park in Trafford park this evening. They appeared to settle on the roof then flew up again with 20+ flying into the trees on the car park and the rest heading for the Trafford centre
I'm pretty sure they are roosting in one of the trees that line Ashfield Road. They used to roost in the plane trees in front of sale town hall till they were trimmed back. I drive past around 5-30 on a week day and they are on the rooftops of Topps tiles and the large building diagonally opposite on the A56.
They are still following that pattern and roosting in the trees and bushed adjacent to the "stranded" house.
About 100 roosting in tree at corner of Peter Sq and Oxford Rd and 20 in Albert Sq. I imagine numbers down with a local sparrowhawk visting Albert Sq and scaring them off and a big hit with the recent bad weather.
Pulled in to Sainsbury's car park in Sale last night having seen a small flock fly down to the roof at about 5:30.
By the time I left 20 minutes later at least 200 were congregated there, but I wasn't able to stay to see if they roosted there or if it was a pre-roost gathering.
Fantastic sight on a clear evening.
I'm pretty sure they are roosting in one of the trees that line Ashfield Road. They used to roost in the plane trees in front of sale town hall till they were trimmed back. I drive past around 5-30 on a week day and they are on the rooftops of Topps tiles and the large building diagonally opposite on the A56.
Pulled in to Sainsbury's car park in Sale last night having seen a small flock fly down to the roof at about 5:30.
By the time I left 20 minutes later at least 200 were congregated there, but I wasn't able to stay to see if they roosted there or if it was a pre-roost gathering.
Whilst watching the Pied Wagtails that were on the ground before going into roost tonight, I noticed the black on the face of a male bird almost covered the full face giving a masked effect which was quite intriguing to look at. I've never seen one with this extent of black.
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Wednesday 24th of February 2010 07:23:34 PM
Still a large roost in Ashton-u-Lyne, looked as though they'd been disturbed by the delivery lorry tonight, they seemed to be returning to the trees where they roost.
About 15 seen at Siddal Moor School Heywood late this afternoon. I will keep an eye out on this roost as we are building a new block and refurbishing this school.
c100 tonight in trees opposite Greggs on Warrington Street, didn't have time to count properly will try tomorrow, if big lorry doesn't disturb them before I get there
Mesnes Terrace Wigan 82 Pied Wagtails counted going to roost in a 15min watch tonight still going in when i came out of car park so must be over 100 roosting
Albert square pied wagtail roost in Manchester was visited by a male sparrowhawk. It took a pied wagtail at precisely 4.20 PM . Most wagtails were out of the tree but a few remained and thought to just branch hop or flutter to a nearby branch to get out of its way. Sadly for one bird it cut it a bit fine and gave up its life and was taken away. A little sad when a single white feather falls to your feet. I estimated 150 birds roosting but I dare say others went elsewhere.
Years ago there used to be a roost on the library which has a carved stone facade. Read somewhere the other day that you can tell where the wagtails are roosting as the trees have loads of smallish droppings underneath - usually only pavement trees where pied wags congregate so not too difficult to find.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
There must be a Pied Wagtail roost in or around Spinningate Centre in Leigh as this morning when i got there they was flying out on mass with lots on the roofs of nearby shops and on the carpark a rough estimate of 100+ as it hadnt become light proper to get a better count
Despite having my hopes raised last week when I thought the Wagtails had returned, it now appears the roost in Ashton under Lyne has moved elsewhere. I have seen them flying towards Ashton Moss in decent looking numbers, so perhaps they are roosting somewhere on there.
Sad to report that the large roost in the Plane Trees in front of Sale Town hall seems to have gone. The trees were cut in autumn last year and though a few pieds turned up there were nothing like the usual hundreds. This year to date there has been 3 seen around the shopping centre.
-- Edited by Mark Whalley on Wednesday 4th of November 2009 01:31:53 PM
Numbers in Manchester last week at Albert Square and St Ann's Square (on different days)probably in their hundreds. It's impossible to do a count with leaves on trees.
Noticed several Pied Wagtail on roofs adjacent to Oldham Rd near Housing Units at 1650hrs. There were several more flying into small conifers on the opposite side of the road.
It would be great to have some up-to-date info on that roost, Henry, as it's some years since it was properly counted. If necessary I could possibly arrange official access if it's in a place where security is an issue.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
The Manchester Airport roost is up and going again. Not visited the actual site yet but there are birds regularly flying over my garden before dusk and visiting the local roofs for insects during the day.