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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> Bolton Peregrines
Post Info TOPIC: Bolton Peregrines
Simon Warford


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RE: Bolton Peregrine
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Judith, late afternoon one of the young was on a ledge just below the nest tray, with an adult bird sat above watching it, i couldnt see any of the other young in the area.

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Judith Smith


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All the young Peregrines fledged today (info from Anthony Bremner who actually witnessed it) but he could only see 3.

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Judith Smith __________________________________ Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
Geoff Hargreaves


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Sunday am
All four chicks (yes four)ready for fledging 2 practice flights, one down on the lower half of the town hall being harrassed by magpies,all very entertaining and a joy to watch.And yes they do dissapear to the back of the ledge or round the cornersconfuse.gif.

cheers Geoffbiggrin.gifbiggrin.gif

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David Craven


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Yeah, I spotted the workmen from the museum, hoped Judith or someone would be onto it.

Saw one of the adults make a kill (pigeon) over towards Morrison's later in the day. First time I've seen it, very impressive sight. Unfortunately I was about the only person of all the shoppers, people heading home, kids on the skatepark etc that paid any attention.

The BH Gulls were what drew my attention, they were making a real racket.

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Judith Smith


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I have asked my town hall contact to sort this out. There is ongoing work on the masonry which will take many months but they are not supposed to be near the Peregrines. It's illegal.

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gary mills


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Had my first opportunity to see the birds this morning. Quite a spectacle as 2 men were working on the Town Hall roof and the female was going ballistic. She was circling the tower and attempting to hover over where the men were. The noise was unbelievable and could be heard on Deansgate. Dozens of people were stood watching. It makes a change from Manchester where people go about their business oblivious to the birds above them.

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Gary Mills
Judith Smith


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All 3 juvs were sitting in a row yesterday, and have not fledged yet. Apparently they can walk alll the way round the base of the dome. (Info from Anthony Bremner, the BMBC staff member involved with them)

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Dean Macdonald


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If they've fledged it must have been this afternoon. There was activity at dinner time(1pm) i was watching from work, so not that close, but there where deffinately birds on the clock. One adult was flying around, could've been encouraging them to fly.

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Simon Warford


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No sign of any young on the town hall or parish church, presume(hope) they have fledged.

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Geoff Hargreaves


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All three chicks seem ok but sleepy at lunchtime today ,one adult bird was sitting nearby.

cheers geoffbiggrin.gif

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Simon Warford


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All three chicks still doing well, being fed when me and Melanie popped up this afternoon and the second adult sat a metre from the top.

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Geoff Hargreaves


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Great news,there are three chicks in the nest,I saw them being fed this morning at 9.oo
there may be four ,but its a difficult site to view,even harder to photograph but some one with a really big lens might have a go.

cheers geoffbiggrin.gifis english my first languageconfuse.gif

-- Edited by Geoff Hargreaves on Monday 4th of May 2009 11:51:38 AM

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Geoff Hargreaves


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Whent for a look this morning,cracking male sut sunning himself and preening for half an hour untill the females calls roused him to the nest, after a quick conflab the male shot off hunting.i took a few photos which i.ve sent to ian mck.I,ll have to go back when there due to fledge.

cheers geoff great big grin,great big grin

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Judith Smith


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All our trays have plenty of drainage holes and the pebbles in it are just a little bigger so they don't fall out. It's exactly like the Manchester tray which is successful year in year out. They are just awkward.

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Judith Smith __________________________________ Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
Melanie Beckford


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The female didn't appear to have much room the nest,but is it possible the tray has water in,and that's why they won't use it or is the nest more natural??

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Dean Macdonald


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I was on the market place car park roof yesterday afternoon and felt something was odd.
The female flew onto the spot where the Ravens nest was and seemed to stay put while the male sat nearby. It was so misty and hazy that i couldn't get a clear view through the scope, could only make out the white on the face. I assumed there was a prey item next to the bird but i wasn't totally convinced. Didn't have time to go into town and have a closer look.
Seems a more precarious site than the tray.

Thanks for the info Simon and Judithsmile.gif

Cheers Dean.

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Simon Warford


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Visited with Melanie this morning. Some developments to report. No activity at the tray because they seem to be using the old ravens nest above, female sat low on it being visited regularly by the male, can only assume sitting on eggs. Rather suprised to see them on the raven's nest rather than on the tray. Also a third Peregrine flying around, quite possibly a young female from last year.

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Dean Macdonald


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Both birds on the clock tower at 12.30 feeding. No activity at the tray.

Dean.

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Dean Macdonald


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Only seen one bird in the last few days. After reading Adrian's post about the Manchester birds having eggs.I suppose the female could already be sitting. I'll try and get a closer look in the next few days.

Dean.

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Dean Macdonald


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Just the one bird seen at lunchtime today. Soaring over the church in the sunshine. Splendidbiggrin.gif

Dean.

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Dean Macdonald


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Both birds high over the town centre this lunchtime.

Dean

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Steve Almond


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4pm Peregrine sat above the clock on Town Hall. Watched to see if it was affected by the clock chimes. Answer - no

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Mike Passant


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Thanks to Stuart and to Dean for your advice; much appreciated.
I used to work in Bolton (on Deansgate), but it was a little while ago, 1960 -1964,
so I suspect one or two things may have changed!
Regards,
mike P

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Dean Macdonald


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There is roadside parking on the cresent behind the town hall. Also roadside parking right next to the parish church, both time limited and pay and display. Or just park on any of the car parks and head for the town hall.

I would recomend going to the roof level of the Market Place multi story, access from Bridge st. Great view of the clock tower and church. From here you look over the town centre and can see the birds in action. You'll need a scope to get decent views on the clock tower but great for fly over and hunting views.

Hope this helps.
Cheers Dean.


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stuartherring


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when i went there the parking is available right behind the town hall but beware traffic wardens were in abundance excellent veiws right on one of the corners of the clock tower best "o" luck

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Mike Passant


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Never having seen a Peregrine in Gr. Manchester (honestly), I would really like to have a stab at seeing the Bolton ones in the next month or so. What's it like for parking there and what might be a good time of day to try for them please?
(I'd try to work it in with a round trip to Pennington Flash and environs, and the mosses for Corn Buntings as well).
In view of what I see mentioned on the pages here re Pennington and dog walkers, I'd avoid a weekend trip.
Any info welcomed.
Cheers,
Mike P

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Ian McKerchar


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Posted by Stuart Herring today:

excellent views of female preening this lunchtime on top of town hall


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Dean Macdonald


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Crackin view of the male at dinner time today. Flew low over my works and everyone who goes outside after lunch got a great view. Genuine interest from everyone(big grin emo)

Cheers Dean.

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Alan Prosser


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A single Peregrine dining on a recently killed Feral Pigeon on the Parish Church at 10am today.

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Dean Macdonald


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Just the one on the church this morning.

According to the local rag web cams could be placed on the clock tower but they'll have to be quick!! Knowing Bolton council, we might just get them in time for next year. Would be nice though as the cameras would be very close to the nest. Hope it happens.

Cheers Dean.

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Simon Warford


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Both adults giving a good arial display around the parish church this afternoon.

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Dean Macdonald


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Peregrines mating on town hall clock lunchtime today.

Dean.

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Sarfraz Hayat


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Thanks Judith!

Ravens have also been known to drive Peregrines from nesting places - I hope both nest close by though.
What about the Ravens - what are they feeding on? I know they are omnivores and have been recorded eating allsorts of things, some very very unpleasant and not talking about carrion too.
They are generally shy birds and I dont see them coming down to the ground and feeding on scraps like pigeons do.

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Dean Macdonald


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Saw both birds on the church yesterday and there has been a Raven around but only seen the one.

My dinner breaks are starting to get betterbiggrin.gif Should be displaying soonwink.gif

Dean.

-- Edited by Dean Macdonald at 22:18, 2009-02-11

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Judith Smith


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Ravens - no, they may have been an immature pair practising (they don't breed till about 4yrs old) but the Peregrines saw them off anyway. Still around I believe so they'll have to do it all over again.
What do they eat - a wide variety of prey but mostly Feral Pigeons. A Woodcock was amongst the remains we found recently.

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Ian Campbell


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2 birds on Parish church today 1.45p.m.
Cheers Ian

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Sarfraz Hayat


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did the ravens manage to breed successfully in bolton town centre?

does anyone have any idea what both the ravens and peregrines fed on?

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Simon Warford


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2 birds on Parish church 3pm (info from Phil Rhodes), probably not going far in this snowfall!

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Dean Macdonald


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Adult on parish church at lunchtime.

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Dean Macdonald


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Peregrine on the parish church this lunchtime. Looked like a juv. Flew off before i got a decent look.

Dean.

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Alan Warford


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Peregrine in flight round Parish Church at 2-15 pm

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Simon Warford


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Peregrine on Parish Church 12.30pm eating prey.

Info from my Dad whilst Christmas Shopping.smile.gif

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Dean Macdonald


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Peregrine on the parish church lunchtime todaybiggrin.gif

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Alan Prosser


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One Peregrine on clock tower of Town Hall at 11.55am today

-- Edited by Alan Prosser at 15:12, 2008-11-20

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Simon Warford


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Peregrine on parish church this afternoon.

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Rob Smallwood


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Made my first visit Sunday afternoon. Car park closed but great views from by the Town Hall. By late afternoon the sun is behind you, and car parking is free.

I used the flat areas by the top of the stairs on the curved building oposite which had several benefits, not least that the few passers by were below me and oblivious to my presence.

Superb views of both birds, the male frantically plucking a prey item, then a food pass, lots of calling and a few good flight views.

Managed to digiscope some reasonable shots that I'll pass on to Ian.

A big thanks to Adrian D and Paul C for suggesting a visit - well worthwhile.

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Jon Taverner


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Many thanks Dean and Paul for your quick and helpful replies. I will probably make the journey just to see them. My ability to take any decent and sharp birds in flight shots is pretty pathetic and standing in the square with camera, lens and tripod is, as you say, just asking for trouble on a Saturday. Thanks again.

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Dean Macdonald


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Jon, I think the town hall square is the best place to get photos. The only draw back is you're looking up. I was there around 12 till 2 pm today and the sun was directly over the clock. If you avoid the middle of the day you should be ok. From the car park the nest is too far away for a 500mm lens but like Paul said, a good chance of fly overs.

Also, be prepared for the public. It's big news at the moment. I found most people to be curious and friendly but expect the odd ****head, especially on a saturday.

Cheers Dean.

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Paul Cliff


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no worries dean i saw a spark of recognition in your eyes but knew you were trying to place me!

jon - i doubt the nest box side of the building would get any usable sunlight and it's way beyond a 500mm, but you could get lucky with fly overs - i had 2 or 3 in the couple of hours i was up there

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Jon Taverner


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I would be very grateful for some advice. I would love to get some decent photographs of the peregrines - there is supposed to be some sun about tomorrow. From the top of the car park, at what time of day is the sun at the right angle and would a 300mm or 500mm lens get me fairly close? Thanks.

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