Peregrine (female) on town centre perch 1.30 pm. Observed probably same bird last week flying around train stations and saw it on same perch, so took telescope into work this week - brilliant views. It is a real cracker. will be keeping a close eye on it as i can see the perch from my office. Mick
Whilst waiting in the barbers for an hour yesterday, I had a read of the Wigan Reporter and there was an article about the above peregrine in there! They are predicting the number of residents to increase in the town centre over the next 5 years, which would be amazing! Still not had a chance to get down to see it (bit lame considering I only live about 3 miles away!!).
Anyone seen the article in the MEN (online) about the Pied Wagtail roost at the Robin Retail park? Apparently 500 birds. I posted on here about this time last year about there being 2-300 in the same area, but it seems to have become more popular!
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No one on their death bed ever said they wished they'd spent more time at work. http://bitsnbirds.blogspot.co.uk
A single Redwing in the depths of the town centre today making quick visits on to a Rowan outside the John Bull Chophouse, doing its best to dodge an unhappy Mistle Thrush
2 raven flew low over the houses near to scott lane today , on the nearby football fields lots of gulls feed daily ( were they are fed regular) lots of bh gull and common gull , and a few l b b and herring gull , sparrowhawk again , several mistle thrush have been on the rowan and a small flock of goldfinch have regular been on the rowan ( must be eating the flesh of the fruit and not the seed anybody witnessed this behaviour ? )the other day 2 heron went over and 3 cormorant which looked like they were on the big dipper at blackpool ( undulating flight not seen this behaviour before ).
Peregrine (female) on town centre perch 1.30 pm. Observed probably same bird last week flying around train stations and saw it on same perch, so took telescope into work this week - brilliant views. It is a real cracker. will be keeping a close eye on it as i can see the perch from my office. Mick
Approx 90 Redwing around Hardybutts, Scholes this afternoon and at least 70 at Darlington Street-Chapel Lane, where they appeared to be feeding behind the gym/former MFI building
Approx dozen Redwing feeding on the last of the rowan berries on Wilcock street, Wallgate at lunchtime today. Only the odd berry left on trees so they are picking up the windfall.
4 Bullfinch feeding on Rowan at Harrogate St/Darlington St junction this morning. Still plenty of mobile Redwing feeding there and also commuting over to Wallgate/Trencherfield Mill area
Thanks Dave! I was initially going to dismiss it could have been robins but after taking a listen to their winter call, I'm guessing it might have been them! I just assumed it was more of a wading bird due to the depth of it! I have a lot to learn!
Hello Matt, Robins will often sing at night in winter, especially where there is a lot of artificial light as is the case around the DW/Robin Park area. Teal and Coot are regular down there and would be likely to be heard when they're feeding at night. The sound of these would easily reach the DW Stadium at night from the marshes by the River Douglas at Walmsley's.
This afternoon 81 Redwing at Darlington St and Chapel Lane car park and feeding on Rowan by Harrogate Street junction.
-- Edited by dave broome on Thursday 2nd of January 2014 02:23:49 PM
I was at the DW Stadium on New Years Eve and whilst waiting for my taxi at about 1:30am, there was a lot of various bird songs and calls coming from towards the canal? Anyone have any idea what birds are active at this time of the night?
Scot lane area ( not far from robin park) , 3 cormorant over , female sparrowhawk regular , the mistle thrush had several redwing to fight off from its rowan berries , single grey wagtail over .
Raven in trees near John Bull this dinner time completely dwarfing the Magpies and Jackdaws contemplating mobbing it, also feral pigeon nest building in one of the car parks
Single peregrine near to jjbstadium again first thing this morning also around 300 pinkfoot heading northeast , 100+ woodpigeon heading west , mistle thrush and goldfich in song ,.
Raven this morning mobbed by Jackdaws over Riverway. 10 Long-Tailed Tit and 8 Blue Tit feeding by footbridge between King Street and Wigan North Western
Not sure if it can get sadder than this......a through-lounge-window-having-breakfast-while-watching-TV tick as two Buzzards floated over Hodges Street, a mile from the town centre, at just above rooftop height this morning.
Over the last few days a few Lesser Black-Backed Gulls on roofs adjacent to Bithell's Waste Recycling centre off Poolstock/Chapel Lane inc several Darvic ringed birds. No evidence of any nesting going on, presumably just birds which have bathed or loafed on the Wigan Flashes going there after the yard closes. 20 Lesser Black-Backed and 2 Herring Gull just before six o'clock tonight
The young Ravens now scattered about today due to nest having collapsed over the weekend 1 on the chimney and 3 on the ariel mast with one parent never to far away at most times
Saw one young Raven flying over Wallgate this afternoon calling loudly and flapping madly not sure if the others have gone yet but it will not be long for sure.
Geoff thanks for advice on Grey Wagtails i will take a walk this weekend,i've not been to the flashes for years. I will have to keep my eyes open for the Ravens at least i know they are in town.Mike
Mike,a walk down the canal from the town centre to Scotmans Flash would be a good bet for Grey Wagtail but they are thin on the ground.The Ravens nest site is indeed a secret as per the many postings ref breeding birds on the forum.
Hi im intrigued by Ravens in Wigan,wouldnt mind seeing them is it a secret location or could someone advise.Im new to site but am from wigan. Also are there any reliable sites for Grey Wagtail in Wigan.Thanks Mike
Reet good news,2 hours freezing looking at a pile of sticks,during which both adult Ravens present and correct,mobbing a Buzzard and 20 Jackdaws that invaded their airspace
3 or 4 Raven chicks in the nest
cheers geoff and 2 less fortunate cider loving observersyou have to like urban birding
Both Ravens at the nest site early afternoon. One stuck it's head in to nest them flew off. I had no bins so couldn't see whether it had food. A short while later the other bird sat on the nest.