17 species seen at Mayfield Park, Saturday 22nd June
Canada Goose 2 broods on the R Medlock Mallard 1 brood on the R Medlock Feral Pigeon many singles moving in and out of the city centre, a flock of 29 spooked off the railway arches, as though an unseen raptor was around Woodpigeon 2 feeding on the foliage of trees in the park Moorhen 1 on R Medlock Herring Gull 1 ad over Lesser Black-Backed Gull several around, including an adult carrying what appeared to be a large scrap food item in to the city centre Magpie a pair with 4 fledged juveniles, mainly foraging the mown grass Carrion Crow 1 Great Tit 1 ad in heavy moult Blue Tit 2 Mistle Thrush 2 flew out of the park Dunnock 1 with a brief snatch of song Grey Wagtail 2 Pied Wagtail 2 Greenfinch 1 Goldfinch 5 inc 2 singing, feeding together on the planted embankment below the railway
Other birds in the city centre were a flyover Grey Heron and a pair of Mute Swan on the R Medlock at Castlefield canal basin
MAYFIELD DEPOT - 2 crackers this morning - LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (photo on ebird) and WHEATEAR which flew towards Piccadilly Station. COTTON FIELDS/ NEW ISLINGTON - Cracking male BRAMBLING on 17.04.24 (Photo on ebird)
A Jay flew over the Mancunian Way in to the city centre this morning, near the Chester Road junction. Around midday a female Sparrowhawk was over Mayfield Park, where a Grey Wagtail flew along the R Medlock.
Whilst searching for singing male Black Redstarts I chanced upon some Lesser-black Backed Gull chicks. Several adults took to the air in order to protect the young. I attach three images of the young and one of an adult.
There is one on the Irwell that I've only ever seen with Canada Geese about 3/4 mile upstream from the Cathedral. I first saw it shortly after I started observing the Irwell last May but I believe it's been present and generally hanging around with the Canada Geese for 2 or 3 years at least.
It's quite likely that your Greylag is the same bird, but in your photos it doesn't appear to have any uniquely identifying marks (for me to check next time I see it).
-- Edited by Michael Hood on Thursday 30th of March 2023 04:04:31 PM
A greylag goose was on the river irwell viewed from cathedral approach this afternoon. A pair of mistle thrush collecting nesting materials in St Peters Square. A blackbird was singing at the cathedral but making some unknown but very nice song.
On Saturday a kingfisher was seen on the river irwell viewed from cathedral approach, also 4 grey wagtails.
Slightly belated news, I was walking past Manchester Cathedral for a work event yesterday at dusk (around 5:45pm) and heard an unfamiliar song / call coming from towards the Cathedral. I was walking down Victoria street.
Two peregrines - presumably a male and female based on size - were on and around the Klimpton Clocktower near Oxford road station. Looked like the female was carrying prey
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I used to regularly see the Cormorants on the lamp standards on the corner of Trinity Way and Water Street (the other site you mention) in my commuting days.
There is in fact one still visible on Google Streetview when viewed from the Water Street junction.
Two immature Cormorants resting on the very tall lights on the central reservation of the Mancunian Way less than 100 metres west of the Chester Road roundabout. Whilst they're often on the river a little further up by Regent Road this is the first time I recall seeing them on these lights myself and they're just surrounded by concrete and traffic!
24 Cormorants east in one flock fairly low over the city centre at just c8:15 this morning, circled over the New Cross/Ancoats area and then seems to go back west.
Juvenile Ring-necked parakeet on bird feeders Jutland Street M1 2WE. Trying to feed without much success. Been here 2 days. Anyone know who to contact about possible rescue?
No sign of the Blyth's Reed Warbler at All Saints Park this morning. Found by Alex Lees yesterday afternoon the bird was sporadically observed yesterday until 15.55. More details https://ebird.org/checklist/S98242804
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Currently a female whitethroat in one of the birch trees outside bedroom window, Rozel Square, along with:
2 chiffchaff
2 willow warbler - these seem to be hanging around a while.
The other day there was also 1 male and 1 female blackcap in the same trees with WW and CC.
There must be rich invertebrate life in birch trees at this time of year - always full of bird life.
This may be my last post from this patch as moving on Tuesday - hopefully whoever continues to visit this wonderful part of the city centre can add to the list of 51 species :) best of luck.
The juvenile lesser black backed gull has been on the same spot on same pontoon for a few days now, photo attached from monday.
There appears to have been a much larger number of lesser black Backed gulls this year, all throughout the year, in the city centre. They make a lot of noise and Im Sure it makes people check theyre in a city and not at the beach.
Whilst working around the Northern Quarter at c4pm today a hatch of flying ants had attracted the attention on 60 or so Black-headed Gulls which were clearly feeding on them but watching the birds two adult Mediterranean Gulls appeared in the flock! the birds drifted off SW seemingly following the ants which were drifting that way.
A little earlier around the small (and really rather stunning) basin in front of Society by the Bridgewater Hall, a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull was on one of the vegetated pontoons, whilst it’s parent watched from the roof of the building next to it (iPhone photo attached).
Two common buzzards within one minute of each other. The 2nd bird circled over the town centre for 5 minutes and was ignored by the male peregrine that was intent on catching prey and putting on a show. Recently I found a kingfisher in a gutter (window hit) and a little grebe with signs of peregrine predation which I found near the town hall.
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Thursday 15th of April 2021 11:25:57 PM