At 4am this morning whilst searching the stretch of canal immediately west of the road bridge at Old Church Street whilst at work, a small flock of Canada Geese on the canal by the small basin there were spotlit in powerful torch beams but with them was a lone drake Goosander, my second ‘seen’ bird of the year!
It's the small quiet car park on Hulme Road that seems to have all the problems ...... I used the main car park on Droylsden Road, which is a lot busier, and walked through the park.
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Blessed is the man who expecteth little reward ..... for he shall seldom be disappointed.
Please note, visiting birders need to be very careful where they park in this area and vigilant towards vehicle crime. A birder this morning had both number plates stolen off their car (a crime with potentially very serious implications).
Finally caught up with the Wood Warbler at 1320. Great views and song, as previously mentioned. Wonder how long he'll give it, trying to attract a mate. Probably too busy with people and dogs, if he's lucky.
With a wood warbler picture down on my to do list for targets this summer, I already had plans ready to visit a location where I've had them before.
However, after the success with a simular scenario I had with the hawfinches, I decided to try this park in manchester. It turned out to be another successful trip!!
From the Newton Heath tram station and the no.52 bus, arrived and found the wood warbler easy enough but it was constantly on the move in the same patch of trees so a lot of patience was required. He showed very well and i stayed long enough for me to take over 400 pictures!!! Why over 400 for one bird? Picture the following.....
"He's behind that leaf, oh, now he's in view, focus, drat, He moved! Found him again- point the camera- oops too late again...." So logic has it that I'm bound to get a few good pictures.
Attached are just a couple "out of the hat" after flicking through just half of them.
Wood Warbler still present today in same location in brookdale Park. It's mobile BUT only in about a 50 sq yd patch and very vocal. Giving some great views.
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Wood Warbler still present at Brookdale park at 1.08pm today. I parked in the tiny carpark at Hulmes rd.and went past the empty concrete panel compost bays, past some old felled tree trunks down the path to the wooded area about 20 ft ,and there it was singing away sometimes close to the path (to close for a scope ).
Finally got a chance to pop down to see the Wood Warbler that I heard had been showing well during the past week. Needles to say it did not disappoint. From the moment I arrived I could hear a very familiar song of a fast rolling coin picking up pace coming from just down the hill. The bird was present and singing none stop whilst flitting from branch to branch from 9:40-11:30 and was still present before I left.
Other birds included.
3 Mistle Thrush 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Nuthatch 1 Jay 5+ Blackbird 5+ Robin
- Wood Warbler still present at Brookdale Park around 6pm - 7.15pm when I left.
It was singing and then it started calling, it was fairly mobile around the stream and the dell, and showed really well on occasions and fairly close up too!
Other birds of note... - 1 Willow Warbler - 2 Blackcap (1m 1f) - 2 Nuthatch - 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 Sparrowhawk - 2 Jay - 1 Mistle Thrush - 1 Song Thrush - Blackbirds everywhere ...plus plenty of other woodland birds about.
Alot of Chaffinch around singing, I think this may have confused a birder on the other side of the dell as he had his camera pointed up to the top of the trees when infact the Wood Warbler was right near me, unless he was after a nice photo of a Chaffinch of course ! Note...
Please add an hour on to the camera image time. Forgot to alter it when the clocks went forward. I do it everytime!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 2nd of May 2018 01:20:35 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 2nd of May 2018 07:46:06 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 2nd of May 2018 07:50:45 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 2nd of May 2018 07:53:46 AM
Wood Warbler still present at around 18.30 at Brookdale Park, but tricky to pick up as it wasn't singing and eventually myself and another birder got it from movement in the treetops. It began calling insistently but only eventually managed a couple of bursts of lovely song, and not too loud either.
My second GM Wood Warbler and another one in an odd urban location. Whereas the Sale bird very sensibly disappeared quickly, this one has stayed for day 2 and while I admire the determination, hopefully he will assess the situation and conclude that the Peak District or up in the Lakes might just be a better bet! Great find though and a lovely bird to be able to go and see after work.
The Wood Warbler in Brookdale Park had moved from the more manicured Northern dell to the Southern dell, a more natural habitat, when I arrived around 7pm and was singing fairly constantly and giving good views up to 8:10pm
A really great bird to see in urban Manchester!
https://youtu.be/LQC-5V2k-Ao
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Wood Warbler in Brookdale Park, Hulmes Road, Newton Heath Late afternoon today. Singing in the northern dell about 300 metres down the path from the small car park.
3 Lapwing feeding on the grass plot in front of the old Silk Mill this morning. May be worth checking the roof of Farmfoods (formerly The Carpet Store etc.)
Common sandpiper on Rochdale canal ,flying between the two locks before ten acres lane ,really suprised to see one there ,I spooked it whilst going to work hope it finds its way to a more suitable location.....
C30 Canada Geese on the green verge in front of Eldridge Drive at lunchtime today, patiently waiting for a handout from a man with a Sunblest loaf. (No doubt other sliced white loaves are available) On my way back from Manchester they'ed returned to grazing the verge.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Friday 1st of November 2013 09:18:49 PM