Hi Pete, I have observe the Corvid roost on the Mosslands (Barton/Irlam Moss) during the winter months grow to over 300+ birds including Jackdaws over the last three years,and i have also observing indivuals that contain all white primiares and sometimes secondaries in the roost. Makes you wonder if they are just a Northern England hi-bred Hoodie just like the English/Scottish Crossbill. Regards I.D.Moffat.
Fawn, coffee coloured and apparent greyish birds are and have been regular around the Blackrod and Westhaughton area for many years, also pied birds are increasingly seen around the astley moss area atleast and others have been reported aorund the Dunham area in recent years. We seem to have little, quite prolific populations in the county and they have on more than one occasion (much more!) been the culprits for Hooded Crow claims.
Hi, peter , there is a pale chocolate/coffee coloured carrion crow which has lived on farm land between the A6 roundabout near blackrod and the reebok stadium. It has been around for at least 3 years and 2 summers ago was observed carrying sticks to a tree top nest so i assume that it has bred. it can be seen feeding in fields either side of the dual carriage way.
Whilst walking along the wall this afternoon at Elton Res. I spotted a leucistic Carrion Crow. It had very pale grey wings and back, its body colour was a darker grey. It also had a dark bill. I was unable to make out its leg colour as it was in long grass. There was a pair of Carrion Crows harassing it all the time presumably because it was on their territory and not due to its colour. As I was coming along the canal later there was no sign of it.
It reminded me of earlier this year in Close Park, Radcliffe (near where I live) on 27th January when I saw a pure white Carrion Crow with pink legs and bill. One of the differences between leucism and albinism is in the eye colour but unfortunately I wasn't close enough to determine the colour.
There has been a corvid roost here for many years and regularly over the years I have seen Carrion Crows with very pale primaries.
