It's a strange name I know. Old English I'm told. Means spear carrier or something. Modern form is Jarvis.
Forgot to add, If you've got any of your spears handy feel free to use 'em on any egg-thieving scumbags that might be lurking on the forum, or in the City Centre
So Gervase, you've been called a woman (not that that's in anyway an insult, of course, all females reading this, after all you lot do comprise about 50 per cent of the population) and you've had to undergo trial as a possible egger........welcome to the Manchester Birding Forum If this is the way things are going then being recruited by MI5 would be more straightforward
Ahem. Thanks for the back up Steve. However had we actually met or spoken you would have been able to tell from my voice and plumage that I am in fact a male of the species. G
lol glad its not just me that gets gender wrong on here! (see man peregrines page!)
Ahem. Thanks for the back up Steve. However had we actually met or spoken you would have been able to tell from my voice and plumage that I am in fact a male of the species. It's a strange name I know. Old English I'm told. Means spear carrier or something. Modern form is Jarvis. Now I've cleared that up how does this private messaging work? Anyone likely to be in town between 9 and 10 tmrw morning? Cheers G
You are of course right to think us cautious and I'm sure you understand why. Any reply on the subject should be done by a private message to you but I'm sure our band of birders will be happy to help you out. Especially as you've gone to the lengths of providing us with 'evidence' of who you are
Hello again. Oh dear. Have just read the rest of the posts in this thread and am guessing you will all suspect me of being an "Egger". Please be reassured, i am pure birder. I think steve Suttill allocated my BBS tetrad on Yew tree lane last year and I've been submitting roving records for the mersey valley and other parts of uk. Not only that but I am vegan Would love to see the BX. Only time I can recall doing so in adult life was a few years back on a Djing trip to Slovenia. Thanks G
Hi I'm new to manchester birding. Live really close to chorlton ees and have been enjoying the warblers plenty. I'm going to catch a train tomorrow morning and would love to see the B. Redstarts. Could you tell me where to look on chona lane and where the other presumed territory is please. Thanks Gervase
Slightly off topic but the Roman St feeders are well used by Sparrows but in several management training sessions I've had in rented rooms in the Buddhist Centre from where I could see them directly through the window I never saw them used by Blue tits
Yesterday and today I did a tour around the Buddhist Centre I dropped round to see Steve yesterday but unfortunately it was his day off. However I recall making a sighting last year only a stone's throw away from the B Centre. Sadly no BXs . I was pleased to see the hanging feeders in Roman Street no wonder there's a good blue tit population around there.
I visited the China Lane site this evening and clocked both birds. I immediately went over to the other site and got a bird which sat on a low roof. It appeared to have some signs of pale wing patches. It disappeared for a while then I caught sight of it 20 mins later where it must have been feeding along the canal. It flew past me very close hugging the ground till it got to buildings and went where I expected it to go.
Still no have no hard evidence of two territories but the probability is good for two.
Very interesting, Tim. A male was seen on the roof of the Buddhist Centre about four years ago. Will keep my eyes open as it's only a two-minute walk from where I work.
Nothing happening at Roman Street this lunchtime then it started raining. Small bird seen flying to the roof of the Buddhist Centre but it may just ahve been a sparrow.
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Tuesday 30th of June 2009 03:41:45 PM
Unfortunately I have just got in and have to leave very soon. If anyone is hoping to go on Sunday will they please send me a private message leaving telephone number so that I can contact you.
It's a fair point Rob but other similar sites in the city centre previously haven't suffered any problems (as far as we're aware). The Dale Street birds used to attract a fair crowd too.
That said it depends on their exact breeding location which of course is not to be diclosed or discussed here or with other 'birders' we don't know. If such a location was quite low down then they could be disturbed by birders/photographers and also attract adverse publicity from the undesirables that groups of birders might draw.
We really just need to use our common sense. If the birds look agitated then we need to back away and give them space. I would ask that if anyone witnesses any 'unacceptable behaviour' or problem with these birds to let me know asap so I can liase with the right people if necessary.
I think at the end of the day they're more tolerant than we might give them credit for. The city centre hustle and bustle doesn't bother them and it's louder and more hectic than some might appreciate
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 26th of June 2009 04:19:14 PM
Both birds together this morning at 9:30 after a brief view of one disappearing earlier. Reasonable views and little disturbance in the area despite it being rush hour.
Another blank this morning between 7:20 and about 8:00, but interesting chat with someone connected to the buildings in the area about possible breeding in the area 2 years ago...
First tram out of Alty this morning, am I mad, got me to the Back Piccadilly area for 06.30 and immediate views of a preening female Black Redstart. Watched her for a while then moved up to Port Street car park - nothing in the way of BXs there although I did see and hear a Wren in some scrubby bits opposite the car park entrance. Back to the original area and had a repeat show from the female. No sign of any undesirables - thanks to Dave T for the advice and Adrian for the directions
2 brief glimpses of a single female this morning, 1 quick photo op, lots of song, 1 grey wagtail and 1 pied that we saw and heard, nice to meet Adrian and Roy and mr crutch man!! Shame we never saw the male, but not disapointed.
Yes good to meet you and Ian. Ian if you read this I hope your scan and any operation you have goes well. You are dedicated indeed!
I got several glimpses of female a few contact calls and the male singing stongly from a perch but I could not see it. Was not able to establish how many territories if more than one.
I will also check out Minshull St area during week.
Thanks
-- Edited by Adrian Dancy on Sunday 21st of June 2009 05:18:21 PM
2 brief glimpses of a single female this morning, 1 quick photo op, lots of song, 1 grey wagtail and 1 pied that we saw and heard, nice to meet Adrian and Roy and mr crutch man!! Shame we never saw the male, but not disapointed.
Have heard singing Black Redstarts on 2 occasions (wed 7.40am & fri 8.05pm) within the last week in the Crown Court - Bloom St/Minshull St area of the city, but due to lack of time, wasn't able to make a positive sighting.
Just done my late BBS round Southern Cemetry/West Didsbury
A gang of 8 'feral' youths obviously up to no good at 06:20. All in balaclavas and scarves creeping round alleys off Burton Rd. Luckily they didn't spot me
In the words of the Hill Street Blues sergeant - Lets be careful out there
-- Edited by Tony Coatsworth on Sunday 21st of June 2009 09:19:30 AM
I would ask that anyone posting details of these or any other city centre Black Redstarts very carefully consider what they put in their post before hitting the submit button.
As a rare breeding bird, pubication of obviously used perching locations (which may in turn be near nest locations) and of course any actual nest site should be absolutely witheld from this forum. After discussing the issue with Adrian Dancy tonight, whether these particular birds are in fact breeding or not, we must be cautious about the information we put on here. Eggers are watching, don't you worry about that and any nest location may well be accessible for them should there be one.
I will be visiting the City Centre very early Sunday morning. In order to try and establish BX territories it would assist if anyone available could help in doing a sweep of the area. I am thinking of about 8.30AM 9.00AM.
What about we Senior Citizens Dave? I was thinking of having a look around on Monday morning I'm usually in the city centre around 7 - 7.30. I know that's not too early but hopefully any undesirables will still be where they collapsed the night before.
I will be visiting the City Centre very early Sunday morning. In order to try and establish BX territories it would assist if anyone available could help in doing a sweep of the area. I am thinking of about 8.30AM 9.00AM.