Well spotted James. I think meadow pipit breed in Kersal Dale (near the Cliff) and these birds forage the grasslands by the side of the Irwell rarely have I seen them go past Littleton Bridge. I asume they breed in the Dale but as yet I have found no proof of breeding.
Coming in to work in Manchester university this morning I was met by a pipit walking towards me along the pavement in the snow in Dover Street (~0900 Upper Brook street end). I take it to have been a meadow pipit though views were rather limited once I'd found some bins and the call was a surprisingly strong when it flew off (round the Upper Brook Street corner)- I guess I'm not used to hearing mipit calls bouncing around high brick walls.
