1 Treecreeper - only 2nd record for me here but presumably resident. 1 Nuthatch - now seem to be permanently resident here as trees begin to mature. 1 Cormorant overhead 1 Goldcrest
1st sign of Spring! 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming to each other! Didn't think they started so early. It was positively balmy this morning at +8 degrees. Lots of other bird activity as they seemed to relish the mild conditions for a change.
2 Robins bathing together in the newly unfrozen 'Old River'. Not seen that before! Lots of the usual common birds singing. 3 Mistle Thrushes foraging together on the thawing football field
Overhead: 2 Cormorants heading W. Interestingly they both did an unusual mid-flight stall steeply rising up and tucking their heads down for a few seconds at exactly the same time before normal flight resumed. How did they both decide to do it at the exact same time? Not seen that before either!
5 Herring Gull and 1 Great Black-backed Gull together W 16 Redwing (6 W , 10 S)
6 Teal back for the winter as usual (4m & 2f) The resident pair of Mute Swans now only have 3 cygnets with them. They seem to have chased the other 3 off.
Site Mega! - Nuthatch - first one I've ever seen here family group of Goldcrest - mostly just heard but a few fleeting views as they flitted between trees.
10.30am Male Bullfinch - a site first for me! Also GS Woodpecker still sticking it's head out of nest hole 2 Whitethroat 2 Blackcap 7 cygnets still with pair of Mute Swans two Mallard broods. One with 4 & one with 10 new young
There are now only 7 Mute Swan cygnets. 1 has obviously succummed. Pair of Canada's with 5 goslings. Noisy GS Woodpecker chicks calling from inside their nest hole. Occassionally sticking their heads out. Parents making regular visits.
Hobby over Prince's Park at 6.10pm heading north in the direction of Irlam Moss. Also the resident pair of Mute Swans on the 'Old river' have 8 young cygnets again - same as last year. Pair of Tufted Duck here as well.
Kingfisher on the 'firestation' end of the old river Irwell at 10.30am. First I've seen here for couple of years. The resident pair of Mute Swans now seem to have chased away all 8 of the young from last year and now seem to be just chasing the other ducks and Canada's instead!. 6 Tufted Duck (3m & 3f) 1 GS Woodpecker Other than that just the usual stuff and lots of common bird (and Grey Squirrel!) activity in the sunshine.
Water Rail again at 12.20pm and showing well in the wooded overgrown section of the river. Also 1 male Teal and lots of birds singing on a very spring-like day!
Water Rail in the reedy part of the 'Old River' Irwell at 3.30pm this afternoon where the water remains unfrozen. I had one in the same area 2 years ago. Also 80+ Goldfinches making a fantastic sound as they all sing together at the top of the trees. 2 GS Woodpeckers. 1 drake Teal
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 4th of January 2010 08:17:15 PM