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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> Alexandra Park, Oldham
Post Info TOPIC: Alexandra Park, Oldham
Bill Myerscough


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RE: Alexandra Park, Oldham
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27th February.


A drake Gadwall was on the larger of the two water bodies this morning.

Whilst feeding the ducks I counted c22 Tufted Duck, some of which were coming to and taking bread.......that is when the Black-headed Gulls weren't trying to grab it first! When the ducks did manage to get hold of some, they had to dive underwater and try and swallow it down there - talk about having to bolt you food down! There was 1 Common Gull amongst the squabbling pack of c180 Black-headed Gulls, which was far too refined and dignified to be seen fighting over a bit of bread.

There wasn't a lot else about so I spent an enjoyable 20 minutes or so watching a pair of Nuthatches put on a brilliant display of industry and teamwork around the large bird feeder at the side of the park offices. They continuously visited the feeder which was stocked with mixed grain. The birds were never on the feeder at the same time - whilst one was chucking out onto the floor all the bits that it didn't quite fancy, until it found a grain that it did like the look of, the other watched until its partner departed and then it did exactly the same. Both birds were flying away and hiding food on two adjacent favoured trees and this might supply a readily at hand larder of food for the adult birds later in the year whilst they continue to defend their territory and are actively looking for insect food for any young they may have? I had a quick look last summer for any suitable nesting holes in the park but I couldn't find one and it struck me as odd then, that despite plenty of seemingly suitable habitat, I don't think I have ever recorded Great Spotted Woodpecker in this park and the apparent lack of their old nesting holes may limit somewhat the choice of nest sites for Nuthatch here?

Also - 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch singing, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush singing and another possibly nest building in rhododendron - it was flying into the bush so fast it was impossible to see if it was carrying anything.


Cheers,


Bill.


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Bill Myerscough


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27th January.

c115 Canada Geese, c30 Mallard and 11+ Tufted Duck on the ponds.

A mixed foraging flock of c40 Starling, 11 Redwing and 4 Mistle Thrush.

1, possibly 2 Nuthatch.

This smart urban park must have one of the best display of dogwoods in GM. They looked glowing on a gloomy and wet winters day.

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Saturday 28th of January 2012 08:00:30 AM

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Bill Myerscough


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6th July - am.

2 family parties of Tufted Duck - one female with 7 ducklings and another with possibly as many as 9 smaller ducklings.

Also family parties of Carrion Crow and Wren. A male Pied Wagtail was collecting insect food off the bowling green and flying in the direction of Oldham town centre. Have now recorded this spring and summer, Pied Wagtails collecting food from bowling greens 3 times, from cricket pitches 3 times and from football pitches 2 times. Didn't realise this species loved sport quite so much. Not sure yet of they have a preference for lawn or crown green bowls.

Cheers,

Bill.

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Mark Rigby


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Late pm

Mute Swanwink.gif
Tufted Duck
Coot
Moorhen

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Bill Myerscough


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31st January.

Large number of loafing gulls on the iced over areas of the ornamental lakes here this morning - c430 - c410 Black-headed, c15 Common, 3 Lesser-black Backed and 2 Herring.

In the park - Nuthatch calling (also heard calling here 6/1), Sparrowhawk, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Song Thrush, c40 Starling, c16 Woodpigeon (including birds fighting), 4+ Collared Doves - at least 2 pairs, including a pair investigating a likely nest site, Carrion Crows carrying nesting material.

Cheers,

Bill.


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Judith Smith


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Just as a matter of interest, Bill, the Oldham Ranger Service's HQ is now there, having moved from Strinesdale.

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Bill Myerscough


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29th November.

Short pm visit.

The ornamental lakes are mostly frozen over, except where the 2 fountains are presently keeping the water from freezing over. In the un-iced bit - c85 Mallard with just 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot and a solitary Canada Goose. Standing on the ice were c140 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Common Gulls. Also standing on the ice (at one time he even lay down on it!) was one half-witted youth brainless.gifimslow.gif desperately trying to impress his girlfriend....probably not the smartest way to go about it no.gifno.gif

In the park - 2 Nuthatch - I don't visit this park too often but I'm sure this is the first time I have seen or heard this species here....although there is plenty of suitable habitat available for a pair. Also 2 Goldcrest, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush and several Blackbirds. Also c150 Feral Pigeon.

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Monday 29th of November 2010 04:24:55 PM

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Bill Myerscough


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22nd August.

Quick visit at 7.30 am today to check on the progress of the Tufted Duck young. They seem to be doing pretty well - although the family of 8 ducklings are now down to 5, the other family parties of 4 and 3 young remain as they were.

Also Moorhen still sitting on a nest and chasing away some Pied Wagtails that dared to land near the nest site! 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron and c140 Canada Geese. No sign of the feral Barnacle Goose cry.gif (today or 9/8) that used to accompany the Canada Geese flock here in earlier years.

Cheers,

Bill.

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Bill Myerscough


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9th August.

A really good local confirmed breeding record that Mark! thumbsup.gif With Tufted Duck being such a scarce breeder in Oldham, I thought I would have a wander up there this afternoon in the rain and enjoy watching the young ducklings. When I got there and after a good while checking and counting there appears to be actually three separate broods of Tufted Duck on the same lake!! eyepopping.gif One female with 8 small ducklings, 1 with 4 larger ones and 1 with 3 larger ones. The female with the 8 smaller ones initially started off as 4, which then became 7, then 8 then 6. The very small ducklings seem to have a greater tendency to wander away from mother, more so than the more advanced ducklings - probably the reason for the changing numbers? Still a really lovely spectacle on such an urban pond. aww.gif

Also c125 Canada Geese, c110 Feral Pigeon, c85 Mallard, Moorhen on a nest, 2 Coot, family party of Chaffinches,biggrin.gif family party of Woodpigeons and a Sparrowhawk in hot pursuit and just a few yards behind a male Blackbird trying to make a fast noisy escape to the nearest bushessprint.gif...which I think it made it to!nod.gif

Cheers,

Bill.

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Mark Rigby


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Alexandra Park.

Female Tufted Duck with brood of 4 small ducklings at 1 pm.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 8th of August 2010 09:33:11 PM

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