River very high and fast flowing at 1200 hours today. Two female Goldeneyes went floating by at a rapid rate of knots in the current, whilst a single male goosander hugged the bank as it gainfully fought its way up river against the current. One cormorant was observed in flight heading west. Half a dozen Canada geese meanwhile were on the high bank to the north having taken refuge from the river. There were just ust four or five mallards at various points on the bank. Most of the twenty or so mallards and hybrid ducks usually present having presumably been washed down the river towards town.
A mistle thrush meanwhile was singing loudly from a lamp post on the southern bank, whilst other birds sighted included a flock of four or five long-tailed tits, a robin and the usual plethora of black-headed gulls as well as a gull with pale sandy legs - common gull perhaps, but at the distance hard to tell.
If you travel the relatively short distance to Salford Quays you'll currently find a handful of adult birds in full breeding plumage amongst the 100+ that are usually around.
It's not as unusual as one might think to find Black-headed Gulls attaining breeding plumage at this point in the year Mark. One can now find small numbers in any large gatherings of the species.
Highlight today was a Cormorant in the middle of the river 200 yards west of bridge and 30 yards from the bank. Also saw three Goldeneye females on the east side of the bridge. Forgot to mention Goldeneye in last report small numbers have been seen regularly since in November.
Also I mentioned the other day that I had seen a black-headed gull here with summer plumage i.e completely black/chololate head. I would be grateful if someone can tell me if this is unusual at this time of the year or is it fairly common?
Two hundred yards west from the Bridge two goosanders, one black one red head: two tufted ducks. Also Grey Heron, mallards and black headed gulls, one of the latter had a completely black summer plumage head ???
I often stop at this bridge when going to and from one work. Considering the residential/industrial surroundings the bird life on this stretch of the river is quite remarkable. In observations since November I have seen the following all within a few hundred feet either side of the bridge:
Goosanders: often a dozen more: sometimes all red heads and on other occasions all black heads. Occasionally mixed. Pochard: Tufted ducks Teal (two early December) Grey Heron: invaribly close to the bridge and often just under the bridge You can get quite close as he/she is not easily spooked and so often presents great photo opportunities: Common gull seen twice on quite seperate occasions with BH gulls: Mallards and a single white duck Canada Geese
On the south banks of the river meanwhile, especially to the west I have seen a variety of song-birds etc. These have included:
Goldfinch Small flocks of Song Thrush Blackbirds Blue. Great and Long-Tailed Tits Robins Dunnock Wrens Goldcrest etc.
Anyhow if you ever cross over the bridge it is always worrth stopping for a quick look. You can park alongside and there are accesible paths on the south bank on both sides.
