I pass through this park often and I've been consistently surprised by what can be found so deep into the city! With a bit of patience a fair number of woodland species can be seen. I've been visiting for about two years, and I'm usually able to see the common assemblage of tits, blackbirds, robins, wrens, woodpigeons etc... It is a hotspot for Ring-necked Parakeet. After dark, I once caught a Tawny owl. Nuthatch, Great spotted woodpecker, Song thrush , Mallard, Goldfinchand Jay are fairly regular and I tend to see at least a few on each visit. I've seen Treecreeper once, on the long avenue of trees near the bridge. I've caught Blackcap in the vegetation at the northern extent of the river this and last year. Bullfinch have been spotted twice, both times in the wooded corner near the church; last week I was privileged to watch a pair foraging just 5 metres from me for a good 5 minutes. Grey wagtails are occasionally on the river.
I've never spotted House Sparrow within the park itself, but a short way down the wooded cycle path which leaves the south entrance of the park is a house where they roost and can always be heard.
This is always a nice spot to wander and is the most accessible place from Fallowfield and Rusholme to see a range of woodland species.
I take it the church is what was St James'? Had a quick wander round on my way into work around 7.30 and no sign. Didn't see the tree marked 'Private' though!
Sorry - think my post re cuckoo under platt field park should have been put here. I heard the bird early evening - can people post sightings here tomorrow if they see/hear the bird as I will be in the area again and I know of a few people (including myself!) who would be keen to see it.
It's all action in Birchfields -- the Mallard nesting in my garden hatched 11 ducklings this morning. They had a play in my pond and garden for a few hours, then she marched them across the road to the Gore Brook, they all jumped in and sailed downstream.
A juvenile tawny owl was recovered on the ground in the park today, severely dehydrated, and picked up by the local animal sanctuary. I've seen Tawny Owls in the area before, but it's nice to confirm that they have bred. Hopefully it will make a full recovery
Great spotted woodpecker - 3 Redwing -30 Goldfinch - 20 (feeding together with Redwings in the grass - very colourful) Ring-necked parakeet - 3 Nuthatch - 1 Jay - 1 Song thrush - 2 Common gull - 3
plus lots of Blue, Great, Long-tailed and Coal tits, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Magpie.
