Three Dipper on the Medlock, viewed from the bridge at Merrill Street/Ashton New Road. One bird singing and all three flew downstream, seemingly in a territorial dispute.
On the River Medlock today by Holt St Metrolink stop - Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail, also Bullfinch. Dipper a short distance upstream by the Cambrian Street bridge, alongside the path to Sports City
Still at least 8 Sand Martin present around Holt Town tram stop area. Lots of Black-headed Gulls appeared to be ant catching, one Common Gull and one Lesser Black-backed Gull also present
15 Sand Martin around the Holt Town colony Sparrowhawk possibly with Sand Martin prey 2 Chiffchaff between Etihad and Holt Town tram stops, 3 Blackcap in the same area Jay at Holt Town Grey Wagtail on Medlock
Two skeins of Pink-Footed Geese flew over the Etihad at 1353. Approx 140 birds in one group and 60 birds in the second. A lot of whiffling going on in both groups making them awkward to count.
At Holt Town tram stop, three Redwing were feeding on berries along with a Blackbird. Several Goldfinch were also present but weren't counted due to a heavy shower!
2 Swift near Holt Town tram stop 3 Sand Martin - possibly using a bridge as a nest site Grey Heron flew from under a bridge on the Medlock Willow Warbler Chiffchaff Blackcap Jay Song Thrush 3 Blackbirds in territorial dispute Great Tit carrying food
Think this is close enough a thread as it may just be outside the City Centre boundary.
Approx 1.30pm today... a Peregrine driving off a larger Bird of Prey (looked like a Buzzard from where I was) over Alan Turing Way in between the Cycling Velodrome and the Etihad Stadium. The probable buzzard then drifted out of sight behind the newish apartment blocks and the Peregrine went into stoop mode from above and made 2 dive bombs at it. By the time the traffic had started to move there was no sign of either bird. Just wondered if anyone else saw anything in this area today. Cheers
Male Bullfinch and male Greenfinch in trees at Holt Town tram stop Pair of Goosander on Medlock viewed from tram between Holt Town and Etihad tram stops
1 Cormorant on lamp post near Velopark tram stop this morning also 1 close to Etihad on lamp post. The second bird appeared to be an adult in breeding plumage
Upper Helena Street 10 Long-tailed Tit 4 Bullfinch 3 Greenfinch 8 Goldfinch over 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Jay 3 Blackbird 2 Mistle Thrush and 10 Starling on gasometer
Male Kestrel at Holt Town Metrolink station and 2 Cormorant over
2 Grey Wagtail flew over Varley Street 2 Cormorant flying away from Victoria Mill following the line of the canal 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on Bradford Road end of Varley Street
c70 Pink-footed Geese this morning in two skeins of c30 and c40 respectively south east over Miles Platting between 0750 and 0755. The first skein made no sound but the second was rather noisy.
Whilst I was watching the first skein I saw a flock of 20 Fieldfare which flew west. Two smaller birds with the flock were possibly finches of some description.
A female Sparrowhawk chased a Blackbird across Victoria Mill car park, the Blackbird escaped, and the hawk landed in a tree by the swimming baths
The family party of Mute Swans (now 2 adults and 4 young - see earlier posts) were all back this morning near the original nest site and most were showing off their brand new shiny leg rings.
25+ Goldfinch flew across Victoria Mill car park this evening towards the canal Grey Wagtail over the car park Also this morning 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls with 7 Black-headed Gulls on Varley Street
23 October am
15+ Pied Wagtails on corner of Varley Street and Bradford Road
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Thursday 24th of October 2013 06:52:26 PM
Working today, but had a mooch in the area before and after work.
Jay flew across near Etihad tram stop Cormorant flew over Victoria Mill 6+ Robin on Upper Helena Street 10+ Long-tailed Tit on Upper Helena Street 2 Grey Heron at Holt Town tram stop 15+ Pied Wagtail on Varley Street this morning 2 Linnet also flew over Upper Helena Street this morning Moorhen on the Medlock
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Saturday 19th of October 2013 06:10:58 PM