92 thrushes of four species inc 8 Fieldfare on fallen rowan berries at Man Met Uni Birley Fields campus https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51548015where the Waxwings were (and were seen again Wednesday apparently).
Sunday. - minimum 41 Redwings in the trees at side of Williams Land Rover on Princess Parkway - 3 Blackbirds - 2 Mistle Thrush No sign of any Waxwings as yet
I was driving into central Manchester on Friday 1st Dec. at approximately 07:45 AM. I had travelled along Princess Parkway in the usual commuter traffic. Between the Brewery traffic lights and the Hulme Bridge a bird that looked remarkably like a swallow flew in front of the car. I was surrounded by traffic and doing (Hu-hum) 30 so didn't have an opportunity to follow it.
My immediate reaction was - Swallow; my next was; don't be stupid it's 1st Dec. today. I have been through all the birds I can think of and none fit the jizz. I saw the underside and the wing markings were that of a swallow as was the wing shape and the streamers. However, I only saw it for a moment in quite poor light. I mentioned this to some birding friends at the CAWOS meeting in the evening and was told that there have been sightings of swallows in Cheshire this late. I wondered if anyone else might have seen it or have any ideas as to what it might be.
For ten days a mistle thrush has been singing from direction of Hulme tram station from 6 45am, as I arrive for work, in the dark and the rain. Marvellous! He started approx six years ago.
