Still regular visits here in the last couple of weeks, but as expected hardly any Gulls.
Only things of note.. - 26 Gulls 17 Lesser Black-backed 9 Herring - Great Spotted Woodpecker over Hyde Rd on Friday morning - Blackcap & Chiffchaff singing near the PDSA on most visits
Gull numbers have fell off a cliff recently and no rarities in sight, to be expected since were in March. So despite numerous visits each week, not much to report.
Sun 10th March - Argenteus Herring Gull with pale yellow legs
Mon 11th March - 20+ ad Lesser Black-backed Gull
Weds 13th March - 5 Redwings with 1 Mistle Thrush at BCA end of Redgate Lane this morning - minimum 42 Carrion Crows on & around 384 building
Reply from Czech ringing group today regarding Caspian Gull 919:U It is down as a Caspian Gull on their data but I think there does look to be possible Herring influence.
Ringer : Jan Havlicek Ringed as a chick 06.05.23 Location : eské Budjovice, Jihoeský kraj, Czech Republic
The bird has been reported 5 times since fledging, all in the same region it was hatched (and all within a couple of months of ringing) so this is the 1st sighting since July last year.
Mon 19th Feb Day off work due to half term so a couple of visits with Lucas.
Lunchtime. - 1st w Caspian Gull Picked up in flight only around the yard and over Copping Street (the side street at the Hyde Rd end of Redgate Lane). I lost it in my bins as it flew over the corner building. Damn! I had to let it go as I had a few errands to do.
4 visits during the week and a much reduced number of large Gulls noted.
Only things of note.. - 5 Argentatus Herring Gulls Friday lunchtime - 2 Ring-necked Parakeets over on Saturday morning. - Grey & Pied Wagtail present both visits
- 1st w Caspian Gull (2CY) late morning. An absolute beauty of a bird that showed well on the 384 roof and in the yard, but wasnt seen again after 11.50pm.
- adult Yellow-legged Gull An absolute spanker of a bird, immaculate plumage. Landed on 384 roof at start of my tacho break, showed well, flew round a bit then was still present 45 minutes later when I left.
Also - Herring Gull 158:C Irish ringed
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 6th of February 2024 07:19:31 PM
Also what I forgot to mention, on the last few visits (Fri, Sat, Sun) different vehicles have been parked over the viewing point. One of the trucks was parked there on Saturday afternoon and as a result the image of the Caspian Gull appears bluey green tinted as I had to focus the camera through its 2 door windows to get a shot.
- Herring Gull N:81C - Herring Gull 159:C - Herring Gull with possible white ring (managed to get image of it and N:81C in same view, it was stood up on top of 384 roof) - c15 Argentatus Gulls .. possibly more on other roofs
Few visits last weekend, during the week and weekend just gone.
Only Gulls of note .. - Herring Gull 159:C on Friday afternoon - Herring Gull N:26E on Sunday morning - and a Herring Gull that stood out with a heavily streaked head
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 15th of January 2024 05:34:53 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 15th of January 2024 06:41:50 PM
Afternoon quick visit around 2.50pm on way back from Liverpool. - Herring Gull Irish ringed 159:C - 2 Grey Wagtails
Got back to work, they gave us an early dart so went back. - 1w Caspian Gull - frustratingly it didnt land but I was fairly sure it was X3EU - Herring Gull 159:C still
Tues 2nd Jan Afternoon visit - had only just got in work after booking the morning off when I had to do a delivery in town, so who was I to argue at another chance to stop off here
- No sign of Caspian Gull X3EU but of note a green ringed Gull N:7B1, dont know if its a Lesser Black-backed or Herring, should find out soon enough.
- 1st W Caspian Gull X3EU (now 2CY) Showed well this afternoon in main yard, certainly looks a lot better than it did the other day in poor light. Despite it being what some people call German Muck from a mixed colony, I actually think its a good looking individual.
Also today.. - same 2 Yellow legged Herring Gulls - Herring Gull N:26E again - c25 ad Great Black-backed Gulls - some nice looking 1w & 2w GBb
Sun 31st Dec (New Years Eve) 3 visits today with my lad but it wasnt plain sailing.
Morning visit. The usual Sunday African gospel church was in full swing so finding a decent parking spot was a bit tricky. Many people arriving and walking about, as a result the Gulls were mainly airborne but did land a few times. - c30 ad Great Black-backed Gulls - 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2 Common Gulls - Herring Gull with yellow legs
Lunchtime visit before Debdale. Again very busy, the car park and the road infront of the 384 building was busy with people, so yet again many of the Gulls were airborne, a small number were in the yard, some flew off to BCA roof and a good proportion headed towards Openshaw. - Herring Gull with yellow legs still
Afternoon visit after Debdale & Salford Quays. Not that many Gulls present, mainly all in yard. - now 2 Herring Gulls with yellow legs, the regular one and a clean headed one, its legs not as yellow - c12 Long-tailed Tit flock - 2 Grey Wagtails - 3 x 1w Pied Wagtails (still got yellowy faces)
- 1st w Caspian Gull X3EU was reported present 12.20pm, I was present at that time so I missed that one, I didnt see any other birders present either to be fair, I wouldnt have minded a better look at that one.
First chance Ive had since Boxing Day to see whats around, and I have to say it was a productive visit even though it was late afternoon in fading light.
- 1st winter Caspian Gull X3EU Picked it up in flight and as luck would have it, it landed on the 384 roof. Looks to be German ringed and probably from a mixed colony with HG, YLG, & LBb. - c30+ adult Great Black-backed Gulls Including Norwegian ringed adult JX313
Just as I was leaving I was sure I had a 1w Caspian Gull in flight around the yard. It reappeared in flight then disappeared just as quickly. I couldnt stay though as we were taking Lucas to a Panto.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 29th of December 2023 04:53:07 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 29th of December 2023 04:56:43 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 29th of December 2023 06:52:50 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Friday 29th of December 2023 06:54:35 PM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 30th of December 2023 09:00:01 AM
- c25 ad Great Black-backed Gulls - 4 Ring-necked Parakeets over
Sun 24th Dec (Xmas Eve)
- Herring Gull with yellow legs mid afternoon - interesting 1st w Gull that could be just a Herring Gull (A large, long legged individual, heavy billed, interesting tertial pattern - could be just wear)
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 26th of December 2023 09:12:24 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 26th of December 2023 09:12:45 AM
Fri 15th Dec Afternoon visit on way back from Liverpool.
- probable adult Yellow-legged Gull If Im incorrect with the ID then I will amend the post no problem. Probably not the best of examples I will say that, but seemed to show some decent features that would lend themselves to this species.
- adult Caspian Gull possibly same bird as this morning.
- Herring Gull N:05M was ringed at Woodyards, Bowland, Lancs on 05.07.22 so now in its 2nd winter. - Herring Gull 7X5B looks to be Jez Blackburns so info will be sent over asap
- 1st w Caspian Gull on rubbish mound in yard Sunday afternoon. Stayed for about 5 minutes then flew off. - 8 Argentatus Herring Gulls - 1st w Gull Im unsure of as yet well see