Manchester

[helenol]

I will be up in Manchester within the next couple of weeks. Does anyone know of a place I could go relatively close to the Worsley/Eccles/Trafford Park area for 3 or 4 hours birding?

ta.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

When I lived in Manchester (several years ago now!) I used to go birding in the Mersey Valley, around Sale Water Park and Chorlton Water Park. There used to be a nice scrape at Sale, which got Little Ringed Plovers breeding. It was also quite a good area for various warblers etc. Not necessarily the most scenic area but quite a good variety (unless the Magpies have now completely taken over!).

[helenol]

Thanks for the info Andrew.

[CJW]

Hi helen, I think Pennington Flash nr. Leigh would be worth a mooch. It's only just down the road from Worsley to the north of the east lancs road (A580).

[Jane Turner]

Not too far to Woolston Eyes either

[Janshorty]

You've seen my list of garden visitors havn't you? The 'Old River' in Irlam is high on my list of recommendations, and you could always pop in for a coffee!!

[alanhill]

I would go for Pennington Flash. You can't get into Woolston Eyes unless you are a member and have a key.

Alan Hill

[helenol]

Well, it's a toss up between Pennington Flash or Irlam! Irlam is definitely closer, and I suspect I will have less than 3 or 4 hours, probably an hour or so.

Jan, I make take you up on that cup of coffee :)

[Surreybirder]

I grew up in the Mersey valley--don't remember many birds in those far-off days, but in recent years the site has improved dramatically. Got my one and only Iceland gull there, and my first ferruginous duck and short-eared owls (all winter, of course). Used to be tree sparrows and LRPs in the bit between Sale and Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and Chorlton Ees was one of the most reliable grasshopper warbler sites... but I am several years out-of-date.

[Janshorty]

That's fine Helen, drop me a private message and let me know the date and time and I will pass you my number.

[tom mckinney]

Sale Water Park is now dreadful for anything other than Black H.Gulls and Cormorants. Chorlton Water Park is great in the winter, but a bit quiet now.

Pennington Flash is absolutely brilliant - you have to go there. Nearby there is Astley Green peat workings which are also fantastic for breeding waders, Tree Pipit and occasional Hobby.

Don't forget a curry in Rusholme and lashings of disgusting alco-pops at Deansgate locks!

[James Lowther]

I'd also highly recommend Pennington flash at this time of year; LRP, common tern, willow tit, garden warbler, bullfinch etc. a big range of species of all round in fact. Also, in 2001, the last summer i was in manchester, there were reeling grasshopper warblers just across the mersey from chorlton water park in the scrubby meadows on the right side of the road as you travel away from CWP.

[helenol]

Tom, yes, I've done the curry in Rusholme part. Alco-pops? Err..prefer something a little more, shall we say, refined. Deansgate Locks, what's that about then?

[tom mckinney]

Yep, alco-pops are truly horrendous abominations. It's an insult that they are often placed in fridges alongside such delights as Erdinger!

Deansgate Locks is the newly developed area by the canal at the south end of Deansgate; the Hacienda was nearby. The Comedy Store is there, as well as lots of enormous "drink till you puke" venues!

The Comedy Store is awesome and BarBar is well worth a visit, mainly to experience the highly bizarre Unisex toilets and (honestly!) the one-way-glass cubicle doors!!!

[Dan drough]

Try Rixton near Woolston on the A57 - very good for Dragonflies as well.

[Dan drough]

While I'm here - the "wasteland" between J17 & J16 (Death Valley) of the M60 is OK for warblers, buzzards, kestrels and other species are there to be found - little grebe are to be seen in the old sewage works.

[TonyC]

Pennington Flash gets my vote. Over the years I've seen over 100 species there and plenty of action in the summer with the Terns, Warblers, Willow Tits etc. Green Sandpiper there on Saturday from the Teal Hide.

[Dan drough]

Tony
I've seen the noticeboard 3 times about this Green Sandpiper but I haven't seen it!
I have seen a Little Ringed Plover chick yesterday (1 pair of adults). THere wer 5 adults a few weeks back. The islands are a little overgrown to see clearley now.

[TonyC]

It was from the Teal Hide - last year there was one scurrying around the far bank opposite the hide. Also a few Garganey here last year, a bit later on in August. A BN Grebe was reported recently as well, so I might pop over at the weekend to see what's about.

[tom mckinney]

Tony
I've seen the noticeboard 3 times about this Green Sandpiper but I haven't seen it!

There was a juvenile Common Sandpiper from Teal Hide yesterday...