Fort Dunlop (2 Viewers)

[Ste-gull]

I've just started working at Fort Dunlop and every lunch I try to head up to the roof for some birding. The numbers species wise is not vast but I've had some superb sights, amongst which are huge flocks of pied wagtails and close encounters with Peregrines.

I wanted to start a thread for anyone around this area of Birmingham or even those working in the Fort or Fort Dunlop to join in and share their sightings and experiences with birds in the area.

Happy urban birding!!

 

[tperry]

I'm originally from Erdington, Birmingham and I remember a family member who worked at Fort Dunlop telling me about Lapwing flocks that occasionally fed on the (playing?) fields around the Fort in late autumn/winter.
This was about 20 years ago and I wonder if they still frequent the area (assuming there is still suitable feeding habitat)

Tony

 

[Ste-gull]

I'm originally from Erdington, Birmingham and I remember a family member who worked at Fort Dunlop telling me about Lapwing flocks that occasionally fed on the (playing?) fields around the Fort in late autumn/winter.
This was about 20 years ago and I wonder if they still frequent the area (assuming there is still suitable feeding habitat)

Tony

That'd be a new tick for the Fort for me...even in what seems a pretty industrial and grey part of Birmingham there's plenty of space for our avian buddies to be.

My (fairly limited) list so far for sightings I've had from the roof of Fort Dunlop is:

Peregrine
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Feral Pigeon
Cormorant
Pied Wagtail
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Starling
Magpie
Woodpigeon
Mistle Thrush

 

[The blackbird]

What is up there on the roof? Is it like a garden or just concrete?
V interesting project? Please keep it going.
How many wagtails?

 

[Ste-gull]

What is up there on the roof? Is it like a garden or just concrete?
V interesting project? Please keep it going.
How many wagtails?

It's a nice area of green roof, a couple of plastic cows and some decent views over sheffield - well worth a little wander up to. It's great!

....yeah by huge flock I may have been exaggerating compared to those you seen flocking to their roosts in the city but up to around 20 knocking around at any one time. I just wish my lunch was a bit longer, I love it up there! :t:

 

[Ste-gull]

falcons

Pair of Peregrines flying around this lunchtime. sitting on pylons over M6.

 

[DaveN]

I also originate from the Erdington area and worked at Dunlop up until I was made redundant in 2000. Although when I lived there I wasn't really a birder. Looking forward to reading your updates.

 

[Ste-gull]

I also originate from the Erdington area and worked at Dunlop up until I was made redundant in 2000. Although when I lived there I wasn't really a birder. Looking forward to reading your updates.

Wheyy the forums picking up speed. good to have you aboard. hopefully my updates will be varied and interesting enough for you

 

[Ste-gull]

food for falcons

Theres a small ledge beneath the rooftop area to the east end of the fort dunlop building on the far end of the travelodge. theres been dead birds here regularly icluding redwing and today a fieldfare. Clearly a favourite sheltered eating spot for our peregrines.

 

[Claudy Banks]

It's a nice area of green roof, a couple of plastic cows and some decent views over sheffield - well worth a little wander up to. It's great!

....yeah by huge flock I may have been exaggerating compared to those you seen flocking to their roosts in the city but up to around 20 knocking around at any one time. I just wish my lunch was a bit longer, I love it up there! :t:

Sounds good, I'm doing a similar exercise myself down the road at University of Birmingham. I reckon it's got great potential, just needs a bit of time spent looking for stuff. One thing i've noticed, plenty of Grey Wagtails so thats encouraging. Just one thing puzzling me re. Fort Dunlop...Sheffield?

 

[Ste-gull]

Sounds good, I'm doing a similar exercise myself down the road at University of Birmingham. I reckon it's got great potential, just needs a bit of time spent looking for stuff. One thing i've noticed, plenty of Grey Wagtails so thats encouraging. Just one thing puzzling me re. Fort Dunlop...Sheffield?

Brilliant! got to love the peregrines. amazing to hear about grey wags.

haha sorry great views over birmingham. just recently moved from sheffield. clearly still on the mind.

 

[rollingthunder]

Keep an eye on what they are feeding on, could be interesting. I recall an interesting article about a Peregrine that seemed to specialise in catching waders, possibly nocturnal migrants as Woodcock and Corncrake had been found at it's 'table'....

Laurie:t:

 

[rollingthunder]

BTW - did you see that Barnacle Goose in Mary Stevens Park a couple of weeks or so ago? I did post the details, it was only there a day or so?

Laurie -

 

[andyr]

Keep an eye on what they are feeding on, could be interesting. I recall an interesting article about a Peregrine that seemed to specialise in catching waders, possibly nocturnal migrants as Woodcock and Corncrake had been found at it's 'table'....

Laurie:t:

If I remember correctly Laurie, it was an analysis of the Derby Cathedral peregrine's feeding habits that was in that article.

Cheers

Andy R.

 

[andyr]

If I remember correctly Laurie, it was an analysis of the Derby Cathedral peregrine's feeding habits that was in that article.

Cheers

Andy R.

Just checked the relevant. ( and excellent ) Derby website.

Try...derbyperegrines.blogspot.co.uk

... and look up the post for 1 August 2007 but make sure you are not eating anything at the time. Eg curry etc !!!

Andy R.

 

[tperry]

Do these Peregrines nest somewhere on Fort Dunlop, or nearby?

Tony

 

[Ste-gull]

BTW - did you see that Barnacle Goose in Mary Stevens Park a couple of weeks or so ago? I did post the details, it was only there a day or so?

Laurie -

Ill definately be checking its feeding spot regularly then. see if i cant find some tasty bird morsals of different varieties haha! i missed the barnacle there actually!! considering its my home town i let myself down there

 

[Ste-gull]

Do these Peregrines nest somewhere on Fort Dunlop, or nearby?

Tony

Yeah, theres a pair of large nest boxes on the north side facing the car park. cant be seen from the roof. which is good for their safety i guess and by the sounds of it they have had success there. ill have to keep an eye out and do some photos when i get to my first spring working there.

 

[rollingthunder]

I was going to say i thought it was Derbyshire ....IIRC the Corncrake was a ringed bird as part of an into scheme somewhere in East Anglia......

Laurie:t:

 

[Ste-gull]

new fort species

Buzzard seen today at 10:30am being mobbed by the resident corvids. Nice to see another city raptor. I'll post the updated fort dunlop list shortly.