Salford Quays (1 Viewer)

Salford Quays is just on the outskirts of Manchester City Centre, easily reached via public transport (the Metrolink tram goes around the site)

It was famous for its status as one of the Aythya capitals of the UK in the 80's/90's with Pochard & Tufted Duck flocks numbering several thousand & including Ferruginous Duck & Greater Scaup, but there are no longer the same numbers of Aythyas mainly due to changing water conditions

Over 100 species have been recorded on-site & there is always something to see in a fascinating post-industrial landscape - the site is an inland port with the wildlife corridors of the Manchester Ship Canal & Bridgewater Canal running through. The Manchester Ship Canal runs to the west to Frodsham in Cheshire & to the north into the River Irwell

These links are 1) a short site guide 2) a blog with 1 or 2 interesting articles & 3) a photo of the Iceland Gull that was present on-site last Sunday (27th January) coming to bread

1) http://www.manchesterbirding.com/salforddockssiteguide.htm

2) http://www.salfordquayswildlife.blogspot.co.uk/

3) http://www.manchesterbirding.com/icelandgullsalfordquays270113jw.JPG

I'm not being paid to say this (not least because I don't know the poster in person!!) but can I say that James Walshes' bird reports on the Manchesterbirding website are always a pleasure to read. If you really want to get to know the birds of the Manchester Ship Canal / west Salford area then you can do an awful lot worse than follow James.

Review of the Year 2012

Thanks Lawsyd, for anyone that would like to read in more detail about sightings on-site in 2012, here is the Review of the Year

Todays highlights

16 Lapwings (15 Pomona, 1 MSC @ Weaste)
3 Song Thrush (2 Pomona, 1 MSC @ Weaste)
2 adult Herring Gulls (MSC Locks)
1 Goldeneye (resident drake)
3 Grey Wagtails
2 Sparrowhawk (Pomona)
8+ Chaffinch (Trafford Road Bridge)
1 Greenfinch (Trafford Road Bridge)
12 Lesser Black-backed Gull
67+ Common Gull
3 Coot
1 Grey Heron

Facebook Group

There is now a Facebook group for wildlife & conservation at The Quays, the name of the group is Salford Quays Heritage & Nature Group

Salford Quays Bird Cruise, 11th May 2013

Booking is essential for the two hour cruise which costs £11 per person and departs at 8am on Saturday May 11th

Tickets are available from Salford Tourist Information centre on 0161 848 8601

More info @

http://www.manchesterbirding.com/board.htm