Greater Manchester
Birding Manchester
The central part of the metropolitan area is made up of urban sprawl and industrial areas criss-crossed with canals and the River Mersey. There are one or two pairs of Black Redstarts in the city centre. Formerly nationally important numbers of Pochard and Tufted Duck were found in Salford Docks in winter but since the ‘clean up’ they are no longer present. However the main areas of interest for the birdwatcher are on the fringes of the region. In the north are several reservoirs, in the east there is moor-land and the Peak District. In the south there is the Mersey valley and there are remnants of moss-land and flooded mine-workings in the west. Typically around 200 species are seen each year and the county list stands at 299. Below are some of the top sites within the area and within easy reach of the city centre.
Top Sites
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Audenshaw Reservoir
InformationSatellite ViewA permit to Audenshaw Reservoir can now be obtained (via a long waiting list) from Ian Leech at ian.leech@uuplc.co.uk 01457 851080. A large Gull roost and a lot of passage migrants drop in, often only for an hour or two so this is an ideal patch. -
City Centre
Satellite ViewBreeding Grey Wagtail, Peregrine and Black Redstart all in the very heart of the city centre! -
Elton Reservoir
InformationSatellite ViewA well-watched patch with waterfowl in winter and a selection of passage migrants. -
Etherow Country Park
InformationSatellite ViewIgnore the feral wildfowl and head up to the weir for Dipper and Grey Wagtail. In summer roding Woodcock, Cuckoo, Redstarts and Pied Flycatcher. Small car park fee. -
Hollingworth Lake
InformationSatellite ViewLarge numbers of Goosander in winter, also various passage migrants. Car park fee. -
Hope Carr
Satellite ViewA new reserve built on the site of Leigh sewage works. A favourite haunt of Water Pipit in past winters, but sadly not for some time. -
Mersey Valley
Satellite ViewThe visitor centre has a notice-board with recent sightings. A small reserve at Broad Ees Dole (SJ801931) holds Snipe and Jack Snipe in winter but it has become overgrown. Nearby Chorlton Water Park (SJ820915) used to hold large numbers of duck in winter but these now seem to favour Salford Docks. All these areas are favourites with dog-walkers and day trippers so again an early visit is recommended. -
Pennington Flash
WebpageSatellite ViewThe premier site in the area with over 230 species recorded. A 200ha country park with diverse habitats including a large flooded lake used for various leisure activities so an early visit is recommended. Small car park fee. In winter large numbers of waterfowl including the rarer Grebes and Smew, also Long-eared Owl, Water Rail, and Willow Tit can be seen daily. Passage birds include various waders, Little Gull and Black Tern. Summer brings nesting Common Terns. The top rarity here was a Black-faced Bunting - the first for Britain. -
Wigan Flashes
WebsiteSatellite ViewSimilar to Pennington and birds interchange between the two. Bittern have been seen in winter in more secluded spots. Top rarity was a River Warbler which stayed for 32 days in the summer of 1995.
Contributors
County Recorder
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Ian McKerchar
42 Green Avenue, Astley. Greater Manchester. M29 7EH
01942 701758; 07958 687481
Number of Species
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Number of bird species: 310
County Bird - Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
Useful Reading
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Where to Watch Birds in Northwest England & Isle of Man
| By Allan Conlin, Dr J P Cullen, Pete Marsh, Tristan Reid, Chris Sharpe, Judith Smith & Stephen Williams | Christopher Helm | 2008 | Paperback | 287 pages, 30 line illustrations, 50 maps | ISBN: 9780713664218 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Useful Information
Organisations
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Altrincham and District Natural History Society
WebpageThe Altrincham and District Natural History Society provides a focus for natural history activities in the Altrincham area. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, with evening walks in summer and illustrated talks in winter. Additional whole day events are organised periodically. -
Leigh Ornithological Society
WebsiteLeigh Ornithological Society (or L.O.S.) was formed in 1971 by a group of enthusiasts, some of whom had been observing and recording bird life in the area since the early part of the last century. They submitted records annually from the late 1940s to regional bodies, initially to the Lancashire & Cheshire fauna Society for possible inclusion in Lancashire bird reports and, since 1976, to the editor(s) of the Greater Manchester Bird Report. -
RSPB Bolton Local Group
WebpageThis is the website of the Bolton Local Group. RSPB local groups are a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people in your area while learning more about birds and wildlife. -
RSPB Stockport Local Group
WebsiteThis is the website of the Stockport Local Group. RSPB local groups are a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people in your area while learning more about birds and wildlife. -
Rochdale Field Naturalists' Society
WebsiteRochdale Field Naturalists' is run by, and for its members, and we encourage everyone to plan and participate in our activities. -
Stockport Bird Watching Society
InformationWe meet once a month at the Heatons Sports Club, Green Lane, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 2NF. For further information please email windhover1972@yahoo.co.uk or call 0161 432 9513 or 07790 377396. -
Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside
WebpageWe are part of the Wildlife Trusts movement, the UK's leading conservation charity dedicated to all wildlife. We are your local charity, working hard to improve your local area for wildlife and for you. Since 1912, The Wildlife Trusts have been speaking out for nature in the UK. Our organisation is unique - while most of our work for wildlife takes place at local grassroots level, we have a national voice.
Reserves
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LNR Broad Ees Dole
InformationSatellite ViewBroad Ees Dole is an important wildlife refuge in the busy Sale Water Park site. Although there are no footpaths leading through the Dole, the footpaths around the perimeter of the site provide excellent viewpoints to watch the bird life for which the site is so important… -
RSPB Dove Stone
WebpageSatellite ViewA landscape that will take your breath away. Towering hills, sheer rock faces, swathes of open moorland, a picturesque reservoir - that's Dove Stone, the northern gateway to the Peak District National Park. Red Grouse, Raven, Peregrine, Golden Plover, Curlew etc.
Forums & Mailing Lists
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Manchester Birding Forum
Forum
Guides & Tour Operators
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Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area -
North West Birds
MinibreaksWelcome to our web site. We have a passion for birds and we would like to share it with you - by taking you birdwatching on the edge of the English Lake District. We run minibreaks for very small groups with all in accommodation on a house party basis, with guests joining us at our home, Barn Close.
Other Links
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Manchester Birding
WebsiteWelcome to Manchester Birding, a site first published in September 2006 all about birds, birders and birding in the county of Greater Manchester and which is owned, designed, built and maintained by me, Ian McKerchar. Since those early days the site has evolved into a resource for way beyond those county boundaries and in January 2017 underwent a complete redesigned from the original Manchester Birding website into the site you are on today. Manchester Birding also includes the Manchester Birding Forum, one of the UK's top birding forums. -
Manchester Birding Forum
WebsiteBirds, birders and birding in Greater Manchester - Welcome to my Greater Manchester County birding website, Manchester Birding, it is owned, designed, built and maintained by me, Ian McKerchar with the ever generous contributions from many county birders. Besides running this website I am also County Bird Recorder for Greater Manchester and one of the two administrators for the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group… -
Mersey Birders
WebsiteBirders Diaries, Bird news Bird sites, Weather and Travel, Photo Gallery, Gulls Page, Quick Reference, Bird Lists, articles
Blogs
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Adam Jones - The Early Birder
BLOGMy blog from the North West and beyond - I have lived in South Manchester, close to the Cheshire border since 2003. With so many good wildlife sites on my doorstep it was not too long before I picked up the camera to see what I could capture. Nothing too fancy, but it gives me great enjoyment. I hope you enjoy them too. Oh, and I do go out very early in the mornings… -
Martyn Jones - Geek Teacher's Birding Scrapbook
BLOGAn online diary, photo album and scrapbook about me and my birding exploits in Wigan and beyond… -
Paul Samuels - RPS Wildlife Travels
BLOGBirder now photographer showcasing a photographic record and blog of my ornithological and wildlife encounters through out the North of England, Forest of Dean and further afield in the Murcia region of Southern Spain. Sometimes common species that’s caught my eye, sometimes the more unusual or scares visitor that’s turned up in the most unexpected location