Stretford

Meadow pipit, Stretford Meadows

Definitely an Autumnal Sunday but seeing as it was likely to be the only dry day for a while I decided to go for a stroll over Stretford Meadows and Stretford Ees.

Stretford Meadows was in quiet Winter mode: a complete lack of warblers, squadrons of woodpigeons and jackdaws overhead, magpies and meadow pipits on the meadow. A buzzard soared overhead, joined briefly by a flock of pigeons which did a slow circle round it before continuing on its way over the motorway. Just the one kestrel today, the big female spending most of her time hawking from the saplings at the Newcroft Road side of the meadow.

Buzzard, Stretford Meadows

It was a busy afternoon so I spent more time dodging cyclists than birdwatching as I walked down along Kickety Brook. A mixed tit flock accompanied me part of the way, disappearing into the undergrowth just before Chester Road. Over on the other side it was difficult to hear anything over the noise of a dozen or more magpies (it was difficult to be sure of the number, they were skittering about in the trees). A couple more buzzards soared overhead, these headed off slowly towards Sale Water Park.

Stretford Ees, the terminus of Kickety Brook

I followed the brook through Stretford Ees, accompanied by another mixed tit flock and a few goldfinches. A family group of carrion crows split their time between the treetops by the cemetery and the river. Overhead was busy with jackdaws and woodpigeons, a couple of black-headed gulls flew by and a raven cronked its way over towards Chorlton.

I wasn't up for spending much time with Chorlton on its Sunday constitutional so I walked over Turn Moss, accompanied by yet another mixed tit flock most of the way along Hawthorn Lane.

Hawthorn Lane