How to catch a glimpse of the fastest animal on the planet in Manchester

The Manchester Peregrine Project returns to the city centre for its 13th year

Maya Black

09:00, 15 APR 2019

UPDATED20:31, 18 APR 2019

The RSPB and Manchester council are inviting the public to witness the fastest animal on the planet in action as the Manchester Peregrine Project returns to the city centre for its 13th year.

The project has been running for more than a decade, with thousands of people visiting the RSPB viewpoints in the heart of the city for a closer look at these spectacular birds.

Viewpoints in Exchange Square are being run by the RSPB until Sunday, July 14, every day from 10:30am to 6pm. Occasionally, they may be set up in other city centre locations when Exchange Square is in other use.

Katy van Woerdekom, RSPB area manager for Manchester, said: “Peregrines can reach speeds of over 200mph, making them the fastest animals on the planet. We’re delighted to be back in the city helping people to spot them.

“We get impressive views, so whether you are on your way to work, on a day out with your family, browsing the shops or grabbing a bite to eat with friends, we’d love to show you these incredible birds. Keep an eye out for the blue RSPB marquee and banner and come over for a chat.”

As well as it being the 13th season of the popular project, this year also marks the 130th anniversary of the RSPB, which has its roots firmly in Manchester. The charity was founded by Emily Williamson from her home at Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, in 1889.

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This rare duck is getting bird spotters in Manchester very excited - because it's 4,500 miles away from home

16:58, 20 Sep 2016

Updated 17:00, 20 Sep 2016

By Pete Bainbridge , George Odling 

The Ashton canal is 'as close to their natural habitat as they will be able to find' says one expert

male

A rare American duck has been spotted more than 4,500 miles from its homeland - in the Ashton Canal.

There are only about a dozen North American wood ducks in the UK, according to birdwatcher James Walsh, who says he photographed a pair in Droylsden on Friday.

They were seen in the Fairfield area of Droylsden, around two miles from Manchester city centre.

female

Mr Walsh, a bird watcher for more than 30 years, said it was one of his most unusual discoveries in Greater Manchester.

The wood duck lives in wooded swamps across the US and is one of very few duck species with claws strong enough to grip bark, so it often perches in trees.

Mr Walsh, 39, who runs the blog Mancunian Birder, said: “It is the first time I have ever seen one in the Ashton Canal, but it is as close to their natural habitat as they will be able to find.”

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Eagle-eyed police officer spots bird of prey tucking into donner kebab in Manchester city centre

A bird of prey has been spotted eating a donner kebab in Manchester city centre.

The hungry hawk-like animal was photographed on a brick ledge in the Gay Village tucking into a sliver of grilled lamb on Friday lunchtime.

GMP City Centre tweeted an image of the bird and added: “An eagle-eyed cop saw a bird of prey in the Village. Bird was enjoying a lunch of donner meat. Yum!”

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Experts warn people not to approach 'dangerous' bird of prey spotted flying around North Manchester

10th November 2014

A large bird of prey spotted soaring above North Manchester could be dangerous and should not be approached, wildlife experts have warned.

The Harris Hawk was seen flying around Blackley Woods near Manchester this weekend, and is the third known sighting of potentially-dangerous predators in a matter of weeks in Greater Manchester.

Barbara Royle, of the Independent Bird Register, said the sighting came just days after a similar bird had been spotted nearby, but this was later to be a tame hawk which was since reunited with its owner.

She warned the hawk could be unpredictable, and it was difficult to know how it would respond to members of the public.

Bird expert Barbara said: “All birds of prey are dangerous, but it depends on how they have been trained.

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Woman called 999 over lonely goose

A woman called 999 to ask police to rescue a goose because it had 'lost its friends' and looked 'hungry' in Manchester.

The caller dialled the emergency number to tell officers she had spotted the lonely bird wandering around Blackley Cemetery, reports the Manchester Evening News.

She said she feared the goose was in danger as it didn't have any companions and looked like it needed feeding.

The woman didn't leave her name but was told the goose's welfare was not a police matter and the call was not an appropriate use of the 999 number.

She was also advised to call the RSPCA if she believed the bird was injured.

A GMP North Manchester division spokesman said such calls were a drain on police resources.

"Hoax calls are a misuse of the system and put the people who are in need of urgent assistance from the emergency services at risk," he said.

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Botulism kills birds in Merseyside, Manchester and Staffordshire

1 August 2014 Last updated at 13:50

More than 130 birds have died from avian botulism in parks across Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire, the RSPCA has said.

RSPCA officers have found the bodies of swans, Canada geese, coots and ducks and have collected about 30 dead birds from Birkenhead Park in Merseyside.

The RSPCA is rescuing and treating birds that have contracted the disease.

Humans are not thought to be in danger, as the disease cannot be spread by touching or being near infected birds.

Avian botulism is caused by a water-soluble toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and is more often seen in warmer weather.

The RSPCA said the disease had affected birds at Newsham Park, Stanley Park and Walton Hall Park all in Liverpool, Boggart Hole Clough in Manchester, Rudyard Lakes in Rudyard, Staffordshire and Firs Park in Leigh, Wigan.

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Angry birds! Gang of unruly peacocks trash gran's home as they go on rampage

Jul 05, 2014 06:00

By Todd Fitzgerald

Feral birds wreck hallway and cause havoc in kitchen as neighbours report there could be up to 16 on the prowl

A gang of unruly peacocks is wreaking havoc in Bramhall - with five of them trashing a grandma's home.

As the M.E.N and sister paper the Stockport Express reported recently, the feral birds have been spotted strutting the streets by dozens of residents.

Some have welcomed them, tweeting pictures and telling their neighbours. But others are hoping the feathered invasion will soon end.

Jenny Gibson was at home on Laleham Green when she spotted five peacocks and peahens outside. She went across the road to tell her neighbour, but when she returned, she realised she had left the front door open.

Jenny found three birds wrecking her hallway and another two flying around her kitchen.

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Rare mystery bird found in Stretford Mall car park

A RARE and critically endangered bird was found in the car park of Stretford Mall by astonished shoppers.

It was initially believed that the northern bald ibis had escaped from a zoo in Stoke some years ago, but experts at Chester Zoo are baffled as to where the bird came from.

Can Sonmez, 39, and his two children saw the ibis as they were walking to the mall on Saturday, July 20.

“It was basically flying up and down and the literally fell down the side of the building. When I actually picked it up it looked quite lethargic as if it hadn’t fed for a while.

“I knew it was an ibis as we’d seen them before at Chester Zoo, but I didn’t realise it was a critically endangered species of ibis.”

Can, of St Andrews Road, Stretford, then took the bird home and called Chester Zoo, the curator of which collected the mystery bird a couple of days later.

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