Wildlife in the North West?

[FionaC]

We haven't lived in Rochdale for very long, but Greater Manchester has some excellent green spaces and we literally live 5 minutes away from the canal and half an hour walk away from a lake. I know the osprey have returned to the lake but can anyone tell me what wildlife I should be looking out for up here. Apart from magpies and squirrels

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by FionaC

We haven't lived in Rochdale for very long, but Greater Manchester has some excellent green spaces and we literally live 5 minutes away from the canal and half an hour walk away from a lake. I know the osprey have returned to the lake but can anyone tell me what wildlife I should be looking out for up here. Apart from magpies and squirrels

This website will help:

Manchester Birding

Try the 'Latest Sightings & Discussion Forums'

Also take a look at the 'County Birding Sites & Maps' section, it will give you some pointers as to where to go in the district.

Cheers
Jonathan

[diggleken]

Hi Fiona, welcome to WAB.
I dont know about everyone else, but the days are filled with things to do in nature watching terms!
I also dont know your interests, but recommend you get the Countryside Service events leaflets - Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside have some great things on,and theres always volunteering to get stuck in and learn............
If you diversify into general watching/finding, there are always exciting things to look out for wherever you are.
But, up here, we specialise in Moors and acidic habitats! But theres much else, a good place to visit, away from the mad throng of Hollingworth lake, is Dovestone RSPB reserve:
The RSPB: Dove Stone
Moorland reservoirs are also special, with Divers quite frequent - as Jonathan points out, Manchester birding will tell you, the likes of Ogden, Castleshaw etc etc are always worth a look in winter.
Healey dell and other local nature reserves are always worth a visit too.
Just a start, I'm sure others will chip in.
Cheers
Ken

[htcdude]

Also might be some useful info here:

birding facts Birding Resources by the Fat Birder for England Greater Manchester<BR>

Nige

[FionaC]

Thank you so much for all of the information, definitely plenty to get our teeth in to. We are all outdoorsy people and the lake is great but it's nice to know about other places, so thank you. X