BIRD REPORT

January

A feature of the start of the New Year was the appearance of Mute Swans at sites where they are not often present. Two pairs were on Upper Rivington reservoir on the 1^st, and three birds were at Cuerden on the 2^nd. Little Grebes, too, were wandering about, with birds at Cuerden on 2^nd and 24^th and one on Heapey No. 3 lodge on 25^th. Other wildfowl records of note included 106 Teal on Upper Rivington reservoir on the 1^st, and 40 at Eccleston on the 10^th. 17 Goosander were on the Rivington reservoir system on the 25^th, but only a few Pochard and Tufted Duck remained on Upper Rivington reservoir. A female Wood Duck was on the river Yarrow at Croston on the 1^st, and one was seen regularly at Birkacre. Could it be the same bird?

As might be expected, few wader records were received, but Woodcock were noted at Cuerden on the 2^nd and at Anglezarke on the 11^th. A Curlew was at Eccleston on the 3^rd and 8 Snipe were at Birkacre on the 24^th. The Gull roost on Anglezarke and Lower Rivington reservoirs contained 7,000 Black-headed Gulls, 170 Common Gulls, 135 Herring Gulls, 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 8 Great Black-backed Gulls on the 18^th.

Raptors included Buzzard at Eccleston on the 8^th and at Croston Moss (23^rd), where there was also a Peregrine. Barn Owls were recorded at Cuerden (2^nd) and at Mawdesley (21^st). Little Owls were at Eccleston (8^th), Lisieux Hall (24^th) and Croston Moss (26^th).

It has been a very poor year for winter visitors due to the lack of natural food. Best Fieldfare records received were 6 near Lisieux Hall (2^nd), and 15 by Anglezarke reservoir (4^th). Redwings included 15 near Lisieux (2^nd) and a small flock at Eccleston (14^th). Bramblings were even scarcer, but one turned up in a Clayton garden on a couple of dates during the month.

Pairs of Dipper were on territory at White Coppice (11^th) and at Cuerden (24^th). Kingfishers were noted at Kem Mill (2^nd and 24^th) and at Upper Rivington reservoir and at White Coppice (both 11^th).

Records of flocks of finches and buntings were received including 30 Chaffinch on Croston Moss (17^th), where there were 80 Linnet (23^rd) and 60 Corn Bunting (26^th), plus smaller numbers of Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. 36 Goldfinch were in a Cowling garden on several dates. Flocks of Siskin included 30 at White Coppice (11^th) and 12 at Duxbury (29^th).

Other records of interest included Blackcaps at Cowling and at Eccleston (3^rd), and a male and two female Stonechats on Lower Burgh Meadow on 24^th. Goldcrests were much in evidence on the 29^th with 5 at Birkacre and 8 at Duxbury. On the 25^th, the first sign of Spring came from the drumming of Great Spotted Woodpecker and the songs of Chaffinch and Song Thrush. A Marsh Tit was reported from Withnell Fold Nature Reserve (26^th).

February

Notable wildfowl records were confined to 20 Goosander on Anglezarke reservoir (22^nd), and 54 Teal on Lower Rivington reservoir also on the 22^nd.

It was a better month for wader records, the highlights of which were a Green Sandpiper on the River Yarrow at Croston (28^th) and 5 Golden Plover on Grey Heights (29^th). A Woodcock was noted at Eccleston (14^th). On Croston Moss on the 15^th, 320 Lapwings were recorded in two separate flocks. Towards the end of the month, signs that waders were beginning to move back to their upland breeding sites were provided by Oystercatcher at Anglezarke reservoir (22^nd), and Curlew at Cuerden and on Grey Heights (28^th).

Two Buzzards were noted at Mawdesley on the 17^th and another at Ulnes Walton on the 28^th. Little Owls were at Cuerden (1^st & 28^th), and at Eccleston (14^th & 17^th).

A Dipper was recorded on Syd Brook at Eccleston on the 18^th - the observer's first at the site for some years. Birds were also seen at regular sites such as Cuerden (7^th) and at Birkacre (28^th), where one was observed carrying nesting material. Kingfishers were noted at Withnell Fold nature reserve (1^st) and at Syd Brook, Eccleston on several dates.

Fieldfare and Redwing continued to be thin on the ground with a mixed flock of 30 at Kem Mill (14^th), and a small mixed flock at Ulnes Walton (28^th), being the best records received. Flocks of Corn Bunting included 30 on Croston Moss (3^rd), and 40 at Mawdesley (11^th). Linnet flocks on Croston Moss included 106 on the 15^th and 70 on the 17^th.

Finally, a Jackdaw roost of over 1000 birds was counted at Cuerden on the 7^th.

March

Winter was jerked out of its mediocrity with the appearance of a drake Smew at Lower Healey lodges. This little gem was found by my predecessor in this job - Andy Leach - on the 13^th. It remained until at least the 16^th. Comments from dog walkers suggested that it may have been there for at least two weeks prior to it being 'found'. The site in any event is good for wildfowl with 4 Goosander, 6 Goldeneye, 5 Tufted Duck, 20 Coot and two pairs of Mute Swans being present. Other wildfowl records included a flock of 18 Whooper Swans flying north over Stronstrey bank on the 28^th. A pair of Mute Swans appeared on Mill lodge at Eccleston (10^th-14^th). Goldeneye numbers increased to 11 on High Bullough on the 21^st. Goosander took a fancy to Big Lodge at Birkacre where 5 were noted on the 20^th, but as many as 14 were said to have been there on occasions.

34 Curlew were at Withnell Fold flash on the 7^th, when there were also a Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher and in excess of 100 Lapwings present. On the same day, 22 Lapwing were noted on Grey Heights, and 3 Oystercatchers were seen over Anglezarke Reservoir. Green Sandpipers were again noted on the River Douglas at Croston (16^th) and at Eccleston (17^th).

A Buzzard was noted on Croston moss (16^th), and at Eccleston (28^th). A Merlin was seen flying east over Grey Heights on the 30^th, and a male Hen Harrier at Belmont on the 5^th. Barn Owls were seen on Croston moss (1^st) and at Eccleston (5^th).

Early breeding included Collared Doves (26^th) and Mallard (27^th) with young at Eccleston. At Cuerden, Grey Herons were seen repairing their nest on the 28^th.

Kingfishers were very much in evidence with birds being noted at Heapey No. 2 lodge (13^th), Lower Healey (14^th), Kem Mill (11^th & 28^th), Syd Brook (25^th) and Limbrick (27^th). A Water Rail was noted at Eccleston on the 22^nd. A pair of Stonechats was on Grey Heights on the 23^rd.

Fieldfares were seen in larger numbers this month with flocks of 80 at Armatridings (8^th) and Croston Moss (17^th), and 90 over Stronstrey Bank (28^th). Presumably these were mainly birds on return migration.

Of course it's the arrival of summer visitors that we look forward to in March. There was nothing precocious this year with first arrivals - limited to the 3 classic species - as follows:-

· Chiffchaff Euxton 19^th March

· Wheatear Grey Heights 23^rd March

· Sand Martin Eccleston 29^th March

Having said that an Osprey was noted flying north over Belmont on the 15^th.

Many thanks to the following for submitting records without which the compilation of this report would be impossible:-

D.Beattie, D.Beevers, W.Berry, R.Hoyle, G.Lilley, B.Makinson, S.Martin, A.Porter, J.Riley, P.Ross, J.Sharples, N.Southworth, A.Stott, N.West, and to Jean Southworth for her original drawings.

Please continue to submit your records to the editor.

Neil Southworth