Bird Report

BIRD REPORT

Eight Willow Warblers were still present at Withnell Fold Nature Reserve on the 3^rd, two of them in song. A Chiffchaff was singing at Birkacre (1^st-6^th). A male Blackcap visiting a Rivington garden to feed on Cotoneaster berries (14^th & 18^th) may well have been a winter rather than summer visitor. Similarly a Chiffchaff at Withnell nature reserve (29^th) may well have been a north European bird either over-wintering or on passage. Hirundines were also still to be seen with 11 Swallows over White Coppice (12^th) and a House Martin over Brinscall (13^th)

The first Fieldfares of the winter were reported from fields by the canal at Withnell (17 on the 6^th), and the first Redwing was recorded at the same site on the 13^th. A large movement of Fieldfare was noted on the 14^th & 15^th with 50+ at Hoghton Bottoms, 48 over Highfield Road, flocks of 25-30 birds coming in from the east to both Rivngton and Anglezarke on the morning of the 15^th, the largest flock being 100+ at Siddow Fold. Over at Brinscall a flock of 150+ was seen at Goose Green.

Also on the move were Pink-footed Geese with flocks of 250 & 400 seen flying east over Anglezarke and Rivington respectively on the 10^th. Sixteen Whooper Swans were seen flying along the River Douglas at Croston on the 24^th.

The first Goosander record for the winter was a female on Anglezarke reservoir on the 25^th. Other wildfowl of note were 30 Teal at Withnell Fold nature reserve (11^th onwards), and 35 at Anglezarke (25^th), where there were 14 Pochard and 8 Tufted Duck on the 17^th.

Apart from Snipe and Lapwing, the only wader record was of a Common Sandpiper on the edge of Lower Rivington reservoir (10^th). A Water Rail was at Withnell Fold nature reserve (13^th).

Raptor sightings included both Buzzard and Peregrine from Croston and Mawdesley mosses on several dates. Merlin were noted at Anglezarke (17^th) and White Coppice (30^th). A report was received of a Long-eared Owl calling at Birkacre (6^th). A pair of Ravens was noted over Wheelton and Anglezarke moors (7^th & 13^th)

Flocks of seed-eaters on the mosses included 100+ Greenfinch (17^th), 15 Corn Bunting and 62 Skylark (31^st), with smaller numbers of Goldfinch, Linnet, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer. On the 24^th 90 Grey Partridge were counted with the largest covey being 30 birds.

A male Stonechat was spotted by the roadside, on the moors between Rivington and Belmont, by a member speeding past (9^th). Bird of the month however was the Firecrest seen flitting along the canalside hedgerow at Withnell Fold (22^nd). This is the second record in the past few years of this species in this locality.

A Water Rail and a Kingfisher on the canal spur at Whittle (14^th) were interesting records. Kingfishers were also recorded at Birkacre (6^th), Heapey No. 2 Lodge (23^rd) and Withnell Fold nature reserve and canal regularly.

The first Goldeneye record was of four in Brook House Bay, Anglezarke reservoir, on the relatively late date of 11^th November. On the same date there were also 80 Teal at the north end of the reservoir. Goosander divided their affections between Anglezarke and the Millstone corner of Lower Rivington reservoir, with five on each on the 28^th being the best count. A drake Mandarin was on Heapey No 8 lodge (16^th) and on Anglezarke reservoir (23^rd & 28^th). A first winter Mute Swan on the Croft lodge at Brinscall (16^th) was sadly later found dead in Heather Lea woods with a broken wing.

The over-wintering Buzzard and Peregrine were again noted on the mosses (7^th& 14^th). A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was over Anglezarke moor (19^th), where at least 18 Red Grouse represented a good count by today's standards.

Comment has been passed by several people about the low numbers of birds which seem to be around. Croston and Mawdesley moss seem to be bucking this trend. Birds recorded there on the 7^th and 14^th included 120+ Greenfinch, 55 Corn Bunting (Mawdesley) and 15 (Croston), 56 Skylark, 70 Teal on the Douglas, 700 Pink-footed Geese flying over, plus large numbers of Starling and Jackdaw, and small numbers of other finches and buntings. Mawdesley moss also produced a fly-over Golden Plover (7th) and a Willow Tit (14^th).

Willow Tit was also recorded at Birkacre (9^th & 13^th), where there were a dozen Siskin (9^th). Fieldfares were generally more numerous than Redwing with 120 of the former in Lead Mines Clough (23^rd)and 40 of the latter at Brinscall Hall (27^th) being the best counts. A male Blackcap was seen feeding in a garden at Astley Village (13^th).

Most of the excitement for December came either from the moors or the mosses. The tick list for the moors included Merlin, Hen Harrier, Stonechat, Crossbill and Snow Bunting! The Merlin was recorded at Hurst Hill, Anglezarke moor on the 23^rd. A male Hen Harrier was recorded on the 6^th & 20^th. A pair of Stonechat was seen at Drinkwater's (26^th & 28^th) and at Ratten Clough (29^th). A party of 12 Crossbills was seen in Anglezarke moor plantation (17^th), at least 4 of which were still present on the 18^th. The Snow Bunting was near the summit of Great Hill (18^th).

Over on the mosses the over-wintering Peregrine and Buzzard were present throughout. A corvid flock, which regularly numbered over 1000, contained around 80% Jackdaws with the remainder being Rooks. Skeins of Pink-footed Geese on the 27^th totalled over 800 birds. Flocks of Skylark, Greenfinch and Corn Bunting continued to number in excess of 50 of each species. Mixed flocks of Starling and Fieldfare were in three figures. Good numbers of Teal were again on the River Douglas, where thre Whooper Swans were seen on the 5^th. Smaller numbers of Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Meadow Pipit were noted.

I originally opened Decembers notes with " all the excitement", but modified this to "most of…", since the observers of Barn Owl in the Cuerden area (13^th & 22^nd) and Peregrine at Hoghton Bottoms (18^th) must have been pretty excited too!

Returning to the mundane, best Goosander count was of 7 males & 7 females on Yarrow reservoir (10^th), 13 Pochard were at the north end of Anglezarke reservoir (28^th) and Tufted Duck numbers remained low.

A flock of 20 Redpoll and 6 Siskin were in the alders by Brook House Bay (18^th). The only Brambling record was in my own garden on Christmas Day (nice present!). Blackcaps were in at least three gardens, and no doubt the garden bird survey will reveal more since there seems to have been an influx this year. Goldcrest is another species which is well distributed throughout the area at the moment. Willow Tits were recorded at Birkacre (26^th) and Withnell Fold nature reserve (27^th).

Thanks to the following for submitting records without which the compilation of this report would have been impossible:-

D.Barker, D.Beattie, T.Darbyshire, R.Hoyle, C.Johnson, G.Leather, C.Rae, J.Riley, P.Ross, N.Southworth, A.Stott, D.Tucker, I.Walker, D.Weir, N.West.

And to Jean Southworth for her original drawings.

Please continue to submit your records to the editor.

Back to Home