ROSSENDALE ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB
BIRD REPORT 1994
There were 3 at Shortclough Reservoir from 27th March. One departed leaving a pair which eventually nested. Numbers increased to 5 in August and 7 in September when the first small young were seen. Latest date for Little Grebes at this site was 6th November. A single bird was seen at Holden Vale Flash in June but breeding did not take place. A single bird was present on a lodge at Loveclough from 28th August to 4th September. A previously unrecorded site, Sykes Reservoir at Whitworth, had 3 pairs on 27th March and 2 pairs on 2nd May. On 15th July there were 3 pairs present. One pair had 4 chicks and a second pair had 2 chicks. 2 grebes remained until 11th September.
A single was at Spring Mill Reservoir on 20th February and one had returned to Holden Wood Reservoir by 11th March. On the Grane reservoirs there were 3 on Ogden and one on Holden Wood on 10th April. About the same time a single was on Clough Bottom Reservoir on 15th April. A pair had settled in at Holden Wood by 14th May and there were continuous records to 9th July. Nesting was successful at Shortclough Reservoir where a first attempt was made last year. On 23rd May 3 young were seen and on 3rd July they were half-grown. 2 immature birds were still present on 6th September. This is the first time that 2 sites have been occupied in Rossendale. One adult and 2 immatures were at A.M.R. on 16th July. 2 immatures were at Clowbridge Reservoir on 18th September then one until 23rd December. Further afield, at Wayoh Reservoir, outside Rossendale, 6 grebes were seen on 16th May, one pair being involved in courtship behaviour and nest-building. A single bird was still at Holden Wood on 6th November and one at Spring Mill on 14th November. A single grebe was at Spring Mill during January, February and March with a pair during April, May and part of June. Thereafter one was present to the end of the year.
One at Ogden Reservoir from 25th October through November and again on 14th and 16th December. 3 birds were present on one date during November.
There were records of herons for every month of the year. During the late winter period they were seen in all suitable feeding areas. In April and May they were seen in fewer areas. Some were present in the Musbury Valley in April and 2 or 3 were present at Spring Mill throughout this period. At Shortclough 4 herons were seen throughout April and into May but with no sightings from late May to early September. Other records suggest a return from June onwards with more widespread sightings to the end of the year. One again visited the goldfish pond in a garden in Waterfoot on 19th November. 3 were present at Peersclough on 20th November.
On 16th May 2 were seen flying up the Irwell valley then turning north up the Whitewell valley. A single arrived at New Line Reservoir on 17th August and was seen on various dates through to the end of the year.
The pair present at A.M.R. during November and December last year remained through January and to the 5th of February with a single bird on 20th March (GM). On 3rd March a single flew over Whitworth to the south. The first autumn record was 12 at A.M.R. comprising 8 adults plus a family group of 2 adults and 2 cygnets (GM). On 4th December a pair was still at A.M.R. with one cygnet. It is tempting to think that this might have been the same pair which wintered here last year. 2 were seen at Clowbridge Reservoir on 18th November.
During late winter 90 flew northwest over Stacksteads on 8th January, 2 skeins of 100+ and 50 flying west over A.M.R. on 11th January (GM), 2 skeins of 150 and 100 to the west over The Hile at 10.45 hrs on 6th February, and 16 flying west over Edgeside on 5th February. About 45 flew east to west over Clowbridge at 15.10 hrs on 23rd December (KGS).
A flock of 16 was at Holden Wood on 16th January and 10 at A.M.R. on 13th March. A pair had settled in on Isle of Man Lodge on 14th March and had 2 young by 14th June. Breeding was also successful at Loveclough Lodge where a pair had 6 young on 3rd July. Elsewhere, one of a pair appeared to be sitting at A.M.R. on 10th April; 4 were seen here on 25th April (GM). There was a pair at Clough Bottom on 15th and 23rd April and on 28th May, and a pair at New Line on 23rd April. None of these recorded successful hatching. A pair nested unsuccessfully at the reservoir pool at Limy Lane, Clowbridge. One of the pair broke a wing and was taken away by the RSPCA on or about 24th May. There were 2 pairs on the main reservoir on 26th May. A flock of about 20 was regularly present on or near the reservoir from 12th October to the year end (KGS). Flocks built up after the nesting-season: 26 at Holden Wood on 12th June, 41 at A.M.R. from 10th to 24th July (GM), c 30 flying east to west over Stacksteads on 20th July, 38 at A.M.R. on 9th July. Numbers later in the year included 20 at A.M.R. on 6th November, 40 there on 28th November (GM) and 18 at Holden Wood on 6th November. 11 were present at Spring Mill in October and November.
One was with a pair of Canada Geese at Calf Hey on 20th March.
2 males and a female were at Spring Mill on 11th July and an immature at A.M.R. on 16th July.
There were 4 at Clough Bottom on 20th September, a male at Spring Mill on 3rd September, a male and 3 females at Spring Mill on 15th October and one at Holden Wood at the end of November.
Numbers at A.M.R. in mid-winter were about normal - 10 on 2nd January (GM) (11 in 1993, 10 in 1992). A pair at a pond on Haslingden Moor in the nesting season suggested a breeding attempt and there was a male at A.M.R. as early as 12th June. There was some evidence of a nesting attempt in 1993 at Cheesden Bar, not far from A.M.R. so the bird may have been the male from last year in another attempt. A pair was present at Haslingden Moor in April and early May and may have attempted breeding. In the autumn 5 arrived at A.M.R. on 11th August (GM) and there were 10 on 11th September, 11 on 18th September, 10 on 9th October and 8 on 24th October then none to the end of the year. There were singles at Calf Hey on 9th October and at Clough Bottom on 28th October and 20th November.
A male was seen on the Irwell at Townsendfold on 1st June was probably the same one as mentioned in last year's Report.
The mid-winter flock was 85 at A.M.R. on 22nd January (GM) falling to 33 on 13th February and only 2 on 13th March when pairs had dispersed to the breeding territories. Lower numbers ay Holden Wood were generally less than 15. Elsewhere there were 16 at New Line on 27th February, 18 at Lench Lodges on 7th January and 5 at Clough Bottom on 26th March. Mallard are also numerous along the rivers - probably totalling more than those seen on reservoirs. For instance, there were often 20-30 on the Irwell in Rawtenstall centre. Nesting was widespread around reservoirs and lodges and along the rivers. On 1st April a female was sitting on a clutch of 12 eggs by Musbury stream. On 6th June there were 2 groups of 8 and 2 young on New Line Reservoir. On 3rd May a female was sitting on a nest in Lee Quarry, on 14th May a female was with one duckling on Calf Hey. On 11th June a female had 2 small young on the lodge at Plunge, on 10th July a female and 8 full-grown young were on the Irwell at Stacksteads, on 18th July 2 broods of 8 and 3 were on the Irwell near Strongstry. Nesting continued quite late and there were 5 half-grown ducklings on the Irwell near Ilex Mill on 17th August. Post-breeding flocks built up again in autumn. There were exceptional numbers at Calf Hey where the water-level had been lowered for some time so that a mass of vegetation including Spotted Persicaria (Redshank) had grown around the shores. A slight re-flooding made this into an ideal feeding area for dabbling ducks and on 11th September there were about 80 Mallard feeding there with one Teal. The water-level had risen slightly by 9th October but there were still 40 Mallard feeding there. Elsewhere, there were 38 at A.M.R. on 11th September, 16 on 24th October, 28 on 17th November, 60 on 28th November (GM), 40 on 4th December and 50 on 6th December (GM). During this period there were also 27 at Lench Lodges, 32 at New Line, 33 at Clough Bottom and 7 at Spring Mill.
Singles were recorded at Clowbridge Reservoir on 23rd May and (a female) at Lea Brook on 7th June. A female was seen at A.M.R. on 18th September (GM).
5 females or immatures were seen at Clowbridge Reservoir on 25th July (ELOC).
Fewer records this year than of late. Only small numbers in single figures at Holden Wood, A.M.R., and Shortclough Reservoir from 15th January to 13th February. The highest number was 7 at Holden Wood on 16th January and there were 5 at Shortclough on 15th January. The latest date at Shortclough was one on 5th February. Numbers were little better in the autumn. At Holden Wood there were 10 on 25th October, 5 on 6th November and one on 4th December.
The male bird which has been present in East Lancashire for several years remained at Holden Wood from December 1993 into January and February 1994 and was seen there again on 10th April and at Calf Hey on 28th May. It was also seen at Shortclough with Tufted Ducks from 26th April to 2nd May. It was seen at Wayoh on 20th - 26th August and was back at Holden Wood on 27th August, 25th October and 4th December. It was back at Wayoh from 16th December to the end of the year.
In the mid-winter period 4 were at Holden Wood on 15th January, 5 on 16th January and 13 on 13th February. On 13th March and 10th April 2 pairs were seen there and there was one pair on 14th May. A pair bred near A.M.R. but, unfortunately dates and other details are unknown.. On 12th June 3 males and a female were present and on 9th July there were 6 birds. At Shortclough Tufted Ducks were present throughout the year except for the period 10th May to 4th July. The spring maximum was 15 on 24th April; in autumn the maximum was 14 on 18th September. In the Whitworth area there were 7 on Syke Reservoir on 16th July and ones and twos here and at Spring Mill on various dates. In the autumn at A.M.R. there were 4 on 11th August (GM), 2 birds on 14th and 20th August, 11 on 11th September, 6 on 9th October, 5 on 6th November. At Holden Wood there were 8 on 20th August, 4 on 11th September, 7 on 4th October (5 on Ogden at the same time), 28 on 6th November, 7 on 4th December. At Shortclough there were 12 on 11th September. A single male was at New Line on 6th October.
A female was seen at A.M.R. on 20th August.
A female was at A.M.R. on 12th June, a male there on 19th August (GM) and an immature male at Spring Mill on 10th August.
During the late winter and early spring there was a continuous presence in small numbers; 2 to 7 at Spring Mill Reservoir with a maximum of 7 on 26th March and 6 on 26th April. Latest was a female on 2nd May. Clowbridge had maxima of 11 on 20th February and 12 on 21st March. Elsewhere there were 2 females at A.M.R. and 3 females at Holden Wood on 15th January, a single female at Holden Wood on 13th February, 3 at A.M.R. on 13th March and 5 at Clough Bottom on 13th March. Return movement brought a flock of 15 to Clowbridge on 17th September and a female to Spring Mill on 17th October. Thereafter there were small numbers, 2 - 5, at Spring Mill until the end of the year. At Clowbridge there were 4 on 6th December and 7 on 23rd December. There was a single female at Holden Wood on 4th December and 4 birds there on 18th December. At Shortclough on the same date a male and 5 females were seen. A female was seen at Hall Fold lodge on 4th December - an unusual site.
A female was recorded at Spring Mill from 18th October to 19th November. This is probably a first record for Rossendale: the one mentioned in Rossendale Birds (E. Ward 1988) on 25th January 1987 was at Entwistle Reservoir, about 2 miles outside the Rossendale boundary. A female (probably the same bird) was seen at Clough Bottom during the R.O.C. Bird Race on 18th December and again at Clowbridge on 22nd and 23rd December.
Number were again high in the early part of the year - 48 at A.M.R. on 5th and 7th January, 33 there on 2nd February, 14 on 13th February and 2 on 13th March. 8 were at Holden Wood on 20th February. Pairs were recorded on the Irwell at Townsendfold on 6th and 29th January, on Ogden on 15th January and on Clough Bottom on 26th March. Latest were 2 pairs at Isle of Man Lodge on 9th April and a pair at Shortclough on 11th April. There were Goosanders at Spring Mill from 2nd January to 21st March and a late bird on 18th May with maxima of 23 on 15th January, 16 on 12th March and 18 on 29th March. Return movement began with a redhead at Clough Bottom on 7th October and one at A.M.R. on 9th October. Numbers were lower than those of the spring passage - 3 at A.M.R. on 24th October, 2 at Spring Mill on 24th October, 3 over Grane on 6th November then 24 at A.M.R. on 4th and 5th December. There were 45 at A.M.R. on 6th December and 57 on 11th December (GM). There were 6 sightings at Clowbridge with a maximum of 5 on 21st December. 5 were at Clough Bottom on 24th November, 4 there on 3rd December and 1 on 18th December. At Spring Mill 5 had returned on 14th September. There was then an almost continuous presence until the end of the year with a maximum of 17 on 4th December.
A wing-tagged bird seen over Swinshaw Moor on 18th September was found to be a first-year male which had been marked in Dumfriesshire (R. Ives, N. Burke). A male was seen over the east side of Brown Wardle on 22nd October.
One was seen soaring over Pickup Bank on 27th March.
Again widespread along the valleys but also hunting out onto the hillsides. 2 pairs operated out towards the C.B.C. plot on The Hile, one pair carrying food towards the Whitewell valley and one towards the Irwell valley at Stacksteads. The C.B.C. analysis credited the plot with a pair of Sparrowhawks for the first time. Breeding season presence was also reported from Grane (2 pairs), Weir, Helmshore, Wallbank (2 nests fledged chicks), Fern Isle, Stacksteads. After the breeding season there were numerous reports from all areas to the end of the year. There were again records of Sparrowhawks hunting in suburban gardens. One killed and ate a Blue Tit in a garden at Helmshore on 10th September, one was seen carrying prey over Tunstead on 16th October and on 26th November one attempted to catch a Dunnock in a hawthorn hedge in a Waterfoot garden, scrambling after it through the twigs. On 17th December a female made an attack on a flock of Fieldfares and Starlings at Musbury.
In the spring one was seen flying over Helmshore on 26th April and in the autumn a large bird flying very high to the southeast over A.M.R. on 11th September was almost certainly a Buzzard.
There was a record of a probable at Crawshawbooth. It flew southeast over Folly Clough on 21st December, being mobbed by Carrion Crows. The record is subject to acceptance by the County Recorder.
During January, February and March singles, probably returning birds, were noted in several areas. On 10th April a male had returned to the Alderbottom Viaduct site and on 16th April a male was at Lee Quarry, where there was a nest with 5 eggs on 3rd May. This nest contained 4 young on 6th June but, unfortunately, they were illegally taken from the nest between 11th and 18th June. The pair hunting from the C.B.C. plot was feeding young in the nest on 29th June and 3rd July. On 12th July 4 young (3 females, 1 male) were fledged on the roof above the nest. On 15th July the 3 females were perched on wires 200 metres from the nest and were flying down to feed on the grass beneath. Elsewhere, a pair was flying round above Sherfin on 6th May, one was over Stubbylee Park on 1st May, a male took a juvenile Wheatear on Fo' Edge on 28th June and carried it towards the Cowpe valley, a pair was seen from 24th April to 1st August at Musbury Tor and 3 fledged young were seen on 11th August. A pair nested on Kippax Mill. After the breeding season there were regular sightings to the end of October then fewer records to the end of the year.
Up to 4 pairs were present locally early in the season. However, only one pair attempted breeding: they laid one egg then deserted. A male was seen at Spring Mill on 22nd May. After the breeding season singles were seen over Clowbridge on 25th August and The Hile on 4th September. A female and an immature were seen in the Whitworth area on 6th September.
An adult was seen at Clowbridge on 6th July, being mobbed by 2 Kestrels.
One was seen over Whitworth on 8th March and the local birds had returned to the nest site on 28th March. The female was sitting by 10th April and was also sitting on 16th April and 3rd May. This nest failed soon after, probably due to theft of the eggs. On 20th June a pair seen flying in to roost at Gorple was thought to have been the pair from this nest. A pair of immature birds was present at another site in March and April but the female was killed by flying into a house chimney in October. On 21st May a female carrying large prey was seen over Deerplay Moor. After the breeding season a few birds, probably immatures, remained in Rossendale. On the Wildfowl Count at A.M.R. on 11th September several members of the Club entertained by a Peregrine which stooped several times on a flock of Tufted Ducks causing them to dive in panic. It then attacked a pair of Carrion Crows and a wonderful aerial battle ensued. On 4th October one was hunting from A.M.R. across Knowl Moor to Cowpe Moss where more than 100 Meadow Pipits were present in passage flocks.
A pair was present on Haslingden - Oswaldtwistle Moor and 4 pairs were seen on Hoddlesden Moss. At Haslingden Moor 8 birds were seen on 26th August, 3 on 17th September, 2 males on 9th October and 1 bird on 11th December. 2 birds were seen on Thirteen Stone Hill on 30th October. A covey of 5 and 2 others were seen on Nab Hill on 27th November.
A covey of 5 was present on The Brex on 6th February. During the nesting season pairs were recorded at Grane (3 pairs), Mitchell House Reservoir, Seat Naze, The Hile (C.B.C. plot 1 pair), south side of Stacksteads, Broadclough, Gin Clough, Bunker Hill, Farmers Glory, Oswaldtwistle Moor. Post-breeding season coveys included 3 at A.M.R. on 24th July (GM), 3 at Shawclough on 24th August (The Hile pair plus 1), 6 to 8 near Peersclough, 8 at Spring Mill.
A male was seen in the Musbury valley on 23rd and 31st March. It was probably a released bird. On 30th July a male was calling in the plantation at Clowbridge Reservoir.
Recorded at all the usual sites. On 24th February one was feeding along the River Whitewell in Waterfoot centre beneath snow on overhanging vegetation. Juveniles were seen at New Line, Lench, Holden Wood, lower Plunge and the River Irwell at Townsendfold.
3 pairs were at Holden Wood from 15th January but there was no evidence of successful breeding and only 4 birds were counted later in the year. Another site was at the triangular lodge in Deeply Vale where an adult with young was seen on 3rd July. A pair fledged 3 young at the lodge in Healey Dell. The expansion to Isle of Man and New Line Lodges mentioned last year has not continued. There was a single bird at Shortclough from 3rd April to 16th October and one was at Holden Wood on 6th November.
2 were present on the banks of A.M.R. on 22nd March (GM) and 10th April and 2 at Wayoh Reservoir on 16th May. In autumn 2 were at A.M.R. on 28th November (GM).
A pair was present in the Grane area and probably bred, though no young were seen. They were seen mating at Calf Hey and were also recorded at the upper end of Holden Wood Reservoir on 12th June, at Hutch Bank Quarry and on 9th July at Calf Hey.
1 was seen at A.M.R. on 18th July (GM).
The only record this year was 7 on Haslingden Moor on 2nd May.
Movement was noted in late January and February. A flock of 46 was present on Cowpe Moss on 23rd January - a similar figure and date to last year. On The Hile 2 on 11th February and 20 on 19th February were the nearest for several years to the spectacular spring passage which used to occur. A pair was seen at Cowpe Moss on 10th April and 2 anxious pairs were found on 28th June. A nest with 4 chicks was found at Haslingden Moor on 24th May. Pairs were also seen at Turf Lodge Moor on 24th May and Cowpe Moss on 14th May. A pair was present at Walstend? Clough, Whitworth on 29th May and 4th June. During the autumn passage, on 20th September a flock of about 20 birds flew in from the north across The Brex and alighted on the Hile area - a similar small movement to that in spring. % birds were seen on Haslingden Moor on 11th December.
A flock of 30 ay Holden Wood on 15th January was in keeping with the tendency of Lapwings to stay in the vicinity of reservoirs during milder winters - as also happens at A.M.R. Flocks returning to nesting fields were noted from 13th February when 40 were flying round over Helmshore and other small flocks were seen over the Irwell valley at Townsendfold. On 24th February 3 males had returned to The Hile in spite of frost and some remaining snowdrifts, and 6 were back on 1st March. A flock of 51 was at Holden Wood on 2nd March. By 20th March there were 11 on The Hile and some song flights and by 28th March several were making scrapes. The figure of 11 is of interest as this was the number of Lapwing territories registered in 1993 C.B.C. analysis and in 1994 it was to be 12 territories. This was the best since 1991 (14 territories). A male was still giving chick rearing calls on 28th July. 2 of the young birds flew but a third had a damaged wing and may have held up the departure of the family group. The post-breeding flock was 25 on The Hile on 21st June growing to 39 on 30th June after which they left the breeding fields. Elsewhere 2 males were on territory at Holden Vale Flash on 10th April, 2 making display flights at Stonefold on 4th April, 4 on Seat Naze on 17th April, 6 pairs on Dean Height on 6th May, 4 males on territory on Brex Height on 2nd June (nest c/4 here on 15th June). There were records of 6 pairs on Haslingden Moor, 3 at Hutch Bank Quarry, 2 in the Alden valley, 12 pairs at Harden Moor, 12 pairs near Farmers Glory and 2 in the Cowpe valley. Post-breeding flocks included 80 attracted to a new mown field on The Hile on 22nd July, 250 at A.M.R. on 9th July, 80 at Clough Bottom on 5th August, 310 at A.M.R. on 11th August (GM), 350 there on 9th October, 200 on 24th October and 100 on 6th November. There were also 43 at Spring Mill on 17th August and 28 at Clough Bottom on 3rd November. On 23rd December, during a cold spell, 11 flew south over Goodshaw and there were 12 at Clowbridge on the same date. 2 were at Holden Wood on 4th December.
There were two records for Cowpe Moss: on 12th May and 7th June so it is probable that nesting occurred. 2 pairs were seen at Wet Moss on 21st May. None were seen at Haslingden / Oswaldtwistle Moor this year. There were 2 at A.M.R. on 12th June. Autumn passage brought singles to A.M.R. on 16th and 31st July, and 7th and 8th August. Also in August there were 2 at A.M.R. on 14th and 1 on 20th and one at Clowbridge on 7th.
Two were seen at Thirteen Stone Hill on Haslingden - Oswaldtwistle Moor on 30th October and one at Nab Hill on 27th November.
Numbers remain very low. A return movement brought 2 to Sand Beds on 23rd January, one to The Hile on 6th February and 2 to Greenfold about the same date. 2 were seen south of Stacksteads on 10th March. A pair arrived back on the C.B.C. plot in May and one drummed briefly but the birds left soon afterwards. There were an estimated 4 pairs on Harden Moor and 2 or 3 pairs on Haslingden Moor and Hoddlesden Moss and a pair at Peersclough. The autumn passage brought small numbers, from 1 to 4, to A.M.R., The Hile, Haslingden Moor, Chapel Hill, Spring Mill and Syke reservoirs during August, September and October. In November and December there were larger numbers - 11 at Syke reservoir on 27th November, 8 there on 11th December and 4 on 25th December.
During the late winter period there were 4 in Conference House Woods, Crawshawbooth on 3rd January. Singles were seen at Spring Mill on 1st January, Cowpe Moss on 23rd January, Spring Mill on 13th February, Heap Clough and Musbury valley on 14th February and Spring Mill on 5th March. In the autumn one was seen in the coniferous plantation at Clowbridge on 6th November. 3 were seen at Heap Clough plantation on 11th December.
On 12th August one alighted for about 10 minutes at A.M.R.
An early arrival was calling in flight over Spring Mill on 27th February. The main arrival brought 5 to Spring Mill on 15th March, one over Ogden on 15th March and one at Clowbridge on 18th March. There were 6 at Spring Mill on 26th March, 5 on 29th March and some had arrived at Clough Bottom on 20th March and The Hile on 28th March. 29 were seen at A.M.R. on 20th March (GM). During the breeding season Curlews were calling at Alderbottom and Holden Wood on 10th April, a pair was at Dean Height on 6th May, a pair on The Hile on 24th May, 2 pairs on The Brex - Smallshaw Height on 15th June. 2 to 4 were present at Spring Mill from 2nd April to 3rd July. Elsewhere pairs were recorded at Clough Bottom, Cheesden valley, Haslingden Moor (3 pairs), Hoddlesden Moss, Harden Moor, Whitewell Bottom, Plunge, Clowbridge, Wet Moss, Fern Isle and Greenfold. On 3rd July a flock of 14 was seen at Clough Bottom.
Few records this year. At Clowbridge a pair had returned on 21st March. One was present on 22nd May and a pair on 23rd May so it is possible that a nesting attempt was made and failed somewhere in the vicinity. Singles were seen at A.M.R. on 12th June and 18th July and at Syke reservoir on 3rd September.
One on spring passage was at Clowbridge on 22nd May.
The earliest return was of one at Clough Bottom on 15th April and later there was a pair there on 28th May, 1 on 23rd July and a pair on 5th and 25th August. 2 pairs were nesting at Calf Hey on 11th June but both failed when the reservoir was drained. At Holden Vale one had returned by 28th April and 2 were present on 8th May. A pair was seen at the nearby Holden Wood reservoir on 12th June. At other sites birds were seen at Clowbridge reservoir from 27th April; at A.M.R. on 28th April, 10th July (2 birds) (GM), 18th July and 7th and 14th August and at Cowpe reservoir on 20th June. One to 3 birds were present at Spring Mill from 24th April to 7th August. Latest was one at Clowbridge on 25th August.
During the late winter period in January and February about 1,000 were estimated to be feeding at Stacksteads Tip on several counts. On 1st March 80 birds circled high over The Hile and on 8th March only a few were at the tip. On 2nd March there were 30 at Holden Wood and on 15th March 4 flew over towards Grane. Departure for the nesting grounds was more or less competed during the first week in March. Occasional appearances of birds in breeding plumage occurred later: 2 at A.M.R. on 10th April and one over Haslingden on 19th May. Apart from an early bird on 11th June at Clowbridge, the return to winter quarters began in early July. There were 9 at E.B.S.W. on 5th July, 150 there on 7th July and records of singles, 2s and 3s from various places on 3rd, 6th and 9th July. Numbers remained relatively low except for 150 at E.B.S.W. during August and an exceptional 500 at A.M.R. on 11th August (GM). An influx began in mid-September with 42 on Fearns Moss on 12th, 40 at Britannia on 14th, 80 on The Hile on 17th and 120 on Fearns Moss on 25th. By the end of the month there were 400 at Stacksteads Tip, 7 - 800 by the end of October, 800 in November and one estimate of about 1,000 on 7th December, similar to the previous winter. Up to 160 were regular at Spring Mill from July to the end of the year. At Clowbridge the roost numbered from 1,500 to 2,000 birds in December. Many of them seem to come from the Stacksteads direction, with none from Rawtenstall or Haslingden.
Most records were again of Common Gulls forming a small proportion of Black-headed Gull flocks - 6 to 200, 2 to 100, 6 to 150 being typical ratios. In recent years there has been a tendency for larger numbers in single species flocks to turn up at local reservoirs in winter. This winter there were records of some exceptionally large flocks e.g. 80 at A.M.R. on 15th January and 60 there on 2nd February. Apart from 2 early birds at A.M.R. on 16th July and Spring Mill on 23rd July and 20 birds at A.M.R. on 11th August (GM), the return after the breeding season was somewhat late this year: 3 birds at Fearns Moss on 19th, 22nd and 27th October; 20 at A.M.R. on 28th November with 35 there on 6th December (GM). Up to 60 were present with the Black-headed Gulls roosting at Clowbridge in December.
The numbers of 10 to 20 at Stacksteads Tip noted for December 1993 continued into January and February 1994. There was a sudden influx in early March. More than 50 flew east to the tip on the morning of 2nd March, 40 were counted on 8th March, 700 on 9th March and 800 on 10th March. On 20th March 150 were feeding among grazing sheep on The Hile where at least 6 new-born lambs had been seen. Numbers declined during the nesting season but only to 4 - 500 in May and June and briefly to 1 - 200 in mid-July before rising to an unprecedented 900 - 1,000 in late July. Numbers fell to about 400 in August and 150 at the end of the month and in early September. On several dates in September none could be seen at the tip. However, 80 were present on 13th September and elsewhere much movement was in progress. 150 Lesser Black-backs were seen at A.M.R. on 24th July (GM). On 4th October 50 flew high to the east across the Whitewell valley and on 9th October there were over 100 at A.M.R. On 2nd October 12 with 3 immatures were on Fearns Moss. In early November numbers fluctuated from 70 to 130 at or over tip but only 30 could be found on 9th December and fewer as the month progressed.
A mid-winter influx began in early January. Many were seen on the flights to and from Stacksteads Tip on 3rd January and about 50 counted on 7th January, 9th February and 10th March. Thereafter few were seen apart from odd ones with the Lesser Black-backed Gulls. After the breeding season there were 5 at A.M.R. on 9th October, 5 at Stacksteads on 10th October and similar numbers to the end of the month. Numbers increased slightly during November with counts of 20 to 30 at the tip or on morning flights. An influx took place in November with 130, many of them immatures, at Stacksteads on 9th December and an unprecedented 400 to 500 on 20th December. At the Clowbridge roost up to 20 are present in winter.
Numbers coming inland to Rossendale showed an increase this year. In early January the usual small numbers - 3 to 7 - were present at Stacksteads rising to 20 on 7th January. There were records of up to 7 birds flying over Rossendale to 1st March. Return began on 7th and at least 35 on 9th December. This was the largest flock recorded here. 5 were seen at Ogden reservoir on 18th December, 8 adults and the same number of immatures were at Clowbridge on 22nd December.
One on passage flew low over Spring Mill reservoir for 2 to 3 minutes on 4th July then off to the northeast. A "commic" tern at Clowbridge on 5th July may have been the same bird or at least indicate a passage movement.
The town centre colonies were much as usual. A new group of about 60 birds was reported in the area from Peersclough to Water. The Waterfoot colony now numbers about 40 which may often be seen on the lawn of Trickett's Memorial Gardens.
Again few records. 2 were seen at A.M.R. on 29th March (GM). One was back at Farmers Glory on 10th May. There were singles at Spring Mill on 18th June and 9th July and 2 there on 1st October. One flew from a rock face at Bonfire Hill on 27th April. 2 were seen at Peersclough on 16th October.
Winter flocks included 50 at Tunstead on 7th February, 40 over Grane on 13th February, 10 feeding on The Hile in hard frost and with snowdrifts still present on 24th February, 80 at Stacksteads on 10th March. In late March a few birds were returning to breeding sites - several in gardens along Booth Road, Waterfoot on 27th March and a pair in Osborne Plantation, Stacksteads on the same date. Evidence of nesting - singing males, presence of pairs etc. - was recorded in most suitable areas. 2 newly-fledged young were feeding on the steep banks of Cowpe Road at Rock View on 6th September. On 3rd July 100 were feeding on mown meadows at Buckhurst, Cheesden. Only small flocks of 5 to 10 birds were recorded later in the year.
Continues to increase and to spread. Territorial aggression and song were noted from late January and in fact throughout the year to December. Such territory holding behaviour was reported from Booth Road, Gaghills, Edgeside and Turnpike in Waterfoot; from Staghills to Rawtenstall Cricket Club; Bankside Lane, Bacup; Waingate and Newchurch Road; Holden Vale; Townsendfold; Dodbottom Wood; Haslingden centre; Helmshore; Whitworth (5 to 14 recorded regularly and from Crawshawbooth.
One or two records now seem to occur each year. One was seen at Edgeside on 30th June and 3 flew down the Irwell valley at Stacksteads on 10th September. It may be appropriate to record here that another escaped cage-bird - a Cockatiel - was seen on The Hile. This species is mentioned in the Lancashire Bird Report 1993.
Again few records. Calling males were heard at Musbury on 29th April, E.B.S.W. on 6th May, Greenfold on 2nd June, Spring Mill on 12th June and Cribden Clough on 8th June.
Singles were seen at Constablelee on 22nd January and at Water on 18th March. One was seen at the old site on the C.B.C. plot on 12th July, 3rd September and 2nd October but there was no indication of successful nesting in the area. A pair wintered in an old barn at Musbury. One was found dead in a garden near to the barn on 5th May. Breeding season records were from Spring Mill, which had records from 13th April to 23rd December and a juvenile seen on 3rd August.
One was present in a Bacup plantation on 14th January. On 9th February a pair was engaged in courtship at Helmshore and calls were heard for the remainder of the month. Regular calling was noted at Whitewell Bottom during March. One was present in Folly Clough on 28th May and one in Gorpley Clough on 20th June. There was a regular presence at Peersclough where the parents brought the young into garden trees. A nest in Musbury reared one young from 2 eggs. At Ravenshore 2 young were reared from 3 eggs. They were thought to have nested in Lumb Church. Elsewhere, territory holding birds were recorded at Ravenshore, Clough Bottom, Seat Naze, Tip Lodge, Reedsholme, Cliffe Lodge, Spring Mill, Healey Dell and Wallbank.
On 19th March one was seen flying over Burnley's football round at Turf Moor at 15.30 hrs whilst a match was in progress. The site is a few miles outside of our boundary but is worth a mention. In Rossendale proper, during late June and July one was seen on several occasions roosting in old buildings at Shawclough.
At the site in west Rossendale a first nesting attempt failed when the eggs were stolen, but the second attempt succeeded. A pair bred in the Limy valley and young were heard calling on 9th July.
There were no breeding records this year though singles were seen at Clowbridge on 27th April and 23rd May. After the breeding season singles were seen at Clowbridge on 25th August, Crown Point on 20th September, Stacksteads in October and Peersclough in November.
Apart from 1 over Crawshawbooth and 2 over Lea Brook on 4th, all other first arrival dates were between 7th and 10th May. Some large flocks were recorded feeding low over reservoirs during cool wet weather - 100 over Clowbridge reservoir on 22nd May, 50 at Shortclough on 23rd May, 200 over E.B.S.W. on 4th June, over 200 at A.M.R. on 12th June and 60 there on 16th July. There were 40 over Wallbank Lodge on 8th July. Nesting colonies were much as usual, especially on old mills - Gaghills; Park Mill, Helmshore; Atherton Holme, Stacksteads; Olive Mill; Doric Mill. Swifts also nest in houses on the Edgeside estate. Post-breeding flocks numbered 60 over Edgeside on 4th August, 20 over Piercy on 7th August. The Gaghills colony was deserted on 6th August and none were at Piercy or Townsendfold on 12th August. Latest birds were 2 over Stacksteads on 16th August, 2 over Crawshawbooth on 18th August, 12 over Haslingden on 20th August and 2 over Rawtenstall on 24th August.
One was seen regularly during March fishing from trees over the Irwell in Waterfoot centre. There were regular sightings on the Whitewell at Peersclough in June so there was a possibility of nesting somewhere in the area for a second consecutive year. After the breeding season there were several sightings on the Irwell below Townsendfold (8th, 11th and 17th August) and it is thought a pair bred near Ewood Bridge. During autumn Kingfishers were also seen at Loveclough on several dates in July and on 28th August, at Gaghills on 6th August, River Ogden on 22nd September and 23rd October and in The Glen on 14th October, Healey Dell on 10th September, Spring Mill on 8th October, Wallbank Lodge on 26th, 28th and 29th December.
Seen or heard regularly along the Irwell valley below Rawtenstall, especially at Stubbins but also as far upstream as Groundwork and Crawshawbooth. A pair nested and reared young at Musbury. Also recorded at Dodbottom Wood, Cliviger on 23rd April, 21st May and 29th May; Crawshawbooth on 21st March and 12th August; Healey Dell on dates from 12th February to 24th December. There were no records from Staghills Wood. One fed regularly at a bird table at Peersclough during the winter and one was at Ravenshore on 18th December.
Present and breeding in all suitable wooded areas throughout the valleys. One was drumming at Townsendfold on 21st and 22nd February. Further upstream along the Irwell young were being fed in trees near Groundwork on 14th June. Drumming was heard on 1st May at Stubbins. After the breeding season there were widespread records from gardens and parks at Alden, Ravenshore, Shortclough, Rushbed, Ewood Bridge, Townsendfold, Waterfoot, Peersclough, Cowpe valley, Shawclough and Crawshawbooth.
Song was heard at Chapel Hill on 5th February, one had returned to The Hile on 6th February, one was singing at Clowbridge on 7th February and 2 were at Whinberry Naze on 8th February. 7 flew northwest over Spring Mill on 26th February. First song on The Hile was not heard until 8th March and it was not until later in the month that birds returned in any numbers. On Chapel Hill, a flock of 17 had re-formed on 9th April after a night of snow and cold winds. Skylarks were widespread from lower meadows to high moorland (3 or 4 were in song on Cowpe Moss on 28th June) but they were thin on the ground. This was confirmed by the C.B.C. analysis which gave 20 pairs for the 100 hectare plot - the lowest figure since the census was begun 28 years ago and the first time that the Skylark figure was less than that of Meadow Pipit. Some song was noted until 12th July. There was a small flock of 8 birds on The Hile on 28th July then only 1s and 2s to 23rd September.
First arrival was of 2 at Holden Wood reservoir on 11th April. 2 were at at E.B.S.W. on 22nd April and there was a single there on 25th April. 2 flew north over Wallbank on 28th April. Good number were seen at E.B.S.W. with Swallows and House Martins on 10th September.
First arrivals were 2 at E.B.S.W. on 16th April with 4 there on 17th but most first dates were between 21st and 24th April when there were 20 at E.B.S.W. on 22nd April and 2s and 3s in several parts of Rossendale. By 25th April there were at least 100 at E.B.S.W. On 8th May Swallows were entering old buildings at Holden Vale and on 30th May one was carrying mud on The Hile. On 29th June a pair and 3 juveniles were on wires at Edgeside and on 3rd July 15 including juveniles at Shawclough below Jack Lodge. Nesting was still in progress at several sites in late August. Records suggested that Swallows were in good numbers this year. This was borne out by the C.B.C. results which gave 5 pairs - a number only achieved once before, in 1990. For most of the time since 1967 the numbers of Swallow pairs on The Hile plot remained at 1 to 3, since 1988 the figure has been 4 or 5 except that in 1991 there were only 2 pairs. Movement was noted in late August through to early October. A heavy passage was noted over Clowbridge on 22nd and 23rd September. On 26th September there were 30 feeding over Jack Lodge; on 1st October 13 were seen over Tip Lodge and on the same date 30 were feeding low over trees at Waterfoot in cool, wet conditions; on 4th October 10 were feeding low over fields at Lench. Among the latest were 5 flying south over Waterfoot on 10th October in company with 2 Yellow Wagtails.
One was at E.B.S.W. by 22nd April and 15 on 25th April. On 6th and 7th May pairs were seen flying to nests on Waterfoot Arcade and Regency Buildings and at Piercy. There were nesting colonies at Park Road, Waterfoot where well-grown young were being fed on 8th September, on B.R.G.S. where the birds only turned up on 12th August. Flocks built up during August. There were 30 over Waterfoot on 29th August and 40 on 1st September, 50 over Coal Pits Lane on 5th August, 25 over Stacksteads on 16th August, 20 over Haslingden on 20th August, 50 over Seat Naze on 17th September. At this time a pair at Park Road, Waterfoot was still feeding noisy young which fledged on 20th September. Latest records were 1 at Reedsholme on 24th September, 2 over Stacksteads on 25th September and 2 over Waterfoot on 1st October.
Pairs were present during the breeding season at Grane and Clowbridge. a bird though to be of this species was present in the Royds Road area of the Cowpe valley on 11th July.
Ones and twos were recorded from January to early March. The main return of breeding birds occurred in late March - 10 at Moss Quarry, Whitworth on 17th; 20 on The Hile on 28th and 10 in Lee Quarry on the same date. First song flight was recorded on The Hile on 27th March. At least 25 were at E.B.S.W. on 5th April. Several pairs were feeding young on The Hile from 19th May and 6 pairs at Clough Bottom were feeding young about 28th May. Flocks formed from late August - 10 at Edgeside on 18th August, 14 and 16 on The Hile on 24th August, 23 at Clough Bottom on 8th September. Passage movement was in progress in early October. 45 birds on The Hile on 2nd October and well over 100 on Cowpe Moss on 4th October with one flock of at least 70 birds, 120 at A.M.R. on 9th October. Later there were smaller flocks of 5 on The Hile on 19th November and 5 on Rooley Moor Road on 16th November. 3 were seen at Clowbridge on 24th December. A flock of about 50 was present at Stacksteads Rec. throughout December.
One was at E.B.S.W. on 22nd April on spring passage. There were no records of breeding season presence. In autumn there were 2 females at Spring Mill on 27th August and an immature on 4th, 5th and 8th September. One was calling in flight over Clowbridge on 20th September and 2 flew south over Waterfoot on 10th October in company with 5 Swallows.
Again there were few records for January and February (e.g. on the Irwell at Ramsbottom on 11th January). Breeding pairs returned to nest sites in March. One was seen over Broadway on 1st March, a pair was back on the River Whitewell between Woodlea and Baltic Bridge on 22nd March and a female on the River Limy near the Ashworth Arms on 26th March. On the latter date there were about 10 Grey Wagtails on the filter beds at E.B.S.W. On 29th March a single was seen on the Whitewell at Piercy and a pair there on 1st April. Passage was still in progress at E.B.S.W. where 3 were seen on 6th April, 5 on 11th April and 3 on 14th April. A pair at Constablelee had 5 young on 1st June. During the breeding season pairs were recorded at Holden Vale, Holden Wood, Lower Cowpe valley, Warth Bridge, Waterfoot, Ewood Bridge. Singles and pairs were seen along the rivers during September up to 25th September when 3 were present at Stacksteads. Singles were seen at Calf Hey on 4th December and Clough Bottom on 11th December.
During the winter singles, usually males, were again noted feeding in school playgrounds and places where children had eaten lunches, bought ice-creams etc. 40 - 50 were at E.B.S.W. on 15th January and 5th April. Passage movement in spring brought 50 to E.B.S.W. on 8th March, 100 on 26th March, 75 on 10th April, 30 on 11th April, over 100 on 14th April. 4 pairs nested on the C.B.C. plot, the highest figure yet (2 or 3 is usual). A male with 3 juveniles was at one of the sites on 12th June. Pairs were also recorded at Edgeside (immatures 14th June), Shawclough (male and immatures 3rd July), Stacksteads (adult carrying food into hole in bank of Irwell 10th July), Clough Bottom (pair 28th May, 8th July), Spring Mill (juvenile 15th July), Rakehead (pair and 4 juveniles 11th July). The autumn passage brought 11 to Fearns Moss on 22nd August, 17 on 3rd September, 38 on 21st September, 40 on 30th September, 25 on 1st October. None were present on or after 2nd October. Elsewhere there were 10 on rooftops in Waterfoot centre on 26th September, 16 flying south up Lench valley on 27th September, 10 at E.B.S.W. on 23rd September. At Spring Mill there were 26 on 18th August, 24 on 26th August, 40 on 30th August, 36 on 5th September, 24 on 4th October, 10 on 9th October and 7 on 22nd October. A heavy passage was also recorded at Clowbridge and Crawshawbooth on 22nd September and 3rd October. 40 - 50 were at E.B.S.W. on 6th December. One or two were still present at Clowbridge on 18th December.
Pair were in occupation of territories early in the year - along the Irwell at Townsendfold where birds were seen on 29th January, 2nd and 11th February and 12th March; on the Limy at Reedsholme where a Dipper was singing on 22nd January and one was seen on 7th February; Musbury Brook on 10th February; Ogden Brook on 7th March. Pairs were present at Longholme, Stubbins, Ewood Bridge, Goodshawfold, Grane, Healey Dell (in song 17th April and a pair with 2 juveniles 15th June), Spring Mill, Wallbank. In September and October singles and pairs were seen on the Whitewell at Piercy where 2 were chasing and singing on 22nd October; along the River Ogden; on Cowpe Brook and on Shawclough Brook. A male was singing in Folly Clough on 23rd December. On 15th January a Dipper was twice seen to emerge from the Irwell at Townsendfold with a minnow. It killed the fish by repeatedly beating its head on a rock and then swallowed it head first with little difficulty.
On 17th January one was feeding along a dry-stone wall at an altitude of 1,000 feet in the Brex area. Wrensȼ were in vigorous song in the Stubbins area on 21st March and song was also recorded from Constablelee on 26th March. The nesting season appeared to be successful and many males were still in vigorous song in July. Post-breeding season Wrens appeared in gardens away from nesting sites. First song was heard on 8th September and 31st October and one bathed in a garden bird bath on 4th November. Wrens were seen on several occasions between 18th September and 6th November on walls across the moors between the Limy and Whitewell valleys. Indeed, 4 birds were seen on the 6th November, suggesting local passage movement.
Song was heard from 10th January through February and March with much territorial aggression and chasing activity, especially in March. Later in the season song again became noticeable in late July.
Spring song was heard from 19th January. Pair formation had occurred as early as 2nd February when 2 were feeding together on a bird table. Aggressive activity was seen again on 21st February during a cold spell then a pair forming again in March. A first fully-fledged juvenile was seen feeding in a garden on 3rd June remaining until 9th July. On 22nd July 2 immature birds lacking the red breast were feeding together. On 5th November the first visit of a Robin to a bird table to eat peanut granules was noted.
No breeding records this year. A male on passage was present in hawthorns near Clowbridge on 14th July and another at Newhallhey on 30th July.
One was at Clowbridge reservoir on 2nd May and song was heard here on 8th May and 12th June. At least 2 pairs nested in the vicinity of Clowbridge reservoir. A nest with newly-hatched young was found on 17th July. A male was seen on 5th July and a pair with newly-fledged young were seen in Limy Lane on 14th July. 5 pulli were ringed on 21st July. Singles were seen until 22nd September.
A single male was at Clowbridge on 6th February, 6 were seen on 13th March with a female on 21st March and calls from a second bird on the same date. The first autumn bird at Clowbridge was one on 11th October and there were singles on several dates in December, following the pattern of the last 4 winters. A male was seen at Spring Mill on 13th February and one from 29th to 31st December. A female was at Holden Wood reservoir on 15th October and a male near Hoddlesden Moss on 30th October.
Singles at Hameldon and Lee Quarry on 21st March, at Clowbridge on 27th March and 4 males at Hameldon on 3rd April. Most arrivals were recorded later in the month - 4 males and 4 females at Lee Quarry on 10th April; a pair on The Brex on 24th April; one at Musbury on 26th April and a male on The Hile on 26th April. On 29th May a male was singing at Thievely. On 18th June a male with a single juvenile were seen on The Hile. They were still present on 3rd July. Immatures were seen on Rooley Moor Road on 10th July, at Edgeside, Waterfoot on 17th July. On 30th June a male and 3 juveniles were present in Lee Quarry. Flocks of 14 at Clowbridge on 27th April and 15 on 8th May were of the Greenland race. A Wheatear mobbed a roe deer in the Cowpe valley on 8th June. Wheatears bred at Cheesden and Brow Edge Quarry but not at Clowbridge. Into the autumn an immature was seen in Coal Pits Lane on 7th August, one on The Hile on 7th September and one at A.M.R. on 9th October. Only one pair bred on the C.B.C. plot this year after having 2 pairs for the previous 3 years.
A pair was seen at Lee Quarry on 27th April and a female at Musbury on 2nd May. One on passage was feeding with Mistle Thrushes below Musbury Tor on 11th October.
In January and February small flocks of 6 and 7 were seen in the Waterfoot area. An early bird was singing on 10th January at Stacksteads and an early nest at Whitworth had 4 young ready to fledge on 12th March. Most first songs were recorded between 12th and 25th March. A nest in a Waterfoot garden had 4 young on 1st July which fledged on 9th July. A pair was carrying food to a late nest on Fearns Moss on 12th and 15th August. On 13th and 14th October about 7 were with Redwings and on 18th November at least 10 in Edgeside Park, presumably continental birds.
Smaller numbers than usual in the spring movement to the north and east. Scarce in January, increasing in February - 30 at Clowbridge on 7th and 20th February with and 30 at Blackwood on the latter date. In March there were 11 on The Hile on 5th and 15 on 27th. The largest flock was 300 at Crawshawbooth on 21st March. There were 50 at Helmshore on 20th March and 50 at Lee Quarry on 30th March. Most records were of flocks between 10 and 20, the latest being one of 12 over Haslingden on 13th April. An interesting record was that of a single bird which flew from a hawthorn at Weir on 23rd May. The large flocks with Starlings in company did not appear to pass through Rossendale this year. In the autumn there were small early flocks - 5 at Clough Bottom on 7th October and 9 on the Glen fields, Waterfoot on 11th October. Main arrival was from about 17th October. Flocks of 100 to 300 were seen regularly from this date on to about 18th November. Thereafter records were fewer and more scattered but continued to the year end. A mixed flock of 300 Fieldfares and Redwing were at Folly Clough on 5th November. 70 were at Clowbridge on 17th December and 40 at Tip Lodge on 24th December.
Song was heard from 17th January and was regular in all parts of the Valley during February and March. 6 singing males were counted along a mile length of the Limy valley. 2 males were singing in Edgeside Park on 30th April and on 11th June 2 in the lower Plunge valley. 3 fledged young with an adult were seen in Healey Dell on 8th June. Some song was heard in the Stubbins Nature Area as late as 18th July. Thereafter there was the usual scarcity of records presumably as a result of post-breeding season movements. One seen in a garden in Waterfoot on 21st November was the first for some time.
30 were at Rawtenstall Cemetery on 9th January and 40 were at E.B.S.W. on 15th January. Small flocks, usually less than 10, were recorded from 15th February to 9th March. On 22nd February one was in company with 5 Mistle Thrushes at Edgeside and on 8th March 5 were with 2 Blackbirds. Latest date was of 12 in garden trees in Waterfoot on 9th March. 6 were present with Song Thrushes and Blackbirds at Tip Lodge on 1st October. Redwings were heard calling in flight on 5th October and from 11th October there were reports of small flocks of 2 to 20. Redwings were seen every day in Waterfoot gardens, usually on rowans and hawthorns from 11th October to 30th October. One flock was one of about 50 birds. A large flock of 200 was present in Folly Clough on 17th October. 5 were seen in Bacup Park on 6th November, thereafter Redwings were scarce though 20 were at Clowbridge on 24th December.
First songs were recorded on 4th, 10th and 16th January then generally throughout our area. Aggressive territorial activity was noted on 7th February when 3 birds were chasing in Edgeside Park and 19th February when a pair was in conflict with a pair of Blackbirds. A nest at Rawtenstall Cemetery had 4 eggs on 7th April but was found wrecked on 17th April. Family parties later in the year included 4 at Fearns Moss on 3rd July, 4 at Lee Quarry on 7th August, 5 at Edgeside on 18th September, 5 at Stubbins on 25th September. Larger flocks where family parties had joined together were - 20 at Clowbridge on 20th June, 20 at Staghills on 18th September, 10 at Townsendfold on 19th September, 27 at Chapel Hill on 29th and 30th September and a very large flock of 50 at Lench on 27th and 29th September.
One was heard at Grane.
A passage bird was seen at Holden Vale on 17th July.
A male was singing at Fishponds, Cliviger on 21st May, during a Breeding Birds Survey visit.
Singing males were heard at Stacksteads on 23rd April, E.B.S.W. on 1st May, Ewood Bridge on 8th May, Hall Carr on 27th May, Dodbottom Wood on 27th May, Cliffe Lodge on 11th June, Clowes and Townsendfold on 14th June, Holden Wood on 2nd July and also at Stoneholme, Rushbed, Reedsholme, Marl Pits, Blackwood, Lea Bank, Healey Dell, Wallbank and Folly Tip. A male was present in a garden in Crawshawbooth on 19th September and one was heard at Folly Tip on 21st September.
The only record was from Whitworth. A male was singing at Healey Dell on many dates between 7th May and 15th June.
Heard at Brooks' Wood from 23rd April to 11th June, Folly Tip on 27th April, Stubbylee Park on 1st May, Lea Bank on 25th May and in the Conference House grounds at Crawshawbooth on 3rd and 7th May. A singing male was present in Brooks' Wood, Crawshawbooth from 23rd April to 11th June. On 23rd September a male was singing in trees in the car park at Clowbridge and one was singing at Stacksteads on 26th September.
First arrivals were heard in mid-April when one was singing at E.B.S.W. on 16th April, 3 at Healey Dell on 17th April and one at Lea Brook on the same date, one at Piercy on 23rd April, 2 at Fearns Moss on 24th April. A first in song at Folly Tip on 20th April was said to be the latest for 30 years. On 1st May many were in song in the Ewood Bridge area and there was much territorial activity. On 9th July one was seen carrying food on Piper Bank above Fearns Moss. On 14th July a pair was feeding young on the bank above Jack Lodge. Singles on passage, often with flocks of Blue Tits, were recorded several times during August. One was calling at Clowbridge on 18th September.
During the late winter small numbers were recorded in gardens in Waterfoot, at Reedsholme, in the Stubbins Nature Area,at Healey Dell and at Spring Mill. Song was heard at Calf Hey on 10th April, 14th May and 28th May and in lower Plunge on 22nd June. A male was in song in Folly Clough on 22nd April. Some were present in Clough Bottom plantation on 11th September. A few were present at Folly Tip on 16th and 21st September and at least 17 on 25th October. Post-breeding dispersal again brought small numbers to gardens in Waterfoot on 31st October and 5th November and there were 2 at Buckden on 6th November, 5 at Healey Dell on 20th November. 6 were seen near Clowbridge on 6th December and 2 at E.B.S.W. on 18th December.
Song was heard at Lea Brook on 13th May. A pair was present in Healey Dell on 30th May and 5th June. On 6th June pairs were seen at Folly Wood and Folly Tip. Pairs were also present at Reedsholme and Rushbed. Nest-building was in progress at Clowbridge on 23rd May. A pair nested successfully at Helmshore in June. On 20th June one was seen on a club outing to Gorpley Clough. One was seen on passage at Syke reservoir on 3rd September.
One was singing in a black poplar by the Irwell at E.B.S.W. on 1st May. A male was seen in a garden in Waterfoot near to a nestbox which was already being used by Great Tits on 28th May. This was a first record in the garden in 37 years. On 18th July one was seen in the Stubbins Nature Area not far from the nest site of 3 years ago and not very far from where the singing male was seen on 1st May. A male was in song and entering a nestbox in Conference House woods on 7th and 13th May.
Continues to thrive. In January a flock of about 20 was seen in Bacup Park and flocks were regular along the Irwell valley from Rawtenstall to Stubbins. On 24th February 2 or 3 visited peanut feeders at Townsendfold and also in a garden at Crawshawbooth. On 19th March nest-building was in progress at Healey Dell. On 3rd April a flock of 5, probably a family party including at least 3 young was present in lower Plunge valley. Some were seen at Cliffe Lodge on 17th July. Nests were found at Ewood Bridge and at Redisher. Post-breeding dispersal brought flocks of 10 to 15 birds to gardens in Waterfoot and Crawshawbooth in October and November. At least 2 were seen at Buckden on 6th November. On 22nd December 20 were seen at the north end of the Stubbins Nature Area and 12 at the southern end. Flocks of 10 to 20 were seen at Healey Dell and Wallbank in October, November and December.
A single, unidentified bird was seen at Healey Dell on 9th April.
Regular visitors to garden peanut feeders. One group of about 10 birds was recorded at Peers Clough. At least 3 were regular in a Waterfoot garden from January to March. Recorded also at Buckden, Broadclough. Singing males were noted in the Stubbins Nature Area on 21st March and 3rd April and at Calf Hey on 10th April. Coal Tits were back in garden larches and cypresses in July and resumed visits to peanut feeders in October when they spent some time removing nuts to be carried away to a private store. A flocks of 5 was seen at Clough Bottom on 20th November and birds were present in the Stubbins Nature Area.
2 were engaged in aggressive chasing activity in a Waterfoot garden on 1st and 2nd March and one was examining a nestbox. Song was heard at Stubbins on 21st March. On 26th April the pair mentioned above entered the nestbox and by 11th May there were 8 eggs. Young were being fed on 26th May and had fledged on 4th June. A flocks of about 10 on Fearns Moss on 12th August consisted mostly of immatures.
Song was heard on 16th January at Calf Hey, 7th February at Townsendfold and 21st March at the Stubbins Nature Area and Buckden. Great Tits were entering a nestbox on 30th April, feeding young on 26th May. The young fledged on 12th - 13th June. One of the juveniles fed on the peanut feeder on 18th June. On 2nd September a pair of Great Tits passing through the garden in a mixed flock visited the nestbox before moving on. Another pair was feeding young at Lee Mill on 6th June. Great Tits were noted as being very vocal and active in the Stubbins Nature Area on 8th October.
One was on a bird feeder in Conference House Wood, Crawshawbooth on 14th January. One was present at Spring Mill on 20th February. The pair at Helmshore nested successfully and at least 3 young were fledged (B. Squires). ON 16th September one was seen at Strongstry and on several dates to 16th October.
Treecreepers were seen at Buckden & Alderbottom on 21st March, Townsendfold on 14th June and Grane on 1st July. There were only 2 sightings all year at Reedsholme.
A single was present at Calf Hey on 15th January - a similar record to 1992 when one was seen here on 26th January. A pair was also present in April. On 20th April 2 birds were in trees at Folly Tip. Regular presence was recorded at Staghills (up to 4 birds), the Irwell valley from Stubbins to Helmshore and Clough Bottom (a pair on 7th May and a family party of 5 on 8th July). Later in the year wanderers were recorded from other areas of Rossendale. In July one visited a bird table at Peersclough for about a week. In September there was one at Holden Wood on 11th and 12th flying over Fearns Moss towards Stacksteads on 13th. In October 2 single birds flew over from Cowpe Moss - Scout Moor then down Lench valley to Waterfoot on 4th and one over Edgeside Park to Newchurch on 25th. One was also seen at Folly Tip on 5th October. These suggest a dispersal movement in October. On 6th November one was at Snig Hole, Helmshore. 2 were seen in the Stubbins Nature Area on 22nd December and 2 at Buckden.
On 10th January a flock of about 40 was present in Osborne plantation, Stacksteads. Nest-building was in progress on 14th and 21st March. On 25th April a group of 7 was engaged in chasing flights at 06.30. Nesting was widespread and successful. Magpie nests may be seen everywhere in gardens and parks. Where trees are scarce on hillsides and the lower moorlands there is much conflict with Carrion Crows for the few available sites. Later in the year flocks included 12 in Edgeside Park on 10th October and 45 roosting regularly at Wallbank in November and December.
Status much the same as last year with 50 to 100 in mixed flocks with Rooks. Spring chasing flights were seen over Waterfoot on 11th February. Nesting colonies were on Ilex Mill; Waterfoot / Newchurch (c 50 birds on St. Nicholas' Church tower on 27th September); Stacksteads (12 on Tunstead School on 5th October); Bacup centre ( 5 or 6 on roofs above the market with Feral Pigeons on 5th October. In the winter mixed flocks of Rooks and Jackdaws feed on Stacksteads Tip and fly northwest at dusk to a communal roost in the area of Crawshawbooth.
On 4th January 130 flew northwest from Stacksteads Tip at 15.20 hrs. On 8th January a mixed flock of 200 including Jackdaws flew from The Hile to the tip. On 10th March nest-building was in progress at Rook Hill and eventually 65 nests were counted here on 16th April. This figure agrees well with the winter counts and gives a probable figure of 70 Jackdaws in the 200 flock on 8th January. Other rookery counts were Water, 18 nests; Peersclough, 7 nests, Heath Hill, 6 nests, Crawshawbooth, 55 nests . There were 26 nests at Healey Dell. Nest-building was in progress at Shuttleworth on 12th March and at Broadclough on 14th March. At Crawshawbooth young birds were present out of the nest on 26th April. On 12th June a Rook flocks of 200 including immatures was present on The Hile with several counts of about 200 thereafter. On 27th July 8 fed on Fearns Moss with one immature which was still food begging.
Continues to maintain its numbers. For the second year the C.B.C. plot registered its highest number of 8 pairs. Counts of flocks included - 30 on the Rooley Moor Road above Cowpe reservoir on 10th July, 200 roosting at Crawshawbooth. Large numbers continued to roost above Calf Hey (at least 70). Owing to shortage of suitable nest sites a pair on the C.B.C. plot nested just 6 feet up in a hawthorn. The nest and 4 eggs and one chick on 14th May, 4 young and one egg on 19th May and 3 well-grown young on 30th May. On 18th June one flew from the nest when it was examined and all had fledged on the following day.
Winter flocks of 50 to 70 were usual and about 300 at Stacksteads Tip. The spring passage of returning continentals was not noted this year. Pair formation was noted on 20th March and the first fledged juveniles on 30th may. On 12th June a flock of at least 500 with many juveniles was present on The Hile. As usual these large post-breeding flocks soon dispersed and the more normal 50 - 70 bird flocks formed. Other large flocks included 200 at Haslingden on 6th October, 300 at Stacksteads Tip on 2nd November and 400 at Folly Clough on 17th October.
During the winter months a study of numbers and distribution of Hose Sparrows was made by E. Ward in the triangular area bounded by Booth Road, Park Road and Fearns Moss / Edgeside Lane, each side being about 500 metres. This encloses a housing estate, Fearns School and playing fields. Most of the area was almost completely lacking in House Sparrows. In at E.W.'s garden feeding station which attracted up to 8 Greenfinches, 3 Collared Doves, 5 Chaffinches as well as numerous tits, the House Sparrow was a rare visitor with a single male being recorded on only 3 occasions. The House Sparrows were concentrated at two main sites. One was near the junction of Park Road and Edgeside Lane on steeply sloping south-facing ground in gardens with groups of thick bushes. Greatest numbers could be seen during the afternoon, usually between 20 and 27 birds, mostly chasing around with some occasionally flying to lower gardens, presumably to feed. In the mornings numbers were more often in the region of 5 to 10. Some birds could always be found here when the rest of the area showed a blank. The other site was between the lower end of Park Road where it joins Booth Road and Booth Crescent. Food is regularly provided here in the garden of a house on Park Road. There are also some thick bushes for cover and a small rough grassy open space on the edge of the housing estate. Numbers here were generally between 8 and 12 and again the birds' habit was to sit around in trees and bushes. It was from one of these trees that a Sparrowhawk took a House Sparrow on 5th July 1993 (see last year's Report). E.W.'s garden is only about 70 metres from this spot yet is hardly ever visited by House Sparrows. The two sites are about 450 metres apart. Counts of 27 and 34 were made in a garden in Whitworth in December.
Small flocks of about 10 birds were seen on 22nd February at Edgeside and 27th February at Broadclough. Numbers in winter at E.B.S.W. were about xxxxxxxx. Song was heard on 30th January at Rawtenstall, 3rd March at Townsendfold and 10th March in Waterfoot and Chaffinches were still singing vigorously throughout June. Nesting season presence was recorded from gardens, parks and woodlands in all parts of Rossendale. 6 to 8 pairs were said to be regularly seen at Peersclough. Chaffinches were back at garden feeding stations in late October and several were at a bird table at Townsendfold on 4th November. 3 males and 2 females were regular at a garden feeding station in Waterfoot.
There were 7 in a garden in Crawshawbooth on 1st January and 12 on 2nd January. On 3rd January a flock was present in Conference House Woods, Crawshawbooth. 1 was at Tip Lodge on 16th January and 2 were at Irwell Vale on 15th January, with 6 there on 5th April. On 13th February 6 were in a mixed flock with Chaffinches in Irwell Vale and on 29th March a female with Greenfinches in a garden in Waterfoot. 3 or 4 were seen at Folly Tip on 14th April and a male was singing there on 20th April.
A flock of at least 20 was seen at Healey Dell on 22nd January. Small flocks of 6 to 8 were recorded in gardens and aggression between males was noted from 19th February. First song was heard on 12th February at Townsendfold and in early March at Waterfoot. On 26th May fledged young were being fed with nuts from a peanut feeder in a Waterfoot garden. Second nests were under way in July and an immature was seen on the lawn on 21st July. A used nest was found in the garden in September in the fork of a laburnum. Family parties of 4 or 5 birds were reported from several parts of Rossendale. On 25th October a flock of over 30 was seen at Folly Clough. During November 5 were visiting a peanut feeder at Townsendfold and there was a similar number at Waterfoot. Up to 30 were at Goodshawfold on 18th December.
Much smaller numbers, mostly in single figures, were recorded in late winter often only ones and twos. At Ewood Bridge 2 were seen on 15th January then none until 17th April. On 21st March 2 males were in song at Stubbins. In May pairs were reported from Weir, Edgeside, Cowpe valley, and in June several pairs in Crawshawbooth. In early autumn family groups were seen, then larger flocks as these joined together. There were 18 at Shawclough on 23rd September, 25 at Chapel Hill on 1st October, 37 at Spring Mill on 5th October, 12 at Tip Lodge on 9th October, 40 at Bonfire Hill on 16th October, 30 at Folly Tip on 25th October, 15 at Lench on 1st November, 7 on thistles on The Brex on 5th November, 30 on Fearns Moss on 14th November, flocks of 20 - 30 in the Whitewell Bottom area in October and November and 10 in the Stubbins Nature Area on 22nd December. Numbers appear to be rather lower than during the last few years.
Small numbers were recorded from January to March - several in Conference House Woods on 3rd January, 40 at Ramsbottom on 11th January, 2 in alders on Park Road on 13th January, 15 at Calf Hey on 18th January, 6 in Healey Dell on 22nd January, one or two in a garden in Helmshore on 29th January, 14 at Reedsholme on 5th February and 4 at Bonfire Hill on the same date, several at Folly Tip and a male singing on 12th February, 50+ at Grane on 13th February, a pair including a singing male at Reedsholme on 26th February, 6 at Healey Dell on 18th March and 6 in Helmshore on 19th March. During this period singles were recorded feeding on peanut feeders in gardens in Waterfoot and Helmshore. A nest with 5 eggs was found at Grane on 28th June. All the eggs had hatched by 3rd July. In autumn numbers were similar to those in the spring: 10 at Fearns Moss on 1st October, a female on a nut feeder at Townsendfold on 4th November, 15 at Shawclough on 11th November. Several were at Peersclough in the second week of November and 8 in Healey Dell on 6th November. Over 40 were in alders at Folly Tip on 26th October.
A male was in song at Townsendfold on 3rd March and 2 or 3 more were present. 25 were at Marl Pits on 11th May. Return to the nesting area on the C.B.C. plot took place on 1st May. 2 pairs were registered on the plot. One pair nested in rushes and the nest contained 3 newly-hatched chicks and one infertile egg on 28th July. They fledged on 9th July. On the same date a family party of 6 was present not far away. On 24th August a flock of 12 was seen. Linnets were also present during the nesting season at Cheesden, Buckhurst, Lea Barn Farm, Gin Clough. Post-breeding flocks included 6 on Fearns Moss on 18th August, 5 at Coal Pits Lane on 20th September, 17 at Clowbridge reservoir on 24th September, 25 at Chapel Hill on 1st October, 20 at Marl Pits on 2nd October and 2 at Fearns Moss on 21st October.
Last year's Report suggested that there might be a small improvement in Twite numbers. On 28th March a flock of 40 on The Hile was the largest spring flock for several years. The C.B.C. plot was credited with 2 pairs, the best result since 1988. On 26th June a family party of 5 and a flock of 15 with many immatures were seen on the plot. A nest was found at Knowl Moor on 5th June containing 5 eggs. The young had fledged by 1st July. Elsewhere there were 4 at Lee Quarry on 16th April and 20 on 3rd May. This is the one colony which has maintained its numbers during the recent decline. On 6th June a flock of 10 was seen there and on 30th June a flock of 12 included at least 3 juveniles being fed by a female. There was a pair at Hoddlesden Moss in April. A pair at Knowl Moor had 5 eggs and 2 other pairs were present at the same time. A post-breeding flock of 30 was seen at Sowclough, Stacksteads in September.
A flock of 7 was seen at Haslingden Road on 3rd January, 2 at Healey Dell on 5th March and a flock of 15 in alders at Folly Tip on 9th March. A male was seen in Rawtenstall Cemetery on 30th June and a pair at Townsendfold on 1st July. One was present for a few days in June at Peersclough. On 5th October 3 flew over Folly Tip and on 16th October there were over 40 in trees at Folly Tip.
No breeding records this year. 2 were heard calling at Calf Hey on 3rd and 9th July. On 14th June 3 flew over to Gin Clough, Crawshawbooth. 5 were at Grane on 27th December.
Pairs were recorded at Cliffe Lodge (on 21st March), Healey Dell, Tip Lodge, Reedsholme and Gin Clough. A pair was present at Healey Dell from February to August and had 3 juveniles on 20th August. A male was seen at Stubbins on 16th October. Bullfinches were calling in the Stubbins Nature Area on 22nd December.
There was a record of this species in southeastern Rossendale in January, but the exact date and number were unknown.
Pairs had arrived at Clough Bottom and Clowbridge on 26th March, E.B.S.W. on 6th April, Holden Wood where the male was in song on 10th April, The Hile on 24th April. Singing males were present at Holden Vale Flash on 8th May, Holden Wood where a male was carrying food on 12th June, at each of the lodges down the Cheesden Valley on 3rd July, at Marl Pits, Plunge, Greens Lane, Haslingden Moor, Shortclough reservoir and E.B.S.W. (5 males on 5th April). At Clowbridge 3 males were singing on 27th May and a nest with 5 eggs was found on 29th May. 2 nests were found inn the Grane area, containing 5 eggs each. All eggs later hatched. At Spring Mill Reed Buntings were seen throughout the year with a maximum of 7 on 7th April. A male was in song on 3rd July. An unusually marked male was present on The Hile. It had a grey breast and lower back.