ROSSENDALE ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB
BIRD REPORT 2002
On 8th and 17th March one was present at All Saints pond in full breeding plumage and was also seen on 13th and 14th April. Breeding occurred at Holmes Terrace lodge where a pair was present on 14th April, a sitting bird on 2nd June, 2 pairs and a juvenile on 10th July, 5 including some juveniles on 21st July and 3 adults on 3rd September. Present at Syke reservoir, Whitworth from 3rd March with a pair on 1st April and 2 adults and 2 juveniles on 10th August.
No evidence of breeding this year though singles were present at Holden Wood and Ogden on various dates from 16th March to 16th May with 2 at Holden Wood on 11th and 12th May. At Spring Mill there were records of singles on dates from 1st April to 21st September. During the autumn movement there were singles at Clowbridge on 18th, 27th and 28th September and 30th October.
One at Spring Mill on 13th January. An immature flew south off Clowbridge reservoir on 17th December. Two at Spring Mill on 20th December.
Again widespread throughout the year. Ones and twos were reported regularly throughout spring in the Crawshawbooth area. Young of the year were seen quite regularly at Holden Wood on 12th May and on the Irwell in Rawtenstall on 11th June. Three were perched in treetops at Crawshawbooth regularly from 11th July to the end of the month. Records for Spring Mill and Cowm reservoirs from 13th to 18th November.
On 21st March 2 flew north over Helmshore.
One at Clowbridge on 12th December (B. Lee per R. Ives).
About 60 flew to the west over Crown Point on 1st January. 400 flew west over Clough Bottom on 30th January. About 100 flew north over Helmshore on 18th September. 40 flew northeast over Spring Mill on 5th December.
Generally smaller numbers and scattered breeding - a change noted also last year. There were no records of late winter flocks, the first return being 20 at New Line on 3rd February. In March 9 flew south over Musbury on 16th, there were 3 at Ogden on 26th and 5 at Cowpe reservoir on 30th. In the Limy valley small groups moved up and down in February and March, prospecting various waters and there were 12 at Clowbridge. No breeding was recorded. There were pairs at Dunnockshaw on 5th April, Shortclough on 27th April, Loveclough on 28th April and Isle of Man Lodge on 30th March and 7th April. At Ogden a pair and also a flock of 11 were present during May and the pair had 5 goslings until 25th June then only 4. Breeding also occurred at All Saints' pond where a pair was present from 28th March and had 5 young on 18th May. There were 5 at Holmes Terrace on 14th April. A pair plus 6 young were at Deeply Vale on 11th May, 4 pairs plus 7 young at Mitchell House reservoir on 8th June. Post-breeding flocks at Holden Wood and Ogden built up from 20 on 5th July to 54 on 12th August, 70+ on 29th August. There were 43 at Naden on 15th July. Reported to be uncommon at Clowbridge until 18th August when 12 were present increasing to 40 on 21st August, 37 on 10th September then decreasing to 27 on 17th September, 11 on 18th and 9 on 19th September. There were 37 at New Line on 16th October, 60 there on 27th October, 25th November and 1st December, 40 on 25th December and 2 on 31st December. It would appear that the wintering flock has moved from Grane to New Line. Present at Spring Mill reservoir with 2 pairs in March and April and then a flock from 28th June mostly 20 to 30 but 84 on 22nd September and 67 on 24th September.
A female was at Spring Mill on 13th May.
A single was at Holden Wood on 13th January, 2 pairs there on 31st January, 4 at Clowbridge on 3rd September, a female there on 17th September and 2 at Clough Bottom on 18th September. A female was at Spring Mill on 26th September and one was at Holden Wood reservoir on 15th October.
Numbers recorded were again small. A male and a female were at Holden Wood on 17th February but moved on. There were 2 at A.M.R. on 14th April. At Spring Mill a pair was present from 16th April to 29th April. In autumn 3 were at Clough Bottom on 12th September, a female was at Clowbridge on 17th, 18th and 19th September, a pair at Clough Bottom on 22nd September and 3 at Holden Wood on 17th November. One was at Clowbridge on 22nd October. Two were at Spring Mill from 22nd to 25th September.
Winter wildfowl counts at the reservoirs again showed only small numbers. On 13th January there were 2 at Holden Wood and 2 at A.M.R. on 17th February there were 9 at Holden Wood, 10 at Calf Hey and none at A.M.R. In contrast a count along the Irwell by R. Ives on 6th January found 40 at Irwell Vale, 34 at E.B.S.W., 22 at Townsendfold and 51 near Asda and also 40 on the Limy at Lea Brook - a total of 187. There were 30 at New Line on 14th January. Nesting was widespread - on 19th April a female with 9 young on the Limy, on 23rd May a female with 6 young on the Irwell at Rawtenstall, on 16th May a female with 4 young at Holden Wood and on 1st August a female with 4 small young was seen on the Irwell near Asda. November and December counts were again low at Grane reservoirs and A.M.R. but there were 30 at New Line on 16th October and 25 at Cowm on 1st December. In the Whitworth area there was a regular presence at Spring Mill, mostly below 10 but with 30 on 6th January. At Healey Dell a female with 4 young were seen on 20th May.
On 22nd September a female was at Calf Hey.
Numbers have fallen to a very low level. A male was at Calf Hey on 31st January, a male at Holden Wood on 17th November and a female there on 1st December. At Clowbridge there were 5 on 11th November rising to 7 (6 males, 1 female) on 30th November to the year end.
As last year numbers were low. 6 birds (4 males, 2 females ) were at Holmes Terrace Lodge, Townsendfold on 1st February. The spring passage was said to be light at Clowbridge with from 1 to 3 on dates from 25th March to 19th April and a pair on 5th May. There were either 2 or 3 at Holmes Terrace lodge on dates from 3rd March to 10th July. There were 1 or 2 at Calf Hey from 5th March to April. At Spring Mill up to 2 pairs were present on dates from 26th March through to 7th October including regular sightings through spring and summer. However, young birds were not reported so it appears they did not breed. 5 birds were present on 23rd August with 8 on 29th and 30th. Elsewhere, one was at A.M.R. on 14th April, a pair at Cowm on 8th May, 2 at A.M.R. on 11th September and a male at Cowm on 13th December. Autumn passage at Clowbridge was slightly better with 4 on 2nd September, 8 on 4th September then 1 or 2 to 28th September. 2 were present from 3rd October to 6th October then a maximum of 9 on 12th October. Two males were at Clowbridge on 29th December. There were 4 at Cowm reservoir on 15th September. A female was at New Line on 16th October and 4 males at Clough Bottom on 27th October and a female at New Line on the same date. Ones and twos were at New Line to the end of the year.
A pair was at A.M.R. on 14th April, a female at A.M.R. on 28th June and a single bird at Clowbridge on 18th September which was thought to be either an adult female or an immature male.
There was a continuous presence at Clowbridge from the beginning of the year until 24th April, the highest numbers being 5 birds on 18th and 26th March. Pairs were present during April. Elsewhere there was a female at A.M.R. on 13th January, a female at Calf Hey on 31st January and 17th February, a pair at A.M.R. on 17th February, a pair at Grane on 28th March, a pair at Naden on 29th March and a female at Calf Hey on 14th April. At Spring Mill there was a constant presence from 19th January to 19th April - maximum of 11 on 3rd March and again from 4th July to 20th December of 1 to 3 birds. In the autumn there were 2 females at Clowbridge on 25th September. A single female was at New Line through November and December. Numbers were lower than usual at Clowbridge - seen on several dates with a maximum of 6 females on 29th December.
Recorded in numbers from 4 to 20 in late January and February at A.M.R. (20 on 17th February), Holden Wood (4 males, 1 female on 31st January), Deeply Vale (4 on 28th January), Clough Bottom, Clowbridge and increasingly along the Irwell below Rawtenstall. There were 9 at Townsendfold on 6th January and 5 on the river bank at E.B.S.W. on the same date. Continuing into the spring passage a female was at Cowpe reservoir on 29th March, there were up to 7 on Clowbridge on 9 occasions to 29th April and 3 at Clough Bottom on 2nd May. A female was in flight over the Irwell at Townsendfold on 28th May and there was a female there on 2nd June. This continues the interesting spring presence noted here last year. A female was found shot on the Irwell at Townsendfold on 1st August and on 3rd September there were 2 at Townsendfold and one at Newhallhey. There were 4 'redheads' at Naden on 15th July. The evidence suggests that Goosanders are establishing a breeding-season presence along this stretch of the Irwell. Later a female was at Holden Wood on 15th and 17th November, 9 flew west over Alden on 19th November and there were 7 at Holden Wood on 1st December. A regular 8 birds were at Clowbridge from 11th to 14th October then seen on 4 dates with a maximum of 4 on 17th December. 4 'redheads' were at Deeply Vale on 16th October. At Spring Mill Goosanders were present from 13th January to 14th April with maxima of 13 on 13th January, 15 on 3rd February then again from 28th June to 5th December with a maximum of 16 on 11th September and 2 to 5 on most occasions.
There is an unconfirmed report of one over Sherfin on 3rd September, not submitted to the Rarities Committee (P. Rishton).
On 2nd June a bird thought to be of this species was seen by Mr T. A. Yates over Reedsholme (per R. Ives).
There was a second hand report of one on the moors to the northeast of Clowbridge in mid-September (per R. Ives).
There were records of a female in the Alden and Musbury area on 4th January, 29th January and 14th April (J. and B. Rostron). Records of singles later in the year were one at Deerplay on 18th August, at Clowbridge on 9th September and a male at Alden on 12th December.
Regular breeding-season presence of pairs was recorded in the following areas: the upper Limy valley with records from Stoneholme and Reedsholme to Clowbridge, probably 3 pairs (3, possibly a pair and a young bird, were seen in the quarry at Clowbridge in conflict with a Kestrel on 9th September); Rawtenstall / Horncliffe; Grane; Waterfoot / Newchurch; Healey Dell; Fern Isle Wood. A juvenile female was seen at Clough Bottom on 26th August (P. Fyldes). One was seen at Clowbridge on 10th October and 2 at Dunnockshaw on 20th October. Sparrowhawks were again noted regularly in suburban gardens, especially where small birds were attracted to food. Constant observations from a garden in Whitworth recorded a juvenile Goldfinch taken on 30th August and a failed attack on a Collared Dove in November. Also noted at garden feeding stations in Waterfoot and Helmshore.
The usual birds recorded on passage were one over Musbury on 8th July, 2 over Waterfoot on 8th September, one over Clowbridge on 2nd September and one over Dunnockshaw on 19th September. One was still at Dunnockshaw on 6th and 20th October.
An increased number of records of birds on passage. One was over Ogden reservoir on 29th March. On 20th June one was seen at Musbury in the afternoon and one flying east along the side of Ogden reservoir at 19:30. On 5th July one flew east over Ogden and on 13th July one to the west at Musbury. On 3rd September one flew north over Musbury.
Numbers still down in the upper Irwell valley area but what was described by R. Ives as an excellent year in the Limy valley to Rawtenstall and the continuation along the lower Irwell valley with 6 sites occupied. These were at Clowbridge, Goodshawfold, Reedsholme, a factory in Rawtenstall (4 young), Rossendale General Hospital (5 young) and in Irwell Vale. Young had fledged in Reedsholme by 2nd July and 4 at Clowbridge on 17th July. There was again a regular presence at Higher Hollinbank - Musbury where the female returned in mid-January. Young were being fed in June and 3 fledged on 6th July increasing to 4 on 9th July (J. Rostron). Elsewhere, Kestrels were seen regularly from a garden in Whitworth and a female not far away over Cowm in October. There is a breeding-season record of a female hunting over The Hile towards Bacup on 19th May. Also in this area, one over Lee Mill on 22nd April and 2nd May. An immature was found sheltering in the doorway of St Saviour's Church Hall, New Line on 12th October, apparently drying out after rain and later seen foraging for worms around the church car-park. A pair was seen at Redisher Wood on 17th June and a family group of about 4 in the Naden Valley on 18th June. Present also at Spring Mill with records from 6th January to 9th December.
Seen twice at Clowbridge during spring but no suggestion of breeding. Two pairs nested in south Rossendale. At one 4 eggs were laid, 3 were stolen and one young bird fledged. At the other site 3 eggs were laid but the nest was predated, possibly by a Fox. At a site to the west of Rossendale eggs from a first clutch were stolen by collectors and a second clutch was laid. These hatched but the chicks died, probably as a result of bad weather. There were records of a female in the Whitworth area on 18th September and 17th and 24th October. One was at Musbury on 28th December.
Records of singles received were 10th March at Musbury, 19th March at Nutshaw Hill, 24th March at Stacksteads, 4th May at Clowbridge (on a pylon in the evening). On 17th August there were 2 over Higher Hollinbank, Musbury, on 6th October a female at Ogden, on 18th October one at Clowbridge and on 10th November one at Cowm. A male was seen at Whitworth Quarry on 30th March and at Spring Mill on 20th April. Three sites were though to have been used this year. At one, 3 young were raised; at a second an unknown number of young were raised and at the third the outcome was not known. 2 were in flight together over Wallbank on 25th October and a pair was at Spring Mill reservoir on 5th and 6th December.
On 20th April a male was displaying on Knowl Moor and 2 more were flushed in quick succession and later another on Cowpe Moor (R. Ives). There were singles at Alden on 2nd and 12th June. Successful nesting was indicated by groups of 5 on Harcles Hill and 6 at Alden Ratchers on 12th December (J. Rostron).
Two were seen at Higher Hollinbank by J. Rostron on 30th June.
Pairs were seen in the Musbury area on 10th February at Burnt Hill, 10th March at Musbury Tor, 16th March at Musbury Heights. There was a pair at Crown Point on 26th March (K.G. Spencer). One was seen at Clowbridge on 4th May and a pair with 6 half-grown young on 15th July. On 12th June a pair was present at Alden and on 25th August 3 at Musbury then a single at Musbury on 30th November. 3 were seen at Hopwood Hall, Whitworth on 21st June.
There was a regular presence of 2 to 4 birds in the Musbury Road - Higher Hollinbank area throughout the year and there were 4 at Alden on 4th May. Fewer released there. A male was at E.B.S.W. on 14th April. 2 to 5 were seen at Spring Mill and Fern Isle Wood on dates from 22nd March to 21st November.
Present on all usual waters and along parts of the riverbanks where suitable. There were 3 at Holden Wood on 17th February and 2 pairs on 4th April. One was found dead by being run over near the Holden Wood Conference Centre. One on Clowbridge on 25th March was said to be unusual there and a pair had 2 large young there on 19th August. On 6th January 2 were on the riverbank at Irwell Vale. On 17th November there were 6 at Holden Wood possibly indicating some breeding success.
Present at Holden Wood with a pair seen on 14th April but no indication of successful breeding. On 16th March one was on a nest at All Saints' Lodge and a pair there on 24th March with one incubating. There was no further information on the outcome at this nest. One was at Healey Dell Lodge on 25th March. Present at Clowbridge for the first time in the breeding-season (R. Ives). One to three were seen on dates between 21st April and 7th May. None present on 14th May. On 9th June one was at Holmes Terrace Lodge. One at Cowm on 15th September was rather unusual.
A single male was present at A.M.R. on 14th and 20th April and 2 birds were at Deeply Vale from 13th April to 9th June. Courtship behaviour was seen but it is not known whether they bred. Oystercatchers were also present at Clowbridge reservoir with 4 on 7th May and singles on 3rd and 5th June. At Spring Mill there were records of one or a pair on dates from 17th February to 26th July.
On 14th April 3 were at Holden Wood, one in display flight, and on 19th April 1 was at Ogden. A pair bred at Holden Wood Flash - 4 eggs in the nest on 13th May, all eggs hatched and there were 3 flying young on 6th July. It is not known whether the species was at Hutch Bank Quarry this year. Elsewhere, one was calling in flight round Whitworth Quarry on 30th March and one was at Clowbridge on 10th May.
A flock of 60 was present on Cowpe Moss on 14th February and up to 30 birds were seen on several occasions during March (K. Lister). On 11th March a pair was on territory on Knowl Hill. On 30th March 2 were seen on Cowpe Lowe and 2 on Hailstorm Hill. On 13th April a flock of 28 was at Deeply Vale. On 20th April there were 2 pairs on Knowl Moor and one in the fields at Cheesden. On the same date 4 or 5 pairs were located on Cowpe Moss. This was not a complete count as not all of the Moss area was covered but about the same number of pairs was seen again on 7th July (R. Ives & D. Nuttall). 2 pairs were at Wet Moss on 24th June. On 17th September 9 flew to the southeast over Musbury. On 22nd November 7 were present on Hailstorm Hill. On 31st December there were 22 on Wet Moss.
In January there were 120 at A.M.R. on 13th and 80 flew in to roost at Clowbridge on 30th. There were 25 at Clough Bottom on 14th January. Returning birds were noted on 16th February when 18 flew over Spring Mill and 17th February when there were 25 at A.M.R. and 30 at Dunnockshaw. In March 50 were at Deeply Vale on 3rd, 2 were on Seat Naze on 14th, heard at Musbury on 22nd, 4 on Bull Hill on 30th and one over The Hile on 24th and 31st. There were indications of nesting in small numbers - 4 at Alden on 6th April, 2 pairs on The Hile on 17th April, 3 pairs at Holden Wood on 25th April, 6 pairs at Holden Wood on 16th May, 3 males in display at Dunnockshaw, 2 pairs in a recently burnt patch at Ashworth Moor, a pair in fields at Ewood Bridge, 5 to 8 in fields in the Britannia Old Road area in April and May, 5 males in display at Whitworth Lower End Moor, 2 pairs at Broadley, 4 pairs Tooter Hill. Up to 15 pairs were present at Deeply Vale (26th May). Post-breeding there were 50 at A.M.R. on 8th September, 70 there on 6th October and 20 at Clough Bottom on 10th October. Movement was noted at Clowbridge on 1st December when several groups totalling 120 moved southeast between 15.30 and 16.30.
On 3rd and 4th December 60 flew west in 4 parties over Grane - part of the diurnal trans-Pennine migration (from Bird watching, Jan 2003, Regional Review for North West).
Few records this year. 1 was at Clowbridge on 27th April. Two territories were occupied at Cowpe Moss on 12th May. A pair at Scholes Height had young on 4th June and on 24th June the parents were behaving in a very agitated manner. On 7th June a bird was making alarm calls at Musbury Heights. At least 2 or 3 pairs were seen on 7th July at Cowpe Moss. 1 was seen at Hameldon on 26th December (J. Rostron).
There were singles at Spring Mill on 5th January, Reaps Moss on 10th February, Great Hameldon on 19th March, Hailstorm Hill on 30th March, Whitworth Lower End Moor on 17th October and Wet Moss on 31st December.
Records were of birds on passage, for example 10 at Reaps Moss on 10th February, a single bird on Cowpe Moss on 14th February and 7 there on 17th February. R. Ives noted a marked passage in the Great Hameldon / Nutshaw Hill area - 24 flushed from one area on Great Hameldon on 3rd March, 2 on Nutshaw Hill on 3rd March, 5 on Nutshaw Hill and 2 on Great Hameldon on 19th March. One was at Cheesden Bar Lodge on 3rd March, 3 at Grane on 24th March, 1 at Syke reservoir, Whitworth on 1st April, 1 over Clowbridge on 11th April. Drumming birds were heard at Cheesden Bar and Deeply Vale on 26th May. One on Cowpe Moss on 20th April and 2 pairs at Clough Bottom to 14th June may have been nesting. One was at Cheesden Bar on 9th June. During autumn passage there were 13 on Hameldon Hill and 5 on Great Hameldon on 11th October, 7 on Nutshaw Hill, 5 on Hameldon Hill and 5 on Great Hameldon on 20th October, 1 at Broadley on 13th October, 5 on Whitworth Moor on 17th October, 1 on Hailstorm Hill on 22nd November, 1 at Higher Hollinbank on 28th November, 1 at Whitworth Moor on 25th November, 1 at Musbury on 1st December and 2 at Wet Moss on 31st December.
Fewer records than of late - one at Alden on 30th March, one in the plantation at Clowbridge on 2nd April. In the autumn one was flushed from woodland at Clowbridge on 5th November, one at Spring Mill on 15th November, one at Fern Isle Wood on 18th November and 9th December.
Arrival dates were from 11th to 31st March - 4 over Clowbridge on 11th and a flight display here on 12th then at Musbury on 15th March, Ogden on 18th March, Nutshaw Hill on 19th March, Alden on 26th March, Cowpe Lowe and Balladen on 30th March, 2 at Irwell Vale on 31st March. Curlews were said to be present in good numbers in north Rossendale (R. Ives) - 2 pairs on Great Hameldon, 3 pairs at Crown Point, 2 pairs near Compston's Cross, one pair Nutshaw Hill. Nesting pairs were also present at Grane (2 pairs 24th March), Deeply Vale (pair with young 6th July), Plunge, Wet Moss (2 pairs 24th June), Alden, Musbury Heights, Clowbridge, Clough Bottom, Cowpe Moss (4 on 7th May) and Whitworth Moor. Late nesting at Sand Beds where a large juvenile was found in the grass near to an alarmed adult. Early movement away from the hills was noted on 13th June with a pair flying east over Reedsholme. Last heard calling at Clowbridge on 16th and 17th July.
In the recently published Rossendale Birds Millennium Update, Eric Ward noted a decline beginning about 1989. This has continued and the Redshank now appears to be virtually absent as a breeding species. One report from K.G. Spencer said, "Now totally lost as a breeder in the Clowbridge area." During spring passage there were 4 at A.M.R. on 14th April, one at Clough Bottom on 19th April, one at Spring Mill on 19th April and 2 there on 20th and 26th April. Between 26th May and 1st June a pair was behaving in a very agitated way at Buckhurst and breeding may have taken place here. A pair was seen at Naden on 17th May.
A bird probably of this species was seen by C. Collis on Seat Naze on 8th August. A definitely identified one was at Spring Mill on 11th August.
One was at Spring Mill from 18.20 to 19.00 on 18th April before flying off to the east.
At Clowbridge the first return was of one on 12th April then 3 on 26th April. By 4th May 2 pairs were in residence and by 23rd June both pairs were showing anxiety (R. Ives). A pair also nested well back from the water at Clowbridge close to a moorland path, possibly due to increased human disturbance following the opening of a public footpath around the bank (K.G. Spencer). At the Grane reservoirs one was seen at Holden Wood on 12th May and a pair at Calf Hey on 22nd May. One was at Ogden reservoir on 10th May and then 1 to 3 birds to 2nd July. 4 there on 5th July and 2nd August may indicate breeding success. At Clough Bottom 1 was present on 19th April there were 4 on 2nd May, 5 on 4th May and 2 on 26th May. A pair with 2 young was seen there on 15th June. At Spring Mill singles were present on autumn passage on 11th, 12th and 26th July and 8th August. The autumn movement at Clowbridge was described as very early and light by R. Ives - singles on 15th and 16th July and 2 on 19th August.
Numbers are lower and the behaviour patterns have changed since the closing of Stacksteads Tip. There were 100 at Holden Wood on 13th January and on 20th January 150 flew up from The Hile towards Clowbridge. On 17th February there were 200 at Ogden. Numbers at the Clowbridge roost peaked at 1,000 to 1,500 in January compared to 3,000 on 27th January 2001. On 24th February 100 were feeding with Lapwings at Dunnockshaw. Much reduced later with 20 at Clowbridge on 3rd March, 20 on 11th March and singles on 18th and 20th March as birds departed to the breeding grounds. First returns were singles over The Glen on 12th July, Clowbridge on 15th July, and 4 on Fearns Moss on 22nd July then 7 at Clowbridge on 2nd September and 6 on 28th September. The fields on each side of The Glen at Waterfoot had more with 20 to 30 from 27th August into September and 40 on 5th October. At E.B.S.W. there was a single adult on 10th July and 50 with many juveniles on 3rd September. There were 40 at Cowm on 15th September. The usual winter roost built up at Clowbridge reservoir - 6 on 6th October, 63 on 5th November, 70 on 10th November and 2,000 on 1st December with many Common Gulls (R. Ives).
Present at the Clowbridge reservoir evening roost through January with numbers up to 110. In March there were 4 on 3rd, 2 on 11th, 19th and 20th and a single immature on 26th. First returns were 2 at Clowbridge on 19th August. In October and November ones and twos were seen with the Black-headed Gulls over the Glen fields at Waterfoot. In mid-winter many roosted at Clowbridge with the Black-headeds - estimated by R. Ives at 100+. At Spring Mill there were some larger flocks - 12 on 13th January, 14 on 3rd February and 13 on 10th February as the northward movement began. There were small numbers (1 to 5) from 14th August to 20th December.
Records of small numbers in late winter - 1 at A.M.R. on 13th January, 4 over The Hile on 17th February. An increase was noted from 17th March when 12 flew over The Hile, then 20 over Waterfoot from the south on 30th March and 93 over Balladen / Cowpe Lowe on the same date indicating the usual spring influx. At Horncliffe Tip there were 5 on 3rd April increasing to 200 on 11th April and 4 groups of about 20 flying north. Numbers remained relatively high during May with 200 on a reservoir near Great Hameldon and 75 at Horncliffe. Later, numbers increased with the move away from the breeding grounds with 40 at Horncliffe Tip on the evening of 26th July which subsequently moved off to the northwest. On 3rd August there were about 1,000 in the air above Horncliffe. During autumn only ones and twos were seen flying through the Limy valley (R. Ives).
Smaller numbers than in recent years with no mid-winter peak. On 6th January 7 flew south over Ewood Bridge and one was at A.M.R. on 13th January. There was only one at the Clowbridge roost on 30th January. Herring Gulls were virtually absent this winter at Clowbridge (R. Ives). Three immatures flew north over Clowbridge on 12th October. This is a big change in behaviour as up to 400 wintered in Rossendale in past years and is probably associated with the closure of Stacksteads Tip.
The only record was of one on 15th January - an adult at Clowbridge - another change in gull numbers and behaviour probably caused by the closure of Stacksteads Tip. In the past, gull flight lines were also more obvious and could be checked more easily as gulls flew east and west along the Irwell valley to and from Stacksteads each day. During the late winter period one was at Clowbridge on 7th November and one flew north over the reservoir on 17th December.
Present in the usual numbers in town-centre colonies. Some estimates are: Farholme, 30 birds, Facit Mill, Whitworth 25 - 30 birds, Haslingden 12 birds.
Noted in numbers from one to 4 in much the same areas as last year - Irwell Vale and Ewood Bridge, Clowbridge, Alden, the Cowpe valley and Lee Quarry. 6 were seen on The Hile on 24th March, 3 at Deeply Vale on 11th May, a pair there on 2nd June and 2 pairs on 8th June. A pair was at Clough Bottom on 4th June. One visited a garden feeding station in Whitworth regularly during December with a group of Collared Doves. From 2 to 4 were recorded at Spring Mill and Cowm on dates from 12th January to 17th September.
One came regularly to the bird table in a garden in Waterfoot in January, then with a mate on 2nd February. There were 5 in the garden on 7th February and 10 on 11th February. Pairs were nest building in trees on each side of Booth Road nearby on 10th May. In the Limy valley there were "no large groups this winter although 40 did fly over Loveclough on 3rd March". In the Musbury area there were 50 at Kilnfield on 22nd February and in April 6 to 8 were seen daily at Higher Hollinbank. The suburban birds in Waterfoot fed on grass verges and at garden bird tables and nested in gardens, favouring Cupressus trees. On 26th August there was a flock of 54 at Musbury then 8 to 12 daily. Winter flocks noted were 30 at Musbury Heights on 1st December, 80 - 100 at Whitworth on 17th November, 100 at Broadclough on 8th December, 100 in Brooks' Wood, Crawshawbooth from 15th October and 200 on 4th and 21st December. There were some large flocks in the Whitworth area, 550 flying northeast over Wallbank on 11th November, 400 in Healey Dell on 6th December and 250 in Fern Isle Wood on 12th December.
Remaining common and widespread in suburban gardens. One was seen entering a nest hole on Thornfield School on 29th April, an unusual nest site. Young were seen in Waterfoot on 26th May.
One was heard calling in the Waterfoot area, possibly from the Cowpe valley on 12th May. One was calling on 22nd May at the motorway bridge, Helmshore Road.
The only record this year was a possible bird reported at Heightside on 13th September.
The birds at Higher Hollinbank were regular all year and were seen with 2 young on 6th July and 3 on 9th July. There were also records from Burnt Hill, Musbury and Alden (a pair). Present all through spring at Clowbridge where one was mobbed by a Mistle Thrush on 24th April. Present also in the usual area on The Hile, on Nutshaw Hill and near a garden in Whitworth. Single birds were seen on 4 occasions at Deeply Vale between 13th April and 25th July. One was seen at Clowbridge on 12th and 18th October. A pair was recorded regularly at Spring Mill from 2nd February to 25th November and Little Owls were also seen at 4 other sites in the Whitworth area.
The winter roost hole at Warth was used until 14th March. Tawny Owls were heard regularly in gardens along Booth Road, Waterfoot in January and February. A pair at Clowbridge had eggs in the nest but they were later deserted. A pair was also at Reedsholme all spring and young birds were heard in late June. A pair occupied a hole in a tree at Higher Hollinbank, Musbury and were seen on 10th and 14th April. Calls were regularly heard in this area. Tawny Owls were also heard in the Whitworth area and over a garden there on 18th March. One was at Staghills Wood on 27th May and one at Clough Bottom on 4th June. The Warth roost hole was occupied from 21st August, spasmodically at first, then more regularly. A pair was heard regularly in the Oakmount area near Rossendale General Hospital. On 11th September one was hunting from a fence post at Clowbridge. Calling birds were heard at Reedsholme from 10th September and also at Whitworth in September. On 24th September one was seen in flight there at 08.30. Calls were also heard at Hall Carr on 3rd December and recorded in Healey Dell and Fern Isle Wood.
A pair nested successfully in north Rossendale and 3 young were fledged by 29th May. Thereafter, the adults could be watched hunting and feeding the young (R. Ives).
Single birds were seen hunting at Clowbridge on 30th January, 29th March, 29th May and 15th June. There was no confirmation of breeding in north Rossendale this year despite a good series of winter records. Seen also on 4th April (A. Jones per R. Ives) and one mobbed by Crows at some height on 4th May (R. Ives). One was at Buckhurst on 20th July and one at Clowbridge on 3rd September.
The earliest record was of one over Haslingden Centre on 30th April then 4 at Clowbridge on 2nd May, 3 over Rawtenstall on 4th May and 12 on 6th May. There were 12 at Marl Pits on 15th May then 40 over Lumb Vale on 20th May and 300 over E.B.S.W. on 22nd May. There were, however, over 500 feeding over E.B.S.W. on 9th June and 250 over the moors near Clowbridge on 23rd June, possibly at good food sources during cooler weather. Numbers at nesting colonies appeared to be down. 4 Swifts had returned to Broadley's Mill, Reedsholme on 16th May and 3 nest sites were in use on 27th June. There were few in evidence over the Waterfoot colonies - only twos and threes seen - and none present on 10th June. Swifts were still visiting nest sites at Reedsholme on 30th July and there were 6 overhead on 5th August. On 16th May there were over 30 above Haslingden. At Musbury the first was on 9th May then 30 - 40 daily. Numbers appeared to be better here than higher up the Irwell valley. There were records of 10 to 12 in May at Stacksteads and Edgeside. There were 30 feeding over Spring Mill on 23rd April, 23 on 27th June and 45 on 1st July. Passage movement saw 200 feeding over the coniferous plantation at Clowbridge on 2nd August. The latest were small groups feeding above the Glen fields - 8 on 10th August, 1 or 2 on 12th August and 2 flying east on 17th August.
On 18th February one was fishing from a bush overhanging the River Whitewell at Thornfield Avenue, Waterfoot and one was in Bacup Park on 24th February. There were records of singles on 23rd May, 24th June, 23rd July and 3rd September along the stretch of the Irwell from Newhallhey to Irwell Vale. A pair was present in the breeding season near Ewood Bridge but any nesting attempt was thought to have been washed out during severe floods in summer. Post-breeding one was on the Whitewell at Waterfoot on 28th August, one was reported on several dates from 24th September to 20th October along the Limy at Reedsholme and one was on the Irwell at Waterfoot on 5th October. One was also present at Holden Wood reservoir on 1st December. Recorded at Spring Mill on dates from 22nd September to 12th November.
Regular records for the Higher Hollinbank, Musbury area from J. & B. Rostron from April to October and "heard almost daily" from April to July. Also heard at Ogden on dates from 18th March to 4th April. In the Limy valley, calling at Shortclough on 2nd March, Reedsholme on 8th March and one seen in the quarry at Clowbridge which was a first for the area for R. Ives. At Deeply Vale singles were seen on 4 occasions between 13th April and 15th September. On 17th November one was in Foe Edge Wood, Grane. Heard at Reedsholme on 8th October, 3rd November and 21st December. One seen in Haslingden Memorial Gardens on 6th December. In the Whitworth area there were records throughout the year from Healey Dell, Spring Mill, Syke reservoir and Cowm reservoir.
Seen regularly in gardens, parks and woodland, though fewer records received this year. At Gaghills, a pair regularly visited a feeding station in the garden, but less frequently during the breeding season. A nest at Staghills Wood had young present on 19th May and a pair fed young in Bacup Park on 26th May. One was at Helmshore on 28th May, one was feeding young at Irwell Vale on the day of the Bird Race in June, 3 were seen at Reedsholme on 9th June. One at a nut feeder in a garden at New Line was said to be the first here for several months.
Returning birds were noted in song at Reaps Moss on 10th February, Crown Point on 11th February, The Hile on 17th February (6 singing males), Plunge on 14th February, Musbury Tor on 10th March, Clowbridge on 11th March (6 singing males) and Cowpe Moss on 30th March. Two had returned to Nutshaw Hill on 3rd March and there were about 20 on territories there on 19th March. At Clough Bottom 6 were present on 16th March and12 on 23rd March. At Grane there were about 20 on 24th March, at Reaps Moss about 20 on 3rd March and at Wet Moss about 20 on 24th June. Counts on the 1km square at Alden for the BTO Breeding Birds Survey were 18 on 21st May and 20 on 12th June. Elsewhere, 5 were in song on Rooley Moor on 17th February, 7 or 8 at Spring Mill on 3rd March. The only records of departure are of a single on the moor at Clowbridge on 10th September and 26th October, 5 at Harden Moor on 6th October and 3 moving over Spring Mill on 13th October. 12 - 15 were seen over moorland at Bacup on 7th September.
First return was of 3 feeding over Clowbridge reservoir on 25th March. On 3rd April 2 were feeding over E.B.S.W. , 6 on 10th April and on 29th April one at Clowbridge. On 23rd May there were 2 and on 28th May 5 in the vicinity of the Irwell - Townsendfold colony. This colony had moved nearer to Rawtenstall and was in a high bank of ash and other waste. At least 7 holes were in use and probably up to 12. 20 birds were in the area on 10th July. The colony was almost washed out on 14th June as river levels rose after heavy rain, it only survived by inches. During autumn passage there were singles at Spring Mill on 1st July and 6th August.
First arrival was one at E.B.S.W. on 3rd April with 20 there on 10th, but there were still only ones and twos later in the month. There were 2 at Clowbridge on 19th April and 30 by 29th April with 60 on 30th. In the Musbury area the first two were at Higher Hollinbank on 30th April then about 30 - 40 were regular. A flock of 150 was over E.B.S.W. on 22nd May. Two or three were seen at farms on The Hile on 19th May. On 2nd August 2 pairs were feeding 7 young on a fence over the moor at Clowbridge. No large numbers were recorded here on autumn passage - 26 on 19th August being the maximum (R. Ives). 50 to 60 were regular over Higher Hollinbank daily up to 30th August. 60 fed over Coalpits Lane on 27th August. The playing fields near The Glen, Waterfoot seemed to provide a good area for passage birds feeding low over the ground. There were about 15 on 23rd September, 50 from 24th to 26th September and none on 27th September. Latest records were 3 at Clowbridge on 28th September, 7 over Ogden reservoir on 29th September and 3 at Helmshore on 2nd October. At Spring Mill there were about 60 on 1st October, 30 on 4th October and one over Healey Dell on 8th October.
A late arrival and slow movement. Earliest date was 27th April when 10 were at E.B.S.W. , a single at Spring Mill on 29th April then 3 on 1st May. 3 were over Waterfoot on 30th April, on 2nd May there were 16 at E.B.S.W. and on the same date 2 back at the B.R.G.S. nest sites. A single was back at Crawshawbooth on 4th May. In Helmshore the first arrival at the Park Road site on 2nd May then later 30 to 40 were regular. Increased movement later brought about 250 to E.B.S.W. on 22nd May (D. Nuttall). There were colonies at 7 sites in the Limy valley and at 7 sites in Rawtenstall (R. Ives). On 16th May 7 were back at the B.R.G.S. / Jolly Sailor colony, about 15 pairs were at the Cawl Terrace colony and on 4th June birds were flying to nests in the Waterfoot centre colony. On 10th July 70 were feeding over E.B.S.W. with similar numbers on 1st August. On 3rd August there were 50 in the air near Ski Rossendale and on 27th August 40 over Coalpits Lane. There were 30 at Spring Mill on 2nd August, 40 at Cowm reservoir on 29th August, 200 over Musbury on 30th August, and 70 at Spring Mill on 8th September. There was a gradual departure in September. On 3rd there were 47 over Rawtenstall. A gathering of 40 over Whitworth on 11th had gone by 23rd. One or two were with the Swallows over the Glen fields on 26th September. On the same date 7 were over Spring Mill. Over Gaghills 40 to 50 birds were seen on 27th, 28th and 30th September. 2 were at Rawtenstall on 5th October, 6 at Healey on 10th October and 10 -12 over Waterfoot on 13th October. The trend towards lower numbers and earlier departure has continued.
Ten were feeding in Plunge valley on 14th February and at least 3 had returned to The Hile by 17th February. On 3rd March one was on farmland at Goodshawfold. Two were at Clowbridge on 11th March, a male in song flight display on 12th March and 12 birds at Clough Bottom on the same date. There were about 4 pairs on The Hile on 31st March and one male in song. On 25th March there were 20 in a flock on Chapel Hill. On 4th May there were 40 in the 1km B.B.S. square at Alden and 41 there on 12th June (B. & J. Rostron). On 7th May a nest with 4 eggs was found on Great Hameldon. On 2nd June at least 6 territories were occupied on The Hile. Autumn movement at Clowbridge was noted from 18th August when 40 moved through then 30 on 19th August, 20 on 21st August. There was then a gap until 18th September when over 40 passed through, 100 on 19th September in scattered groups. Also about this time on 15th September about 80 were seen at Deeply Vale and on 23rd September there were several with Pied Wagtails on the Glen fields. Later there were 9 at Alden on 19th November and 2 at Musbury on 12th December. At Clowbridge there were 20 on 3rd and 6th October and again on 20th October then 3 on 5th November.
There were January records of singles at Longholme and Balladen. Pairs were recorded from 8th March at Clough Bottom, Musbury Brook, River Ogden at Ravenshore, River Limy at Reedsholme, Crawshawbooth, Holden Wood. On 20th August a pair was on the Limy at Lea Brook with 3 juveniles. Grey Wagtails were unusually absent from the River Whitewell in Waterfoot. On 9th June a family group was seen on the Limy at Crawshawbooth. A pair was at Spring Mill from 29th March to 21st September. Some passage was noted at Clowbridge with one on 4th September and 4 on 19th September. On 12th September there were 4 on the Irwell at Stubbins, on 11th October 1 at Do-It-All in Rawtenstall, on 20th October, 2 at Ravenshore and on 22nd October, 2 at Musbury.
Numbers again appeared to be down. On 29th March there were only 3 at E.B.S.W. increasing to 50 on 5th April, 16 on 11th April, 30 on 19th April then 13 on 2nd May. These are nothing like the numbers (100 to 200) noted in Rossendale Birds (Ward 1988) as being regular on passage at E.B.S.W. Elsewhere there were 4 in Musbury on 29th January, 12 on 3rd February then 2 - 3 daily. Pairs were noted at Ogden reservoir (3 pairs), Higher Hollinbank, Farm Hill (Hile), Fearns Moss, Clowbridge (2 pairs, one pair feeding young on 29th May), Longholme, 2 pairs on the W.B.S. stretch of the Limy (R. Ives). Four juveniles were at Carr Lane, Musbury on 12th June. Two pairs were regular at Spring Mill. Numbers recorded on autumn passage were still low - 6 at Ogden on 2nd August then 2 - 3 daily, 30 at E.B.S.W. on 9th September, maximum of 18 on 18th September at Clowbridge, 8 feeding on the Glen fields under low-flying Swallows on 23rd September. There were 14 on Rawtenstall cricket field on 22nd September. At Spring Mill from 5 to 9 were recorded on dates from 11th July to 17th October.
A male was seen at Spring Mill on 8th April (J. Webb).
Present as usual along all suitable stretches of river. Seen in Musbury Brook and at Ravenshore in January. Also seen along the River Limy at Lea Brook, Goodshawfold, Loveclough, Reedsholme, Dunnockshaw and Rawtenstall. Two pairs bred on the W.B.S. stretch of the Limy where young were seen from 14th May - 3 from one nest and 2 from the other. On 19th March a pair prospected nest sites along the River Whitewell in Waterfoot centre - the female was seen carrying a leaf on 2nd April and the pair was noted there on 8th May and 4th June. A pair was present on the Irwell at Stacksteads Recreation Ground during the nesting season and also at Spring Mill. One was seen on the Irwell at Newhallhey on 24th June. Two were on the River Ogden at Bowl Alley on 30th July and 1 on 10th October. One was near Do-It-All at Rawtenstall on 11th October.
A male was in song in Waterfoot on 14th February and on the same date one was heard calling from rushes near Waugh's Well at an altitude of about 1,200 feet. One was also present in rushes at Clowbridge reservoir on 3rd March. On 16th April there were 4 at Alden. In the 1km B.B.S. square at Alden there were 6 on 4th May and 10 on 12th June. On 17th May a male was in song in a garden in Waterfoot and on 1st June was seen in a courtship display on the lawn with shivering wings and cocked tail. A "cock's nest" was found on 6th June twined among brambles but there was no evidence of successful breeding. Wrens were again recorded from rushy areas around Clowbridge reservoir during October and November with a maximum of 5 counted.
Song was heard from 3rd March and territorial displays from 2nd February. Fledged young were seen in a garden at Gaghills from 12th May. A pair and 2 juveniles were present in a garden in Waterfoot on 30th June. One was seen on a bird table in the garden on 3rd August - new behaviour for this essentially ground-feeding species.
A mated pair fed together on 14th February and a pair engaged in courtship feeding on 24th February. One was feeding a fledgling at Reedsholme on 24th April and first fledged young were seen in a Whitworth garden on 25th April. One was in song on 27th June, possibly early winter territorial song. On 15th August an immature showed mostly speckled plumage but with the red just showing through. On 20th August 2 males were in competitive song on each side of a garden in Waterfoot. There was another example of a robin feeding from a nut feeder at Reedsholme on 12th December.
One was seen in Buckden Wood on 2nd June.
A very poor spring passage with only 2 seen - one at Loveclough on 7th May and one at Clowbridge on 20th May. no indication of breeding in the Clowbridge area this year. A female on passage was at Clough Bottom on 26th August. At Clowbridge 3 birds were seen on 25th August and 4 on 9th and 14th September then 3 on 17th September. 3 were at Deeply Vale on 15th September. 4 Whinchats were seen at Cowm on 15th September and one at Spring Mill on the same date. 2 were on a derelict building near Ogden reservoir on 19th September. One was at Clowbridge on 3rd October.
An over-wintering pair was still at Clowbridge on 30th January and a pair in the same area on 3rd March. On 11th March a pair and 2 females were present. The latest record there was of a single roosting in Hawthorns on 12th March. Elsewhere a pair was present at the head of Alden on 10th March and a female there on 12th June. A pair was at Naden on 29th March. A male was seen at Musbury Brook on 18th June and a pair there on 20th June. On 16th October a female was at Calf Hey. At Cowm reservoir 3 were seen on 15th September, 2 males and 2 females on 17th November and a male on 1st December. At Clough Bottom 2 males were seen on 15th October. At Clowbridge a pair was seen on 28th September and 3rd October, 4 on 6th October to 17th October then a regular pair to the year's end, sometimes joined by a third. At Spring Mill a pair was seen on 17th September and a male on 30th September. On 2nd October a pair was present with 3 first-winter birds, one still with juvenile feathering on the head and shoulders and seen again on 4th and 6th October (J. Webb). Singles and pairs were then seen regularly from ¶”7th October to 12th December.
A male was at Hurdles Quarry, Cloughfold on 17th March. One male was at Spring Mill on 22nd March, a male on The Hile on 24th March, 2 males were at Nutshaw Hill on 25th March, a male at Crown Point on 26th March and a female at Musbury Tor on 30th March. Passage was noted during April at Clowbridge by R. Ives - 6 on 3rd , 1 on 18th, 3 on 19th, 4 on 21st, 50 on 23rd (second-hand report to R. Ives), 22 + 8 on Nutshaw Hill on 26th, 20 on 29th. Passage continued in May with 3 on 4th, 1 on 6th and also 6 on Great Hameldon on 7th. A male was at Lee Quarry on 11th April with 2 pairs there on 25th May. Passage was also noted by B. & J. Rostron in the Musbury area over the same period - 4 on Musbury Heights on 30th April and 4 at Alden on 4th May. There were 4 at Lee Quarry on 2nd May (P. Fyldes). Wheatears were thought to be less numerous as breeding birds, especially in the Crown Point area. There were 2 at Lee Quarry on 27th May. 6 at Naden on 15th July may have been a family group. In the Whitworth area there were 3 pairs at Cowm reservoir on 8th May and 2 pairs at Bagden Quarry on 10th May. 3 family parties were seen in the Plunge / Cowpe Moss area on 7th July. A pair with 3 immatures were at Bagden Quarry on 17th July. Immatures in ones and twos were seen in this area through to 27th September. In the autumn 6 were feeding on a re-seeded grassland area over the new gas pipeline at Musbury on 25th August. One or two birds on passage were seen during September at Deeply Vale and Clowbridge. The last of the year was seen at Clowbridge on 11th October.
The only record was a single male at Cheesden Bar on 6th October (D. Nuttall).
Numbers in winter groups were lower than usual - 4 in a garden in Waterfoot instead of the usual 5 to 8. 4 were also seen along Musbury Road. Song was heard at Reedsholme on 7th March, 2 were in song at Clowbridge on 12th March and one in song at Edgeside on 16th March. On 30th March a female was seen carrying nest material. Fledged young were being fed at Gaghills on 21st April. Two were heard in full song at Edgeside on 2nd June. On 11th May a female was nest building in a Beech hedge in Waterfoot but the nest was never completed, the bird possibly having been taken by a cat. No immatures were seen in this area until 1st September. About 4 pairs nested at Oak Mount, Haslingden Road. Two immatures came to eat Cotoneaster berries in the garden in Waterfoot on 4th October. Passage was noted at Clowbridge between 12th October and 1st December with a maximum of 5 at any one time. Winter flocks noted were - the usual 4 - 5 along Musbury Road and 8 in Helmshore on 31st December.
There were over 100 at Musbury Tor on 15th January and similar numbers at Higher Hollinbank on 18th January. Flocks of about 80 were seen at Buckden Wood and Alden on 30th March. Smaller numbers at Clowbridge at this time but 100 on 3rd March. At Clough Bottom there were 50 on 5th February and 12 on 23rd March. There were 23 at Loveclough on 12th March then 30 at Dunnockshaw on 5th April (the latest). 4 to 11 were seen at Spring Mill in January then flying east on 1st April. First returns came in October with 1 at Bocholt Way on 19th, 120 over Musbury on 20th, 70 over Higher Hollinbank on 22nd October, 50 over Lench on 26th October then 100 over The Glen on 2nd November, 80 in the Musbury area on 4th November and 50 also on 5th November. Similar numbers and dates were recorded in the Whitworth area - 11 at Spring Mill on 21st October. 70 over Broadley on 24th October, 50 at Spring Mill on 6th November. Most records thereafter were of flocks of 10 to 30 but there were 300 on Musbury Tor on 31st December. Ones and twos were present at Clowbridge from 17th October, then 64 on 5th November and 120 on 1st December. There were 30 at Dunnockshaw and 30 at Clowbridge on 30th December.
Song was heard on 17th January at Lumb Vale, Waterfoot and Bacup, then during February song was heard at Helmshore and Reedsholme and in March at Clowbridge and Waterfoot. Present in a garden at Whitworth on 1st March and at Oak Mount in spring. One was in song at Stacksteads on 27th May. Attempted nesting in a garden in New Line on 23rd May. On 3rd August one visited a bird table in a garden in Waterfoot. A single was present at Reedsholme from 3rd November to the end of the year.
Numbers from 5 to 12 were recorded on dates from January through to April in the Whitworth area, the latest being 12 on 14th April. First returns were 4 at Spring Mill on 6th October and 50 on 7th October then 70 moving west on the same date. There were 12 at Clowbridge on 14th October, 6 at Deeply vale on 16th October, 3 at Hareholme on 19th October and 20 at Round Hill, Haslingden on 4th November. Numbers then were generally below 20 but there were 35 with Fieldfares in the Musbury area on 31st December.
The return to breeding areas was noted - 7th January at Booth Road, Waterfoot, 13th January at Holden Wood, 3rd January at Musbury Brook, Spring Mill on 2nd February. One was in song at Calf Hey on 13th January, a pair at Clowbridge on 15th January and a pair at Balladen on 14th February. On 17th March one was carrying nest material in a garden in Whitworth. On 24th April one showed aggression to a Little Owl at Clowbridge. A pair was present at Oak Mount, Haslingden Road. On 13th June 5 at Higher Hollinbank were probably a family group. An adult with 2 juveniles was recorded on 20th May at Broadley.
On 9th May one was reeling in Haslingden High School Nature Reserve (E. Roberts). The first at Clowbridge was on 6th May, then regularly to 23rd June. Two were reeling in early May (G. Waddington).
A juvenile bird was seen on passage at Clough Bottom on 1st September (P. Fyldes & D. Nuttall).
An influx was noted during May - male in song at Plunge on 12th, males in song at Newhallhey, Hardsough Lane (Irwell Vale) on 28th, 2 males in song and a female at Newhallhey on 29th and 30th May, a male in song at Cowm on 8th May and a male in song at Clowbridge. On 9th June 2 males were in song at E.B.S.W. and 3 birds were seen by P. Fyldes. According to "Birdwatch" magazine there was a movement through the Calf of Man in early May when some 200 were ringed (R. Ives).
A male was in song at Gin Clough, Crawshawbooth on 21st May.
One was in song in Irwell Vale on 4th April and one at Lea Bank from 14th April. At Calf Hey a male was in song on 12th May. At Reedsholme a male was in partial song on 19th May, more consistent song from 25th May until 27th June. One was in song at Rushbed on 19th May, one in Park Road Plantation, Waterfoot on 2nd June and one at Marl Pits on 15th May. On 15th June a male was giving the alarm call in the grounds of Rossendale General Hospital. A wintering bird was seen by C. Collis in a garden at Staghills on 2nd December (per R. Ives). In the Whitworth area at least 3 males were in song in the Healey Dell area with records from 5th April to 1st July. Passage birds were seen at Spring Mill from 2nd August to 25th September.
One was in song at Healey on 4th and 7th May but not heard thereafter. There was also one singing in Staghills Wood on 19th May and also on 5th June in The Heys, Waterfoot.
First was one in song at Strongstry on 29th March and 2 or more there on 4th April. One was in song at Lea Bank on 14th April. Later presence was recorded at Gin Clough on 21st May, Reedsholme on 27th May and 27th June, Snig Hole on 2nd June. There was no continuous breeding-season presence in Brooks' Wood, Crawshawbooth this year for the first time in several years. There were records for Healey Dell from 2nd April to 20th May and again (including Spring Mill) from 11th September to 8th October. Autumn passage birds were heard at Whitewell Bottom on 8th July, Oak Mount on 26th August, 26th September in Whitworth, 2nd October at Reedsholme and 16th October at Deeply Vale.
Arrival was on 4th April when singing birds were heard at Clowbridge, Lumb Vale, Healey Dell and Newhallhey. At Clowbridge 1 as heard on 13th April, 2 on 19th April, 4 on 21st April, 4 on 10th May and 6 on 14th May. The first back on Piper Bank, Fearns Moss was on 24th April but more were heard on 15th May. A family party was seen at Clowbridge on 19th August. Numbers appeared to be generally lower this year. On autumn passage Willow Warblers were observed in a garden in Whitworth from 21st to 26th July, at Clowbridge small numbers from 8th to 21st August, in a garden in Waterfoot on 14th August. The latest were 1 at Gaghills on 22nd September and Spring Mill on 25th September.
Present at Clowbridge and Stoneholme during March and one at Grane on 28th March. One was seen in a garden in New Line on 16th March. On 4th April one was in song at Stubbins and on 5th April at least 2 were calling from conifers at Dunnockshaw. Several were heard at Clough Bottom on 9th June. During the autumn dispersal one was in a garden in Waterfoot with a few Blue Tits on 21st October, one in a garden in Whitworth on 3rd and 17th November and 5 at Cowm on 17th November. Two to four were seen at Clowbridge from 11th October to the end of the year. Two were seen at the top of Helmshore Road on 9th November. 3 to 8 were regular at Spring Mill and Healey Dell in September and October and there were 10 to 12 in Fern Isle Wood on 13th October.
Appears to have been scarce this year. One comment said, "not seen at all this year" (R. Ives). Has been in decline for some years. One was at Holden Vale on 26th April (N.J. Burke). A pair was seen at Stacksteads Rec. on 27th May (P. Fyldes). One was seen at Calf Hey on 3rd June (D. Nuttall) and one at Alden on the same date (N.J. Burke). One on passage was feeding in a garden in New Line on 20th August.
One, presumably on passage, was seen by J. Hallsworth at Clough Bottom on 5th June.
Records of winter flocks were 8 at Irwell Vale and 8 at Townsendfold on 6th January, 6 at Helmshore several times in early January, heard at Calf Hey on 13th January, 7 at Grane on 29th March. In February and March a pair visited feeders in a garden in Whitworth several times a day. A pair was seen at Lea Brook on 14th June. Breeding-season presence was noted at Goodshawfold, Reedsholme, Horncliffe, The Holme, Oak Mount, Haslingden High School Nature Reserve. A flock of 6 at E.B.S.W. on 9th June was presumably a family group. An adult was feeding 2 juveniles at Broadley on 20th May. Breeding success was good as shown by numbers in autumn and winter flocks - 15 in the plantation at Clowbridge where they are not often seen, on 28th September, over 40 in the grounds of the Holden Wood Conference Centre on 22nd October, 12 at Higher Hollinbank from 11th November into the winter, 6 at Whitworth in November, 5 at Hall Carr on 5th December, 13 at Musbury on 31st December, 12 regularly at Reedsholme and 8 at Chapel Hill. Flocks of 7 to 13 were seen at Healey Dell on dates from 3rd October to 13th December. A flock of 5 came to nut feeders in a garden in New Line on 28th December.
Has continued to flourish since it began to spread into suburban gardens about 15 years ago and now often seems more obvious in gardens than do Blue and great Tits. Visits feeding stations often in pairs and seems especially fond of sunflower seeds which are taken away and hoarded under the dead leaves of perennial plants. On 6th March a male was in song at Reedsholme and later heard at Stoneholme, Clowbridge and Waingate. On 29th March a pair was present in the garden in Waterfoot where they had fed all winter and the male was in song. A pair began nesting at Oak Mount at the end of March. On 1st April Coal Tits were calling at 3 sites at Reedsholme. On 9th April one was carrying nest material in a garden at Whitworth. On 13th May one flew out of a garden wall by the footpath on Booth Road near to where Blue Tits have nested in recent years. On 16th May one flew out of a nest hole at Baltic Bridge in Waterfoot centre. Young were seen in gardens in Waterfoot on 27th May and family groups at E.B.S.W. on 8th June and Whitaker Park on 24th June. 6 Coal Tits were seen in a garden at Helmshore on 28th September.
Numbers appeared to be down in comparison with some recent years. Only 2 were regular at bird tables and nut feeders in a Waterfoot garden where 5 to 7 have been more usual figures. None used the available nest boxes in the spring. Young fledged at Higher Hollinbank on 13th June. A pair was the regular number here later but Blue Tits were numerous along Musbury Road and Bowl Alley (J. & B. Rostron). At Clowbridge a group of 6 was present throughout the month. A flock of 10 was seen in Rawtenstall on 7th August and 12 in Helmshore on 31st December. Up to 12 were seen at dusk at Reedsholme coming to roost in the walls of a mill adjacent to hot pipes on 24th October and 21st December (R. Ives).
Song and spring activity noted from early February and on 7th March a pair investigated a garden nest box in Waterfoot. Young were being fed here during May and fledged on 28th May. three immatures were at the nut feeder on 29th July. A group of 10 was seen at Holland Avenue, Rawtenstall on 7th August. Numbers seemed lower than usual at the garden feeding station in Waterfoot.
On 17th March one visited a garden at New Line on 17th March. On 28th March 2 were seen at Calf Hey. Singles and twos were recorded in Healey Dell on dates from 2nd April to 6th December.
Present as usual at Grane where one was heard at Calf Hey on 13th January, one seen at Ogden on 21st May and entering a nest hole in the anglers' cabin there on 12th June. One was seen in gardens at Helmshore on 17th April and again in May. Seen on 5th November and 30th December in the old plantation at Clowbridge, two in woods at Dunnockshaw on 20th October and one at Reedsholme on 7th December. Seen also at Spring Mill on 23rd September and Healey on 25th September and in a garden at New Line on 20th September and 31st October and at a feeding station at Gaghills on 5th October.
Now distributed throughout Rossendale valleys in all woodland areas. Nested at Oak Mount where 3 young were reared in a nest at the top of a tall conifer. Two to five were recorded regularly at Healey Dell from April to December. Also noted visiting garden feeding centres and taking peanuts at Waterfoot and Helmshore.
Winter flocks of 8 - 12 were recorded from most areas and occasional gatherings of larger numbers engaged in social and mate-selection activities - 20 in noisy tree-top chasing activity on 8th September at Waterfoot and similar activity in a group of 25 at Higher Hollinbank on 14th December. There were 27 in a field at Broadley on 14th November. Nest-building was noted from 7th March. A report from a garden feeding station at Whitworth said a Magpie had taken a Robin on 1st January and a Blue Tit in March (S. Rush).
Present in the usual numbers in the colonies at Ilex (about 80 birds), Stacksteads (about 20 birds), Waterfoot (about 30 birds). There is quite a large colony based on Rossendale General Hospital (N.J. Burke). Two to three birds were regular visitors to a bird table in a Waterfoot garden in January and February. 2 birds became stuck in a house chimney at Gaghills on 18th May (K. Lister). On 20th June young birds were much in evidence round B.R.G.S. and in late June 2 or 3 adults with young visited a bird table in a Waterfoot garden. On 26th October a flock of about 50 flew over Waterfoot to the west late in the afternoon. This flight line was noted subsequently during the winter with numbers of 50 to 100. Good numbers were seen among the crows at Horncliffe Tip in the autumn. Jackdaws also roost in winter with the Carrion Crows at Fairy Glen, Grane (N.J. Burke).
In late January flocks of about 120 were noted flying up from The Hile in the direction of Rook Hill rookery. About 50 nests were counted there during March. On 2nd March 55 nests were counted at St John's, Crawshawbooth rookery with the same number on 13th April. On 30th March 24 nests were counted at Healey Dell and over 60 flew above there on 7th May. The only other rookery counted was Acre which had about 30 nests.
Numbers remain high. On 1st January there were 80 on Musbury Tor and 2 - 300 flew over Higher Hollinbank late each afternoon and most mornings to and from the Calf Hey roost during winter (J. & B. Rostron). On 30th March there were over 80 at Balladen. On 22nd March one was carrying nest-material towards The Glen, Waterfoot. About 6 pairs held territory in the Clowbridge area and from January to March 17 could be seen in the air together. On 3rd August there were 500 at Horncliffe Tip and 600 on 3rd September. There were 200 at E.B.S.W. on 8th June.
Present in increasing numbers. There was a regular presence in the Musbury area with sightings of ones and twos from 25th January to 31st December (J. & B. Rostron). One was at Lee Quarry on 24th and 25th March and a pair on 14th April. On 2nd and 6th May the pair had young in the nest and on 25th and 27th May up to 5 birds were present (D. Nuttall & P. Fyldes). There was also a scattering of records from the central moorland areas - Top of Leach and Hailstorm Hill on 30th March, Hailstorm Hill and Cowpe Moss on 7th May, Whittle Pike on 14th April. 4 Ravens flew from Cowpe Moss into Naden on 7th July (D. Nuttall). On 23rd August a flock of 10 flew northwest over Clowbridge (R. Ives). One flew north up Deeply Vale towards Whittle Pike on 15th September (D. Nuttall).
During January and February flocks of from 100 to 200 were recorded at Musbury Tor, Loveclough, Dunnockshaw, Spring Mill. A flock of 150 was at Clough Bottom on 15th February and 120 at Deeply Vale on 3rd March. A pair visited the nut feeder in a Waterfoot garden on 12th March and then regularly but still with flocks of 10 to 30 in several places and around 100 at Clowbridge on 11th March, 60 at Reedsholme on 25th March - probably migrants. From 5th May Starlings were seen carrying food from farmland to nests in the built-up areas in Waterfoot and Reedsholme. Two fledged juveniles were on the lawn of a garden at Wallbank, Whitworth on 20th May. On 12th August 4 adults and 2 immatures came to the feeder in a Waterfoot garden. Largest post-breeding flocks were 200 at Musbury on 2nd June, 200 at Holland Avenue, Rawtenstall on 29th August and 100 at Edgeside in August. Most other records were from 20 to 50. An influx probably of continental birds was noted at Clowbridge - 130 on 14th October, 200 on 7th November then down to 40 by 6th December.
In winter the usual scattered groups of 10 to 12 were recorded - in car park bushes at Haslingden; Broadway, Helmshore; Park Road, Helmshore. Only 4 at Airtours in the first winter period but the flock was back at its usual 12 in the second winter period. About 20 visited feeders in a Waterfoot garden. 4 fledged young were among the House Sparrows at the feeding station at Gaghills on 12th May. Described as quite widespread in Loveclough where several gardens hold good populations. The combination of food - often supplied - and bushes for shelter seem to be the key factors. On 6th May 2 juveniles were among 6 feeding at a bird table in Waterfoot and on 15th August juveniles were again being fed in the garden. A post-breeding flock of about 20 was seen at Clowbridge on 21st August.
No large flocks recorded in January and February, 4 to 8 being the norm, but 12 on 3rd February at Musbury Road. Song was heard from mid-February at Reedsholme and Plunge. Six males were in song at Clowbridge on 11th March and 5 in song at Cowm reservoir on 8th May. Numbers were higher in the second winter period, suggesting a good breeding-season. 40 to 50 were seen daily in the beeches on Musbury Road, with 70 on 14th November and a maximum of 150 on 29th and 30th November (J. & B. Rostron). Also over 30 at Healey Hall Wood on 21st November and 17 on 6th December. Passage was noted at Clowbridge with small groups flying south on 3rd, 6th and 17th October and some flocks feeding there, never more than 20 (R. Ives). There were 70 on 4th December and 40 on 9th, 12th and 20th December with Bramblings in Fern Isle Wood.
As with Chaffinches, numbers were low, the only records being 6 on 3rd February and 3 or 4 on 4th February at Musbury. Again, as with the previous species, numbers were much higher in the second winter period. At Musbury there were 12 on 29th October, 8 on 1st November, 30 on 14th November then 6 to 8 daily and 24 on 29th and 30th November (J. & B. Rostron). 6 were seen at Calf Hey on 15th November. At Fern Isle Wood there were 40 to 45 with similar numbers of Chaffinches on dates from 18th November to 20th December (J. Webb). On 8th December there were 100 at Broadclough, Bacup (P. Fyldes) and on 25th December 50 at Healey Dell.
Present in good numbers. Winter flocks included 30 at Clewes - Horncliffe on 6th January and 30 at Stacksteads on 3rd February. 8 to 11 were regular at garden feeding stations in Waterfoot whilst one at Gaghills reported up to 40 Greenfinches outside the breeding season. Song was heard from 18th February and a pair was in courtship display on 3rd March. Fledged juveniles were seen on 19th and 24th May. Family groups of 7 or 8 were noted in several gardens. Larger flocks built up later - 25 at Spring Mill on 14th August, 30 on unmown meadows in Rawtenstall on 3rd August, 26 at Clowbridge in September. A garden feeding station in Whitworth had 44 in September. 20 were regular at Clowbridge through October to early November. There were 11 at Broadley Fold on 3rd November.
Numbers were relatively low in winter and early spring with largest flocks in the Whitworth area - 10 to 20 in a garden feeding station and 23 at Healey in March. In song at Rushbed by 10th April and several in song at Clowbridge on 4th May. Nesting was widespread and successful. Late nesting was again noted - newly-fledged young were being fed on 11th September at Clowbridge, on 15th September at Gaghills and 16th September at another Waterfoot site. Numbers in flocks built up rapidly - 100 at Clowbridge on 19th September increasing to 300 on 26th September and 400 on 28th September. At Grane there were 20 at Holden Vale and 100 at Calf Hey on 29th September. There were 50 at Musbury in August, 50 at Cowm on 29th August and 80 at Spring Mill on 7th October.
There were records of small numbers, mostly 1 to 4 from Ramsbottom, Calf Hey, Constablelee, Waterfoot, Stoneholme and 7 or 8 at Oak Mount from January to March and 13 at Stoneholme on 13th March. A pair visited the Gaghills feeding station until 29th March. One was at Clough Bottom on 12th April and one or two were present in the Whitworth garden to 19th April. At Oak Mount 2 to 7 were present until 7th April. Siskins appear to have bred locally this year: a male was in song in a conifer plantation near Marl Pits on 5th May (K. Lister), a juvenile bird appeared at the Gaghills feeding station on 15th and 16th June and a single bird was seen at Deeply Vale on 6th July (D. Nuttall). The main return was noted from 6th October with 3 at Deeply Vale and 5 there on 16th October, then 23rd October when there were 20 at Hall Carr. On 7th November 40 flew over Healey Dell and there were records for this area to 13th December with maxima of 35 on 5th December and 25 on 6th December. On 9th November there were 6 at a nut feeder at Oak Mount. About 20 were again seen at Hall Carr on 3rd December and there were 10 at Rawtenstall on 30th December.
Small numbers were noted from 30th March when there were 4 at Whitworth Quarry and 2 at Spring Mill. During the nesting season there were records of 3 pairs at Cowm reservoir on 8th May. On 4th May 6 seen at Alden were possibly a small colony. A pair was seen at Deeply Vale on 26th May, 20 birds there on 8th June and 3 family parties were seen on 6th July. There was a colony in gorse near Ski Rossendale where 6 males were counted on 28th May. On 24th June there were 6 birds at the colony, 4 on wires nearby and a male at Cribden Clough. Other breeding sites included Calf Hey, Tooter Hill, Chapel Hill, Seat Naze (3 or 4 pairs 5th May), Marl Pits and Plunge. Nesting success was good. Post-breeding flocks included 50 at Spring Mill on 14th August, 80 on 28th August and 40 on 11th September when there were also 25 at A.M.R. On 19th September there were 50 to 60 in Musbury Road. Along Coal Pits Lane there were 40 on 26th August and 21 on 15th September. 14 were at Spring Mill on 4th October and a female there on 11th November was the latest record.
Early movement was noted when 10 were seen at Higher Hollinbank on 28th January. First return was probably that of 5 at Whitworth Quarry on 30th March. Two were calling over Cowm on 8th May. One was also at Balladen on 30th March. 10 at Lee Quarry on 11th April, 4 there on 2nd May and a pair on 6th May indicate that a few nesting pairs may still remain in this area. Now thought to be totally absent as a breeder in the Crown Point / Clowbridge area (K. G. Spencer). Some local breeding success was indicated by 12 at Bull Hill on 28th August and 4 at Musbury on 17th November with a single there on 12th December.
Winter flocks were 10 on alder cones at Park Road plantation, Waterfoot on 27th January and a flock at Holden Wood also in January. A flock of 20 were in Staghills Wood on 17th March. Reports from R. Ives and K. G. Spencer have both indicated almost certain breeding in the Clowbridge plantation. Heard there by R. Ives on 7th and 23rd June and a male was seen there on 2nd August. Elsewhere there was a pair at Deeply Vale on 1st and 9th June (carrying food) and 6th and 20th July. Post-breeding flocks were 5 at Healey on 18th September, 1 there on 19th September, 3 at Spring Mill on 13th October and 4 at Stacksteads on 10th November.
A single pair bred in the upper part of the Grane valley. One or more birds were calling at Calf Hey on 10th April.
At Reedsholme there were 4 coming to feed during January, reducing to one pair by 31st March which were still coming to the bird table on 9th April. 2 males were seen at Stoneholme on 13th April and one flew into conifers there on 8th June. A male was calling at Reedsholme on 5th July. 4 males and a female came to the bird table throughout November and December (R. Ives), so there was a continuous presence in this area. Similarly a pair was present throughout the year at Oak Mount (P. Rishton). On 12th July 2 juveniles visited the bird table in Whitworth. Elsewhere, 2 were calling at Alderbottom on 29th March, 4 were in trees at Ewood Bridge on 4th April. A pair was at Ewood Bridge on 2nd June, 2 males and a female at Rawtenstall on 20th July. At least 3 pairs visited the Gaghills feeding station throughout the year and juveniles were seen from 26th June. Post-breeding a female was at Dunnockshaw on 20th October and one calling at Chapel Hill on the same date. 2 were at Holden Vale on 17th November. A pair visited a garden in New Line on 29th November.
Present in usual numbers and areas. 1 was at Clough Bottom on 9th February. Return to Clowbridge noted on 11th March and on 2nd April males were at 3 sites round the reservoir and later in 5 territories. Also recorded from round Spring Mill, Syke and Cowm reservoirs with song from 30th March. Other areas include Clough Bottom (male on 21st April), upper Cheesden valley (2 males on 20th April), Loveclough (male on 28th April), The Hile (pair on 19th May), Deeply Vale (3 - 4 males present 26th May and 6th July with young being fed on 18th June). At Clowbridge up to 10 were present on 18th September, 7 on 12th October, 3 on 7th November then singles to the year end. At Cowm there were 6 on 15th September. At Healey there were 9 on 21st November. One was still at Cowm reservoir on 13th December.