ROSSENDALE ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB
BIRD REPORT 2005
A single bird was on Ogden res on April 8th (NB)- an unusual spring record. BY watched 5 move E. on October 2nd at 10:15hrs. He reports that - 'another vismig enthusiast at Heysham saw 5 birds moving S.E. at 09:22hrs and it is tempting to think that these were the same birds, if so they were travelling at 40 mph'. Seven birds on the water at Clowbridge res on November 11th included 4 juvs. Two adults were on Great Hameldon Res on November 13th.
Much the same as last year with 11 records for the year. There appears to be a distinct movement to the west during February though this year there were only two sightings as opposed to six last year. At Clowbridge 70 flew W. on February 4th (KL) and at Spring Mill res 90 flew W on February 6th (JW). A single bird was with Canada geese at Spring Mill res on March 14th (JW). Autumn records over Laund Hey recorded as visible migration (BY) were of 18 S. + 40 SE. September16th, 20+30 E. September 24th, 12 E. + 52 W. October 2nd, 2 S. October 19th. Thereafter 41 flew W. over Calf Hey res November 7th (P&BR), 19 E. over Clowbridge res November 7th (AJ), 50 over Higher Hollinbank November 25th (J&BR), 50 N. over Whitewell Bottom.(KL).
A single wild type coloured bird was feeding in fields with Canada geese at Clowbridge on August 27th.
One hundred were seen flying down the Whitewell valley on January 1st. Once again the largest numbers were recorded at New Line Res with a maximum of 40 there on January 8th and 16th and a regular 25 - 32 on several dates through to early March. Through March there was a return to breeding sites with observers reporting pairs or small groups from areas such as Scout Moor Res, Troy quarry, Holmes Terrace lodge, Lee quarry, and most other sizable waters. At Isle of Man lodge a bird was sitting on April 16th and the pair had 4 large young on July 3rd. Breeding was also confirmed at Clough Bottom Res a pair had 3 young on June 15th then another pair with 4 goslings on July 11th. A pair had 6 young at A.M.R. on May 29th., Scout Moor Res had a pair with 3 young on June 26th and at Troy quarry a pair had 3 young on June 28th. Two young were amongst 12 adults at Holden Wood Res on June 26th. In total nine pairs were successful though no doubt a few were missed. Non-breeding groups were recorded in the Grane valley during the spring / summer with a maximum of 20 on May 30th. Forty five were at A.M.R. on July 10th. There were regular counts of between 30 and 45 birds at Holden Wood Res through August and September. Other high counts included 120 at A.M.R. on October 9th, 60 at Spring Mill Res on October 11th and 50 at New Line Res on October 9th. There appears to be a shift during October when counts drop in the Grane valley and rise in the Loveclough / Clowbridge area where there was an increase in sightings to the year end with birds recorded on 14 dates from October 3rd to December 31st. Maximum numbers were counted on October5th - 56 and November 5th - 43.
A single bird seen by several observers was with Canada geese in the Grane valley from July 9th until September 6th. It is surprising that it wasn't seen elsewhere in Rossendale considering the movement that Canada geese appear to undertake.
A single bird was present feeding and flying around Cowm Res on January 16th and again on November 22nd. (RI & JW)
A pair were at E.B.S.W. from February 26th until May 29th. Probably the same pair were seen at Clough Bottom Res on April 19th. There was no evidence of breeding this year but local rumour has it that successful breeding took place in 2003 with the young being swept off downstream during a summer rain storm. Moult migration was noted over Clowbridge Res on July 31st when 11 birds flew in from the north then turned to head east. A single bird was at A.M.R. on October 2nd.
A single male was at Stubbylee park on January 30th.(PF)
Spring Mill Res held a pair from January 5th to 11th which were then joined by another male until February 3rd.From then until February 28th the pair were accompanied by a 1st-winter male reducing to just the pair until March 5th.A single male in eclipse plumage was at Ogden Res on September 4th. At Spring Mill Res 4 birds were present on September 6th - 8th then a female on October 5th and 18 on October 20th (a high count for the site). The last of the year were 5 females at Holden Wood res on November 5th.
Singles were reported from Stubbylee park on February 5th and March 6th. More typically birds were seen at 4 sites in the early spring with 4 at Holden Wood Res on March 13th, 6 on March 26th, and a pair on April 7th. A pair were in Lee quarry on March 28th, a male was at Deeply Vale on March 27th and 2 pairs were at A.M.R on April 3rd. During the autumn first returns were 2 females at Spring Mill Res on August 2nd and 5 there on the 24th. A pair were on Clowbridge res on August 24th and 3 birds at Clough Bottom Res on August 29th. A.M.R. had 8 birds on August 30th then 4 on September 1st and 1 on the 4th. Two birds were with a Wigeon at Ogden Res on September 4th. Spring Mill Res then had the good fortune to host birds on 10 dates between September 14th and October 6th with counts peaking at 9 birds on September 27th (JW). Two were at A.M.R on October 22nd, a single was at Holmes Terrace lodge on November 6th and 3 were at Clowbridge Res on November 19th.
Recorded all year from every type of waterway. High counts were recorded at New Line Res where 20 - 30 were to be seen in the early part of the year. Along the R. Limy at Leabrook there were counts of up to 42 birds and Cowm Res held c40 in early February. No other site held anything like these numbers. Birds were to be seen regularly feeding on the coke beds at E.B.S.W. with a highest count of 20 on April 12th. The first young of the year were seen at Longholme on the R. Limy on May 22nd when a female was seen with 9 small young. Though birds were recorded from a variety of sites successful breeding was reported from only Clowbridge res, Cowm Res and Grane where 4 pairs bred. High post-breeding counts were made at Spring Mill Res where numbers peaked at 36 on August 17th, Cowm res, with c50 on August 21st, and New Line Res C40 on October 9th. There was also a high count of c40 at Clowbridge Res on November 5th. Of significance are the low counts for the Grane valley reservoirs over this period, though Calf Hey Res held 25 birds on November 7th.
Continues to be recorded in very small numbers. A female at Holmes Terrace lodge from January 23rd until March 26th was the only record for the early part of the year. A male was at Spring Mill Res on October 5th and a female was at Holmes Terrace lodge on October 23rd.
Recorded during every month with the exceptions of June and July. Present from early in the year at 12 sites. Spring Mill Res held birds on 21 dates until May 22nd with a peak of just 6 birds on February 6th. This trend continued elsewhere with no double figure counts noted.
Autumn numbers fared little better with only single figure counts again being recorded. From early August to late October Clowbridge Res Birds were recorded on 16 dates with a high count of 7 on August 18th with singles on just two dates to the year end. Spring Mill res held birds on 24 dates over the same time period with a maximum of 8 on September 2nd and a maximum of 3 on three dates to the year end. Elsewhere Cowm Res held 8 birds on August 25th with lesser numbers present on a further 3 dates to the year end. In comparison with last year at Clough Bottom Res there was a single bird there on August 29th and 4 birds on September 7th. Surprisingly there were no records for the Grane reservoirs during the latter half of the year.
A group of 4 males were on Clowbridge Res on June 22nd. There was a single male with either a juv. or more likely a female at Cowm Res on July 24th and a single female at A.M.R. on July31st.
As last year recorded from six reservoirs in the area during the early part of the year. There was a continual presence at Clowbridge res , Spring Mill res, Calf Hey Res and Cowm Res The highest counts at Spring Mill Res were of 5 birds there on March 16th - 18th. High counts at Clowbridge Res were of 4 birds on March 28th and April 2nd. The latest departure date was April 24th at Calf Hey res where a female was still present.
The first bird of the autumn was seen at Clowbridge Res where a female was present from August 26th until September 12th - a very early return date indeed and almost certainly a site record (RI.). More typically a first winter male was at the same reservoir on October 23rd. By November 17th there were 5 birds on the water and a regular presence to the year end. Spring Mill Res recorded its first bird of the winter on November 21st when 2 females were there. As with Tufted duck not reported from the Grane valley reservoirs during the second winter period.
Present on most of the main reservoirs throughout the early part of the year. Very few double figure counts were recorded though there were 11 birds at Shortclough Res on January 18th and 11 birds at Spring Mill Res on January 22nd. The largest counts at this time came from A.M.R. where 27 were present on April 3rd. A pair were here on the late date of May 29th.
There was a male on the R. Irwell at Townsendfold on March 13th and 4 more sightings of singles or pairs in the area up to April 11th. At A.M.R. there were two July records with 5 redheads present on 10th and 16 birds there on the 21st (it would be interesting to know if any of these were juveniles). There was then a constant series of records there throughout August with a maximum of 45 on August 30th. Elsewhere numbers were on the low side but most waters recorded birds as the winter months approached. BY noted movement to the south or southeast on 5 occasions whilst counting at his visible migration point through the autumn. There was a maximum of 5 birds counted between September24th and October 31st. From November onwards there were birds at Spring Mill Res and Clowbridge Res though numbers barely reached into double figures Late winter numbers again peaked at A.M.R. with 50 there on December 18th and 88 there on the 28th.
Twelve records this year from six areas of the moors. There was a single on Cowpe Moss on January 30th, a substantial amount of droppings were found there on April 22nd and a pair were seen on April 24th. A pair were on Rushy Hill on February 27th and a pair seen on nearby Haslingden Moor on the same date by a different observer. Later in the year a pair + 4 birds were flushed on Haslingden Moor on October 2nd and 2 pairs were there on November 20th. There were 2 birds at Alden on April 1st and 3 on May 1st. Two birds were at Musbury Height on May 8th and a single on Bull Hill on October 16th. A juvenile was seen at Whittaker Pasture on June 26th was an unusual record considering the habitat is rough pasture land as opposed to open moorland.
Records were received from just seven sites during the spring and summer months. Whether this is a downward trend or a fluctuation in numbers that this species periodically goes through is open to question. Certainly wetter than average summers can affect the breeding output of this species considerably. From March to June pairs were seen at Whitworth, Dearden Moor, Hawks Clough, Deeply Vale, Grane, Blackwood and Marl Pits. Post breeding coveys were seen at Loveclough, 8 on October 21st and Alden 10+ on November 19th.
Widespread throughout the valley usually in areas of rough pasture close to woodland. Birds were seen regularly from Alden, Musbury, Clowbridge and at two sites in the Whitworth area. There were two females and a male in Plunge during March and 4 birds at Irwell Vale. Three were at Clowbridge in May and 8 at Dunnockshaw in July. The only report of successful breeding came from Calf Hey Res where 5+ young were seen on July 30th.
The first birds were recorded at Holmes Terrace lodge on February 3rd, when a single was present. By comparison last years first date was March 28th. A pair were present on several dates through February and March and a bird was sitting by March 19th but this first attempt failed. A further nest was built by May 22nd and a single juv. was seen on June 26th. Birds were still present on November 6th and the juvenile was still there on November 20th. A bird was sitting at Troy quarry on April 10th and two young were seen on July 31st and three young on August7th. There was a series of autumn records at Calf Hey Res with single birds present on three dates from October 11th until November 20th. There were no other sightings from any other waters.
A good year with records for every month with birds seen at most of the larger sheets of water. ( 65 records all year at Spring Mill Res). The year started with a good series of records at Spring Mill Res with a 1st winter bird present from January 18th - 24th. Thereafter birds were seen throughout the spring with a maximum of 3 on March 14th - 16th. A pair had a nest here on April 24th but were not successful. There was a permanent presence all summer with 3 adults again present on July 21st. This trend continued through the autumn with between 1 and 3 birds seen to the year end. At Holden Wood Res birds were seen from March 27th when a pair were present. There was a continual summer presence at this site and although there was no evidence of breeding. Birds were seen displaying on nearby Calf Hey Res on May 31st and June 6th. In comparison with Spring Mill Res there were only two records after July 23rd both in November. Elsewhere there were 11 spring records at Clowbridge, 1 at Cowm Res and 5 at A.M.R. Autumn/winter numbers away from Spring Mill Res were unremarkable with mostly singles being recorded at A.M.R., Holden Wood and Clowbridge where a single was seen from December 6th to 10th.
Records in the main were from the Grane valley with only odd sightings from the other reservoirs. Seen as early as January 9th when a single was present at Holden Wood, ones and twos were then present on one or other of the three reservoirs throughout the spring. There was an increase on March 27th when 5 birds were on Holden Wood Res and 5 there again on April10th . Three were present on May8th. The last bird was seen on July 5th with regular sightings starting again on September 18th when 4 birds were on Holden Wood res, eventually flying off in the direction of Blackburn. Up to 3 birds were present on various dates to the year end. Away from the Grane valley a single was at Clough Bottom res on May 6th and 2 birds were there on August 27th. A single was moving north over Reedsholme on August 13th and a single at Clowbridge Res on August 15th. Vismig - BY watched parties of 4+4 heading S.E. over Laund Hey on September 24th and a party of 8 inc. 4 juvs moving S.E. on September 28th.
As last year seen throughout the year from a variety of water types. There was a daytime roost at Holmes Terrace lodge of 6 birds on January 8th with 10 birds there on January 10th and 8 on January 23rd. At the breeding site a single bird was at a nest as early as February 6th. Six nests were then occupied through the spring although no conclusive data is available as to the number of young reared.
Post breeding assemblies were noted from Spring Mill res at Whitworth when 4 were seen on August 8th increasing to 7 birds on August 11th. Three birds were seen moving onto Clowbridge res on several evenings during August possibly to feed on fish fry in the low water margins. Singles were seen moving over Laund Hey on 7 dates (BY) mainly to the south between September 26th and October 11th. Both the Grane valley and Spring Mill Res recorded ones and twos to the year end along with several other sites.
J. Stanners saw a single adult bird moving towards Oswaldtwistle / Haslingden moor from the old Blackburn Road near to Jackhouse Res (SD744260) on April 2nd.
Two records for this reintroduced species. One was reported flying over Edenfield pursued by Jackdaws on May 14th. Another bird was seen at Calf Hey Res on November 1st and was seen over the following two weeks.
Only four records this year.
There was a good second-hand report from a knowledgeable observer of a male hunting the moorland at Crown Point on February 4th. A male was seen hunting Whitworth Lower End Moor on March 1st and a female above Calf Hey Res on March 27th. A male hunting Red Moss on April 1st was the last of the spring. BY watched a female from his vismig watch-point moving east to west over Acre / Rising Bridge on September 24th.
Present in the valleys of west Rossendale from late January to mid August. At one point two pairs and a male were present but due to their behaviour they were thought to be released falconry birds. Display was seen by one observer.
Reported throughout the year from all wooded areas of the valley. Breeding season records were received from fourteen areas with up to two pairs present at a few sites.
Birds in the early part of the year were observed hunting Blackbirds, Bullfinch, Starling and Great Tit. A female was apparently grounded by 6 Jackdaw at Gaghills on March 27th. At Whitworth on July1st a female was seen to take a Starling, with a Collared Dove on the following days menu. The calling of recently fledged juveniles from woodland was noted in several areas from August 2nd. There were the usual records of Sparrowhawks being mobbed by other birds, these included Carrion Crow, Raven and Pied Wagtail. On October 3rd a Sparrowhawk was chased by a Peregrine at Spring Mill Res -the outcome was unknown.
Just four records this year, all were for the autumn period. A single flew up the Grane valley on August 7th, a single flew E. over Cowm Res at Whitworth on September 12th, a single was at Calf Hey res on the same date and one was over Alden on September 18th.
A single bird moving W. was watched at Higher Hollinbank being mobbed by a Sparrowhawk on May 10th.
Birds were seen at several widespread sites in the early part of the year usually in singles. From March and through April there was tendency for birds to be seen in pairs usually in the vicinity of the nest site. Breeding season records would suggest that numbers are being maintained with a widespread distribution over the valley. Breeding was recorded at 17 sites with several other areas also possibly occupied. Post-breeding there were no reports of any mass gatherings over the hillside broughs which seem to be typical of a good breeding season, the largest groups reported were of four birds at Ewood Bridge and Grane both during August. Sightings after September were few and there were only two for December: a pair at Reedsholme which roosted on a window ledge at high level through out the winter and a single seen daily at Higher Hollinbank. At BY's vismig site on Laund Hey birds were seen on six occasions during September and eighteen during October . No significant umbers were involved and most birds were thought to be local to the area though a maximum of four seen on October 2nd of which three were moving south.
Few records again this year, a bird seen moving N.E. over Crown Point on January 13th was the first of the year. Thereafter a pair were on breeding territory through April but the eggs went missing. There were just two autumn sightings both of single birds at A.M.R. on September 18th and at Spring Mill res on September 27th.
Two records for this rare migrant falcon, both were seen at BY's vismig. watch point at Laund Hey. The first was seen on September 7th and the second bird on September 14th. There was a report on the East Lancs birding website of a bird at Barley Green, Hapton. This bird was present from early August until the 19th. Is it possible that these records refer to the same bird?
Reported regularly from March to November mainly seen in the upland areas or moving over the valleys. It would appear that at least two pairs bred successfully with one pair fledging four young and at least one young being raised from the other pair. Birds out of habitat are always of interest and P&BR's record of an adult and a juvenile in their suburban garden at Oak Mount, Rawtenstall on July 16th is most unusual. Other post breeding season records involved two juveniles 'toying' with crows over Ogden Res on July 25th and a juvenile struggling to land in trees at Clowbridge on August 20th. At Spring Mill Res on October 3rd two birds were watched, one of which pursued a Sparrowhawk the out come of which is unknown. The last record of the year was of a single bird in the Whitworth area on November 1st.
A much under-recorded species. A bird was in the by-wash at Ogden Res on March 13th - P. Heyworth per J&BR.
Recorded from twelve waters throughout the year. In the early part of the year New Line held a maximum of 6 birds on February 6th and Holmes Terrace lodge held a maximum of 6 on March 2nd. The first young of the year were seen at Ogden Res on June 28th and at Deeply vale on July 11th. Successful breeding was also recorded at Holden Wood Res and New Line Res with young being seen at these sites through August and September. Autumn/winter records were unremarkable but there were high counts of seven birds at Holden Wood Res on Sept.18th and four at Tonacliffe Meadow Whitworth on November 22nd.
Recorded at Holmes Terrace lodge from February 26th when a single was present. Three birds were there on several dates through March and again on April 7th. A pair were then in residence until April 17th but were not seen thereafter. In all probability they moved to All Saints lodge a short distance away as a pair were seen there on May 22nd. A pair were at Holden Wood Res on March 13th and a min. of 4 birds were there on May 8th. There was also a breeding season presence at Deeply Vale when a single was there on June 9th. There were no confirmed breeding reports. Autumn records were scarce with only a single seen at Holmes Terrace lodge from October 9th until November 6th.
Forty-three records spread over seven months represents a real increase. Most birds were recorded at three main sites with occasional fly over records in other areas. Spring Mill Res held a pair from March 7th until 21st. Though there were no other records for this site there were records of single birds flying over the Whitworth valley on June 8th and 20th.
A pair had returned to Holden Wood res by March 28th. There was a constant presence between here and Ogden Res until October 29th of either a pair or single birds. A pair were observed mating on April10th but there was no confirmation of successful breeding.
At the southern end of the valley Deeply Vale held a pair on March 27th and April 17th plus a single on June 9th. Two were seen flying east over Edenfield on June 23rd. There were reports of birds at A.M.R. with 5 there on July 23rd . Clowbridge Res held a single on August 22nd. A flock of 9 birds was at Spring Mill Res on July 21st The last of the year was a single in the Musbury valley flying towards the Grane valley on December 24th .
Recorded from April 1st in the Grane valley with birds seen at three sites during the breeding season. Fledged young were seen at two sites and a flock of 6 birds were on the shoreline of Holden Wood Res on July 10th. Elsewhere birds were present at a possible breeding site in the Whitworth area on May 30th. Passage at Clowbridge Res was noted when a single was there on August 19th and a juv. was at A.M.R. on August 22nd.
Singles were at A.M.R. on August 15th and Sept. 20th. Two were at Clowbridge Res on Sept. 26th.
Early winter counts were c50 at Haslingden moor on January 21st, six on Great Hameldon on February 6th and 45 on Haslingden moor on February 27th. Cowpe Moss held 14 birds on March 13th with a min. of three pairs there on June 19th. Breeding season presence was also recorded at Wet Moss on June 26th when a min. of 3 pairs were seen and on the moors above Whitworth where a bird was heard calling on June 7th. Autumn passage flocks were seen at A.M.R. on Sept.11th when 10 were there and three there on Sept.25th. At the Laund Hey vismig. site birds were recorded moving in a mainly southerly direction on nine dates between Sept.24th and October 29th. A party of 50 birds on October 27th was the largest. Latest birds were 5 in fields at Cheesden Bar on November 27th.
Small flocks were present in the early winter period with 45 at A.M.R. on January 4th and 52 at Holden Wood on February 13th being the largest. A return to the breeding grounds was noted at Whitworth on March 1st when 10 were back, 19 were back at Whittaker Pasture on March 19th and 10 were at Edge Cote on March 27th increasing to 18 birds on April 29th.
Four birds were displaying at Holden Wood on March 13th. This number had increased to 16 birds by March 28th but had dropped back to just two or three pairs through April and May. Breeding season presence was noted in the Musbury valley as well as on the Tor itself. There were many records of small colonies throughout the valley but nothing like the numbers of years past. Pairs with young were seen at Holden Wood and Deeply Vale. Autumn numbers at A.M.R began to build in June when 56 were there on the 26th and had increased to 150+ by July 10th then to 160 on July 21st. A possible reflection of the breeding success in the Grane valley was of counts of 32 on July 25th and 42 flying over on August 14th both at Holden Vale. At Spring Mill Res a post breeding flock peaked at 28 birds on August 18th though numbers increased to 56 on Sept. 14th. Far larger numbers were recorded as the autumn progressed , A.M.R. reached a peak of 250 birds on October 22nd with 200 still there on December 28th. Overhead passage was seen at Clowbridge Res on 5 dates between October 29th and December 29th with a peak c80 on the former date. Small numbers remained in the Grane valley through the late winter with a peak of 28 on December 10th .
Very little information received from the breeding grounds this year, a single bird was on Cowpe Moss on June 19th and 2 pairs were at Scholes Heights on June 26th. The first bird of the autumn passage was at Clowbridge Res on August 1st and a single was at Holden Wood Res on August 16th.
A single was at Calf Hey Res on October 16th and possibly seen the day before.
Mostly recorded from the higher ground with the exception of one or two of the reservoirs. Larger counts of what are probably over wintering birds included 7 birds at Edge Cote on January 15th and 6 there on Jan 31st. Eight were flushed on Great Hameldon on February 6th and Edge Cote recorded peak counts of 11 birds on March 25th and 8 on March 27th. Thereafter sightings were of ones and twos on breeding habitat. Sadly only recorded from 5 sites during this time with only one record of a drumming bird. Small numbers were seen through July and August with A.M.R. recording a peak of 7 birds on August 31st. September records showed an increase with 9 birds at Cowpe on September 18th, 6 at A.M.R. on September 18th. Cowpe Moss had 12 birds on October 9th and Edge Cote held 18 on October 30th. The bulk of the late winter sightings came from two areas N. Rossendale and Edge Cote. On November 13th there were 5 birds on Great Hameldon hill, 38 on Hameldon hill and 2 on Nutshaw hill. Hameldon hill again recorded high numbers on December 11th when 59 birds were flushed and 10 were there on December 21st. At Edge Cote there were 16 birds on December 26th.
Birds were present at Calf Hey res, Clowbridge res, Fern Isle wood and Bentley Moss in the early part of the year, though there was no count higher than two birds. The first bird of the autumn was at Clowbridge Res on October 30th. Thereafter singles were seen at Calf Hey, Staghills, Haslingden moor and Clowbridge res during November. There was no concentration of dates to suggest a 'fall' as there has been in previous years. December records followed a similar pattern with additional records from Edge Cote and Dunnockshaw where 2 birds were flushed on December 16th. Two were at Clowbridge Res on December 13th and 2 were at Calf Hey Res on December24th
A single bird flying W. over Ogden Res on May 2nd.(J&BR)
The first returning bird was a very early single at Spring Mill res ion February 6th. All other sites recorded their first birds in March. More typically A bird was calling over Clowbridge on March 8th and 3 were flying E. over the Musbury valley on March 10th. Four birds were on Cowpe Moss on March 13th and 4 were at Clowbridge on March 18th. By the end of March birds had returned to most of the higher ground. Breeding season presence was recorded from Deeply Vale - 2 pairs, Sand Beds, Cowpe Lowe - Whittle Pike - 6 pairs, Clough Bottom - 4 birds, Musbury Heights, Alden, Haslingden moor - 2 pair, Clowbridge - Crown Point and Hog Lowe Pike to name but a few. A nest c4 was found on Scholes Heights on June 26th. Most birds appeared to have left the hills by early July though a single was seen on Hog Lowe Pike on July 23rd and 3 were flying W. over Higher Hollinbank on August 12th. Last of the year was a single calling over Laund Hey on Sept. 17th.
A slightly better year than last though no suggestion of breeding. Single birds were at Clowbridge Res on May 17th, July 14th, July 20th, July 28th and August 11th. A single was also at A.M.R. on July 21st.
A single bird was at Irwell Vale on August 8th. (NJB)
A single flew out of the E. bay and then N.W. at Clowbridge Res on August 15th. (DN)
Recorded from seven of the reservoirs in the area during the breeding season. The first record of the year was of 4 birds at Clough Bottom res on April 7th. Thereafter first dates at Clowbridge res and the Grane reservoirs were both on April 24th. At Clough Bottom res there was a constant 2 pairs through the summer with a maximum of 5 birds on May 27th. Numbers were slow to build at Clowbridge res with only a pair present on April 29th though three areas of the reservoir were occupied by June 9th and a pair were calling anxiously on June 20th as if young were nearby. It was thought that predation by kestrels might have been responsible for the lack of any young being seen. Pairs were present on all of the Grane reservoirs through out the summer though records from the Whitworth reservoirs were scant. Birds had started to leave the valley the third week in July. From records received only single birds were seen from July 20th until the last recorded bird at Clowbridge res on Sept. 12th.
Record during the early winter from most of the reservoirs in the valley. Numbers varied from c20 birds to c100 birds during the daytime with the largest groups being seen at the Clowbridge res roost at dusk. Birds here gather during the late afternoon and a peak count of c1500 was recorded on January 27th. On February 6th a leucistic bird was seen - the second bird to be seen at this site. By March 14th numbers had dropped off to c250 and the birds ceased to roost around this date. There were several records for E.B.S.W. during April and May of a single adult bird and 5 were there on May 8th and 13 on may 29th. Post breeding flocks were seen at Holden Wood res on June 9th when 75 were there, smaller flocks were seen at E.B.S.W. and Cowpe res, though the first reported juvenile bird of the autumn was at Clowbridge res on June 22nd. At Clowbridge res there were 5 juvs amongst a group of 12 birds on July 26th and at E.B.S.W. on July 30th there were just 6 juvs amongst 60 birds. Through August and September numbers continued to increase as the birds became more widespread with records coming from all areas of the valley though numbers rarely exceeded 60 birds anywhere. October saw an increase in the flock size with groups of 80 at E.B.S.W. on October 20th and 140 at A.M.R on October 29th and 80 birds moved S.E. over the vismig site at Laund Hey on October 18th. Movement here reached a peak between October 27th and 31st when daily counts of 79,14, 65,and 19 moved S.E. Daytime counts around the valley over the following month included counts of no higher than 80 birds. Late winter counts at Clowbridge res included a highest count of c2000 on December 27th and c500 were roosting at A.M.R. on December 28th.
Records (mainly of small numbers) came from all of the reservoirs during the early winter usually in the company of Black-headed gulls. Largest numbers were at the Clowbridge roost with late evening totals in the region of 120+. The latest spring bird was a single there on April 8th. First returning birds were seen at Cowm res when 2 were there on July 24th. Small single figure groups were then recorded from several of the reservoirs through the autumn. Passage was noted at the vismig site at Laund Hey between October 2nd and October 29th with a peak of 20 moving S.E. on October 15th. Twenty birds were at Clowbridge res on November 1st and counts of over 100 were recorded at the roost to the year end.
A single was at Spring Mill res on January 11th and c100 were moving W. over E.B.S.W. towards A.M.R. on January 23rd where 300 were roosting on January 30th. There were many sightings through March and April of birds moving in two distinct directions, mainly N. to N.W. or S. to S.E. depending on the time of the day. Birds were seen moving over E.B.S.W. during the mid afternoon from March 16th when 36 flew S.E., 115 - S.E. March 27th, then 30+ N.W. at 3:45 pm on March 27th and 140 flew N.W. over Grane on the same date. Passage was seen at Clowbridge when 80 were moving N.E. on June 12th. On July 9th 450 were counted moving N. between 18:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs. A.M.R recorded a good series of counts between July 31st and mid September with a maximum of 250 birds on August 30th. Passage in the autumn period was somewhat lower than that in the spring. BY at the vismig site at Laund Hey noted birds on 25 dates between Sept.14th and October 27th with a peak of 27 birds moving N.W. on Sept. 25th and the same number moving S. on October 22nd. By comparison 225 were at A.M.R. on Sept18th and 140 there on October 2nd. The only winter record was of 60 birds roosting at A.M.R. on December 28th.
Most records in the early winter were of birds on the move with c400 flying W. over E.B.S.W. on January 23rd, though 200 were at A.M.R. on January 30th. There was a period of movement in February when 15 flew N. over Constablelee on February 3rd, 14 flew N. over Clowbridge on Feb 6th, 200 flew over Hurdles quarry on February 6th and 16 flew over Clough Bottom res on February 27th. Two were seen amongst lesser black backs over Ewood Bridge moving N.W. on March 27th and 7 were moving in the same direction over Grane on the same date. There were then no more record until June 12th when 10 were seen in the Grane area. A.M.R appears to be the only site to record birds through the summer months and into the autumn with only very low numbers seen e.g. 20 on Sept. 25th being the highest count for that period. Winter numbers were also on the low side with the exception of 100 at A.M.R. on December 18th and c50 at Clowbridge Res on December 27th.
A single moving W. over Rawtenstall town centre on January 7th was the first of the year. Birds were seen at Clowbridge res on 6 dates from January 13th when 2 adults and a juv. were present, until February 6th when 3 birds were there. There were 2 birds at Grane on January 23rd and a single over Seat Naze on February 20th with the last of the early winter at Cowm Res on Feb 20th. There were only three late winter records, a pair were at Spring Mill Res on November 20th, 2 were at Clowbridge Res on December 12th and 10 there on December 28th.
A single adult bird in full plumage was feeding at Clowbridge Res on Aug 1st. (RI - DN)
A single was at A.M.R. on August 31st. It was present for 25 minutes before moving off S. at 18:25 hrs. (JW)
Few records received from this over looked species. 24 were in Rawtenstall town centre on April 27th.
Records from a minimum of 15 sites in the breeding season. Seen in some of the quarries and around the reservoirs with a widespread distribution from Deeply Vale and Whitworth in the south to Holcombe Head in the west to Clowbridge in the north and Lee Quarry in the east.
Birds were present from the start of the year through the summer with a tail off of records beginning after July. Nearly all records refer to singles or pairs with the exception of 3 birds at Strongstry on March 28th and 8 birds at Dunnockshaw on June 9th. Three birds at Spring Mill Res on November 21st and 2 at higher Hollinbank on December 27th were the only birds reported after the end of July with the exception of a series of records from the vismig site at Laund Hey per BY. Birds were recorded on 6 dates from Sept.24th to October 29th with counts of 6 moving N. on Sept. 24th, 7 on October 2nd 4 moving S. on October 27th.
The large numbers recorded to the end of 2004 were maintained with good numbers taking up residence in the Whitworth area. One hundred and ten were seen moving N.W. over Wallbank on January 4th, c260 were at Healey Dell on January 20th and 200 were over Whitworth centre on January 24th. Number at Reedsholme at dropped off considerably by this time but were seen displaying here on January 30th. Large flocks were still being seen into February with the suggestion that birds were moving through our area 70+ at Fern Isle wood on February 4th and 250 there on the 5th with still 40 flighting in on March 10th. Three hundred were at Calf hey Res on February 5th and 85 were in the Musbury valley on February 13th. There was also an increase at Reedsholme at this time with c70 in the area. Breeding season presence was noted in all the usual places with a large post breeding flock of c70 in the Grane valley on July 31st. At the Laund Hey vismig site this species was recorded very regularly with a noted movement between October 13th and October 31st with a high of 253 on October 2nd. Records to the year end would suggest that there were no large flocks in the area.
Up to 12 were at Whitworth on Jan 1st with a regular 8 birds there through February and March. There was a constant presence here through the year and breeding was recorded there with young being seen in May. Birds were also seen at Oak Mount though it was thought that breeding was no longer taking place there. Numbers failed to build at Whitworth during the autumn with the comment for November that this was possibly the worst month ever. There was a year round presence in most areas of Rossendale with birds seen as far up the valley as Clowbridge where 3 were present on Dec29th.
Present in the Whitworth area on June 2nd and again on June 10th.
A report of a bird calling at Clowbridge on May 1st preceded the sighting of a bird in the same area on May10th. Probably the same bird was also calling on May 11th and 22nd. During the same time period there were two records from Clough Bottom. A bird was calling in the Musbury valley for two hours on May22nd.
Records came from seventeen sites around the valley, with some not recorded last year. Once again records came from Higher Hollinbank with birds present from January and throughout the breeding season. A pair were inside the nest hole on Feb 21st and 2 juvs were seen on July 16th. Presence during the breeding season was also noted at Clowbridge, Alden, Shadlock Cote, Shawclough, Spring Mill (Whitworth), Deeply Vale and Grane. There were many records to the year end from various sites.
Records came from a minimum of eighteen sites around the valley this year. Birds were heard calling in the early part of the year at Reedsholme on Jan 31st, Feb19th and Mar 4th. There was a calling bird at Higher Hollinbank from Jan 9th to 16th and a bird was roosting at Fern Isle wood on Feb4th and 5th. Birds were calling at Calf Hey res in mid-March with 2 birds calling there on April 3rd. A nest at Alden contained c/4 on April1st and 2 were hatched on April 24th. The observer commented that this was the only occupied site out of four that were checked in the area. In the Whitworth area birds were heard at Hoyle Street on June 10th and again between July 1st and 31st . At Healey Dell on May 21st a bird was being mobbed by a Song Thrush. Breeding was confirmed from Hareholme where two well-grown young were seen on May 4th. A bird at Clowbridge was heard to call from three different areas over a distance of a quarter of a mile down the roadside in the space of twenty minutes on Aug 1st. A bird was in the plantation here on Nov. 13th. There was a year round presence in the Waterfoot area with birds heard from Trickett's Memorial Ground, The Glen and from the bottom of the Cowpe valley.
Very little sign of last year's widespread breeding success despite much searching. Birds were reported from three sites with successful breeding at just one site where three young were heard between July 11th and Aug 17th. At a site in west Rossendale only a single bird was seen between April and June and at a site in the east a bird was heard on Aug 24th.
Present in north Rossendale between Crown Point and Clowbridge during the early part of the winter. Singles were seen there on four occasions up to Feb 6th. Pairs were present in the general area of Mitchell's House res through April and also at Hoddlesden Moss over the same time period. A single bird seen flying from Clough Bottom towards Thieveley Pike on April12th and a bird was on nearby Red Moss on April30th. Singles were observed at Bentley Moss, New Line and Clough Bottom through the summer months. There was then a gap in sightings until 2 were at Musbury on Nov15th and a single reported there on Nov17th. The only late winter sightings were at Clowbridge where a pair took up residence and were seen on five dates through to Dec 23rd.
By comparison with last year there ten April records with the first two of the year seen at Hoyle St, Whitworth on April 24th. Most of the April sightings consisted of groups of 1 - 3 birds with the exception of a group of 6 over Newhallhey on April 28th. There were then eighteen records for the first two weeks of May with high counts of 10 birds down the valley to Ewood Bridge on May 1st and 8 at Hoyle St, Whitworth through most of May. There was just one three figure count of c500 at E.B.S.W. on May 8th. The largest counts during the latter half of May occurred at Clowbridge res where c30 were present on May 22nd. Little information was received on the size of colonies in Rossendale, however 25 were over Hoyle Street, Whitworth regularly throughout June, 4 pairs bred at Reedsholme, and mating was noted over Whittaker Pasture on May 15th when two birds were seen copulating on the wing. Number appeared to remain low over the summer with a build up from early July with the higher counts coming mainly from the reservoirs. Peak numbers at Grane occurred on July 3rd when c100 were present, 200 were over Rawtenstall centre on July 4th, Clowbridge res held c150 on July11th. Passage at Clowbridge res was noted throughout July and early August with c60 on July18th, c80 July 20th, c60 July 31st. On Aug 6th 100+ were counted through from the N.E. during the evening with many birds passing low over the moor to the south. Other large groups at this time occurred at Holden Wood res - c40 on Aug3rd, Water - c30 on Aug 6th, Troy quarry - c30 on Aug 7th, Seat Naze - 35 on Aug 7th. After this date small numbers were seen with the last sighting being of a party of 6 at Stacksteads on Aug15th.
Early winter presence was recorded in the area to the south of Rawtenstall both along the R. Irwell and at Holmes Terrace lodge. There were two records of a single on the R. Irwell at Waterfoot on Jan 1st and Feb 3rd. There were records from Wallbank lodge at Whitworth during March. Thereafter all records were for the R. Irwell south of Rawtenstall as far south as Irwell Vale. Courtship flight was seen near E.B.S.W. on March 27th and records would suggest that breeding took place nearby. Two recently fledged young were seen at one site on June 6th. Post breeding dispersal was noted from July 18th when a single bird was seen at Reedsholme along the R. Limy, a single was at Clowbridge res on Aug 14th (G. Waddington) and there were three records of singles at Holden Wood res through August and September. A single was on the R. Ogden at Helmshore on Dec.18th.
Still a widespread distribution with sightings in the early part of the year from all the expected areas. Recorded from nine areas during the breeding season with records from Lumb Vale, Waterfoot, Higher Hollinbank, Alderbottom, Naden Dean, Alden and Reedsholme being typical. Unusually there were three post-breeding sightings at Clowbridge from August through to mid September with an adult and a juv seen there on Aug 5th. These sightings are suggestive of breeding close to the area. A juvenile was also seen Clough Head quarry, Grane on July 31st. There was a regular presence through the autumn at Higher Hollinbank with birds there on 9 dates from Sept 24th to Dec 19th.
Reports came from all the woodland areas. A bird was drumming at Healey Dell on Jan 30th and at Tonacliffe Meadow on March 5th thereafter there was a whole series of records from all the typical sites. Regular sightings came from the Ewood Bridge - Irwell Vale areas as well as the less well-watched woodlands of Broadclough, Stubbylee and Staghills. Successful breeding was noted when juveniles were seen at Reedsholme and Higher Hollinbank during June and July. Sightings of single birds at Clowbridge res on Sept 12th, Oct 12th and Dec 6th were noteworthy. Late winter sightings occurred at most of the breeding sites with pairs present at Calf Hey res and Higher Hollinbank to the year end.
Three records of this rarely seen species, all from the same general area. A single bird was reported to J&BR by Mr A Wade who saw the species concerned on Feb 9th and March 28th at King's Hillock Wood. P&BR saw a bird possibly of this species at Clough Head car park on July 8th.
There were no January records this year. The first bird was on the tops at Great Hameldon on Feb 6th with the next birds not seen until March 1st at Whitworth. Through March there was a rapid build up of numbers with 6 in song at Cragg quarry on March 13th and c20 on Cowpe Moss and 10 in song at Thirteen Stone Hill both on March 13th. On March 14th 25+ were congregated around a sheep feeder at Burnt Hill near Clowbridge during a particularly cold spell of weather. Several areas had large numbers in residence through the breeding season, Musbury Tor c10 - April1st, Clowbridge c30 - April10th, Grane 12pr - April24th, Alden 24 on B.B.S. survey - May1st, Cowpe Moss c25 singing - June19th and Reaps Moss c20 June27th. There was a lack of records for July and August but records picked up in September with 2 birds moving S. over Sand Beds on Sept18th. BY recorded passage at his vismig site on Laund Hey with single figure groups moving mostly to the west during September. October counts fared a little better with 21 moving W. on Oct 2nd, 14 S. on Oct 14th and 11 W. on Oct17th being the best counts. Passage here continued until Oct 29th when 2 moved S. Elsewhere a single bird was at Whittaker Pasture on Oct 2nd, two were at Deeply Vale on Oct 16th, and three were moving S. over A.M.R. on Oct.22nd.
The first returning birds were seen at E.B.S.W.* on April 3rd when c15 were feeding with swallows. Numbers here fluctuated during April with a high count of 6 birds on April17th. Counts at the breeding colony on the R. Irwell at Townsendfold were rather consistent with three observers each giving an estimated total of at least c10 pairs or c20 birds. Away from the R. Irwell birds a single was seen at Clowbridge on May22nd. A single bird was seen moving over Swinshaw moor on July 3rd and 2 at Troy quarry on Aug 7th were the last of the year.
*There is some difficulty in gaining accurate counts at this site with both the distance and the speed of the feeding birds precluding anything other than a good guess. Any count at all is usually an underestimate of the actual birds present especially when this species is accompanied by good numbers of Swallows and House Martins.
The first birds of the year were seen on April 3rd. At Whinberry Naze a single was feeding over the edge of the hill and at E.B.S.W. c6 were seen feeding over the coke beds. E.B.S.W. continued to record birds throughout April with peaks of c50 on April 17th and c60 on April 27th. Farther up the valley a single was seen at Weir on April 10th and singles were at Stacksteads on April 18th , Clough Bottom on April 19th and at Whitworth on April 20th. Passage at Clowbridge res was very slow with just one count of over ten birds recorded during the spring, though two groups of 6 and 8 were seen moving N. on the evening of April 29th. The slow movement of Swallows continued into May with observers recording low numbers everywhere. Post-breeding counts included a flock of c50 at Deeply Vale on July 11th which included many juveniles. August saw a build up in numbers with birds moving through Clowbridge at this time. Twelve were moving S. on Aug 1st and 40 there moving N.E. to S.W. on Aug 6th with c200 seen moving in the same direction over the course of the evening. On Aug 7th c200 were seen flighting over the area and were seen to roost in one of the plantations there. This continued over the next few days with c100 on Aug 10th, c150 on Aug 11th and c50 on Aug 12th after which the roost died out. Elsewhere at this time c50 were at Troy quarry on Aug 7th, 25 were at Cowpe on Aug12th, 100 at Higher Hollinbank on Aug16th, c30 at Spring Mill res on Aug 17th, 100 at Weir on Aug 24th, and 46 at Cowm res on Aug 25th. September numbers were very low suggesting a poor breeding season and an early departure. The largest count during this month came from Cowm res with 35 there on Sept 21st. Passage at the vismig site on Laund Hey was noted throughout September with a peak of 74 birds moving S on Sept 21st. Most birds were moving in a southerly direction but 7 on Sept 14th and 71 on Sept17th moved W. / N.W. There were only three October records with a single over Laund Hey on Oct 2nd and 17 moving S there on Oct 4th. The last of the year was seen at Coal Pit lane Shawclough on Oct 9th.
The first of the year was a single at E.B.S.W. on April 10th. Twenty were there on April 17th. By the end of the month birds had been seen at Reedsholme, Waterfoot, Whitworth Helmshore, and Clough Bottom Res. Early May saw birds back at the breeding colonies - 15 were at Hoyle St Whitworth , 3 were at Reedsholme on May5th, Crawshawbooth 2 on May 3rd, Waterfoot c10 May 9th and c80 were at E.B.S.W. on May 8th. There would appear to have been a reduction in breeding pairs at Helmshore where only two nests were occupied as opposed to 15 last year. Maybe the destruction of the nests by the residents of the houses over the winter months didn't help! Numbers elsewhere however were quite respectable with 3-4 pairs at Reedsholme, 16 birds at Constablelee and 9 birds at Grange Rd, Rawtenstall counted on May 22nd. Twenty were feeding over the river at Irwell Vale on June 11th and c12 were at Townsendfold on June19th. The first young were seen at Reedsholme on June 20th when a juv was sat on the gutter of one of the nest sites. Breeding was successful at Hoyle St Whitworth where 8 nests were in use and 4 young were found dead below the nests. By Aug 3rd all birds had finished breeding and had virtually left the area (SR). To support this statement there were gatherings of c100 birds at Piercy on July 22nd, c30 at New Line res on Aug8th, c30 at Reedsholme on Aug 5th, and c50 at Higher Hollinbank through mid to late August. Such early gatherings would suggest that house martins only fledged a single clutch. There was an impressive gathering of up to 300 birds at Higher Hollinbank in early September with numbers decreasing there to 20/30 by the 18th. Numbers were back up to 30-40 at the month end with 6-8 seen until Oct 7th. Over 100 were at E.B.S.W. on Sept 18th and 30 were feeding over Reedsholme on Sept 23rd where at least one young bird was still in the nest. Sightings at the vismig site at Laund Hey were few though 23 birds moved S. on Sept 21st and 11 moved S. on Oct 4th. The last of the year were 3 groups of birds totalling 29 over Ramsbottom on Oct 9th moving S.
Two birds at Calf Hey Res on Mar 30th were song flighting in an area where they used to breed (J.B.R.). Additionally there was a report from E.L.B. of 2 birds in the same area on April 3rd. Per D.Ba.
Two calling in flight at Spring Mill Res were the first back on breeding grounds. Numbers continued to build and 8-10 were at Ogden Res on March 30th and 20 were at Clowbridge on April 10th. 10 pairs were recorded in a Tetrad at Alden during the Breeding Birds Survey during May and June. Post-breeding sightings including many juvenile birds were 50 on Cowpe Moss on 19th June, 30 on Reaps Moss on 27th June and over 70 in Musbury on July 17th. 40 were present at Clowbridge Res on September 6th and over 20 at Cowm Res on September 12th. Brian Yorke's Visible Migration (Vismig) watches from Laund Hey produced some impressive records with 282 South in 2 hours on September 19th, 607 South in 3.25 hours on September 21st, 1156 South in 4.5 hours on September 24th, 961 South in 4 hours on September 28th, 435 South in just 1.5 hours on October 1st and 675 South in 4 hours on October 14th. Numbers returned to more modest levels during the winter with 5 birds were flushed off Great Hameldon on November 13th and 5 at Spring Mil Res on both November 21st and 27th.
An unusual record was of a bird visiting a garden in Hoyle Street, Whitworth feeding on fat, cheese and mealworms between January 19th and January 31st. Pairs were established on the River Irwell at Ewood Bridge by March 16th with a pair seen on the River Limey at Reeds Holme on the 17th March. The first young of the season was a single with an adult at Crawshawbooth on May 6th whilst young were still being fed at the nest at a site in Reeds Holme on May 16th. A family party of five birds was present at Irwell Vale on June 21st with a family party of 2 adults and 5 juveniles were at Clowbridge Res on June 22nd but these were probably off the River Limey. Birds were present on most suitable habitats with pairs noted on most stretches of the Rivers Irwell, Whitewell, Limey and their tributaries. Many reservoirs also held a pair and the species remains quite common as a Rossendale breeding bird.
Two birds of this subspecies were seen at E.B.S.W. on 28th April.
The sewage works at Ewood Bridge remains the winter stronghold for this species with 20 present on January 16th, approximately 50 on March 13th and over 60 present on March 15th but strangely none were present there the day after on the 16th March! A pair had returned to Higher Hollinbank by March 17th and 2 pairs were in Lee Quarry on April 10th. Three were seen in Hoyle Street, Whitworth on June 10th with young birds seen on June 29th and 30th. A post breeding flock of 9 birds was seen at Spring Mill Res on August 8th with 15 birds present at Clowbridge Res on August 18th building up to 19 bids at this site by September 1st. Nineteen were seen during Brian Yorke's vismig observations from Laund Hey in just over 3 hours on September 21st with 18 in 4.5hours on September 24th. Observations from this site in October produced 34 on the 2nd and 38 on the 9th.
New Year's Day produced an excellent garden record of 30 birds in Rawtenstall (P&BR). Five were present in Bocholt Way, Rawtenstall on February 14th with 9 at Lench lodges on February 25th. On February 26th, 4 were in a garden in Helmshore and the final record for the year was of a single in Stubbylee Park on March 6th.
Birds were in song at Reeds Holme on January 16th and Cloughfold on February 3rd. One was in conflict with a Kingfisher at Warth, Waterfoot on February 3rd. The first young of the year was a juvenile at Reedsholme on May 16th adults were feeding young in the nest at Fallbarn, Rawtenstall on May 22nd. Two juveniles were at Irwell Vale on June 19th and a very 'downy' juvenile seen at Crawshawbooth on July 3rd was probably from a second brood. A bird was back in song in the centre of Rawtenstall on October 9th with a bird also singing into December on The Limy at Reedsholme. A single bird regularly fed in the overflow from Clowbridge Res during December.
Up to 3 were birds were regularly seen in a garden in Hoyle Street, Whitworth during January through to March. Three birds in song were noted in Lee Quarry on March 13th. Hoyle Street, Whitworth had birds taking nesting material on April 25th and the same birds were taking mealworms during May, no doubt to feed young. A single bird was calling in Cragg Quarry, which is at an altitude of over 1400 feet, on October 9th and shows the wide-ranging habitat these birds can endure.
Hoyle Street, Whitworth had two singing birds from January 16th with 2 in song at Constable lee on February 2nd. Breeding was noted at Reedsholme on May 16th when a juvenile was seen with an adult. Up to 4 birds were seen at Hoyle Street, Whitworth during June and July with at least 2 juveniles. Two pairs bred at Oak Mount, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall with young seen on July 16th. The Dunnock continues to be a very common sighting in many Rossendale parks and gardens.
A detailed study of a breeding pair at Hoyle Street, Whitworth noted birds were paired up by January 17th and were taking nesting material to a nest site on March 10th. Mating was noted on March 20th and the first egg was laid on March 21st at 08:00 hours. Five eggs were being incubated by March 25th and all hatched on April 7th. A sad end awaited these efforts when all the young died on April 9th when temperatures dropped to -3oC. The dead young were removed from the nest by the adults but then chose to nest elsewhere anyway (SR). Elsewhere, the B.B.S. at Grane held 5 breeding pairs while Oak Mount, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall had a pair breed. One returned to Higher Hollinbank on August 16th and sang daily into the autumn.
A juvenile recorded at Fishponds Plantation, Cliviger on June 27th was the only record for the year.
Sadly no records were received of birds during the breeding season and the first returning bird was noted on August 7th at Clowbridge Res Two were present at Clowbridge Res with Stonechats on August 14th and this had increased to 3 by the 19th. A family party of 6 birds was noted at Cowm Res on August 21st. Two were with Stonecats at Calf Hey Res on August 28th and 2 were at Clowbridge on September 6th. One remained at Calf Hey Res from September 25th until October 9th with 1 at Spring Mill Res on September 27th. The last record of the year was one at Upper Calf Hey, Grane on October 16th.
A pair were present at Clowbridge Res on January 13th and were seen again during the winter Bird Race on January 16th. A male and 3 females were at Spring Mill Res on January 27th with a pair at Calf Hey Res on February 27th. By March 18th, 2 pairs were present at Clowbridge Res and a male was in song here on April 13th with 2 males in song on May 9th. On May 11th a pair were acting agitatedly suggesting young were nearby. Breeding was confirmed at Cowpe Res when a nest was found in a tussock in May. A pair with 3 young were at Clowbridge Res from May 16th whilst 2 adults and 2 young were seen on a B.B.S in Alden. Juvenile birds were seen on Turf Moor on May 29th where 3 pairs bred and 3 young were seen from the Cowpe Res birds on July 17th. Autumn passage was noted at Clowbridge Res on September 12th when 9 birds were present, at Spring Mill Res on September 27th when 7 birds were present and again at Clowbridge Res on October 4th when 5 birds were present. Winter birds were reported from Clowbridge Res, Clough Bottom Res, Spring Mill Res and the Grane Valley. We received 144 records for this species during the year and these reported large increases in numbers of both breeding and wintering birds. The Stonechat has now become a reasonably common sight throughout Rossendale.
Clowbridge Res again had the first record for the year with 2 males on March 18th. A single was seen on Whinberry Naze on March 19th with 2 males in Lee Quarry on March 20th. Cowm Res had a good number with 9 present on March 22nd with 12 birds present on Whinberry Naze on April 3rd. An estimated 6 pairs were present between Brow Edge Quarry and Great Height Quarry above Cloughfold on April 3rd and 11 birds were on Burnt Hill, Clowbridge on April 24th. Passage birds were still being reported into May and 13 were at Clowbridge Res and 14 on Nutshaw Hill on the 4th. Around 30 birds were present in the sheep field to the north of Clowbridge Res on May 8th and these were thought to be of the larger Greenland race. On June 19th it was estimated there were 10 territories from Plunge to Scout Res, many with juvenile birds present. A pair with 3 juveniles on the moor to the north east of Clowbridge Res was the first breeding record for some years. Our local quarries held good numbers of breeding birds with 4-5 pairs at Lee Quarry, 2 pairs in Brow Edge Quarry, 3 pairs in Hutch Bank Quarry and 2 pairs in Hurdles Quarry. Smaller numbers were noted on return passage with the highest numbers being 5 at Cowm Res on August 25th, 3 at Cragg Quarry on September 18th and 3 on Whitaker Pasture on September 25th. The last record for the year was a single bird at Clowbridge Res on October 28th.
Sightings continue to dwindle with just 4 records. The first of the year was a male on Seat Naze on March 27th followed by 3 at Calf Hey, Grane on April 3rd. On return passage 1 was noted during a vismig watch from Laund Hey on October 15th and the last record for the year was from Plunge on October 16th.
During January up to 10 were seen at Oak Mount, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall with up to 12 seen during February at Hoyle Street, Whitworth. At the latter site, a pair had four attempts at nesting, but were disturbed by either cats or magpies on each occasion. Ten pairs bred on the B.B.S tetrad for The Grane Valley and the birds at Hoyle Street, Whitworth finally succeeded with young seen on June 12th and by August 2 adults and 5 young were present here. During November and December numbers peaked at Hoyle Street, Whitworth with up to 14 birds present.
There were many records for the early part of the year with over 100 at Kilnfield, Musbury on February 4th, 60 in sheep fields at Clowbridge on February 5th, 110 at Cragg Quarry on February 9th and 120 at Spring Mill Res on Feb 16th being the highest counts. The last record for the winter was of 20 on Turf Moor on April 3rd. The first returning birds of the Autumn were 5 at Laund Hey on October 14th. A good count of 887 birds in 2 hours, were recorded during a vismig watch from Laund Hey on October 26th and 400 birds were moving through Clowbridge on October 28th. Over 400 birds were noted at Higher Hollinbank on October 29th with 250 at Cheesden on the same day. The best count of the winter was over 600 at Higher Hollinbank on November 7th.
Early singing birds were noted at Holden Vale on January 15th and Reedsholme on January 16th. Two were seen throughout February at Hoyle Street, Whitworth gorging themselves on sultanas. On March 12th a group of 4 were in a hedge at Clowbridge Res and could possibly have been migrants. Generally numbers seemed quite good with 4 singing birds on the old railway line at Helmshore on March 17th and up to 6 at E.B.S.W on March 25th. One was seen to be mobbing a Tawny Owl at Healy Dell on May 21st. The vismig watch from Laund Hey produced 27 birds in a 4-hour watch on October 5th with the biggest party being a group of 20 that were initially grounded but the headed west. One was in song at Higher Hollinbank on December 27th.
A group of 25 or so were feeding on a Rowan tree in Rawtenstall centre on January 7th with 60 present at E.B.S.W on January 9th. Most January flocks were double figure counts with 70 at Higher Hollinbank on January 25th and a similar number at Staghills Woods on the 30th. February saw some larger numbers with over 200 in Musbury on the 5th, 100 at Holden Wood Res on the 13th, and over 100 at Higher Hollinbank on both the 21st and the 26th. Numbers started to fall again in March with a flock of 100 over Rochdale Road, Bacup the highest count and 20 at E.B.S.W the last sighting of the first winter period on March 29th. The first returning birds of the autumn 9 at A.M.R. on September 25th but it was October before larger numbers were reported with 286 at Laund Hey on the 14th. Up to 350 came into roost at Clowbridge on October 15th and around 400 were seen in groups of 20 - 100 birds in Deeply Vale on October 16th. The highest number for the year was of 1801 birds in just 3.5 hours from Laund Hey on October 17th. A good flock of 500 birds was seen at Cowm Res on October 30th with over 400 seen at Higher Hollinbank on November 3rd.
One was in song at Reedsholme on January 28th whilst 15 were in a mixed flock with Redwings at Calf Hey Res on February 8th. Actual breeding records were scarce but this is due to a lack of reporting but a family party of 6 birds was seen at Cowm Res on June 19th. Larger flocks were seen during the summer with 21 at Calf Hey on July 16th, 10 at Loveclough on July 18th, 24 at Calf Hey on August 7th and 12 at Clowbridge on August 28th. A flock of 11 were seen from Laund Hey on October 3rd with 4 at Clowbridge on December 8th.
The first bird of the year was at Clowbridge Res were two short bursts of reeling were heard on April 28th and a bird was heard again the day after at the same location. On April 29th 1 was seen at Marl Pits and 2 were there on May 1st. On May 16th a bird was heard reeling late evening and into the dark at Goodshaw Fold. A bird was seen well at Irwell Vale on June 19th as it reeled away from its perch in rough grassland. The bird was seen here again on June 21st and 26th. A bird was seen at Marl Pits again on July 3rd and there were a further nine records of birds at Clowbridge Res until the last sighting of the year there on August 14th. We had 4 locations were birds were seen as this species continues to slowly colonize suitable habitats within our area.
Birds were back at Holden Wood Res on April 24th and 2 or 3 pairs were present throughout the breeding season. One was in song at Broadley Fold on May 10th and a single bird was present at New Hall Hey on May 31st. Breeding was confirmed at Deeply Vale were an adult was seen with a juvenile on July 11th. Sightings were regular at Holden Wood until the last sighting of the year on July 25th. The Sedge Warbler continues to maintain a small breeding population in the few suitable areas.
Another year without winter sightings with the first record of the year being an early bird at Ewood Bridge on March 27th with the first bird in song at Stubbylee Park on April 3rd. Birds were noted in most suitable areas of the valley with many records from E.B.S.W, Reedsholme, Grane, Stubbins, Whitworth, Broadley Station, Townsendfold, Staghills and Marl Pits amongst others. Breeding densities seemed quite good with 8 birds being noted in song between Rawtenstall and Stubbins on June 19th. The last record for the year was of a bird at Warth on September 25th.
All records refer to a pair which bred at Rawtenstall where a single bird was first seen on June 12th. A pair were observed acting in an agitated manner on June 25th and were seen taking food into a patch of brambles on several dates in July. The final record for the year was of a bird in song and young present on July 13th.
A male was in song at Groundwork, Rawtenstall, on May 20th and was again singing on 23rd and 26th May. A pair bred at Road End, Haslingden, and this was the only confirmed breeding record for the year. The final record in a lean year for this species was of 2 males in song at Newhallhey on June 6th.
The only record was of a bird just outside our area at Fishponds Plantation, Cliviger, on June 27th when it was singing briefly.
The first returning birds were 2 or even 3 at E.B.S.W. on March 25th. It was a good year for the species with records during the breeding season from Stubbins, Cloughfold, Staghills Woods, Bacup, Reedsholme, Broadley, Rossendale General Hospital, Townsendfold, Lower Plunge, Marl Pits and Groundwork. Returning birds were noted at Clowbridge Res on September 12th, Oak Mount, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall on September 16th with the final bird of the year at Holden Wood Res on October 16th.
Two birds were singing at E.B.S.W on the early date of March 26th with similar numbers coming through until April 17th when around a dozen were present here and up to 15 were noted in Deeply Vale. Over 10 birds were recorded in song at Clowbridge on May 1st with a similar number at Marl Pits on May 8th. Up to 10 birds were still singing well in the Grane Valley on August 7th and a family party were seen at Marl Pits on the same date. The last record for the year was a single bird at Warth on September 25th. Birds were widely recorded in all suitable areas and the species is thriving well in Rossendale.
Most records came from the conifers surrounding local reservoirs especially Clough Bottom, Clowbridge and the Grane Valley. Birds were recorded in song at Calf Hey Res on May 8th and a flock of around 12 birds, including many juveniles was seen here on July 31st. Calf Hey Res had around 20 present on October 9th and several were seen here in a mixed flock containing Lesser Redpolls and tits on October 15th. Four were seen at Sunnybank Cottages, Helmshore on November 20th and five were noted at Tonacliffe Meadow, Broadley, Whitworth on November 22nd.
The first returning bird for the year was at Reedsholme on May 20th. A bird seen at Clough Bottom Res during the summer Bird Race on May 23rd and 2 more sightings followed here on May 29th and June 6th. Single birds were also seen during the breeding season at Sunnybank, Helmshore and Lee Mill but the first confirmed breeding record was at Reedsholme on July 10th when 4 young fledged. Another pair also at Reedsholme were feeding 3 young in the nest on July 15th. A juvenile was seen at Clowbridge Res on July 30th and the final bird of a good year for the species was at Sandybank on July 31st. All records have been listed.
A male bird was entering a nest box in Waterfoot on 25th April until June 10th (SR). It was taking various items into the box including silver paper. The bird was heard in brief song on June 10th but no further sightings were noted. This is the first record since 2002 for what is now a rare visitor to our area.
Typical winter flocks were 10 on the Winter Bird Race at Healy Dell on January 16th, 8 on the old railway at Helmshore on January 25th and 20 in Stacksteads on February 13th. By March 2nd pairs had been established at the Holme, Townsendfold, and a pair was seen in Stubbylee Park on March 6th. A nest with 9 eggs was founds amongst brambles at Ewood Bridge on April 2nd but the nest was found predated on April 27th. A flock of around 8 birds, including many juveniles, was seen at Newhallhey on June 6th. Post-breeding flocks started to form in the autumn with 12 at E.B.S.W on September 18th, 20 at Reedsholme on October 18th and over 20 at Higher Hollinbank on November 17th being the biggest flocks seen. A flock of 4 were in the garden at Hoyle Street, Whitworth throughout December.
A party of 12 were seen in the car park at Calf Hey Res on January 16th with 20 at the same location on January 23rd. A bird was in song at Reedsholme on March 10th whilst a pair in the garden at Hoyle Street, Whitworth, were taking nesting material early in April. Juvenile birds were seen being fed on a bridge at Townsendfold on May 30th and young were seen at Hoyle Street, Whitworth on June 24th. Two birds were seen at Hoyle Street carrying food off to store for the winter during September. An interesting record was of 10 birds being seen grounded during the autumn vismig from Laund Hey on October 12th.
Seven were present at Healy Dell on January 20th and over 10 were in a mixed flock at Calf Hey Res on February 7th. On March 6th over 10 birds were singing at Calf Hey Res and on April 24th a bird was seen carrying moss into a nest site in a crevice in a wall at Reedsholme. In June 11 birds were seen in a garden at Hoyle Street, Whitworth, with young birds fledging the nest on 9th. Six pairs were recorded as breeding on the B.B.S. for the Grane.
Seven birds were present at Healey Hall Woods on January 5th and at a garden in Hoyle Street, Whitworth, up to 4 were singing on January 12th and a nest box was being inspected on January 27th. Ten were in a mixed flock at Calf Hey Res on February 7th and five were at Spring Mill Res on February 15th. On March 10th material was being taken into a nest box at Hoyle Street, but tragedy was to strike when a Sparrowhawk took the female on April 9th with 4 eggs in the nest. The male however was undeterred and had a new partner within days. Also at Hoyle Street, out of a clutch of 7 eggs, 6 hatched on May 16th and then 5 young fledged on June 4th, the other chick died 3 days before fledging. On June 5th a nest box at Clowbridge Res had 9 young whilst at Higher Hollinbank a pair were present daily with 3 or 4 young throughout June.
Birds were recorded at 4 sites and all records are listed. One was present at Healey Dell on The Bird Race on January 16th and was seen there again on January 30th. On February 2nd one was reported feeding at a bird table at Reedsholme and up to 2 birds were seen here on a further 7 dates during the Autumn and Winter periods. On April 12th one was carrying nesting material near New Line Res but no further records at this site were noted. A pair bred at Sunnybank Woods and 2 young were fledged during the last week of June. At Oak Mount, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, a bird was noted occasionally during the first winter period. From July they were recorded more regularly with young being fed at feeders on July 16th. Birds were then seen or heard here throughout the remainder of the year. At Sunnybank Cottages, Helmshore birds were present regularly during September, November and December.
Two were in Staghills Woods on January 23rd whilst singles were seen at E.B.S.W. on February 8th and Calf Hey Res on February 13th. Four were singing from the woods at Clough Bottom Res on April 3rd and 2 birds were singing at Clowbridge Res on May 12th. One was seen near the fishing hut at Ogden Res on July 8th with another single at Calf Hey on July 31st. A single bird was in a mixed flock of tits at Reedsholme on December 9th.. Treecreeper was regular at Sunnybank Cottages, Helmshore during November and December.
Four were at Tonacliffe Meadow, Broadley on January 20th with 2 at Cowm Res on January 24th. Four were seen in Whitworth centre on March 10th whilst a bird was taking peanuts from a feeder all of the month of April at Hoyle Street, Whitworth. During July an adult and 2 juveniles regularly visited a garden in Hoyle Street. An autumn influx was noted from the vismig site at Laund Hey with 5 moving south on September 27th and a further 4 south the following day. Jays continue to be found in most woodland throughout The Valley.
Large flocks were recorded in the early part of the year with 12 at New Line Res on January 27th, 20 there on February 15th and 20 at Clough Bottom Res on April 4th. The predatory nature of the species was noted at Hoyle Street, Whitworth when a juvenile Starling was killed in May and a juvenile Great Tit suffered the same fate in June! The autumn and winter saw a regular flock of 6 - 8 birds at Higher Hollinbank whilst there was a flock of 10 at Cowm Res on November 7th.
E.B.S.W attracted good numbers in the early part of the year with 100 present on March 15th, 60 on March 24th, 50 on April 12th and 60 on April 24th. Two birds were seen taking peanuts from a feeder in Hoyle Street, Whitworth, during April but were very wary. The species was well represented in a mixed flock with Carrion Crow of over 300 birds on The Brex on August 24th whilst a flock of 60 were heading east up the Grane valley on October 9th. A flock of a dozen birds or so was regular at Higher Hollinbank throughout the autumn. Two birds were on feeders in a Rawtenstall garden on November 5th and Spring Mill Res had a flock of 9 on December 5th.
Twenty-five nests were at Broadclough on March 20th and this number probably increased as the breeding season continued. It is encouraging to report 11 nests were present at Balladen on April 3rd. It is 30 years since Rooks last bred at nearby Wood Top (RI). Nest counts at other Rossendale Rookeries were 51 at St. John's, Crawshawbooth, 22 at Water and 36 at Rook Hill, Stacksteads. Away from the rookeries 60 were on Whittle Hill on May 29th with 100 there on June 26th. Twenty were at Higher Hollinbank on November 17th with 10 back at the Rookery at St. John's, Crawshawbooth on December 23rd. This species is generally under recorded with only a limited number of records submitted.
A good count of over 100 birds was noted between higher Hollinbank and Helmshore Tor on January 11th. A pair were building a nest on 1st march at Hoyle Street, Whitworth whilst 3 pairs were recorded on the B.B.S. at the Grane. Between 50 and 60 birds were usually present at E.B.S.W. during March and April but the biggest count was in a mixed flock with Jackdaw of over 300 birds on The Brex on August 24th. Over 20 were usually present at Higher Hollinbank during September and October with 20 at Cowm Res on November 7th.
A pair was back on breeding territory on January 2nd and the nest had been rebuilt by February 15th. One was flying over Whitworth centre on February 15th and four were calling to each other over the Grane on February 24th. Three young birds were noted in the nest on March 24th and it would appear all three fledged as a family party of five birds were noted on both June 7th and 20th. On July 26th a party of 3 were recorded over Nutshaw Hill heading towards Cliviger and one was 'gronking' loudly as it flew over Heap Clough on August 7th. A single bird was being mobbed by a Sparrowhawk over Calf Hey on August 31st whilst 4 flew south east over Healey Dell on October 13th. The last family party was a flock of 4 over Holden Wood Res on December 24th. One or two birds were seen on several occasions over Alden in November and December. The Raven remains a rare breeding bird in Rossendale but records are generally increasing each year.
A good flock of 300 birds was at Stonefold on January 8th and up to 200 were in Hoyle Street, Whitworth throughout the month. A flock of 150 flew west over Reedsholme on January 11th and 120 were on wires at Spring Mill Res on February 5th. At Hoyle Street, Whitworth, birds were noted carrying nesting material on March 21st with the first young birds seen on May 17th in a flock of 170 birds. A traditional nest in a tree hole was found in Alden Wood and this is the observer's first woodland nest for over 10 years (NJB). A good flock of 500 was seen at A.M.R. on June 5th whilst a superb flock of 5000 were at Clough Bottom Res (PF/KL) on June 15th. Spring Mill Res had a flock of 250 on September 8th while over 200 were at Higher Hollinbank on November 7th. A small flock of 60 were roosting in Leylandii at Clowbridge Res on December 27th.
Between 10 and 12 were present daily at Park Road, Helmshore during January with up to 20 present at Clowbridge Res car park on January 9th. Up to 20 were seen at John Street, Haslingden during March and April whilst 23 were at Deeply Vale on March 27th. At least 30 were seen daily in Park Road, Helmshore during the summer with around 30 at New Line Res on August 4th and 28 at Wallbank, Whitworth on August 11th. The Park Road flock remained at around 24 during October and November whilst 10 were in Hawthorns at Constablelee on December 17th.
A good flock of up to 30 birds was at Fern Isle Wood on January 11th with 40 at Healy Hall Wood on January 20th and 30 at Calf Hey Res on January 23rd. Up to 20 were feeding at a bird table at Reedsholme on February 19th and around 80 were in a mixed flock with Brambling at Calf Hey Res on February 21st. A bird was in song at Tonacliffe Meadow, Broadley on March 10th. A pair bred at Higher Hollinbank and had fledged 4 young by June 6th. The B.B.S at Grane recorded 5 pairs as breeding. Juvenile birds were recorded during the summer at Hoyle Street, Whitworth and Calf Hey Res Good movements were recorded during the vismig watches at Laund hey with 100 south on October 2nd and 87 south on October 22nd the highest numbers (BY).
A pair and then up to 6 birds were on feeders at Gaghills from the start of the year until April 24th. Up to 20 were at Healey Hall Wood on January 5th and 50 were seen at both Calf Hey Res and Healey Dell during the Winter Bird Race on January 16th. The highest count of the year was of 100 birds at Calf Hey Res on January 22nd and at least 50 birds were generally present here throughout February. The last birds of the first winter period were 30 feeding and singing with Goldfinch on April 3rd at Clough Bottom Res (IB). The first returning birds were 2 seen from the Laund Hey vismig watch on September 27th (BY). Twenty came in with Fieldfares and Redwings here on October 29th and 12 on the 30th. A male and two females were back on feeders at Gaghills from November 26th to the end of the year (KL).
Twelve were at Tip Lodge on January 22nd with a flock of 50 coming into roost in Leylandii along Heightside Lane, Reedsholme on February 2nd. One was in song at Spring Mil Res on February 17th. Juvenile birds were brought to a feeder in Edenfield on May 14th and were seen in Hoyle Street, Whitworth during July. A good flock of 50 birds was seen at Warth on July 31st with a similar number on feeders at Gaghills on October 1st (KL). Some regular movements were noted from the Laund Hey vismig watches with 19 south on September 19th, 27 on October 4th and 63 on October 16th being the highest numbers (BY). A group of 30 were feeding on seed in a Clowbridge garden on December 19th.
Up to 22 were in a garden in Hoyle Street, Whitworth, throughout January with around 20 at Bacup Cemetery on January 22nd. Charms of around 20 birds were also present at Broadley Fold on February 7th and on the edge of the woodland at Plunge on March 13th. A pair was seen visiting a potential nest site in Ivy at Constablelee on May 6th and the first young were recorded in a garden at Hoyle Street, Whitworth on June 10th with 8 present. There were some impressive post-breeding flocks, especially at Higher Hollinbank with around 50 on September 9th, over 130 on 10th and over 150 on 15th September (J&BR). The vismig watch at Laund Hey recorded regular movements of flocks moving south with the largest counts being 131 on October 2nd and 123 on October 5th both in 4-hour periods (BY). A flock of over 60 were again at Higher Hollinbank on November 3rd with 25 at Clowbridge Res on December 27th.
There was a flock usually present at Calf Hey Res in January peeking at around 100 birds seen on the Bird Race of the 16th. A flock of 4 were at Marl Pits on January 31st and 6 at Stoneholme on February 11th one of which was in song. A pair bred at Calf Hey Res and 4 young were fledged during July. The Laund Hey vismig site recorded regular passage during September and October with 50 on October 2nd and 40 on October 4th the highest counts. The year ended with some good December flocks of 50 in Haslingden on the 1st, 50 at Hoyle Street, Whitworth on the 11th and 20 at Hurst Lane, Rawtenstall on the 26th.
The first returning birds were 5 seen in Hawks Clough, Balladen on April 3rd. A flock of 12 were at Great House, Alden on May 1st and 2 were at Jack Lodge on the same date. A male was singing strongly in the area of Hoyle Street, Whitworth on June 6th and the first family party was seen in The Grane Valley on July 16th when 6 were present. Further post-breeding flocks were noted at Cowpe Res on July 17th where a flock of 6 were present, 20 at Cheesden on July 31st, the Grane valley on August 7th when flocks of 11 and 6 were noted, at Sand Beds on September 18th where a flock of 20 were feeding and at E.B.S.W. on the same date when over 30 were present. Good passage movement was noted from Laund Hey vismig site during September and early October with 93 noted on September 21st, 40 on September 24th, and 86 on October 4th the most notable counts. Smaller counts of single figures were recorded until the end of October.
The first returning birds were 8 at Musbury Tor on March 8th with 3 at Lee Quarry on April 7th. Lee Quarry produced flocks of 2 and 3 on the 10th and 14th April and 6 were seen at Troy Quarry on June 19th. Two were seen at Lee Quarry on June 20th, 4 at Turf Moor on October 2nd and 9 at the head of Musbury valley on October 7th. Small numbers were recorded from the Laund Hey vismig site on ten dates during September and October with 7 flying south on October 17th the most notable count. A single Twite was at Higher Hollinbank on December 28th. All records are shown for this species which continues to remain a very scarce breeding bird in Rossendale.
A flock of 40-50 birds were at Holden Vale on January 4th and this had increased to 70 by January 14th when they were seen feeding in Alders along the old railway line (J&BR). A calling bird flew into the new plantation at Clowbridge on April 13th and birds remained present here throughout the breeding season with at least 6 singing on May 12th. In the Grane valley, a breeding colony of approximately 10 pairs was found in a young fir wood (NJB). Birds were also recorded in the breeding season at Stubbins and E.B.S.W. Regular passage was recorded from the Laund Hey vismig site during September and October with up to a maximum of 20 birds (BY). A wintering flock of 15 were at Marl Pits on November 20th and up to 8 came to feed regularly in a patch of willow herb at Gaghills during December (KL)
An influx was noted at Calf Hey Res on July 16th and 2 were seen the following day. A family party of 2 males and 8 - 10 females and juveniles was seen at Calf Hey Res on August 1st (P. & B. R.). Vismig was noted from Laund Hey on 4 dates during September and October with 4 birds the highest count on October 14th (BY). The final record for the year was of a flock of 5 that flew into conifers in Deeply Vale on October 16th. All records are shown for a species which continues to be rarely recorded in Rossendale.
Up to 10 were present in a garden in Haslingden during January and February (NJB) and other winter groups were recorded at Oak Mount, Reedsholme, Tip Lodge, Tonacliffe Meadow, Spring Mill Res, Ewood Bridge and Geenhill, Bacup. A pair bred at Road End, Haslingden and young were being fed at a feeder in Rawtenstall on June 12th. A party of 6 were at Broadclough on October 21st and up to 10 were back in a garden in Haslingden throughout November and December. At least 7 birds were at Tip Lodge on December 17th, 5 of which were males.
A flock of 6 were on Red Moss on January 16th (JH) and 2 females were in Cragg Quarry feeding on the bare quarry floor on March 13th (RI & DN). One was seen on Bull Hill on October 16th with possibly 3 more (J & BR). All records are shown in what was a poor year for the species.
Four flew in to roost in reds at Clowbridge Res on January 13th whilst 10 were on Red Moss on February 16th. Winter records were also recorded at Hog Lowe Pike, Cowm Res, Musbury and Spring Mill Res. A calling bird was heard at Broadley Fold on March 10th and another was in song at Holden Wood Res on March 13th. An increase in breeding territories was noted at Clowbridge Res with at least 4 males on March 18th. Four males were also on territory in Deeply Vale on March 27th and Holden Wood Res on June 19th, with 3 at Cowm Res and 2 at A.M.R. Further sightings were noted during the breeding season at Clough Bottom Res, Syke Res, Plunge, Shadlock Cote, the Grane valley, Great Height Quarry and Reaps Moss. Regular sightings were recorded during the vismig watches from Laund Hey during September and October with a maximum count of 11 birds on both October 3rd and 4th.