Noon to 1800 hrs 7 degrees sunny spells cold easterly.
Blue Tit....good numbers lot of nest building, also in my boxes.
Great Tit...again good numbers and same as above.
Coal Tit...very good numbers several in full song.
Long-tailed Tit...now in pairs and in good numbers, no nest sites found.
Bullfinch...numbers seem low only four pair seen, no nesting activity.
Chaffinch...best numbers recorded here (40+) males in full song.
Goldfinch...the resident flock of 14 have broken up and paired off, several more pairs along the river.
Robin...these are now on territories and nesting numbers appear average.
Dunnock...a couple of males in full song.
House Sparrow...still reasonable numbers in Iwell Vale, but Stubbins flock now down to a couple of pair.
Goldcrest....3 pairs in different locations, more than usual for here.
Wren...males singing all through the woods difficult to count but have had a good winter, one male has two nest sites in garden
Nuthatch...wintered well one pair in a box others well spread through the valley.
Treecreeper...one pair active in dead tree where they nested last year, two more seen at Alderbottom.
Chiffchaff...one seen in weak song in Chatterton wood.
Blackbird...plenty in song and on woodland floor feeding, one male carrying moss.
Song Thrush... At least 7 individuals 3 singing none seen together or nesting.
Great Spotted Woodpecker... Probably 5/6 pairs between the bridges none seen in holes.
Green Woodpecker...none seen today, but one male active along the cycle track late last week.
Jay...3 flying through woods at Alderbottom.
Magpie...4 pair along route two with well built nests.
Jackdaws...very good numbers many on rooftops investigating chimneys.
Rook.. Good numbers around Irwell Vale, 14 nest sites already built in rookery at St Johns Shuttleworth.
Carrion Crow...a couple of pair flying around Ewood Bridge.
Grey Heron....2 on the river one was an immature.
Moorhen... One on lodge at Irwell Vale.
Dipper...I am doing a breeding survey this year on this species, there are 5 pair between the bridges, all have nest sites established, two with near completed nests. One of these is unfortunately very low and liable to flooding.
Kingfisher...two pair active.
Grey Wagtail...Only one individual seen at Irwell Vale
Mallard...Usual numbers more males than females, so presumably females are sitting out of sight.
