The civil engineering work to extend the existing cycle track into Helmshore has been halted for the time being because the next stage would involve felling several trees, which is not allowed untill the breeding season is complete.
Note~~~~the river was 2 meters up on Monday evening (1st June ) which will have effected some of the species below.
Grey Heron. 2 adults over Irwell Vale 1 juvenile fishing in Strongstry.
Mallard. Plenty of adult birds almost no young, worst year recorded for breeding, two big floods at bad times.
Canada Geese. 1 pair with 2 goslings.
Goosander. 2 juveniles there was one nest site which is now empty.
Dippers. 5 adults 2 juveniles seen, expected more young as four lots had fledged by end of May. Could be flooding, predation or simply chased from territory. One pair appear to be on second brood.
Grey Wagtail. 2 pair feeding a total of 5 young.
Pied Wagtail. 3 Adults 2 juvenile.
Kingfisher. 2 Adults.
Sandmartin. Activity around 11 nest holes in two areas, there were at least 17 nest sites before the last flood, no young seen at hole entrances. Must have been some losses and relaying.
Swallows. 20 plus feeding along the river.
Swift. Only 2 birds high over Alderbottom
House Martin. 3 birds around Chatterton farm.
The four common tits were all seen in good numbers, as were Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock and Wren.
Chaffinch. These have bred well, good numbers calling and feeding.
Goldfinch. Some young around Alderbottom, and adults on feeders in Irwell Vale.
No Bullfinch seen, which could be worrying, one Greenfinch calling at Ewood bridge.
Song Thrush. 5 birds seen and heard, I think they are doing ok, would not expect to see Mistle Thrush on this route but one flew high over Lumb.
Great Spotted Woodpecker. Several adults and young seen, one nest site still being visited by adult carrying food.
Nuthatch. Nest in back garden now empty, several adults and young seen.
Treecreeper. None seen, I put that down to bad luck.
Willow Warbler. Several heard 2 seen.
Chiffchaff. One bird in weak song at Ewood bridge
Blackcap. A known nest site is now empty, would have expected to see some young but did not see or hear a single bird.
Whitethroat. One rather disheveled male in bramble near nest site.
Spotted Flycatcher. The original nest site in the box has been abandoned, I do not think they laid. One pair in same location but no signs of nesting, the were feeding very high in the canopy. A third bird was hawking insects in Lumb vale, but again no sign of nesting.
House Sparrows. Several have taken up residence at Chatterton farm, and are bleeding. Small numbers in Stubbins and better numbers in Irwell vale.
Male Pheasant in Alderbottom farm.
Magpie. At least 9 birds around the route.
Corvids. Did not see a Jay or Carrion Crow, large numbers of Rook and Jackdaw especially around Irwell vale.
Black-headed Gull. 5/6 along the river, all adults.
Herring Gull. Several over flying south.
No birds of prey were seen, one Sparrowhawk heard, cloud was grey and low so no Buzzards would be visible.
Woodpigeon. Plenty of birds around the route.
Collared Dove. 2 individuals in Irwell vale.
Starling. Small flock in horse fields in Strongstry.
Tawny Owl. A total of 5 young have successfully fledged from two nest boxes in this area.
Regards Brian.
-- Edited by brian on Thursday 18th of June 2015 05:00:47 PM
