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Post Info TOPIC: Strongstry woods and river.


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Strongstry woods and river.
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This report covers the last three days when we have had sunshine, cloud and a cold east wind and around 8 degrees.

We are still experiencing disruption mostly by the electricity board who are felling trees any where near a power cable, the damaged footbridge has been removed, we are now waiting on the EA to repair the banking before the new bridge can be installed, several foot paths are closed including part of the Sculpture trail and the Rossendale way.

All of the above is and will have an impact on breeding species, hopefully this can be kept to a minimum.

The four local Tit species are all doing well with unusually high numbers of Coal Tit, breeding activity has been noted in all four, Blue and Great in nest boxes and Long-tailed carrying lichen into the brambles.

Finches as you would expect here are scarcer, Bullfinch numbers look low, Goldfinch are good as are Chaffinch. The Siskins have dispersed, although two males were present this morning, no Greenfinch seen.

High numbers of Robin, Wren, Blackbird and unusually Dunnock.

Nuthatch numbers look good with one pair showing interest in a new nest box in Chatterton wood.

Treecreepers are paired off and very active.

House Sparrows are in reasonable numbers in Chatterton and Irongate.

Only one Goldcrest seen during the last few days.

Unusually a pair of Reed Bunting have set up a territory near East view

Song Thrush numbers have been building with several in full song each day, no Mistle Thrush seen.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers seem to be disrupted more then any other species, several old trees with nest sites have been felled and there is large open spaces where trees used to be, I watched four birds chasing each other around last night.

Green Woodpecker, the tree used for many years in Irwell vale has gone, there has been a very vocal pair along the cycle track for the past week so maybe they will establish a new site.

Collared Doves have been scarce all winter, there are a couple of pairs in Irwell Vale.

Wood Pigeons are as normal in huge numbers with several nests built in Buckden woods.

Jays, Jackdaws and Crows are all actively nest building, one pair of Magpies appear to have laid.

The Rooks have all moved up towards Shuttleworth where there are around 16 nests under construction.

Grey Herons attempted nesting in Irwell Vale but appear to have abandoned for the time being.

The river species have had problems this spring, the water has been very coloured with silt and sand from the flooding and diggers working in the river, the clarity of the water is only just returning, only one Kingfisher (male) has been seen regular, three Grey Wagtails were seen yesterday for the first time in a while. Only one pair of Goosander have hung around, they have been displaying and copulating. Mallard numbers are down, no nests found yet.

The Dippers have coped the best, one pair have a half built nest at Alderbottom, another two pairs are singing and displaying.

Two pair of Canada Geese are on local lodges, and one pair of Moorhens are looking like nesting.

Buzzards, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel are seen fairly regular.

Three pairs of Lapwing are on territory displaying in fields above Porritt lodge.

I have 5 Tawny Owl boxes in a rough triangle around Strongstry, Edenfield and Irwell Vale and 3 are in use, with one pair sitting  on eggs.

Regards Brian

 

 

 

 

 



-- Edited by brian on Saturday 19th of March 2016 08:28:30 PM

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Hi Brian

Nice report well put together

 

Cheers Craggy



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Hi Brian

Yes I thought you summarised the events, findings and possibilities well. Thank you for writing it down.

Feel the floods will have a lasting impact for many years on many different planes. Had a walk up the river from waterfoot following the old line right to Whitworth and the landscape most certainly has changed forever in sections.

Tah.

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Thanks for the comments guys, the river in my area has altered considerably, on the plus side there is some habitat change that may be beneficial to certain species, one of which is Sand Martin. It will be interesting to see how many pairs nest this year.

On the negative there appears to be a decline in fish population along the river which may impact species like Kingfisher, Grey Heron and Goosander.

Mother nature has a strange way of levelling the playing field.

Regards Brian.



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