Over ten days (and this years records) in varying weather and times of day along the Irwell valley between Stubbins and Ewood Bridge, late July early August. It should be noted that the foliage and undergrowth explosion this year makes some observations almost impossible, our Hawthorn trees are already heavy with berries, this time last year there was very few.
Canada Goose. Three pair bred on local lodges with several young seen.
Mallard Duck. Usual numbers along the river.
Goosander. All disappeared now but one definite breeding site.
Little Grebe. Two nest sites on local lodge, three adults and two juveniles still present.
Cormorant. Single on the river in Strongstry.
Little Egret. Single has been feeding along the river over this period.
Grey Heron. There is an evening roost in Strongstry, maximum of seven, including juveniles, no breeding records at local sites so not aware where they bred.
Buzzard. Single. Over Alderbottom, no nest sites found.
Red Kite. Several sightings of single bird.
Sparrowhawk. One breeding site, three young were observed, two juveniles are still in the area.
Moorhen. Breeding took place on two lodges and one river nest, adults and juveniles still present.
Coot. Pair were nest building on local lodge in mid May, could not locate any at present.
Black-headed Gull. 4/5 individual juveniles along the river.
Stock Dove. These are now regular visitors in open areas along the river with one definite nest site producing at least two young.
Woodpigeon. Common breeding resident in large numbers.
Collared Dove. Resident breeding population in Irwell vale.
Ring-necked Parakeet. Increasingly seen around Irwell vale over the past years, three just observed on feeders.
Tawny Owl. Average year for breeding in local boxes, young heard calling.
Swift. Only breeding sites observed were in Edenfield with possible three nests, 17 birds seen in the air, there were 20+ over Alderbottom late July.
Kingfisher. No breeding records for two years now, last observation was single in January, a well established site just in GMC has not been used for two years. Personally I think the water quality is fine, lots of insects, minnows, trout etc kick tests were carried out by EA and this showed healthy stone fly population, the last big floods were December 15 and February 20, these scour the banks and create nesting habitat for Kingfisher and Sand Martin (missing for several years now) By removing all the plant growth,
Green Woodpecker. Not seen or heard of one this year, unusual for hear.
Great Spotted Woodpecker. There were breeding activity at three known sites in mid May but over current visits no sighting at all.
Sand Martin. 8/10 over the river in the last few days, no known breeding.
Swallow. Breeding took place in Chatterton but numbers were down on previous years, only odd birds seen over current visits.
House Martin. Nest sites in Edenfield have produced two broods until now, numbers seem to be average.
Grey Wagtail. Several adults and young seen over past days, I would say above average numbers this year which is also an indication of healthy river.
Pied Wagtail. Increasing breeder along the river over past few years.
Dipper. My usual four sites were all occupied with breeding activity by mid May, i was away till end of June and part of July, over the last few weeks I have struggled to find any second brood breeding activity, I could only find one adult and two well fledged juveniles, may just have been unlucky ?
Blackbird, Robin, Wren, and Dunnock all seem to have had good breeding seasons with plenty of young around.
Song Thrush. I think this species has had an exceptional year on my patch, they Bred very early and numbers appear to be high now.
Mistle Thrush. The same two sites were used this year and 6/7 birds have been seen over the past week.
Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, and Willow Warbler, because of my absence during the main breeding season it is difficult to assess these species but over the last weeks I would say they have all had a good year.
Garden Warbler. First year in several years no records of this species.
Goldcrest. Not a common species here but one was in conifers in Lumb yesterday.
The four local Tit species, Great, Blue, Coal, and Long-tailed appears to be in good numbers.
Nuthatch. As always this species is doing well in our mixed woodland, several have been very vocal recently.
Treecreeper. You cannot look for Treecreeper they just appear not seen one for a while but think they are ok.
Jay. This is a worrying species, even through last winter there numbers were down, now I have not seen or heard any since I cam back, that here is very unusual.
Magpie, Jackdaw, and Carrion Crow. Numbers increase year on year, huge flocks of Jackdaw move up and down the valley every morning and evening.
Starling. Vary rare in Strongstry but large numbers in Edenfield.
House Sparrow. 3/4 regular colonies in my patch, but this year a new colony has taken up residency in Stubbins and is around 20 strong.
Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and Bullfinch. Appear to be in usual numbers.
Greenfinch. This species is on the rise with several hotspots where 5 years ago there were none.
