A gannet flew south over Cronkshaw Fold Farm in the Alden valley at around 10:50 this morning. It was mobbed briefly by a kestrel before continuing on it's way. I was roughly three quarters of a mile away when I saw it, hence the very poor quality photo
A few other bits from a walk up the Alden Valley and down the Musbury Valley
buzzard - 1 in Alden & 1 being harried relentlessly by a pr of carrion crows, with young in Musbury
sparrowhawk - male over lower end of Musbury
Kestrel - 3
pheasant - calling bird in Musbury
oystercatcher - 1 flew from the industrial area on Broadway to Haslingden High School playing fields
lapwing - 1pr on tops
snipe - 1 on the tops
curlew - 2 on the tops
skylark - numerous on higher ground
meadow pipit - nest with 5 eggs found
pied wagtail - 2 in Alden
swallow - c12
house martin - 2 at the lower end of Musbury
stonechat - a family party, a lone male & a pair in Musbury
mistle thrush - 1 in Alden & at least 2 in Musbury
blackcap - 1 in Musbury
willow warbler - singing bird & a pair with a juvenile in Musbury
reed bunting - 1 on Bull Hill & 5 males in Musbury
