Kingfisher - Charles Owen
ANNUAL BIRD REPORT FOR 2003 E. KING REFERENCES Leigh Ornithological Society Newsletters and records (1971-2002) Leigh Ornithological Society Annual Reports (1971-2002) SUBMISSIONS Records from which the 2003 report has been compiled were submitted by the under-mentioned members and other birdwatchers and their contributions are gratefully acknowledged on behalf of the Society, viz.: A Adderley. P Alker. S Almond. S Anderton. M Arundel. S Atherton. J Ball. P B Barlow. P Baron. A Bate. D Beetham. P Berry. D Boucher. K Brides. D Broome. M Champion. A Coatsworth. J & D Critchley. J & J Disley. A Doyle. J Doherty. T Drew. T & A Fayle. J Gallimore. P Garnett. J Grimma. K Haydock. M D & K Hill. P Hilton. A J Hurst. A Isherwood. P Johnson. D & M Jones. D Knowles. A Little. B Lewis. A Makin. C Marston. D S Martin. S J Martin. P Manniex. J McFarlane. I McKarcher. M T McManus. J Nesbit. M Okane. J Meadows. C Owen. T Pinches. A J Prosser. R W Rhodes. B Rigby. A Rimmer. M Scott. D & A Shallcross. A J Smith. R Smith. S Smith. D Speakman. E Stephenson. S Terry. G G Tonge. J Tymon. J & K Vann. J Vaisnys. A Wainwright. I Walker. J D Wilson. The Wigan Ranger Service.
The invaluable assistance given by Jack Critchley in compiling a species by species record of the sightings reported in the Society’s newsletters over the year, a task that he has undertaken since 1997 is gratefully acknowledged. My thanks goes to our members S J Martin, R W Rhodes and D S Rhodes for their Lancashire records list which was of great assistance in compiling these records.
The Systematic List The systematic list of English names of Western Palaearctic Birds 1993 (as amended) follows the sequence and scientific nomenclature of Professor D.K.H.Voous (1977): List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species. Species from outside this range, including their English names, as far as is possible, follow Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World (Sibley and Monroe) or World Bird Species Checklist (M.G.Wells). Otherwise the English names used are generally those suggested in the “British Birds” List of English names of Western Palaearctic Birds (1993) (as amended). Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Lancashire & Merseyside by Robert Pyfinch & Peter Golborne. Registered Charity Number 504889
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Chairman's report 2003 Welcome to this, our 32nd Annual Report. The A.G.M. took place on the 19th September with more than 50% of the membership attending, the society's accounts and affairs were found to be in order, officers and committee wishing to be re-elected were retained, and two members were proposed and seconded to serve on the committee. The chairman announced with sadness the death of founder/honorary member Frank R Horrocks, in is time Frank was at the fore of ornithology in our area is opinions sort after form all over England his knowledge of birds was widely known and respected. The hide at Pennington Flash C.P. is a mark of gratitude for the contribution he made to the protection of wildlife at Pennington. Also of Pat Gordon a keen and helpful member, one of the back ground staff you might say who got on with any job she was asked to do, the sort of person every successful club needs to keep the wheels turning. Both are greatly missed and remembered with affection. The Society published six bi-monthly newsletters Numbers 188 to 193 and an annual report for its members; these were also distributed to the main public libraries within our recording area. The entertaining and informative Derby Room meetings of 12 slide shows were well received by the attending members and the members social evening held at Leigh Rugby Union Club was well supported yet again, no slide show this year but an excellent quiz and duck-drive proved to be a popular alternative. Members generously donated items to be given as prizes for raffle and quiz's. The Society's web site which is packed with information regarding our meetings, trips, notes on various bird locations and links to other bird related sites, can be accessed on www.leighos.org.uk There is also a mapping facility, which allows the user to view a selected site, thus showing how to find the place of interest. Input to the site would be welcomed, if there is an addition you would like to see on it please contact me to discuss. Your committee met on 7 occasions to deal with items in connection with the general running of the society, conservation and local planning issues that affect wildlife habitat including the controversial Leigh Sports Village development. The council and developers seem incensed with wanting to build on this area, as you will remember the Xanadu snow dome was planed for the same spot. Due to the importance of this area as a buffer zone for birds and wildlife at Pennington Flash the committee decided to oppose the planning application, it was further decided a conservation team would be set up to deal with our objection. They are at the time of writing discussing the applications boundaries and possible impact on birds with the Councils and developers ecologist, with a view to obtaining an upgrade to S.B.I. status for some parcels of land that are under threat of destruction. The Society opposes the Sports Village development purely on ecological grounds, namely the loss of grassland which could otherwise be managed for declining bird species, the potential harmful effects on protected and endangered species, including Water vole, Kingfisher, Banded Demoiselle and many uncommon plant species, further shrinkage of the designated "wildlife corridor", an increase in noise and disturbance which may be detrimental to the remnant fauna. Although the society welcomes the concept of a sports complex, it feels that other sites in the area are better suited to accommodate it and attendant buildings. Delegates from the membership represented the Society on various outside bodies: Pennington Flash User Group, Wigan Wildlife Advisory Group. The Society continues to grow in membership which can only mean the officers are producing a worth while product as a whole, the field trips/indoor programme and newsletters along with this annual report speak volumes for the contributors and compilers alike. My sincere thanks for all you help and support. David Shallcross
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Great Northern Diver. (Gavia immer) Very Rare Winter Visitor. An individual in summer plumage came down on a small reservoir near to Elton on 27th October, stayed overnight and left the following morning. (P Baron.) The last record was at Elton Reservoir in December 2000. Little Grebe. (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Common Resident. Recorded at 11 sites in the area including Elton Reservoir, Pennington Country Park, Hope Carr Reserve, Houghton Green Pool, High Rid Reservoir, Wigan Flashes, Rumworth Lodge, Risley Moss Reserve, Worthington Lakes, Astley, and Diggles Flash. Elton Reservoir saw singles and pairs throughout the year with 3 juveniles on 12th of June. Pennington Country Park recorded up to 4 birds in the first few months with 3 pairs nesting in May and juveniles seen in June. Numbers increased there from July onwards with 11 being the maximum in July; 9 in August and 14 on 4th September with 10 in October; 7 in November and 5 in December. At least two pairs bred at Hope Carr Reserve with a maximum of 8 seen in August and 5 in September. Non breeding birds at Houghton Green Pool amounted to 3 birds in May and June then numbers increasing to 7 in July, 13 in August 14 in September and a large group in October with 26 individuals present, then down to 18 in November and just 6 in December. On the Wigan Flashes a maximum of 14 birds was recorded in August through to November. Breeding also confirmed at Worthington Lakes; other sites, where birds were seen, included High Rid Reservoir with a maximum of 5 in October and 3 in November/December, Rumworth Lodge reported at least a pair all year, as did Risley Moss Reserve, on the landfill at Astley a single, and one at Diggles Flash in October. Great-crested Grebe. (Podiceps cristatus) Common Resident. Pennington Country Park supported large numbers throughout the year with the highest group being 66 in September. January and February saw only 7 birds then in March a count of 53 with smaller numbers in April/May and June, again 53 in July then high numbers to November and only 23 in December with evidence of reasonable numbers breeding there. Houghton Green Pool reported small numbers in January and February increasing to 18 at the end of May. In June a maximum of 30 was seen with 3 pairs attempting to breed but unsuccessfully. July saw 41 birds and 45 in August, then numbers decreasing to singles and pairs in December. Rumworth Lodge saw similar numbers to last year with small numbers to March when 15 was the count. During the summer months there was a steady count of 12 birds up to August, some nests were washed out in May but a number of juvenile birds were seen in August. It was a similar story at Elton Reservoir with small numbers up to March then an increase to 18 birds, up to August/September a steady 12 birds were present with breeding apparent. A young bird was seen on the back of an adult bird on 7th September, and then from October to December the reservoir supported about 20 birds each month. Further north 2 pairs bred at Belmont Reservoir fledging 2 juveniles and at Springs Reservoir a pair bred fledging 3 juveniles. Worthington Lakes supported reasonable numbers all year with up to 10 birds present and at least 3 pairs bred. Slavonian Grebe. (Podiceps auritus) Scarce Winter Visitor. The only record was of a single bird at Pennington Country Park from 10th to 17th November. The last record was a single bird in January 1998 at Doffcocker Lodge. Black-necked Grebe. (Podiceps nigricollis) Scarce Resident. Birds were recorded at four sites in the area including Pennington Country Park, Houghton Green Pool, Scotman’s Flash and Elton Reservoir with records from March to December.
4
At Pennington Country Park a single on 27th with a pair on 29th and 31st, then into April with a pair all month, 5 on 24th and 6 on 25th. May saw singles on 4th/17th and 19th with a pair on 1st then a single on 21st July with up to 3 birds in August, which was the last record. Houghton Green Pool saw a single on 27th March with up to 3 in April, a maximum of 8 on 14th May and a maximum of 7 birds in June and July. There were no sightings in August at the pool then a single appeared on 3rd September and stayed until the end of the year. On the Wigan Flashes, Scotman’s Flash recorded a pair at the end of April with singles in June and August then into September with up to 4 birds present. Elton Reservoir recorded a single on 28th and 29th July. Great Cormorant. (Phalacrocorax carbo) Locally Common Visitor. Pennington Country Park supported the largest numbers, although slightly down on last year, with maximums of 45 in January, 59 in February and 46 in March. In April numbers down to 29 then just 12 birds seen in each month until September when numbers increased to 40. October saw a maximum of 51, with 57 in November and 44 in December. Elton Reservoir produced counts of up to 16 in the first three months of the year with very few showing during the summer months. During September and October counts of only 4 birds then in December an increase to 16 birds. Houghton Green Pool reported 10 birds in January with 4 in February and 3 in March the rest of the year showing just singles apart from a maximum of 4 in July. Rumworth Lodge recorded 5 in January/February with 10 in March and 6 in September. Other records received included singles at Jumbles/Wayoh during the early part of the year then up to 5 birds in the autumn. A count of 31 at Amberswood Common in February, 5 at Belmont Reservoir in November and 10 on the Wigan Flashes in November. Records received of birds seen commuting over Risley Moss Reserve include 26 in January with 11 in March and small numbers during the summer months. October appears to have been the best month with 33 birds over Risley in 3 groups on 17th, with November seeing 14 over and just 5 in December. Great Bittern. (Botaurus stellaris) Scarce Visitor. The majority of sightings came from the Wigan Flashes with possibly 3 birds in January and singles observed at Horrocks Flash in February and Bryn Marsh in March. Returning birds were noted as a single on 8th September at Horrocks Flash then singles recorded in November and a pair seen in December. At Belmont Reservoir a wintering bird was seen during January/February and was still present up to 11th March, this was the second year in succession that this species has over wintered at this site. An unconfirmed record was received of a single bird on Pennington Country Park between 8th and 10th January. Little Egret. (Egretta garzetta) Rare Visitor. On 2nd May a group of 3 birds made a brief appearance at Pennington Country Park. Another sighting, this time of a single bird, was on 30th August over Risley Moss Reserve. (There have been 7 sightings of this bird in the recording area since 1993 with the majority in the past 3 years). Grey Heron. (Ardea cinerea) Common Resident. The highest reported concentration of this bird was at the Entwistle Heronry with 39 occupied nests and at least 36 nests contained young. This is probably the second largest heronry in Lancashire, which has grown from a single nest in 1993 to the present number and is increasing every year. Also in that area 9 birds were at Belmont Reservoir on 30th August. In the Botany Bay wood area, birds were seen commuting to and from the heronry, large numbers were seen regularly in March I do not have any records in relation to this heronry although last year somewhere in the region of 100 nests were recorded. Rumworth Lodge had an all year presence with a maximum of 11 in February, as did Pennington Country Park with a similar number in January and October.
5
Sightings over Risley Moss Reserve revealed single figures most months with a maximum of 8 over in September. Houghton Green Pool recorded a maximum of 6 in June, and there were many single sightings throughout the recording area, with many birds visiting garden ponds. Mute Swan. (Cygnus olor) Common Resident. I received no monthly counts in January, February or March in relation to Pennington Country Park. April saw a maximum of 65, with similar numbers in May, June and July, by August the numbers had risen to 88 then 82 in September, 59 in October and numbers fell to 30 in November and December. A number of nesting birds were seen in April on the Flash but no numbers available. The Wigan Flashes saw good numbers all year, however the only records I received were maximums of 57 in November and 49 in December. Hope Carr Reserve recorded at least two pairs for most of the year with evidence of breeding cygnets appeared on the reserve in September and 3 on the nearby River Glaze during the later part of the year. Rumworth Lodge saw a pair up to May when their nest was abandoned and no breeding took place. On the Bridgewater Canal between Marsland Green and Boothstown a number of birds were seen during the year including a pair that nested at Marsland Green but failed to breed. Other sightings along the Canal included up to 10 birds with up to 6 juvenile birds in January and February, with the months of April to June recording at least two pairs and up to 9 cygnets. Bewick's Swan. (Cygnus columbianus) Uncommon Winter Visitor. A pair was observed at Scotman’s Flash on 10th January and a pair seen over the village of Astley on 14th of that month. Later on in the year a pair were again seen flying over Astley Village on 28th November. Whooper Swan. (Cygnus cygnus) Uncommon Winter Visitor. The first birds of the year were seen as a group of 6 at Lightshaw Hall Flash on 25 th January. A single bird was seen over Risley Moss Reserve on 1st February, the last record and the highest group of the year was recorded at Belmont with 44 birds on 14th March (this was the largest number at Belmont since 1982). Later winter records included Pennington Country Park with counts of 3 on 5th, 15 on 6th, 13 on 7th, with 2 on 23rd and 7 on 25th, all in October. Also in October a pair and a juvenile at Rumworth Lodge on 12th and a group of 5 at Belmont Reservoir on 30th. November saw 2 at Pennington Country Park on 1st, 3 at Horrocks Flash on 16th and a group of 8 at Belmont Reservoir on 4th and presumably the same group at Delph Reservoir and over Egerton on 6th. Pink-footed Goose. (Anser brachyrhynchus) Common Passage Visitor in Flight. Early winter records were well down on last year and only included January and February. A total of 11 separate skeins in January totalling 1,100 birds travelling southeast and 322 going west. February saw a total of 6 skeins with 80 birds east and 1,049 travelling west. Between the months of March and August a number of singles/pairs of birds were recorded at Elton Reservoir, Rumworth Lodge and Pennington Country Park. Late winter records from September to December were more promising with 624 travelling west and 110 going south-southeast in a total of 7 skeins in September. October counts were as follows 800 going west to northwest, and 55 birds south-southeast in a total of 13 skeins. Also 4 were down on Belmont Reservoir on 4th with a further bird down on 10th and a single at Elton Reservoir on 26th. Onto November and totals of 1,060 west and 28 south in 5 skeins then into December with totals of 772 south to southeast and 300 west in 6 skeins, 15 birds down in fields at Rumworth Lodge and up to 3 birds at Elton Reservoir during that month.
6
White-fronted Goose. (Anser albifrons) Rare Winter Visitor. A single record only was received of a bird with a flock of Pink-footed Geese over Astley Village on 28th December. Greylag Goose. (Anser anser) Uncommon Feral visitor. The flock at Horrocks Flash, which can amount to 20+ birds, had two broods in May this year and in most groups of over ten birds one can assume they come from the Horrocks Flash population. At Pennington Country Park up to 3 birds were seen in March and June with a much larger number in April when 11 were present and then a flock of 17 were seen on 23rd June. Risley Moss Reserve saw small numbers of these birds commuting over the reserve with pairs seen most months, on 23rd September 10 birds were present with 19 over on 7th October. Other locations included 4 at Astley on 3rd January, a pair at Lower Roddlesworth Reservoir in late March, a single at Belmont Reservoir on 23rd March and 4 on 5th May. A single was seen at Jumbles/Wayoh in October and November and at Elton Reservoir a pair 3rd June and 4 in October. Bar-headed Goose. ( Anser indicus) Scarce Feral Resident. All records are of single individuals recorded at the following locations during the year-Astley, Pennington Country Park, Risley Moss Reserve, Worsley and Belmont. Canada Goose. (Branta canadensis) Common Resident. JAN FEB MARCH Pennington Country Park. 138 100+ Houghton Green Pool. 89 80 Rumworth Lodge. 135 134 161 Belmont Reservoir. 6 39 105
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
100+
94
218
260
15
26
130
175
80
250
187
260
82
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
374
116
108
54
90
45
60
255
374
40
70
70
144
155
125
47
38
6
25
Recorded at over 15 sites in the recording area the above figures are for maximum sightings at each location. At Pennington Country Park 36 goslings were recorded in May. Hope Carr Reserve and Rixton Clay Pits saw numbers of around 20 birds all year. At Jumbles/Wayoh Reservoirss small numbers were recorded mainly in spring and autumn with up to 15 birds present and an unusual record of 26 in January at Jumbles. The June count at Belmont of 260 was a record for the site despite 14 years of nest control under licence. The landfill site at Astley saw small numbers up to May with 100 in August and 200 in September. Risley Moss Reserve reported small numbers either on the reserve or flying over with up to 20 during the spring and similar numbers in autumn with a maximum of 36 in November. Other sites included Diggles Flash with a maximum of 20 in November, Fan Lodge with 10 and Hindley Golf Club 18 with 11 young in May. Breeding took place at many sites despite nest control, at Belmont 41 pairs bred raising 10 young, at Delph Reservoir 3 pairs bred raising 3 young, Springs and Wards saw a pair on each water which were also controlled. The Ornamental Reservoir, Belmont Mill Lodges and Roddlesworth were all controlled and no breeding took place. The small colony at Hope Carr Reserve was controlled with no breeding. A pair bred in heather at 1,250 feet on Smithills Moor and 2 pairs bred at Dunscar rearing 9 young. Barnacle Goose. (Branta leucopsis) Rare Winter Visitor. The majority of sightings were of single birds at Rumworth Lodge between 16th and 24th January, at Elton Reservoir on 8th January, 5th February and in March, also in March with Canada’s at
7
Astley with a bird at Pennington Country Park during May and June, the origin of these birds could only be a matter of speculation. The first bird to return to Belmont Reservoir was a single on 25th February, with 3 present most of the year and 2 incubated eggs at Belmont but eggs failed to hatch, these birds paired with Canada Geese. Egyptian Goose. (Alopochen aegyptiacus) Scarce Visitor - Usually Escapees. Two records received of singles at Hindley Golf Club in May and at Belmont Reservoir in October. Common Shelduck. (Tadorna tadorna) Scarce Breeder and Passage Migrant. Pennington Country Park appears to have recorded the highest concentration of these birds with records for each month of the year commencing in January with maximums of 9 on 31st, 15 was the maximum in February, up to 8 in March and April and 10 showing in May and June. Pairs and singles were seen in July, October to December, and 5 in September and 4 juveniles in August. At nearby Hope Carr Reserve singles were recorded in January and November with pairs and up to 3 birds in March. Other sites included a single immature bird at Elton Reservoir on 13th January with 3 birds at Houghton Green Pool in January and a single on 5th February. A group of 7 visited Rumworth Lodge on 3rd May and 5 ducklings were at Dover Basin on 25th June. During the months of March to June several pairs were noted, up to 10 birds were recorded in May commuting over Risley Moss Reserve with 3 over Astley on 22nd May. Belmont Reservoir saw a single return on 24th February and 4 seen at Delph Reservoir in September. Eurasian Wigeon. (Anas penelope) Uncommon Passage and Winter Visitor. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Houghton Green Pool. 141 155 145 14 Pennington Country Park. 11 2 8 11 Rumworth Lodge. 3 8 1 Elton Reservoir. 7 Wigan Flashes. 5
MAY
1
JUNE
JULY
2
AUG
6
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
1
38
46
110
14
9
4
4 7
1
18
18 69
10
11
The above figures are for maximum numbers at each site. Houghton Green Pool saw the highest numbers in the area with 155 in February. Other waters where birds were seen included small numbers at Hope Carr Reserve during the winter months with a maximum of 8 in September. Wayoh Reservoir saw 4 in October and 12 in November, a pair was at Delph on 22nd February, 3 on 19th March and a single at Belmont on 14th September. At Risley Moss Reserve a group of 12 flew over the reserve on 18th January.
8
Gadwall. (Anas strepera) Common Resident. JAN FEB MARCH Pennington Country Park. 27 28 Wigan Flashes. 31 7 Hope Carr Reserve. 37 32 Elton Reservoir. 2 Risley Moss Reserve. 2 Houghton Green Pool.
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
24
14
45
JULY
AUG
45
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
54
82
20
35
112
99
73
71
66
87
27
13
5
2
2
22
2 2
1
3
3
2
Wigan Flashes and Pennington Country Park share the largest numbers of these ducks with Hope Carr Reserve also attracting good numbers, breeding took place at all three locations. A small number were also recorded at Rixton Clay Pits during the year. Common Teal. (Anas crecca) Common Winter Visitor, and Scarce Breeder. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 374 17 Hope Carr Nature Reserve. 384 100+ 100+ 10 Risley Moss Reserve. 87 50 20 13 Rumworth Lodge. 48 50 50 Elton Reservoir. 6 Belmont. 30+ Houghton Green Pool. 51 57 37 Wigan Flashes. 101 58 Wayoh Reservoir. 5 2
MAY
JUNE
JULY
10
10
10 6 3young
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
5
79
150
161
243
10
12
51
326
300
130
4 6young
5
100
35
12
15
2
4
3
37
4
5
6 22
105
20
31
40
37
70
66
4
7
Again all the above figures are for maximum counts. The only recorded sites where breeding took place was at Risley Moss Reserve when a female and 3 young were seen on 28th May and 2 pairs the following month with 6 young, at Belmont Reservoir 2 pairs bred. Other sites where significant numbers were seen included Low Hall Park, Astley Peat Pools and Delph Reservoir. Mallard. (Anas platyrhynchos) Common Resident. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 580 Risley Moss Reserve. 15 10 8
MAY
10
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
373
450
434
404
10
9
JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Hope Carr Nature Reserve 120 100+ 100+ Ornamental Pond.
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
100+
200
100+
105 Rumworth Lodge. 51 8 Wards Reservoir 115 Belmont Reservoir 128 Houghton Green Pool. 100+ 75 54
4
3
102 30
20
8 25young
160
151
109
Wigan Flashes. 335 113 Astley.
105 178
50 Jumbles Reservoir. 70 52 60 Wayoh Reservoir. 53 16 12 Elton Reservoir.
79
10 12
12
14
100
50
56
50
20
38
78
50
95
60+ The above figures are mainly from the WeBS counts, however this year some of the volunteer counters have changed and records were not available. Again as last year the overall numbers appear to be stable. Other sites where small numbers of duck counts were received included Delph Reservoir, Amberswood Common, Diggles Flash, Worthington Lakes, Three Sisters and High Rid Reservoir. Breeding took place at all the mentioned sites and 8 ducklings were seen on Pennington Brook on 22nd March and 9 nests found at Belmont in April. Northern Pintail. (Anas acuta) Uncommon Winter Visitor. Recorded at 7 locations between January and February then from September to the end of the year. A single bird appeared at Hope Carr Reserve on 4th January. At Pennington Country Park singles were seen on 15th/18th January with a pair on 31st of that month, then during the following month singles on 8th and 24th. Into September and a single at Turners Flash on 1st with a pair at Horrocks Flash on 6th, at Belmont Reservoir 3 birds were present on 14th. Female birds were at Pennington Country Park on 24th and at Elton Reservoir on 25th. A female was recorded at Hope Carr Reserve on 23rd October and again from 2nd November to 11th, also that month a pair flew over the village at Astley. December produced a duck at Pennington Country Park, which stayed for most of the month. Garganey. (Anas querquedula) Scarce Summer Visitor. A pair took up residence at Crompton Lodges during March and April, also in April a male was recorded at Pennington Country Park on 19th to 21st. During May Horrocks Flash recorded a male bird from 9th to 14th and at Pennington Country Park a single on 26th. August saw singles at Turners Flash on 13th, at Horrocks Flash on 22nd with a pair at Pennington Country Park on 27th. There is evidence that a pair bred successfully in the recording area.
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Northern Shoveler. (Anas clypeata) Uncommon Resident. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 28 20 40 47 Hope Carr Nature Reserve. 30 Elton Reservoir. 1 Male 4 Wigan Flashes 11 16
MAY
JUNE
20
4
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
Nov
DEC
12
96
178
29
6
13
4
17
49
6
3 33
23
79
The majority of these birds appear to commute between the waters of Pennington Country Park and the Wigan Flashes. Other waters where small numbers appeared were Rixton Clay Pits, Rumworth Lodge with 5 on 5th March, Houghton Green Pool 2 in April, and 2 at High Rid in December. The only evidence of breeding was at a private site in the Wigan area where 10 ducklings were seen in June. Common Pochard. (Aythya ferina) Common Resident. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 40 20 12 20+ Elton Reservoir. 18 Houghton Green Pool. 142 34 21 Wigan Flashes. 24 38
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
10
8
8
18
7
15
25
50
1 16
7 24
18
39 6
13
10
8
7
10
60
42
69
The highest number recorded came from Houghton Green Pool with 142 on 5th January probably due to other waters being frozen. Smaller numbers were received from the following sites, Hope Carr Reserve 30 in January and smaller number all year but no exact figures. Jumbles Reservoir and Wayoh Reservoir both recorded less than 10 birds in the winter months. Risley Moss Reserve recorded 6 over the site in January, with Rumworth Lodge logging 2 in February and 10 in December. Breeding was confirmed at a private site in the Wigan area. Ring-necked Duck. (Aythya collaris) Rare Visitor - Escapees. At Rumworth Lodge on 28th/29th December a drake was reported. (T Wainwright). (There had been 6 sightings in the recording area since 1930 the last being at Jumbles Reservoir in March 1995). Tufted Duck. (Aythya fuligula) Common Resident. JAN FEB MARCH Pennington Country Park. 122 50+ 50+ Risley Moss Reserve. 8 Hope Carr Nature Reserve 51 20 Elton Reservoir. 22 20 12 Rumworth Lodge.
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
90
20
20
265
250
170
159
278
52
6
14
5
2
43
21
30 20
6
21 12
17
38
23
11
8 10 12 JAN FEB MARCH Houghton Green Pool. 37 31 17 Wigan Flashes. 165 133
12 APRIL
12 MAY
15 JUNE
12
12
16
5 JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
22
15
10
27
31
178
139
113
Other sites where small numbers were recorded during the year included Astley landfill site, with up to 6 in May, Jumbles Reservoir and Wayoh Reservoir with a maximum of 6 birds. Amberswood Common and Diggles Flash reported double figures in most months. Rixton Clay Pits supported maximums of 30 birds throughout the year. Breeding was established at Rumworth Lodge with 2 broods in July and at Hope Carr Reserve 3 broods on the nearby River Glaze in August, with a late brood of 4 on the reserve in September. In the Belmont area up to 2 pairs bred at Belmont Reservoir, and a single pair at Delph Reservoir and Wards Reservoir. Greater Scaup. (Aythya marila) Uncommon Winter Visitor. At Elton Reservoir on 2nd of January a first winter male bird was recorded whilst at Pennington Country Park a female was sighted on 10th November, numbers slightly down on last year. Lesser Scaup. (Aythya affinis) Rare North American visitor. A duck visited Pennington Country Park during all of July and up to 10th of August and was identified as a Lesser Scaup by a number of observers; it is the first such record in the county although some observers believe the bird to be a hybrid. Long-tailed Duck. (Clangula hyemalis). Rare Winter Visitor. A female/immature duck was recorded between Pearson’s Flash and Scotman's Flash on 8th to 13th October then a further record of a bird on Pearson’s Flash on 8th December. Common Scoter. (Melanitta nigra) Uncommon Winter Visitor. A pair was recorded at Belmont Reservoir on 25th of May and a group of 10 was at Pennington Country Park on 1st July then a pair on 4th of that month. Looking back at previous records this appears to be the quietest year we have experienced for sightings of this duck. Common Goldeneye. (Bucephala clangula) Common Winter Visitor. JAN FEB MARCH Pennington Country Park. 17 28 20 Elton Reservoir. 17 10 Rumworth Lodge. 8 8 24 High Rid. 9 Wigan Flashes. 26 47
APRIL
MAY
8
1
6
JUNE
JULY
AUG 1
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
9
18
10
21
17
1
13 1 2
A female stayed on at Pennington Country Park up to 15th May with a bird returning, again a female on 27th August, the first to return to Elton Reservoir did so on 14th October. Sightings received from other locations were, Jumbles/Wayoh Reservoirs a maximum of 3 in February, Belmont Reservoir a single in April and the last bird at Delph was on 10th April.
12
Two were at Belmont in October. Pairs also reported from Hope Carr Reserve in March and Bickershaw in December. Smew. (Mergus albellus) Scarce winter visitor. This bird has not been recorded by the society since 1998 when singles and pairs were reported from Pennington Country Park. This year however has been a much better year with 8 locations recording the species. The first to be reported was a female at Houghton Green Pool on 4 th January until 11th of that month. And one arrived at Pennington Country Park on 29th January and was present throughout February until 6th March. At Amberswood a male arrived on 15th February and was later seen at Scotman’s Flash on 17th, on 20th a sighting of a male at Belmont Reservoir with a further male seen at Rumworth on 23rd. In late winter a male was reported over Astley. Red-breasted Merganser. (Mergus Merganser) Uncommon Winter - Passage Visitor. Only two records were received of this duck, one of a pair over Houghton Green Pool on 10th January and a male at Pennington Country Park on 3rd February. Goosander. (Mergus merganser) Common Winter Visitor. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY Pennington Country Park. 26 36 27 20 1 Hope Carr Nature Reserve. 18 8 Elton Reservoir. (Small numbers at beginning of year). 2 Delph Reservoir. 38 31 15 3 Wigan Flashes. 6 7 Wayoh Reservoir. 6 3 3
AUG
SEPT
4
OCT
NOV
DEC
1
8
25
2
2
2 9
11 18
28
2
10 3
Again this year Delph Reservoir produced the largest group with 38 (44 in 2002). Other waters included singles with up to 3 birds fishing on the Bridgewater Canal at Astley in January, February, November and December. Rumworth Lodge recorded a pair in February and March with a single bird in December. Amberswood Common attracted good numbers with 14 in February and 4 seen over Risley Moss Reserve in January. Ruddy Duck. (Oxyura jamaicensis) Uncommon Resident. JAN FEB MARCH Pennington Country Park. 12 3 3 Elton Reservoir. 1 Houghton Green Pool. 54 54 38 Wigan Flashes. 4 24
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
17
10
10
6
2
5
2
5
2
34
55
40
60
1 28
3 11
4
7 9
29 6
46 30
13
Houghton Green Pool had one of the highest counts in the area, which was well up on last year’s numbers; perhaps it is due to the culling in other areas. The numbers at Pennington Country Park are slightly down on last year, on the Wigan Flashes counts similar to last year. A single bird was seen on Springs Reservoir on 4th March. Honey-Buzzard. (Pernis apivorus) Vagrant. This year there was two sightings of this rare buzzard, both at Risley Moss Reserve on 25th May and 4th September (P. Hilton). (In 2002 there was 3 sightings in the recording area and in 2000, 2 sightings with 6 previous sightings from 1852) Red Kite. (Milvus milvus) Rare Visitor. Last year there were 5 sightings of this raptor and this year the same number with 4 in the Risley Moss Reserve area and 1 in the Wigan Flashes area. Singles were reported from Risley Moss Reserve on 22nd January, 27th/29th March and on 5th August (P. Hilton) with a bird at Wigan on 2nd August. (First recorded in 1992 with records in 93/95/97/99 then 2000/2001 and 2002 with sightings in June/August and September).
Marsh Harrier. (Circus aeruginosus) Uncommon Passage Migrant. Risley Moss Reserve recorded this raptor during 8 months of the year commencing with a female on 24th February, two separate birds in April being females on 20th/21st, into May again two sightings on 13th/25th both females. A male bird appeared on 2nd June with females on 9th/18th July. August was a bumper month for this bird at Risley with a total of 13 sightings all female/juvenile birds with 2 birds together on one occasion. September again produced some good sightings with birds seen on 6 occasions during the month, and finally a female/immature bird on 1st November which was the last sighting there. In the Astley area a female/immature was seen near the landfill on 19th April, with a bird roosting on 5th May. On the nearby Worsley Moss a sighting on 12th June and on Astley Moss both male and female birds seen in August. In the north of the recording area an immature bird was reported at Belmont from 13th August and seen daily up to the end of the month when it was joined by another bird, a single was present until the 9th September, (this is the second year that this species was present at this site). Sightings in September were of singles at Wilderswood, Horwich on 2nd and a further sighting on 14th on Smithills Moor. Other records included a bird at Hope Carr Reserve on 11th August and at Red Moss on 7th September. Hen Harrier. (Circus cyaneus) Uncommon Visitor. A male again wintered in the West Pennine Moors around Belmont, being seen regularly from January until 18th March, and from 11th October until December, it was in company with a second male at Belmont Reservoir on several dates in early November. A female/immature were seen in the Belmont area on 26th August and 29th October. Further south both male and female birds were showing in January in the Astley area with a further ringtail on 6th March then a long gap until a ringtail was again seen on 3rd December in the landfill area. At Risley Moss Reserve there were sightings of a ringtail on 27th/28th January with a further ringtail on 13th March. Autumn sightings at Risley commenced with a female on 22nd September and again on 15th/17th/18th and 26th October with a female on 8th November, an adult male bird appeared on 18th and a ringtail on 13th December.
14
Northern Goshawk. (Accipiter gentilis) Scarce Visitor. On 3rd February a juvenile bird was recorded on the landfill site at Astley although due to presence of falconers in area the origin of the bird is in doubt. At Risley Moss Reserve a juvenile bird was recorded on 24th September with a sighting of a single on 24th October and a male bird on 1st of November (P. Hilton). A report of a single bird seen on 15th August came from Smithills Moor. Eurasian Sparrowhawk. (Accipiter nisus) Common Resident. These birds were seen with great regularity throughout the year at most locations, which would suggest that this species is holding it’s own if not increasing. Risley Moss Reserve recorded birds each month with at least two pairs in the area and a total of 5 birds in August with evidence of breeding. The Astley area regularly recorded a pair each month with evidence of breeding. There was also evidence of breeding within Pennington Country Park. Altogether reports received of sightings from 25 sites with more frequent visits to gardens in search of prey, which appear to include a lot of Collared Dove. An interesting incident occurred in a Tyldesley garden when a Starling was taken by a Sparrowhawk, as it hadn't killed the Starling after a few minutes it took the bird to the garden bird bath and held it under the water till it was dead then commenced to eat it. Common Buzzard. (Buteo buteo) Common Resident. A similar story to 2002 with sightings from 20 different sites, this bird is still increasing and seen throughout the recording area. The largest group recorded was of 16 birds seen over Irlam Moss on 13th September. Elsewhere the best numbers came from Risley Moss Reserve with up to 6 birds each month, 9 in February and 7 in June, August and September. In the Astley area up to 4 was the norm with 5 in January and a late bird over the landfill site hovering in search of food at 10pm at night in June. Birds over Botany Bay wood amounted to maximums of 6 in February and March with pairs during the rest of the year. Smaller numbers have been recorded at the following locations, Glazebury (pair), Leigh Town Centre (singles), Little Woolden Moss (up to 3), Houghton Green Pool (pair), Pennington Country Park (singles), High Rid Reservoir (singles), Bolton Town Centre (singles), Wigan area (2 pairs), Belmont and surrounding area (singles). There was evidence of breeding with juveniles seen in the areas of the mosslands. Osprey. (Pandion haliaetus) Scarce Passage Migrant It is becoming a more common sight to see one of these birds on passage through our recording area with 8 sightings last year and 13 this year. Commencing with the spring passage when the first to arrive was a bird over Bolton on 9th March followed by a sighting over Astley landfill on 22nd March. During April singles were observed over Leigh on 8th, at Astley on 11th again over Bolton on 19th and finally a bird was seen to catch a fish at Pennington Country Park on 27th. Autumn passage started with an early bird over Darwen Moor on 27th August with sightings as follows: - for September singles at Risley Moss Reserve on 9th and 11th, at Elton Reservoir and Pennington Country Park on 13th. The last bird recorded was over Risley Moss Reserve on 1st October. Common Kestrel. (Falco tinnunculus) Common Resident. A similar story to last year with Risley Moss Reserve, Astley and Houghton Green Pool being the most closely monitored sites in the area. At Risley Moss Reserve 3 was the maximum up to May and June then a pair was found to be breeding. In July 4 birds were present with 5 in August and September then up to 6 birds recorded in October, 4 in November and 3 in December. At Astley a maximum of 4 birds was recorded during six months of the year with a pair breeding close to the village.
15
At Houghton Green Pool 4 were seen in January then a pair was recorded throughout the year, which was a breeding success story in the area, young birds were seen in July. A pair was at Hope Carr Reserve during the year with possible breeding there, and also a pair near to Windy Bank wood Glazebury. A pair was recorded at Elton Reservoir during the year. A group of 7 individuals was seen on Winter Hill on 17th September with 6 on 24th of that month. Singles and pairs were also recorded at Pennington Country Park Doffcocker, Jumbles Reservoir, Low Hall Park, Rumworth Lodge, Shakerley and Worthington Lakes. Red-footed Falcon. (Falco vespertinus) Rare vagrant. A single bird was recorded over Smithills Moor on 14th September then again over Burnt Edge the following day. The last sighting of such a bird was in 2001, which again was in the Burnt Edge area on 6th/7th July. This is the 7th record for the area of this rare falcon. Merlin. (Falco columbarius) Uncommon Visitor. The massive moorland fires that swept across approx 20km of the West Pennine Moors in March and April burnt out 3 regular Merlin sites. One pair managed to relocate and successfully fledged 3 juveniles, a second pair which was also successful at a regular site unaffected by the fires. (In 2002 up to 3 pairs bred in the West Pennine Moors). Away from their breeding areas this, our smallest falcon appears to favour the mosslands in the Astley and Risley areas. Although the number of sites has not increased the number of sightings certainly has with 7 sightings in January at Risley Moss Reserve of both male/female birds. February was a little quieter, then into March with 3 sightings then April produced 5 occasions when both male and female were seen. Between August and December at Risley Moss Reserve 7 sightings in August and October with 3 in September and 4 in November and December. At Astley a single was over the landfill in January with 4 sightings in February of a female bird and a female/immature in April. Later into winter and there was 3 sightings over the landfill in August and a single bird over Astley village in December seen to tussle with a Peregrine Falcon with a further bird over the landfill site that month. Houghton Green Pool recorded birds in January, seen for most of that month. A female in February and late winter birds included singles in October and November. Other sightings included a male at Elton Reservoir in January, a male at Doffcocker lodge in February, a female at Chat Moss in February and a single at Bickershaw in March. A bird was reported at Scotman’s Flash in October with 2 showing on Irlam Moss in November. Hobby. (Falco subbuteo) Uncommon Summer Visitor. Risley Moss Reserve was, again this year, the best site to observe this attractive falcon with birds recorded from April to September. The first bird to arrive at Risley did so on the exact date as last year, the 24th April, with a bird seen there each day to the end of that month. During the months of May, July, August and September a maximum of 3 birds was recorded with sightings of singles and pairs on a regular basis. June saw a maximum of 2 birds again at Risley with sightings of singles throughout the month. The last bird at Risley Moss Reserve was recorded on 29 th September. Other sightings included a single at the Wildlife Trust Astley on 21st May with a further sighting in the Astley area of a bird in Moss Lane on 17th. In July a single was recorded over the Astley landfill on 7th and 9th with birds seen near to the A580 at Astley on 16th and 28th. August saw singles near to the Peat Pools at Astley with a juvenile bird present, into September with just a single sighting on 12th. Other locations where birds were recorded included Pennington Country Park with singles on 14th June, 2nd of July and 17th September and a single at Glazebury on 22nd September. Singles and pairs were seen on occasions in June and July in the Belmont area and it is thought increasingly likely that breeding could take place in that area, birds in that location are often seen to feed on Northern Eggar moths (*) in June. (*) Northern Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa quercus) Flies by day; May to August.
16
Peregrine Falcon. (Falco peregrinus) Uncommon Resident. Twelve locations recorded this raptor throughout the year and as with the national trend, sightings have increased on last year’s figures. Risley Moss Reserve was well monitored all year with an exceptional number of 52 sightings, which included a pair in January and April. Six sightings in August, 7 in September and October and again 6 in November. An interesting incident at Risley Moss Reserve was an adult male seen to swoop on a resting Nightjar only to cause the bird to fly off to find a safer refuge, which it did. Elton Reservoir recorded singles in February, March and November, with a female being present most of December. The Astley area saw singles in January, March, October and November with 4 sightings of birds in December, including one bird tussling with a Merlin. Sightings also increased in the Pennington Country Park area with a total of 11 occasions when birds were recorded over the park. These included one in June with an average of two sightings each month to the end of the year. Birds were also recorded at Rumworth Lodge in September and Houghton Green Pool in January and March. Chat Moss in February and 2 on Irlam Moss in November. Singles were also recorded over Smithills Moor and Winterhill in September, while in Bolton Town Centre a bird was preying on the Lapwings roosting on the roofs, singles and pairs noted in the Belmont area throughout the year. Red Grouse. (Lagopus lagopus) Uncommon Resident. The following appraisal of the species status is taken from F S Mitchell (2) dated 1892. “Widespread most upland moors, declining on lowland mosses where formally also abundant, and partially altitudal”. Migration to mosses takes place in November. Evidence that these birds were present on the Lancashire mosslands with a record of a female on Little Woolden Moss on 24 th April 1970. Common knowledge that these birds are now confined to the heather moors above Bolton where in 1989 an estimated late summer population was 800 birds. That was an exceptional year and now over the past few years the numbers have declined on certain moors but a good population is maintained in particular locations. The massive fires on the moorland obviously affected the grouse population pushing 5 pairs onto an un-burnt area of Belmont Moor (which would normally only support 1/2 pairs) in late April; a pair was by Belmont Reservoir in late March (seen later with a brood of 3 juveniles on 6th July). Darwen Moor was largely unaffected by the fires and the first brood was seen on the early date of 9th May, gamekeeper counts estimated 500 grouse in late July (150 shot in 3 days). Gamekeeper counts in early August over a sample area of badly burnt Anglezarke Moor, resulted in 8 pairs with 22 juveniles, therefore, there was no shooting during the year. On Belmont Moor 50+ shot on 16th August, with 3 birds on Edgerton Moss, Pickup Bank on 22nd December, other records include a pair on Harcles Hill on 3rd June, a pair with 4 young on Smithills Moor on 14th June and 5 on Horrocks Moor on 30 November. Red-legged Partridge. (Alectoris rufa) Scarce Resident. There were 3 locations where this bird was recorded, Risley Moss Reserve, Houghton Green Pool and the Astley area. There was only 1 record from Risley, 4 from the Astley area and 2 from Houghton Green Pool, none of which contained more than a pair of these birds. Grey Partridge. (Perdix perdix) Common Resident. The bulk of sightings come from the south mossland and farmland where pockets of Partridge are still clinging on in arable areas surrounded by housing etc. The arable fields around Houghton Green Pool has a reasonable population with coveys of 5 seen in spring and pairs in summer with young. From August to December good numbers were recorded with 13 in August, 18 in October, 38 in November and 18 in December. The mosslands south of Astley also hold a healthy population with up to 15 seen in early spring two pairs with young in the summer. Autumn saw 46 in September, 27 in October and 16 in December.
17
The farmland in the Rixton/Glazebrook area held good numbers this year with several coveys reported and families with up to 10 chicks. Marsland Green area of Leigh has approximately 20 birds resident and in the Golborne area 23 was seen in Rob Lane in January with smaller groups all year round. A pair bred in the Belmont Reservoir area and a covey of 6 birds was seen on 1 st November. Other areas where pockets of these birds can be found include the fields off Shakerley Lane, Tyldesley (14 maximum), Lilford wood area (6 maximum), Rumworth Lodge (8 maximum), Borsdane wood fields (6 maximum) and small coveys at Low Hall Park. Further north, at Elton Reservoir, there were several pairs reported in the fields with breeding taking place in the area. Common Quail. (Coturnix coturnix) Scarce Summer Visitor. The first bird to be heard was a single on Risley Moss Reserve on 23rd May then another bird on 26th August. There was a lot of excitement in July with a pair in the vicinity of Olive Mount Farm, Chat Moss on 14th and 15th July and another bird near to Astley Village on 16th July. Common Pheasant. (Phasianus colchicus) Common Resident. The largest group recorded was 200+ near to Belmont Reservoir on 19th October presumably part of the thousand or so we are told were bred for sporting purposes. Elsewhere birds recorded at Astley, Hope Carr Reserve, Pennington Country Park, Turton Towers, Risley Moss Reserve, Glazebury, Rixton, Elton, Low Hall Park and Wigan. Birds visited the allotments at Astley, plus an unusual visit to a Tyldesley garden, which is in a reasonably built up area. Water Rail. (Rallus aquaticus) Uncommon Resident. This secretive bird was recorded at 7 sites including Wigan Flashes - maximum in brackets - (9 in December), Pennington Country Park (5 in October), Hope Carr Reserve (3 in September), Elton Reservoir (2 in December), with singles at Astley, Risley Moss Reserve and Ringley Sewage works. Evidence of breeding came from Hope Carr Reserve in September and on the Wigan Flashes again in September. Spotted Crake. (Porzana porzana) Rare Visitor. A bird was heard calling at the rear of the Astley allotments during the evening of 30th May (P Hilton). At Pennington Country Park there were good views of a bird from 20th September to at least 3rd October (A Doyle.) The first ever recorded at Risley Moss Reserve was a single seen on 10th of October and then again on 17th October (P Hilton). Moorhen. (Gallinula chloropus) Common Resident Pennington Country Park saw 30+ each month with a maximum of 43 in December. Hope Carr Reserve has a good population again with 30+ each month and 39 in November. Fan Lodge saw a maximum of 14 in October with a similar number at Diggles Flash in December. Rixton Clay Pits recorded up to 25 birds during the year. Three pairs bred at Risley Moss Reserve, small numbers at Rumworth Lodge and at the Astley landfill with breeding at both sites. At Belmont Reservoir 7 pairs bred, 15+ birds were there on 23rd March and in November birds were seen feeding some distance from water on corn scattered in woodland for pheasants. A count of 18 at Dunscar lodges on 14th September. Other locations where birds were recorded included Wayoh/Jumbles Reservoirs, Shakerley, Mesnes Park, Orchard Lane, Amberswood Common and the Bridgewater Canal at Leigh/Astley.
18
Common Coot. (Fulica atra) Common Resident. The following are maximum numbers from either WeBS or other means. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 80 Elton Reservoir.
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
737
957
734
406
200
210
240
913
720
237 Houghton Green Pool. 234 211 82 Wigan Flashes.
24
18
41
96
194 305
200
Other sites with numbers below 100 included Rumworth Lodge (35 maximum), High Rid (45 maximum), Jumbles Reservoir, Amberswood Common, Rixton Clay Pits (50+ maximum), Hope Carr Reserve (30+) and Diggles Flash (14 maximum). Only 1 pair was present at Belmont Reservoir and they abandoned the site when water levels dropped, other sites in the area are now vacant (the only pair to breed was on a small pond in Longworth Clough.) Common Crane. (Grus grus) Very Rare Visitor. Five lucky observers at Risley Moss Reserve at 1.22pm recorded a pair of these spectacular birds on 13th April. The birds flew low from the northwest almost landing on the reserve but circled overhead and flew westwards at 1.40pm. (P Hilton & D Beetham). The first ever record for Risley Moss Reserve and the third for the recording area with 1 at Elton Reservoir in October 1997 and a bird over Astley/Risley in 1983. Oystercatcher. (Haematopus ostralegus) Scarce Breeder. Pennington Country Park saw some very early birds with a single on 20th January then 3 by 27th January, into February with a maximum of 18. March saw 26 birds then a decline when the birds started to find territory to breed. Between May and September Pennington Country Park recorded a maximum of 4 birds with pairs seen daily, the last to be seen there was on 3rd September. A pair was at Hope Carr Reserve from February with breeding taking place. Rumworth Lodge started with 6 in February, 2 pairs in March and April, which nested with the result of 3 chicks by 29 th April and in that month a maximum of 7 adults were seen. In May some of the chicks fledged and were seen flying to nearby fields and again in that month 7 birds were recorded. For the rest of the year Rumworth produced a further 7 birds in July with 5 in August, the last 3 were seen on 23rd August. Houghton Green Pool again recorded 2 pairs all summer with a pair nesting in nearby fields, no birds were seen there after the month of June. More northerly the first to return to Belmont Reservoir did so on 7th February and by 24th a total of 20 birds were there. At Belmont Reservoir 5 pairs bred fledging approximately 9 juveniles, a pair breeding at Delph Reservoir had 2 young in July and a possible pair bred at Cadshaw. In the Astley area a pair was seen in March and April, a single in May then a large group of 9 on the Peat Pools in June. The last in the Astley area was a bird calling over the landfill site on 21st September. At Elton Reservoir a pair returned on 28th February with pairs seen in March April and June with a single in May. Sightings over Risley Moss Reserve consisted of pairs and singles over during the months March to July. Avocet. (Recurvirostra avosetta) Rare Visitor. The only records this year came from Pennington Country Park with a single bird on 4 th May and on 13th July (A Doyle). This is the 4th record for the area with a pair at Belmont Reservoir and Rumworth Lodge in April last year and singles at Pennington Country Park in 1974 and 1983.
19
Little Ringed Plover. (Charadrius dubius) Uncommon Summer Visitor. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 1 (31st) 6 Risley Moss Reserve. 2 3 Hope Carr Nature Reserve. 3 (25th) Elton Reservoir. 1 (22nd) 2 Rumworth Lodge. 1 (24th) 4 2 (25th) Belmont Reservoir. 1 (27th) 6 Houghton Green Pool. 4 Astley. 1
MAY
JUNE
JULY
7
8
4
6
3
2
3
11 2
4
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
1 2
2
2
5
1
5 2
Recorded at 9 locations between March and August with the earliest arrival being at Elton Reservoir on 22nd March. Only 1 pair bred at Belmont Reservoir this year, which is disappointing as the first bird back there was on 27th March rising to 6 by 26th April. Great Ringed Plover. (Charadrius hiaticula) Passage Migrant. Recorded at 6 locations including Pennington Country Park, Rumworth Lodge, Risley Moss Reserve, Astley, Belmont Reservoir and Houghton Green Pool. In January there was a single bird at Pennington Country Park on 12th with a pair on 28th. There were no sightings in February then 3 in March with a pair nesting in April, by May there was 7 maximum and 4 on a daily basis. Into June and 2 nest sites located, by July a chick was seen with 5 adults present, whilst in August/September singles and pairs were recorded with 3 on 1st September, and sightings until 17th of that month. Another location where breeding took place was Houghton Green Pool with a pair all April and a pair nesting in the area in May although no confirmation of any chicks. At Rumworth Lodge 2 seen on 23rd March, 3 in April, 2 on 20th May, June and July were blank months then up to 6 seen in August the last bird was seen on 7th September. Risley Moss Reserve recorded a single on 19th March, and a single over in April, 5 over in May then a blank until a single was seen on 28th September that being the last record. Other sites included Astley with a single in March and June and at Belmont Reservoir there was a single on 26th April, 6 on 11th August and one on 23rd August. Golden Plover. (Pluvialis apricaria) Common Winter Visitor. Birds were recorded in each month of the year the highest group being recorded as 247 on the roof of Focus D.I.Y. Bolton, in November. At Pennington Country Park up to 18 were seen in January and February then a single in August and 4 on 19th August. September saw a maximum of 40 on 27th, 165 in October then 65+ in November and 28 in December. In the Robb Lane area of Golborne 48 were seen in January then recorded as 20 on 10th and 150 on 22nd of September. Rumworth Lodge reported 8 in January, 15 in February, 9 were there in October, 3 in November and 50 in December. At Belmont Reservoir a small flock of 24 on 16th February and a late flock of 35+ on moors in April with singles/pairs in August. On the moors around Belmont 4 pairs bred including 2 pairs on moorland reduced to bare peat by the fire in March and a pair on Black Moss on 3rd June. Near to the village in Astley there was flocks of 12 and 70 in January with 100 on March 9th then late winter saw 12 on 12th October. Smaller numbers were recorded at Elton Reservoir, Marsland Green, Astley and Houghton Green Pool.
20
Sightings of birds over Risley Moss Reserve were recorded as 50 on 17th January, 30 on 8th February a single in September and flocks of 10 and 16 in October, 15 on 1st November and a pair in December. A flock of about 50 birds was recorded in fields at the rear of Low Hall Park on 14 th February. Grey Plover. (Pluvialis squatarola) Uncommon Passage. At Pennington Country Park singles seen on 18th April, 13th July and 19th August with 4 on 18th August. At Risley Moss Reserve singles over on 1st and 13th November and a single on 5th December. A bird was also recorded at Horrocks Flash on 4th June. Northern Lapwing. (Vanellus vanellus) Common Resident. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 600 300 150 100+ Risley Moss Reserve. 70 35 100 Golborne. 300 Elton Reservoir. 150+ 100+ Rumworth Lodge. 326 210 100+ D.I.Y. Bolton. Belmont Reservoir. 190 Houghton Green Pool. 280 212 270 Delph Reservoir. Astley. 120 200
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
100+ 60
100
150
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
500+
500
900
800
100
100
150
300
150 60
150
400
100
91
200
120
374
578
190 75
70
30
50
24
250
17 170
390
80
240
600
250
300
160
50
80
300
The above figures are for maximums at each location. Nesting birds and young were recorded at the following sites, Pennington Country Park, Houghton Green Pool, Risley Moss Reserve, Astley, Millers Lane, Atherton and Bedford Moss. In the Belmont area the first bird back was seen on 2 nd January numbers rose to 55 on 16th February and 190 on 7th March. In July there was still a flock of 190 but just 12 in December, which was un-seasonal. About 30 pairs bred around the reservoir at Belmont in May, delayed breeding due to dry conditions, 2 pairs bred on Smithills Moor on a burnt out area. Success by pairs breeding in the wetter bye-fields was good. Three nests were flooded out in May as water levels rose and the 10 nests on the island had poor success (Black-headed Gull colony on the island but no predation by gulls on lapwing chicks was observed). On the bare peat at Belmont Moor 7 pairs bred (at over 1,100 feet). Records of smaller flocks received from the following sites, Wayoh Reservoir and Fan Lodge. Red Knot. (Calidris canutus) Uncommon Passage Migrant. At Houghton Green Pool a single on 4 th and 5th January and at Pennington Country Park a juvenile on 31st August and singles on 2nd and 7th September.
21
Sanderling. (Calidris alba) Uncommon Passage Migrant. Only the one record received of a single bird at Pennington Country Park on 6th and 17th to 21st May. Little Stint. (Calidris minuta) Scarce Passage Migrant. All records were in September with a single at Pennington Country Park from the 12th to 19th, a juvenile bird reported at Hope Carr Reserve on 14th and at Risley Moss Reserve a single over on 23rd and 24th with 3 on 27th. Pectoral Sandpiper. (Calidris melanotos). Rare Passage Migrant. A single bird stayed at Pennington Country Park from 13th to 24th of September, with 2 birds recorded at Red Moss, Bolton on 26th September. (A Doyle). Curlew Sandpiper. (Calidris ferruginea) Rare Passage Migrant. Only 1 record was received which was of a juvenile bird at Rumworth Lodge on 24th August. (S Almond). Dunlin. (Calidris alpina) Common Passage Migrant. Recorded each month at Pennington Country Park with records from 8 other sites. At Pennington Country Park 2 in January, 3 in February, 7 in March and 8 in April. A maximum of 9 was seen in May, and between 5 and 6 in the middle of the month, again 9 in June. From July onwards the numbers declined to just 3 each month up to October then singles in November and December. At Rumworth Lodge up to 4 seen in April with pairs and up to 5 in May. Into August and singles and pairs with a large flock of 12 on 12th September being the last birds there. At Risley sightings of birds during 7 months of the year commencing with a single in January and March, a single on 8th May and a flock of 8 on the 20th May. Singles were also recorded there in July, August, October and December. Further north at Elton Reservoir a pair on 20th May then 6 showing on 17th September and 5 until 21st of that month. Other locations included Houghton Green Pool with a pair in January and a single in March; the Peat Pools at Astley had a single in June, with singles at Hope Carr Reserve in September and pairs and singles at Dover Basin in August. The only breeding record came from the Belmont area with a pair displaying at Belmont Reservoir in April/May and were seen to chase off a Little-ringed Plover, at least one pair bred on an adjacent moorland site. Ruff. (Philomachus pugnax) Uncommon Passage Migrant. A similar story to last years records with the majority from Pennington Country Park, which had between 3 and 6 birds during April and up to 3 during the first week of May. Three in July and singles at the beginning of August with single birds all September and a maximum of 11 on 11th the last bird there was a single on 3rd October. During the month of August there was 3 at Rumworth Lodge, a single was at Hope Carr Reserve with up to 3 at Horrocks Flash a pair at Dover Basin and a juvenile seen at Turners Flash. Into September and 2 at Rumworth Lodge on 8th/9th with a single on 12th, 6 at Horrocks Flash on 6th a single at Turners Flash, 8 birds were seen over Risley Moss Reserve on 22nd.
22
Jack Snipe. (Lymnocryptes minimus) Uncommon Winter Visitor. Birds were recorded at 9 locations between January and May, then September to December. The fields around Bickershaw appear to produce interesting numbers of these birds with 2 in January, 12 in February and March, 2 in April and a late bird in May. Singles were seen there in October and 11 in November. At Risley Moss Reserve singles observed from January to April and into September again a single with 2 in October and singles in November and December. In the Astley area a single was recorded in January and 4 in February. Another single in April on the landfill site, a further single on 8th October in November a group of 5 near to the Bridgewater Canal and a total of 28 birds seen on 28th in the Chat Moss area. Further north, singles at Elton Reservoir in February and October with singles at Belmont in March, October and December. Other sightings included singles at Ringley Sewage Works in October and Scotman’s Flash in November. Common Snipe. (Gallinago gallinago) Common Resident. JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 10 11 20 9 Risley Moss Nature Reserve. 33 32 5 13 Hope Carr Nature Reserve. 2 Bickershaw. 20 Rumworth Lodge. 4 Elton Reservoir. 1 2 Belmont Reservoir.
MAY
1
JUNE
1
JULY
25
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
14
21
15
16
32
12
12
11
53
17
3
3 16
8
2
6
3
4
1 10 45
Wigan Flashes. Astley. 2 24
4
4
24
32
12
25
1
6
43
2
The above are maximums for the sites with the largest concentration at Risley Moss Reserve, Pennington Country Park and Wigan Flashes. At Belmont 4/5 pairs bred around the reservoir and a nest was found on 17th May, a pair bred in heather at 1,150 feet on Darwen Moor. Woodcock. (Scolopax rusticola) Uncommon Resident. A group of 6 birds was flushed by "pheasant beaters" at Belmont on 15th January and an estimated 10 "roding" males were recorded in Roddlesworth Plantations during a breeding bird survey for United Utilities, 10+ were flushed out of Rhododendron bushes by beaters at Belmont on 17th December. Further south Risley Moss Reserve recorded singles and pairs in January to March and October to December. Other locations where birds were seen included singles at Astley in January/February, 2 at Pennington Country Park in January and a single at Ringley Sewage Works in February. Birds were seen roding at Gathurst in May and a pair was on the Wigan Flashes in November. Black-tailed Godwit. (Limosa limosa) Uncommon Passage. Again the best place to see these birds in our area was Pennington Country Park with sightings from March to August. Commencing with a single in March and a pair all April and 4 on 26th
23
April. A total of 9 were recorded on 30th May with a single in June whilst July saw very good numbers with 6 on 15th, a flock of 13 over on 15th, 10 on 22nd and 27 on 25th. Singles were recorded on 15th and 21st August. At Risley Moss Reserve a pair was seen on 29th January with a single in July and a bird over the reserve on 10th November. Other sightings included 3 at Elton Reservoir on 25th August, singles at Rumworth Lodge in September, at Wigan Flashes in August with a pair at Dover Basin again in August. Bar-tailed Godwit. (Limosa lapponica) Scarce Passage. There are 3 sites where this bird was recorded, commencing with a single on 2nd January at Pennington Country Park, then in August another single at Pennington on 21st, 3 at Elton Reservoir on 25th of August and a bird seen over the reserve at Risley on 19th October. Whimbrel. (Numenius phaeopus) Uncommon Passage. These birds were recorded at 7 sites in the recording area commencing with night passage birds heard on 31st March over Astley and 2 seen over the village on 6th May with a single on 3rd June. Birds at Risley Moss Reserve included a single over on 9th April with 2 sightings of singles in May and 1 on 28th August. Pennington Country Park recorded a single on 22nd April with 3 on 30th, then another singleton on 28th July. In the Belmont area 2 were seen on 8th May and 1 at Delph on 4th another single at Belmont on 2nd June. At Rumworth Lodge 3 birds on 25th April and 5 on 27th of that month and at Elton Reservoir a bird flying southwest on 22nd May. Eurasian Curlew. (Numenius arquata) Common Passage. The first to return to the Belmont area did so on 7th February with roost counts there as follows: 12 on 28th February, 72 on 5th March, 130 on 7th, 121 on 10th and 81 on 17th with the last seen on 26th August flying west. Records in the southern part of the recording area commenced in March and went through to September with a single seen over Worsley Moss on 29th December. At Pennington Country Park singles/pairs were seen with up to 4 in March then singles in April, May, July and 2 on 7th September. Risley Moss Reserve saw singles and pairs over the reserve each month from March to August. Rumworth Lodge recorded up to 3 in March and 2 in August. Elton Reservoir recorded 3 in March and a single in May. In the Astley area singles and pairs were recorded in March through to July with an unusual sighting on 29th December over Worsley Moss. A pair bred on the Wildlife Trust at Astley. Other sightings of mainly singles were from Glazebury, Bickershaw and Hope Carr Reserve in March, High Rid in April and Houghton Green Pool in June. Spotted Redshank. (Tringa erythropus) Scarce passage migrant. Three locations recorded this rare wader commencing with a bird at Risley Moss Reserve on 28th July, and one at Rumworth Lodge on 29th August and at Pennington Country Park in August a single on 20th then 3 birds there from 25th to 30th August. Common Redshank. (Tringa totanus) Common Passage. JAN FEB MARCH Pennington Country Park. 4 6 22 Elton Reservoir. 1 1 1 Rumworth Lodge. 1 1 2 Belmont Reservoir. 2
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
30
9
11
6
1 2
2
2
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
4
2
3
2
1
1
1
17
24
JAN FEB MARCH Houghton Green Pool. 9 4 6
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
4
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
2
8
10
The first birds to return at Belmont appeared on 3rd March as a pair rising to 17 by 24th, 6 pairs bred at Belmont Reservoir and a pair bred close to Delph Reservoir. Juvenile birds were also recorded at Lightshaw Flash in May and June. Common Greenshank. (Tringa nebularius) Uncommon Passage. Pennington Country Park appeared to have the most visits with a single on 10th and 14th April then on 21st/23rd and 28th June. A single was there on 7th/9th and 11th of August and 2 on 8th/16th and 17th of that month and one in September. At Astley a single was on the Peat Pools on 29th August and another on 24th September. In the Belmont area singles on 29th August and 22nd of September and one at Delph Reservoir on 16th October to 22nd when it was joined by a second bird, then another single on 5th November. Other locations where solitary birds were recorded were Lightshaw, Dover Basin (both in June) Risley Moss Reserve in July and Elton Reservoir in August. During August Rumworth Lodge saw a single on 14th/15th with 6 on 17th and 3 on 27th. Green Sandpiper. (Tringa ochropus) Uncommon Passage. Recorded throughout the year, with birds at Hope Carr Reserve recorded as a pair in January and February. Single birds in March and birds returning there in July were up to 5, and a maximum of 6 showing in August and September with singles and pairs up to November. Pennington Country Park recorded singles from March to June with a maximum of 6 in July and August then 4 in September and singles in October. Risley Moss Reserve recorded solitary birds from January to April, June, July, September and October. In the Astley area there were singles in January a pair in February and singles in March and April. Pairs seen there in June and August with singles seen through to November. At Rumworth Lodge singles in March, April and July, a pair in August and a single in November. Other sites where birds were recorded included Houghton Green Pool a single in April. Elton Reservoir held singles in September and December. A singleton was at Delph Reservoir in July with a pair at Lightshaw Flash in August while Pearson’s Flash hosted up to 4 birds in September. Wood Sandpiper. (Tringa glareola) Scarce Passage. There were 4 locations where this scarce passage bird was seen. A pair was at Hope Carr Reserve on 6th and 7th August, and a pair at Pennington Country Park (probably the same birds) on 7th and 8th. At Risley Moss Reserve on 24th August a bird was heard calling from the mossland, a pair seen over the Astley landfill site on 30th August. On 1st September a bird was still near to the landfill at Astley and there was a sighting near the fishing lake of a single bird. Common Sandpiper. (Actitis hypoleucos) Common Passage and Summer Visitor. The first birds to arrive were at Elton Reservoir on 11th April with a pair all month then a single in May and August. At Houghton Green Pool a bird on 12th April with up to 4 by 20th then further sightings there in August. Again on 12th singles at Pennington Country Park with 3 by 27th, a pair present in May with singles in June and up to 5 birds in July and 3 in August, and a single on 15th September. On 13th September singles were showing at Astley and Risley Moss Reserve with further sightings at Risley in June. The first bird to arrive at Belmont did so on 17 th with 9 by 25th and breeding took place in the area with a record of 6/7 pairs breeding at Belmont Reservoir, 3 pairs at Delph Reservoir and 1 pair at Springs Reservoir.
25
The last bird at Delph was seen on 19th August. Rumworth Lodge saw reasonable numbers with 3 in April, a pair in May up to 3 in July and between 4 and 5 birds all August with a single on 7th September. Singles also recorded at Worthington Lakes on 29th April and at Hope Carr Reserve on 6th/9th August. Turnstone. (Arenaria interpres) Uncommon Passage. The only records were from Pennington Country Park with a single on 27th April, a pair on 25th May and another single on 9th August. Arctic Skua. (Stercorarius parasiticus) Rare Visitor. An unconfirmed report came from Risley Moss Reserve of a juvenile bird seen over the reserve on 22nd September. Mediterranean Gull. (Larus melanocephalus) Scarce visitor. Recorded at Pennington Country Park as singles on 27th April, 15th and 18th of September and 27th December. An adult bird was with a flock of Black-headed Gulls on 16th May at Risley Moss Reserve. Little Gull. (Larus minutus) Uncommon Visitor. At Pennington Country Park a pair appeared on 28th April and one on 29th. Singles there in May on 3rd and 5th then in September on 14th and 28th. Elton Reservoir recorded juvenile birds on 28th August through to 8th of September and a juvenile was seen at Rumworth Lodge on 28th August. Black-headed Gull. (Larus ridibundus) Common Resident. JAN FEB MARCH Pennington Country Park.
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
300 Flying over Risley Moss Reserve. 100 50 Delph Reservoir. 1100 1300 Rumworth Lodge. 200 150 200 Houghton Green Pool. 220 370 480 Jumbles and Wayoh Reservoirs. 125 100
40
NOV
DEC
6000
3000
1200
1700
100 130
500
1700
1100
200
100 150 100
230 60
The largest flocks are of roosting birds at Pennington Country Park and Delph Reservoir. Breeding took place at many sites including 54 nests at Horrocks Flash with 31 of them lost to mink predation. Common Gull. (Larus canus) Common Winter Visitor. These birds were seen at many sites including Rumworth Lodge, Houghton Green Pool, Risley Moss Reserve, Astley, Amberswood and Pennington Country Park. Apart from Pennington Country Park, where 127 birds were recorded in December, the other sites produced fewer than 50 birds.
26
Lesser Black-backed Gull. (Larus fuscus) Common Winter Visitor. Recorded throughout the year apart from the months of July and August. An interesting movement of birds occurred at Elton Reservoir in late March when the following numbers were recorded 850+ on 23rd, 400 on 24th, 200+ on 27th all flying in a westerly to north westerly direction but only small numbers there during the year. At Pennington Country Park small numbers were seen each month with a maximum of 70 in November. At Astley landfill site the maximums were as follows, 20 in March, 100 in April, 32 in May, 20 in June with 50 in December. Small numbers were recorded over Risley Moss Reserve during the year with good numbers in October when 60/125 was recorded. Small numbers also seen at Rumworth Lodge and Houghton Green Pool. A pair held territory and possibly bred at Belmont Reservoir with the birds seen feeding on spawning frogs in April. Herring Gull. (Larus argentatus) Common Winter Visitor. Small numbers of these birds were recorded at Pennington Country Park, Risley Moss Reserve, Houghton Green Pool and Astley landfill site. Iceland Gull. (Larus glaucoides) Uncommon Winter Visitor. Singles were recorded at Pennington Country Park on 14th January and 31st December. In the Astley area an adult bird was seen on the landfill site on 3rd February and on 30th December a bird was located on a ploughed field near to the village. Great Black-backed Gull. (Larus marinus) Uncommon Winter Visitor. The largest group recorded was over Risley Moss Reserve on 16th January with 26 birds flying south, then 8 at Elton Reservoir on 27th December and 5 at Pennington Country Park in March. Houghton Green Pool recorded up to 3 in April and singles over the Astley landfill site during the year. Kittiwake. (Rissa tridactyla) Uncommon Passage. A single bird was recorded flying over Blackleach Reservoir on 13th May this was the only record. Sandwich Tern. (Sterna sandvicensis) Scarce Passage Migrant. A good year for this tern in the area with a single at Pennington Country Park on 14th August and then 7 birds on 28th. A juvenile was recorded at Rumworth Lodge on 23rd August. October saw a pair on Scotman’s Flash on 12th with 3 over Risley Moss Reserve on 14th. Common Tern. (Sterna hirundo) Common Summer Visitor JAN FEB MARCH APRIL Pennington Country Park. 15 Elton Reservoir. 6 Rumworth Lodge. 5
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
14
16
25
2
2
8
4
5
Singles
6
12
OCT
NOV
DEC
1
The first birds to return to the area did so at Pennington Country Park with 3 on 14th April. The flashes at Wigan recorded at least 20 nests although 14 were lost, predated by mink.
27
Breeding numbers at Pennington Country Park were down this year (up to 10 chicks were observed) and at Rumworth Lodge a success story with 4 lots of young in June and 6 broods raised. Other sightings were from Belmont with a single on 8th June, and singles in July at Houghton Green Pool, Risley Moss Reserve and Astley. Arctic Tern. (Sterna paradisea) Uncommon Passage Migrant. The first bird was a single over Risley Moss Reserve on 19th May, then another at Pennington Country Park on 8th July. A pair was at Elton Reservoir on 28th August with a juvenile bird on 29th, a single at Pennington Country Park on 28th then into September with a pair of juvenile birds at Elton Reservoir on 3rd. Little Tern. (Sterna albifrons) Scarce Passage Migrant. All records were of birds at Pennington Country Park with an adult on 12th May and 3 on 29th August. Black Tern. (Chlidonias niger) Uncommon Passage. The year started with 3 birds at Elton Reservoir on 17th May and a single at Pennington Country Park on 30th. A pair was seen at Pennington Country Park on 27th June and 6th August then a single on 28th August. September saw a single at Pennington Country Park on 14th to 17th, with 3 on 20th and 3 on Scotman’s Flash on 13th. Stock Dove. (Columba oenas) Uncommon Resident. Recorded at 7 locations with 6 of those sites being in the south of the recording area. Commencing with Houghton Green Pool where up to 10 birds were recorded in spring then a build up to 20 counted in August and into September, this location appears to record the highest numbers throughout the year. Astley area usually sees good numbers with up to 4 in the spring then 7 in June and 6 in October. Birds over Risley Moss Reserve were usually singles/pairs with 4 in September. Other sites included Boothstown and Glazebury with small numbers, Lilford wood where a pair bred and Belmont Reservoir with 12 seen on 25th June. Wood Pigeon. (Columba palumbus) Common Resident. Early winter flocks in January included 10,000 off the A580 at Boothstown on 6th, 1,000 at Glazebury on 23rd and 450 at Astley on 18th. During February 500 were recorded at Risley Moss Reserve and 200+ at Roddlesworth Plantations feeding on beech masts. During March and April notable flocks were at Houghton Green Pool with 400 in March and 1,000 in April with good numbers through to May then 150 and 500 in June. Late winter flocks saw up to 400 at Houghton Green Pool in August/September with a massive 1,500 in December. Risley Moss Reserve recorded 100 in August then steady increases to 150 in September, 700 in October and 600 in November. In the Astley area 200 were seen over the landfill in October and during that month south-southeast passage at Belmont recorded 260 in 45 minutes on 11th, 130 in 80 minutes on 12th and 760 in 50 minutes on 19th. There were numerous records of these birds visiting gardens especially in the winter months. Collared Dove. (Streptopelia decaocto) Common Resident. These birds appear to be holding their own although they are heavily preyed on by Sparrowhawks and domestic cats; we received numerous reports from members of birds seen taken by Sparrowhawks in their gardens. Winter flocks at Bedford, Leigh maintained a steady number with up to 30 and a similar number in January in a Tyldesley garden.
28
At Astley up to 10 were recorded throughout the year and at Risley Moss Reserve, where these birds are not common, singles and pairs were recorded throughout the year with smaller flocks over the reserve during the winter months. A notable flock was of 58 at Houghton Green Pool in August, with a maximum count of 14 at Belmont Village in October. Breeding took place in many suburban gardens and a pair bred for the first time at Belmont Reservoir. Turtle Dove. (Streptopelia turtur) Rare Summer Visitor. There were only 2 sites where this bird was seen and, due to their close proximity there may only be two pairs in the recording area. This rare bird was recorded in our area from May to September with the first record being on 2nd May at Risley Moss Reserve and 2 seen at Rixton Clay Pits on 3rd. At Risley Moss Reserve sightings in May included a pair on 7th/22nd and 26th with a single on 30th whilst a single was at Rixton Clay Pits on 14th and during the months of June and July. At Risley Moss Reserve a pair and singles were recorded on numerous occasions in June, July and August, with the last birds seen in our area being a pair on 1st September. (P Hilton/E King). Rose-ringed Parakeet. (Psittacula krameri) Scarce Resident. A single bird was recorded at Astley on 7th January, and another on 1st March at Risley Moss Reserve then a long gap until September when again a single was seen on 4th at Risley Moss Reserve. A bird was in Atherleigh Way, Leigh on 12th September and a pair were seen over Leigh on 12th November. Common Cuckoo. (Cuculus canorus) Uncommon Summer Visitor. The first visitor was recorded on 18th April on Chat Moss, Astley, with birds at Risley Moss Reserve on 19th, Glazebury on 20th and Pennington Country Park on 30th. During May a pair was heard all month in the Astley area with singles all month at Risley Moss Reserve, one was heard at Bromley Cross on 22nd and the first bird recorded at Belmont was on 4th, with numbers down on previous years. Into June and pairs and singles in the Astley area, with a juvenile bird seen on the mossland at Risley being fed by a Reed Bunting. The last report was of a single bird in the horse pasture at Astley on 1st July. Barn Owl. (Tyto alba) Uncommon Resident. I estimated that there were at least 7 breeding pairs in the recording area this year with broods at Glazebury, Hope Carr Reserve, Astley, Marsland Green Leigh, and Little Hulton. Birds were recorded in the Astley area on an almost weekly basis with a single near to the landfill site and pairs on the nearby mosslands. In the area of Glazebury, a regular breeding site, up to 3 birds were seen in August and a pair was recorded each evening in the summer months. At the Hope Carr Reserve a pair bred at least 2 chicks. Breeding also confirmed in the Little Hulton area with at least 2 chicks seen. A pair was seen regularly in the Marsland Green area taking food to a group of farm buildings but it is not known if they are a successful breeding pair. Outside the breeding season birds were recorded at Risley Moss Reserve with a single recorded almost every month. A bird was seen regularly in the Belmont area during November and December, this the first sighting since 1993. A sighting in the Wigan Flashes area was a single on Ochre Flash on 7th December, and a bird seen was in the Winwick area during the year. Little Owl. (Athene noctua) Common Resident. At Elton Reservoir again a good year with 7 chicks seen in June and at least 5 pairs bred in the area. The resident pair in Sand Pool Farm (Timperley Lane) Leigh was seen all year and in June at least two chicks were seen, a pair nested in Atherton wood and I am informed this pair has been
29
seen around the wood for some years. Around Astley birds were seen on a regular basis each month throughout the year, either near the village or in the area of the landfill site with possible breeding there. Birds noted on an almost monthly basis in the reserve at Risley Moss with single birds seen at Marsland Green, Leigh in May, on the A580 in June and a single in Winwick Lane in February. A pair was also noted in the Jennets Lane area of Glazebury, which, I am told have been in the area for many years. Tawny Owl. (Strix aluco) Common Resident. Due to its nocturnal habits this owl is under-recorded; in the recording area only 15 locations reported sightings. Risley Moss Reserve has at least two pairs and birds were noted there throughout the year. In the Astley area birds were regularly heard and seen in the village and, unusually, hunting on the landfill site with evidence of birds having bred; juvenile birds were seen in August and at least 4 different birds were seen in the area. Breeding pairs with chicks were recorded in Squires Lane, Tyldesley where 4 chicks were seen, Atherton wood and a farm at Glazebury also produced juvenile birds. Birds also recorded on a regular basis in a Lostock garden, all year at Elton Reservoir also in Borsdane wood, Jumbles Reservoir, Bromley Cross, Springfield Wigan, Worthington Lakes and Hope Carr Reserve. There was a lot of movement in the Leigh/Astley area during the months of August and September with birds very vocal each evening. Long-eared Owl. (Asio otus) Uncommon Resident. This, the most nocturnal of our owls, was recorded throughout the year in the south of the recording area where at least 2 pairs bred with juveniles seen. Also 2 pairs bred in the West Pennine Moors with 1 pair fledging 4 juveniles by 22nd May (2 later found dead due to heavy rain). In December the roost at Pennington Country Park was occupied by 3 birds on 18th with 2 birds reported from a confidential site in our area. However, due to this bird being targeted by egg thieves and young being prized by certain falconers, details of the bird sightings are not published. Short-eared Owl. (Asio flammeus) Uncommon Winter Visitor. There were 2 territorial pairs in the West Pennine Moors in the spring but the large fires there destroyed both sites. However, both were relocated and feeding young in early June. Also in that area an un-seasonal bird at Belmont in January and February. Sightings outside the breeding season included a single at Risley Moss Reserve in January with 3 sightings in February and sightings in September and November. At Astley singles on 2 occasions in January, a bird in February and one on the Wildlife Trust land in March, plus sightings on the landfill site in October and December. A single bird was also seen near to Worsley Garden Centre in January. Nightjar. (Caprimulgus europaeus) Very Rare Summer Visitor. Two sightings of this rare bird, firstly a single at Risley Moss Reserve on 20 th May. A bird was recorded over the landfill site at Astley on 18th August, which compares with a bird recorded last year over the same location on 19th August and at a similar time. (P Hilton). Common Swift. (Apus apus) Common Summer Visitor. Birds returned to the area on 21st April with singles at Risley Moss Reserve, Pennington Country Park and a pair at Elton Reservoir. By the end of the month Pennington Country Park recorded over 500 birds feeding over the flash and in May a maximum of 2,000 with 1,000+ in June. The following are maximum numbers for the sites, Risley Moss Reserve 100 in July, Astley 167 in June, Houghton Green Pool 500 in July and August. Birds were present in the Belmont area between 3rd May and 10th August. Breeding was confirmed at a number of sites in the Leigh area, especially in council housing estates.
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Common Kingfisher. (Alcedo atthis) Common Resident. Pennington Country Park (including Hey Brook) and Elton Reservoir appear to have recorded the most sightings with up to 4 birds, breeding confirmed at both sites. At Elton Reservoir adult birds were feeding young on 1st September, with 6 counted on the river in October. Other locations outside the breeding season included Astley on the landfill and Canal, Risley Moss Reserve with singles throughout the year and a pair in December. Also at Borsdane wood in August, Hope Carr Reserve in the winter months with a pair there in November. Rumworth Lodge and Amberswood Common in September, and at Bedford Brook Leigh, Diggles Flash and Middlebrook when singles were seen in the winter months. Green Woodpecker. (Picus viridis) Uncommon Resident. A breeding bird survey for United Utilities found 2 breeding pairs in and adjacent to Roddlesworth Plantations. Further south of the recording area 13 locations recorded this bird but no confirmed breeding pairs, although it is highly likely birds bred in Atherton wood and Holcombe Moor. In the Astley area monthly sightings of single birds were received with up to 4 sightings in some months, which again suggest that they could have bred in the area. It was similar story at Risley Moss Reserve with birds seen each month throughout the year, but again only singles. The birds in the Lilford area were seen as a pair in January, in the nearby cemetery in March then only on odd occasions for the rest of the year. Rumworth Lodge recorded a single bird in March and April with singles observed occasionally at the following locations Windy Bank wood, Glazebury, Pennington Country Park, Jumbles Reservoir, Elton Reservoir, Abram and Rixton Clay Pits. Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Dendrocopus major) Common Resident. A breeding bird survey for United Utilities of Roddlesworth Plantations mapped 16 territorial pairs (plus one pair immediately adjacent) and 4 active nests were found. Elsewhere there were numerous records received from over 20 sites, which included several gardens. Breeding was confirmed at most sites with multiple breeding pairs at Lilford/Atherton woods, Risley Moss Reserve, Astley, Pennington Country Park, Worthington Lakes, Rixton Clay Pits, Borsdane wood, Worsley wood and the Wigan Flashes. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. (Dendrocopus minor) Uncommon Resident. On 10th January a bird was recorded at Risley Moss Reserve, into February and a single at Risley on 14th then a pair seen later and another single on 19th. In March again at Risley a single on 14th and later on in the year a single on 5th November. Elsewhere singles were seen at Clifton Water Works on 9th March, at Windy Bank wood Glazebury on 21st November and finally at Seven Acres Park Bolton on 15th December. Skylark. (Alauda arvensis) Common Resident. Winter flocks in January and February 20 at Marsland Green Leigh, 40 at Astley with a further 20 at Chat Moss, and birds were singing in February at Elton Reservoir. Late winter flocks saw 25/28 over Risley Moss Reserve and Houghton Green Pool in October with large flocks in November of 230 on Irlam Moss and 650 on Little Woolden Moss. The first bird to return to Belmont did so on 15th February and there were 7 singing males in May on Darwen Moor. Breeding birds were also recorded at Marsland Green, Astley landfill, Chat Moss, Elton Reservoir, Houghton Green Pool with 8 pairs nesting and at many other sites.
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Sand Martin. (Riparia riparia) Common Summer Visitor. This year appeared to be one of the worst for this visitor with no birds breeding at the Morley’s Hall Sand Quarry at Astley, which has affected numbers in the area. The first bird to arrive did so on 18th March at Pennington Country Park with 40 by 30th. Birds were also reported in March at Houghton Green Pool, Rumworth Lodge, Wigan Flashes, Elton Reservoir, Risley, Astley and Hope Carr Reserve. All through the summer months few birds were recorded in the area with the exception of Houghton Green Pool, where 150 were seen in April and May then 40 in June, 12 in July and in August again a flock of 150 then 100 in September. Risley Moss Reserve recorded 30 in April then just ones and twos throughout the year as did most other sites, making it a very poor season locally. Barn Swallow. (Hirundo rustica) Common Summer Visitor. Risley Moss Reserve recorded the first bird on 24th March with birds at Wigan Flashes and Mosses Gate the following day. The first back at Belmont arrived on 14th April with most places seeing birds in that month, 200+ at Houghton Green Pool, 50+ at Pennington Country Park and flocks of up to 20 birds at other sites. Breeding took place at many sites with good numbers seen on the mossland farms. August saw a build up of birds with 100 regularly at Risley Moss Reserve, 60 at Bedford Leigh, 40 at Houghton Green Pool and up to 600 over the Astley landfill at dusk. Into September and a build up of the flocks as they prepared to migrate with 500+ (including martins) at Elton Reservoir on 18th, 300 over the Astley landfill site, 100+ at Pennington Country Park and up to 200 at Houghton Green Pool and Risley. Smaller flocks reported in October with 40 flying south over Belmont on 7 th, the last couple there was on 13th and at Risley Moss Reserve a pair left on 27th. House Martin. (Delichon urbica) Common Summer Visitor. The first to arrive back did so in the form of a pair at Elton Reservoir on 10th April then a single at Houghton Green Pool on 13th. The first at Belmont was a bird seen on 15th and after that date all locations saw birds arriving. During April up to 150 birds were seen at Houghton Green Pool and Pennington Country Park, with smaller numbers at Risley Moss Reserve, Astley, Rumworth Lodge and Edgworth. During May 200 were reported from Pennington Country Park, 100 at Houghton Green Pool and a maximum of 60 at Risley Moss Reserve. Breeding was noted with up to 15 nests at Hope Carr estate and Marsland Green, 8 nest in Edgworth and in Belmont village 29 nests were located (33 in 2002), 28 nests being along one row of terraced cottages at Abbey Village. Into August and groups of 40 were seen at Houghton Green Pool and up to 70 over Risley Moss Reserve. Good numbers seen throughout September with a maximum of 200 over Houghton Green Pool, 50 at Risley Moss Reserve, Lowton, Marsland Green Leigh and Tyldesley with small numbers at Elton. Small numbers noted during October with the last to be recorded as a pair over Risley Moss Reserve on 27th. Of 9 nests at Dimple, 3 were used by House Martins and the rest by Sparrows. Richards Pipit. (Anthus novaeseelandiae). Very Rare Migrant. A record was received of a single bird over Smithills Moor at Burnt Edge on 6th November. (There have been only 3 previous records of this bird in the recording area 1983/1994 and 2001). Tree Pipit. (Anthus trivialis) Uncommon Summer Visitor. A breeding survey for United Utilities mapped 14 singing males in Roddlesworth Plantations (a site of considerable county importance for this species). The first bird back at Roddlesworth was a singing male on 18th April.
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Other passage movement in April included 3 at Darwen Moor on 16th, with singles at Pennington Country Park on 16th and at Astley Wildlife Trust land on 20th. Other sightings included singles at Risley on 9th June, on 4th September at Pennington Country Park and on 12th September at Smithills. Meadow Pipit. (Anthus pratensis) Common Resident. Early winter flocks were up to 50 at Glazebury and Marsland Green, Leigh in January. In February groups at Risley Moss Reserve numbered 36, with 25 at Astley, 10 at Rumworth and 20 at Tyldesley. During March a flock of over 100 birds was recorded at Belmont Reservoir on 26 th, April flocks of up to 20 birds were recorded at Risley Moss Reserve, Astley and Tyldesley with smaller numbers at Houghton Green Pool. Evidence of breeding at many sites including the Wildlife Trust at Astley, Higher Folds Community Woodland, the landfill site at Astley and Risley Moss Reserve. During a BTO BBS survey on Darwen Moor 15 birds were recorded in May and 20 in June with smaller numbers at another 10 sites. Autumn passage numbers appear to be high with 700 birds over Smithills Moor on 12th September, 200+ at Belmont Reservoir on 21st and 50+ over Winter Hill on 24th. Groups of over 20 birds were also recorded at Risley and Houghton Green Pool in that month. October saw flocks of 20 and 30 at Risley, 10 at Rumworth Lodge and 20 at Houghton Green Pool. November saw 50+ at Risley Moss Reserve with smaller groups at Jumbles Reservoir and Astley. In December flocks of up to 30 birds were noted at Risley Moss Reserve Astley, Pennington Country Park and Tyldesley with an un-seasonal 30 at Belmont Reservoir on the 29th. Rock Pipit. (Anthus spinoletta petrosus) Scarce Visitor. Recorded again this year at Elton Reservoir a single on 17th October and a pair were present on 23rd October. (P Baron). Yellow Wagtail. (Motacilla flava) Rare Summer Visitor. A similar pattern to last year although fewer breeding pairs, which again indicates the decrease of this species. A single bird in the horse pasture at Astley on 13th April was the first record of returning birds, a pair at Houghton Green Pool on 20th and a single at Pennington Country Park and Risley Moss Reserve on 25th. During May a single was recorded at Elton Reservoir on 2nd, also at Astley on 4th and 12th, a bird at Pennington Country Park on 4th and a single at Risley Moss Reserve on 13th. A pair was still at Houghton Green Pool and a further pair was located off Holcroft Lane, Culcheth that month, both pairs bred with 3 young at Houghton Green Pool and young at Holcroft Lane. Autumn passage birds recorded in August included singles at Risley Moss Reserve on 3rd and 6th, a single at Rumworth Lodge on 17th, 4 on 24th and a bird at Belmont Reservoir on 31st. In September a single at Wilderswood, Horwich on 2nd, 2 at Rumworth Lodge on 8th and 9th and 5 birds at Aspull on 16th. Grey Wagtail. (Motacilla cinerea) Common Resident. There appears to be a stable population of this bird as sightings were received from almost all locations with a stream, river, or lake, which attracts this species and it is appearing increasingly at garden ponds. Recorded mostly as singles at over 25 sites with breeding confirmed at Jumbles Reservoir, 3 pairs at Roddlesworth Plantations, River Irwell at Nob End, Hindsford Brook and Borsdane wood, Worthington Lakes, Rumworth Lodge, Bedford Brook and Pennington Country Park. In June 8 were at Pennington Country Park and 12 were recorded at Pearson’s Flash Wigan in September.
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Pied Wagtail. (Motacilla alba) Common Resident. Again this year the highest concentration was at Hope Carr Reserve with up to 70 in January and February, and again in October to December when up to 150 birds was feeding. A good flock was also recorded as a roost at Spinning Jenny Shopping Centre in Leigh where up to 100 birds were seen throughout the winter. The landfill site at Astley recorded reasonable numbers in January with 30, February with 50 and 10 seen in December. Generally this bird is found in most habitats and was recorded at all locations in the recording area. Reports of White Wagtail (M.a.alba) were received from Belmont, Astley, Pennington Country Park, Hope Carr Reserve, Risley and Elton. Waxwing. (Bombycilla garrulus) Irregular Winter Visitor. Last year was a poor year for this bird and this year was not much better with just a single at Worthington Lakes on 5th January, then 3 birds over Risley Moss Reserve on 1st March. Again at Risley Moss Reserve in October 3 birds were seen over the reserve on 24th and at Pennington Country Park a single on 26th November with one on 14th December then 2 on 28th of that month. Dipper. (Cinclus cinclus) Uncommon Resident. Again this year pairs were recorded and breeding noted at the following locations Barrow Bridge, Haigh Plantations, Worthington Lakes and Roddlesworth. Other sightings included a pair on the stream between Jumbles/Wayoh Reservoirs (possible breeders) and 3 birds showing at Haigh Plantations in November. An unusual sight was of a bird seen on the rocks at the waters edge near to the car park at Pennington Country Park on 17th September. Wren. (Troglodytes troglodytes) Common Resident. Recorded every month from all locations in the recording area. Hedge Accentor. (Dunnock). (Prunella modularis) Common Resident. Numerous records were received from all sites within the recording area. Robin. (Erithacus rubecula) Common Resident. Numerous sightings were received of this common bird. Common Redstart. (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) Uncommon Migrant. The first bird (a singing male) recorded in the area was at Roddlesworth Plantations on 18th April, another male was recorded at Elton Reservoir the following day. During May a pair was at Pennington Country Park on 1st and 12th, and a survey of breeding birds at Roddlesworth Plantations found 3 singing males. During the month of July a family group was reported from Horrocks Flash, and singles at Rumworth Lodge on 20th/27th and 2 on 25th. In August singles were seen at Risley Moss Reserve on 19th and a juvenile bird was reported from Harwood on 25th. On 1st September a single was at Pennington Country Park and on 17th a bird was seen at Winter Hill. Whinchat. (Saxicola rubetra) Uncommon Migrant. Spring arrivals during April included singles at Belmont on 23rd, at Elton Reservoir on 26th, Astley (horse pasture) a male on 27th and a female on 28th, a pair at Bickershaw on 27th and a single at
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Pennington Country Park on 30th. In May a singe was at Belmont on 17th, a female in the horse pasture at Astley on 2nd and 8th and a further bird on 28th. Two pairs bred on the West Pennine moors around Belmont. August recorded 12 passing through Belmont including a group of 5 on 28th, 3 at Holcombe on 25th, singles at Astley on 24th and at Worsley Moss on 26th. At Belmont in September a group of 9 passed through with the last bird seen on 15th. Elton Reservoir recorded singles/pairs up to September 8th, singles also at Wilderswood Horwich on 2nd and at Astley on 10th with a pair on 23rd. Again in the Astley area a single was seen on 2nd & 3rd October at the landfill site a further bird was reported on 13th. Common Stonechat. (Saxicola torquata) Uncommon Resident. The pair that bred successfully at Astley in 2002 did not breed this year, perhaps due to some disturbance in the immediate area, which included removing some of the bird’s habitat. In most areas birds were recorded as over-wintering birds or on passage with January seeing 3 birds at Hope Carr Reserve, Belmont and the Astley area, then a single at Pennington Country Park. In February 2 were at Hope Carr Reserve and 6 at Astley with up to 3 birds seen at Low Hall, Amberswood Common, Risley Moss Reserve, Bickershaw, Belmont, Wilderswood at Horwich, and a single at Diggles Flash. A pair was at Bickershaw in March with a single at Astley, 3 were present at Risley Moss Reserve on 3rd/12th with 2 on 5th/10th. This species is now a widespread breeder in parts of the West Pennine moors, reliably present on many heather, bracken or even rush-covered hillsides/cloughs with an estimated population probably now well in excess of 20 pairs. In the Belmont area 5 pairs bred, 2 pairs were at Belmont Reservoir and at Holcombe Moor 2 males, a female and 3 juveniles were present on 1st of June then a pair on Holcombe Head area on 3rd. Further south a single female was recorded at Boothstown/Astley on 29th June. Into August and 9 birds were seen at Holcombe Moor on 25th, then during September singles at Winter Hill on 17th/24th with a male at Risley Moss Reserve and a female at Elton Reservoir on 23rd. Good numbers into October with 8 at Belmont on 2nd, up to 5 were present at Elton Reservoir on 19th, in the Astley area a male/female, then pairs and singles at Risley during the month. November saw a maximum of 6 in the Astley, area with 5 at Belmont and a single at Risley Moss Reserve, into December with 6 at Astley a male at Bickershaw (where I believe birds were present for much of the year) and birds all month at Belmont. Northern Wheatear. (Oenanthe oenanthe) Fairly Common Migrant. Spring records commenced in March with the first, a single, on the landfill at Astley on 14th and 16th then 2 on 31st, a bird appeared at Risley Moss Reserve on 31st. During April a poor number with only 10 passing through Belmont, although further south what I would describe as good numbers, and up to 6 birds passing through the Astley area with singles and pairs at Elton Reservoir, Rumworth Lodge and Boothstown. A count of 17 passing through Belmont in May 3 at Bickershaw on 1st and 2 at Rumworth Lodge and Pennington Country Park, at Astley 4 on 3rd and 3 on 12th, 3 were at Bickershaw on 1st. There were 3 pairs recorded in the Holcombe Head area on 3rd June. Two pairs bred near Belmont Reservoir with one fledging 2+ juveniles from a nest in a rabbit hole. During August an early bird was seen on 5th at Astley, 24 were counted passing through Belmont including a group of 7 on 18th. Also 4 at Bedford, on 24th, 6 at Holcombe Moor on 25th, 2 at Irlam Moss on 25th and 3 sightings at Elton Reservoir with singles on 27th/28th and 30th. September saw singles at Elton Reservoir on 1st and 23rd and a bird was seen on Hunger Hill on 23rd, 2 at Risley Moss Reserve on 26th. Three birds passed through Belmont during that month, the last bird to be seen was on 30th September. There was 1 record in October of a single at Elton Reservoir on 2nd. Ring Ouzel. (Turdus torquatus) Scarce Summer Visitor. The first to be recorded was at Darwen Moor on 16th of April with 4 on 23rd and a single at Belmont on 22nd. A single bird was recorded at Fowley Common, Culcheth on 16th May. In the Belmont area a male was, for the second year running, seen at a former breeding site in July. Sightings of autumn migrants were poor with a single at Risley Moss Reserve on 22 nd September,
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and what was believed to be a juvenile bird as late as 13th October with winter thrushes at Risley Moss Reserve. Blackbird. (Turdus merula) Common Resident. Good numbers of these birds were recorded, up to 30 were seen in January and February at Pennington Country Park and Houghton Green Pool, 18 at Shackerley, 10/15 at Risley Moss Reserve and up to 7 at Astley. Gardens in the area also produced good numbers during the first 3 months of the year with 6 at Ellenbrook, 8 at Leigh, 7 at Lostock and 4 at Tyldesley. During the breeding season again good numbers were present at all sites, a pair was found nesting in heather at 1,100 feet near the Peel Tower on 3rd June. Autumn numbers during September to December were recorded as 30+ at Pennington Country Park, 20 at Risley Moss Reserve and 10 at Astley. In November at least 100 birds were seen in the fields between Leigh and Astley near to the Bridgewater Canal. Also recorded in gardens during those months with up to 8 at Ellenbrook and Leigh, and 6 at Atherton. All numbers mentioned are of maximum birds seen. Fieldfare. (Turdus pilaris) Common Winter Visitor. January saw good numbers at most sites of between 200 and 400 birds, and a mixed flock at Tyldesley of 400+ birds. Into February and flocks were smaller although at Lowton 300 on 16th and Belmont 200 on 22nd. March had counts of up to 50 birds in flocks at many sites with 200+ recorded at Elton Reservoir on 28th. Into April and 85 were seen on 10th at Houghton Green Pool, 50 at Abram with smaller groups at many locations. Autumn passage started with 2 early birds at Elton Reservoir on 26th September. Into October the flocks started to build up to 80+ at Tyldesley, 200+ at Houghton Green Pool and 100 at Rumworth Lodge. At Belmont south-southeast passage in October saw 10 on 12th, 90+ on 13th, 100+ on 18th and 540 in 50 minutes on 19th, and in 5 hours the birds counted over Risley amounted to 683 on 13th. During November and December smaller groups were recorded with the largest being 100 at Astley, 313 over Risley in 2 ½ hours on 5th November and in December 150 on 1st with 50 all month at Elton Reservoir and 50 at Astley. Song Thrush. (Turdus philomelos) Common Resident. There appeared to be an increase generally of the species with sightings of mostly pairs in all areas throughout the year. A breeding bird survey for United Utilities mapped 26 territories in the Roddlesworth Plantations. In September a small group of 6 birds was recorded in the millennium field at Astley on 16th and 4 in the horse pasture there in December. At Belmont 5 migrants were seen flying southeast on 12th October. Redwing. (Turdus iliacus) Common Winter Visitor. Records in the early part of the year included a flock of 400 at Tyldesley, 200 at Houghton Green Pool and Pennington Country Park, 100 at Elton Reservoir and smaller numbers at many sites. During February 200 were seen at Pennington Country Park, Roddlesworth Plantations and Winwick Lane, flocks of around 25 birds at Houghton Green Pool, Astley, Atherton and Rumworth Lodge. Houghton Green Pool recorded 150 on 3rd March 20 on 5th and the last seen was a group of 5 on 13th April at Roddlesworth Plantations. Autumn arrivals commenced with 20+ at Winter Hill on 24th September, then into October with 107 south-southeast over Belmont on 12th and 150+ in 50 minutes again over Belmont on 19th. Further south a count at Risley Moss Reserve saw 593 birds pass over in 5 hours in October, up to 100 at Astley and Houghton Green Pool; there were smaller groups at Rumworth Lodge Boothstown and Elton Reservoir. By November there were only 3 locations that reported sightings, 120 at Houghton Green Pool on 5th, 60 at Risley Moss Reserve on 13th and 5 at Pennington Country Park. In December reports were received from 5 sites with up to 20 birds at each.
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Mistle Thrush. (Turdus viscivorus) Common Resident. Between the months of January and June there was no large flocks reported apart from a flock of 7 at Risley Moss Reserve on 2nd January - all other records were of singles or mainly pairs, with birds noted at most locations. In July two large flocks were reported, one of 42 on 19 th at Risley Moss Reserve and another containing 45 over Hey Brook near to Pennington Country Park on 21st. August saw a flock of 34 at Elton Reservoir on 23rd and up to 8 at Risley Moss Reserve. There were approximately 60 birds at Rivington Moor on 18th September, 15 at Houghton Green Pool on 21st. At Risley Moss Reserve 24 were recorded on 8th of October and 12 near the Canal at Astley. December saw mainly pairs of birds at all sites with 10 at Pennington Country Park and 8 at the horse pasture in Astley. Grasshopper Warbler. (Locustella naevia) Uncommon Summer Visitor. It was a good year for this species in our area with an increase in locations and sightings. The earliest record was a bird at Hope Carr Reserve on 19th and one at Pennington Country Park on 21st. A bird was reeling at Belmont on 22nd, and stayed in the area until 6th July. During April birds were recorded at the following locations Darwen Moor, Elton Reservoir, Boothstown, Bickershaw and Risley. Into May and 2 singing birds were at Marsland Green, Leigh (a new site) and they stayed in the area all month. Birds were also recorded at Astley, Elton, Boothstown and Risley. At least 2 pairs bred at Pennington Country Park in June and 5 birds were recorded on 21st of that month at Bickershaw. Birds were still present in July and August at Hope Carr Reserve, Smithills Moor, Boothstown, Pennington Country Park, Wigan Flashes and Risley Moss Reserve. The last record was of a single on Mast Road, Winter Hill on 1st September. Sedge Warbler. (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) Common Summer Visitor. Recorded from April to September from at least 12 sites, the first birds were recorded at the landfill at Astley on 18th April. Birds were showing at Pennington Country Park on 22nd, Elton Reservoir recorded a pair on 25th and a single was at Hope Carr Reserve on 27th. Records continued through the year from all these sites with maximums of 4 birds near the landfill at Astley, Pennington Country Park and Hope Carr Reserve, there was confirmed breeding in July at most sites. Belmont area saw only passage birds in August on 9th and 24th. The last bird recorded was a single in Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown on 5th September. Dartford Warbler. ( Sylvia undata) Rare Resident. This is the first record for Lancashire and the first within the society’s recording area. An adult male bird was in full song and was discovered by a member of the society on Darwen Moor during BTO-BBS fieldwork on the morning of 3rd May. The bird stayed in the area on territory until 17th May but was only seen by a handful of observers due to the restrictions placed on access by the landowners. (S.J.Martin). Reed Warbler. (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) Summer Visitor. The Wigan Flashes held large numbers of these birds, being of suitable habitat with over 300 territories. At Pennington Country Park a bird was seen on 20th April, 2 at Tinker Joe’s on 22nd and a single in Astley on 26th. Elsewhere birds arrived a little later; throughout the year very few records were submitted apart from small numbers reported from Pennington Country Park, Rumworth Lodge (where a pair bred) and Hope Carr Reserve.
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Lesser Whitethroat. (Sylvia curruca) Uncommon Summer Visitor. Single birds were recorded at Elton Reservoir in May, June and August, and at Astley and Houghton Green Pool in May. At Pennington Country Park had a pair in May and breeding confirmed during June, the last record received was from Pennington on 1st September. Common Whitethroat. (Sylvia communis) Common Summer Visitor. During April the first recorded arrival was at Elton Reservoir on 15th, then at Astley on 18th/23rd with birds at Belmont and Risley on 20th. Also seen on 20th at Jumbles Reservoir and Pennington Country Park. May records included 3 birds at Risley Moss Reserve, Boothstown and Astley with several at Elton Reservoir. Houghton Green Pool recorded 3 in June and breeding was confirmed at Astley, Glazebury and Risley. Reasonable numbers were seen at all sites during August and September, with the last birds seen at Pennington Country Park and Astley on 25th September. Garden Warbler. (Sylvia borin) Uncommon Summer Visitor. The first bird recorded was on 22nd April at Tinker Joe’s pool in Leigh, and then birds were recorded in May with singles at Pennington Country Park from 22nd to the end of the month. An estimated 7 singing males were in the Roddlesworth Plantations with the first bird to return there seen on 27th April. On 17th a bird was at the Wildlife Trust Astley then one at Rixton Clay Pits on 28th. Singles were recorded in June at Pennington Country Park and Astley near the village. One was singing at Elton Reservoir on 25th July and the last to be recorded was in Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown on 26th August. Blackcap. (Sylvia atricapilla ) Common Summer Visitor. During the month of January over-wintering birds were recorded as follows, at Elton Reservoir a female on 5th, a male at Egerton on 8th, a Worsley garden on 12th, Hindley on 16th/18th and a female at Astley on 31st. No records were received in February but in March a male was seen on 3rd and 30th, then 2 on 31st. The migrants started to appear in April with reports of birds from all locations. During the breeding season breeding was confirmed at many sites and records continued throughout the summer months. The breeding population at Roddlesworth was estimated at 12 singing males. The last record was of a bird at Elton Reservoir on 26 th September. Yellow-browed Warbler. (Phlloscopus inornatus) Rare Visitor. During the first week in November a report was received of a bird in the Worsley area, just outside our boundary, however on 7th a bird was identified in mixed willow/birch near the millennium field in Astley Village in company with Goldcrest and members of the tit family. (P. Hilton). (There has been only one previous record of this bird in our recording area, at Horrocks Flash in September 1990). Wood Warbler. (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) Scarce Summer Visitor. A breeding bird survey of Roddlesworth Plantations mapped 7 singing males of which a minimum of 4 paired; a male bird was recorded back at Roddlesworth at the early date of 21 st April. Birds were seen at Pennington Country Park from 20th to 27th April, the only other record was of a single bird at Risley Moss Reserve on 22nd May.
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Chiffchaff. (Phylloscopus collybita) Common Summer Visitor. No records were received for over-wintering birds at the beginning of the year. There were lots of sightings in March with a pair at Risley Moss Reserve on 17th. After that date most sites saw this bird with 5 at Risley and 6 at Pennington Country Park at the end of the month. From April to August there were few records submitted, presumably the birds were taken for granted, as good numbers appeared at most sites. In the Roddlesworth Plantations 7 singing males were recorded, the first bird to return there did so on 12th April. September saw a flood of records with birds at many locations and in good numbers, 18 were counted at Pennington Country Park on 12th. Records of singles were still submitted in October and into November with birds singing at Hope Carr Reserve a single then 2 on 27th of that month. December records included a single bird at Horrocks Flash on 4th and 5th and a single at Pennington Country Park on the 25th. Willow Warbler. (Phylloscopus trochilus) Common Summer Visitor. Recorded from March to October at most sites in the recording area. The first birds to return were recorded at the end of March with singles at Hope Carr Reserve, Pennington Country Park, Elton Reservoir, Bickershaw (3), and Risley Moss Reserve. The first bird to return to the Belmont area did so on 4th April. Numerous records were received between the months of April and September with groups of up to 7 birds seen at many sites. During October a single bird was recorded at Turners Flash on 1st and 3 birds were recorded at Pennington Country Park on 12th. Goldcrest. (Regulus regulus) Uncommon Resident. Recorded throughout the year from all sites with the exception of June, most records were in the winter months. A pair was recorded in May and seen again in August in a Leigh garden-they may have bred in the area. Multi sightings were recorded in October of 6 birds at Higher Folds Community Woodland and 6 at Wayoh Reservoir in the following month. Firecrest. (Regulus ignicapillus) Rare Visitor. The only record was of a single bird at Doffcocker on 24th February and 7th March. Spotted Flycatcher. (Musicapa striata) Uncommon Summer Visitor. The year commenced with a pair in Borsdane wood on 10th and 12th May, on 18th a bird returned to Roddlesworth Plantations where 3 pairs were later located during a breeding bird survey. Then for the first time in recent years, a pair bred at Belmont Reservoir rearing 3 young, a bird was located above Belmont on 28th May at over 1,000 feet and a pair bred at Dunscar lodges. During the month of August 6 birds were recorded on Holcombe Moor on 25th and Elton Reservoir saw 2 birds on 17th and 24th then 3 birds on 26th a single on 27th, and a single was recorded at Worsley on 30th. On 1st and 13th of September a single was at Elton, a bird at Rumworth Lodge on 8th and finally singles at Risley Moss Reserve on 13th and 30th. Pied Flycatcher. (Ficedula hypoleuca) Scarce Summer Visitor. The only record was of a male in song in Roddlesworth Plantations briefly from 26th April. Long-tailed Tit. (Aegithalos caudatus) Common Resident. Numerous records have been received regarding this bird from all sites in the recording area including many gardens. During the colder months and out of the breeding season large groups were reported from all areas, including flocks in excess of 30 at Astley in January and in
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Roddlesworth Plantations in February with 40+ in December. Similar flocks of up to 40 were at Pennington Country Park in July and August. Marsh Tit. (Parus palustris) Rare Visitor. Two locations where this bird was recorded were Three Sisters Reserve on 4th of February as a single, and a bird was heard calling in Risley Moss Reserve during September and October. Willow Tit. (Parus montanus) Uncommon Resident. Groups of up to 6 birds were recorded at Pennington Country Park and the Wigan Flashes outside the breeding season. Elsewhere there were reports each month as follows, Hope Carr Reserve up to 3 outside breeding season, Astley area 3 regularly with 4 in March and August, in a Pennington garden pairs and 3 in November. Other sites where singles/pairs were recorded were Borsdane wood, Risley Moss Reserve, Low Hall Park and Westhoughton. Coal Tit. (Parus ater) Common Resident. Recorded throughout the year at 15 locations mainly from wooded areas and a regular visitor to gardens, normally seen as pairs. Borsdane wood appears to have a good colony with reports of up to 5 birds and Risley Moss Reserve with up to 4 birds. Some interesting observations were made in the Belmont area as a south-southeast passage on 5th October produced 60 birds in 60 minutes and on 12th October 35 birds in 80 minutes. Blue Tit. (Parus caeruleus) Common Resident. Still a very common bird in the recording area with numerous records submitted including reports of flocks of up to 11 birds in the Astley area. Great Tit. (Parus major) Common Resident. As with the Blue Tit, a very common bird in the area normally seen as pairs, no significant groups or flocks were reported during the year. European Nuthatch. (Sitta europaea) Uncommon Resident. Records suggest that this bird is increasing its population slowly in the area, this year records came from 15 locations, a slight increase on last year. The highest number found was during a breeding bird survey at Roddlesworth Plantations, which located 13 territorial pairs (plus one pair immediately adjacent) and 7 active nests. Further south Borsdane wood recorded up to 8 birds during the year with smaller numbers at Lilford, Risley, Glazebury, Worthington Lakes, Hall Lee Park, Leigh Cemetery, Lostock, Haigh Hall and Turton. The long awaited first record for Belmont occurred on 13th July and later 4 birds were seen regularly within Belmont village until the yearend. Breeding was confirmed at most sites in the area, and a pleasing record of a bird in an Egerton garden came as a single on 6th October. Eurasian Treecreeper. (Certhia familiaris) Uncommon Resident. Recorded throughout the year from 10 locations and seen as singles or pairs, 3 were recorded in Lilford wood in November. Other sites included Risley Moss Reserve, Pennington Country Park and Borsdane wood (where a pair nested). Jumbles Reservoir, Rixton Clay Pits, Astley and gardens at Lostock and Tyldesley.
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Great Grey Shrike. (Lanius excubitor) Rare Visitor. A single was reported from the Wigan Flashes area near to Scotman’s Flash on 20 th March, which stayed to the end of the month. Eurasian Jay. (Garrulus glandarius) Common Resident. Recorded throughout the year from all locations, and appears to be increasing with numerous reports of birds visiting garden feeding stations. More noticeable in winter when they move about in search of food. Pennington Country Park had singles at the beginning of the year, then from July to the end of the year up to 5 birds counted. Lilford wood saw a count of up to 3 birds all year. Risley Moss Reserve recorded good numbers with 8 being the maximum in February and March and up to 5 the rest of the year. There was a count of 4 in a Lostock garden and smaller numbers seen at Astley, Hope Carr Reserve, Houghton Green Pool, Higher Folds Community Woodland, Rixton Clay Pits and Edgworth. Magpie. (Pica pica) Common Resident. Common throughout the recording area with records received from all locations. Regarded as a pest in some areas, gamekeepers in the West Pennine Moors reported killing 176 mainly by trapping in the breeding season. The large roost that takes many birds from Lancashire just over the county border at Egerton, held 200+ on 12th January and 160 on 7th December. Further south the following are maximums for that particular site Higher Folds Community Woodland 40+, Marsland Green Leigh 40, Risley Moss Reserve a roost of 30 and 24 at Astley all in the month of January. In February a roost again at Risley Moss Reserve of 30 birds and at Rumworth Lodge a group of 24 birds were recorded. Other areas with records are Shakerley (13), Chew Moor (8) and Pennington Country Park (15). Eurasian Jackdaw. (Corvus monedula) Common Resident. This species is slowly increasing in the recording area with what were once small groups of birds at various locations are now large groups. The following are counts of birds using main Corvid roosting sites in the West Pennine Moors: 150+ at the Entwistle Plantations roost on 4th January. Approx 800 at the Upper Rivington roost on 9th November but only 100+ on 30th of that month. 150+ at Calf Hey roost on 22nd November but only 50+ on 22nd December. Only occasionally present and in small numbers at the Delph and Roddlesworth Plantations. Further south in January approximately 150 birds were recorded at both Astley and Risley Moss Reserve, with Houghton Green Pool seeing 170 in February. From March to August there were no significant flocks apart from 150 seen on the Astley landfill in August. September saw 300 over Risley Moss Reserve on 25th then into October with 150 at Houghton Green Pool and 86 at Risley Moss Reserve. Sites where fewer than 30 birds were recorded included Hope Carr Reserve, Rumworth Lodge, Pennington Country Park, Tyldesley Cemetery, Turton Towers; Egerton where 2 pairs bred, Haigh Hall Golf Club and town centres at Leigh, Hindley and Golborne. Birds also visited gardens at Tyldesley (4) Ellenbrook (2) and Leigh (2).
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Rook. (Corvus frugilegus) Common Resident. The following are rookeries visited during the year and counts taken in April Worthington Lakes (100), Houghton Green Pool (60), Turton/Egerton (48 nests in 3 rookeries), Golborne (30), Culcheth (20), Newton (20), Haydock (20), Winwick (20), Tyldesley (15) and Smithills Hall (14). Counts of Rooks, which are using the main corvid roosting sites in the West Pennine Moors: Approximately 300 at Entwistle Plantations roost on 4th January down to 50+ on 16th November. Approx 500 at Upper Rivington roost on 9th November down to 250 on 30th November. 300 at Roddlesworth Plantations roost on 19th November, which was an increase from 250 on 2nd November. 50+ at Calf Hey roost on 22nd November. Birds are rarely recorded from the large Carrion Crow roost in Delph Plantations. Smithills Hall wood 50 roosted on 15th November. Other locations where over 50 birds were recorded included 100+ at Risley Moss Reserve in January, with 200 in March and November. Houghton Green Pool recorded flocks of 75 in February and 50 in March, with Astley seeing 150 in August over the landfill. Carrion Crow. (Corvus corone) Common Resident. This year, efforts were made to estimate the total number of Carrion Crows using the five main roosting sites in the West Pennine Moors: 1. Entwistle roost – 250 in January and November rising to 400 on 11th December 2.
Roddlesworth Plantations – 200 in January, November and December.
3.
Delph held 300+ in January and 550 in November rising to 650 in December.
4. Upper Rivington roost held 350 in November but only 200+ later in the month. 5.
Calf Hey roost held 600+ in November with 400 in December.
6.
Smithills Hall wood 100 bird roosted on 15th November.
From the counts it is clear that, in total, these roosts hold a phenomenal number of birds in late winter and it is estimated that in excess of 2,000 roosted in the West Pennine Moors in November to early December. Significant numbers further south included 200 in January over Risley Moss Reserve and at Astley 400 over the landfill in February, 150 (mixed flock) in July and 200 over the landfill in October and December. Common Raven. (Corvus corax) Scarce Resident. This bird was present throughout the year in the Belmont area with a pair in a display flight on 14th October. Single birds were also recorded over Risley Moss Reserve on an almost monthly basis with up to 4 sightings each month, and a pair was seen flying over on 25th August. Birds also recorded over Astley in February, September, October and December with 2 seen in October. Other sightings include a single over Scotman’s Flash in October and over Leigh in September.
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Common Starling. (Sturnus vulgaris) Common Resident. A common resident and winter visitor with large flocks recorded at Turners Flash in November of 5,000 birds. On 2nd November 1,000 were recorded at Stanworth Quarry and 800 at Belmont Reservoir on 15th November. Rumworth Lodge recorded 300 in January and 500 roosting in June. In the Astley area 450 were counted in January on the landfill site with 300 in October and 400 over Worsley Moss in December. Risley Moss Reserve saw 400 in January and in the months of September and November there were 300 recorded. There were numerous reports of small flocks in gardens numbering between 20 and 45 birds. House Sparrow. (Passer domesticus) Common Resident. Still a common bird in the recording area with colonies of between 10 and 40 birds reported from most urban sites as follows: - Hope Carr Estate (30), Marsland Green Leigh (25 to 30), Risley area (40 maximum), Astley area (between 30 and 50) a Tyldesley garden (40+), a Leigh garden (15), an Atherton garden (20), an Ellenbrook garden (10/15), Lilford (20), Gin Pit (30), Bromley Cross (20) and Belmont (15 breeding pairs with 55+ in November). Houghton Green Pool recorded a large flock on stubble during July and August when up to 200 birds were present. Tree Sparrow. (Passer montanus) Uncommon Resident. Recorded at 5 sites in the area with the majority of sightings being at the allotments in Astley, which recorded up to 10 in the first 5 months of the year. Then an increase to a maximum of 18 during June and July (possible breeding); numbers fluctuated until 21 in November and 15 in December. At Astley Wildlife Trust 12 were recorded in April with 8 seen in the area in September. A small colony is still present and breeding on the A580 at Leigh, numbers are believed to be up to 15 birds. There were sightings of 2 birds in the Risley area at the beginning of the year. A single bird was seen in a Belmont garden during the year with a hybrid Tree/House Sparrow seen in December in the area. Chaffinch. (Fringilla coelebs) Common Resident. This common finch was recorded at all locations and appears to be increasing in numbers in the area. During January flocks of up to 50 birds were recorded at Houghton Green Pool, Marsland Green, Risley Moss Reserve and Astley, 100 were roosting in Entwistle Plantations on 4th of that month. Other roosts included 100 (with Brambling) in rhododendrons at Belmont on 15th February with 50+ (feeding with Brambling on beech mast) in Roddlesworth Plantations on 8th March. Passage over Belmont moving south-southeast was 450+ in 80 minutes on 12th October and 180+ in 50 minutes on 18th October. Also in the Belmont area up to 35 birds were seen regularly in a garden in December, and further south during the month 124 in the Astley area. Brambling. (Fringilla montifringilla) Uncommon Winter Visitor. The massive roost reported last year in rhododendrons at Belmont still held 300+ birds on 3 rd January with 100 by 15th February. Also in February 210 were seen feeding on beech mast in Roddlesworth Plantations on 23rd, decreasing to 90 on 5th April and 30 by 12th April with the last bird seen on 18th April. Passage birds at Belmont were noted in mid October with a single on 11th, 4+ on 12th and 12+ on 18th, and 2 birds regularly in a Belmont garden during November and December. Further south Elton Reservoir recorded singles in January and a pair were seen at Worsley and Chat Moss in February. Singles were located at Pennington Country Park during October to December with 4 at Astley in December and a bird on the allotments. Also singles on Chat Moss in October and 16 seen in Rindle Road, Astley in November.
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Greenfinch. (Carduelis chloris) Common Resident. A common resident that was recorded each month in good numbers from all locations, including 50+ in a roost at Risley Moss Reserve in January with smaller numbers seen there throughout the year, then 80 in September and 50 in October. In the Astley area 30 were reported in January and March with smaller numbers seen up to August when 63 birds were recorded, through to December when an average of 50 birds were present, mainly on the allotments. During August Houghton Green Pool recorded 200 on 10th, 400+ on 13th and 500+ on 24th with 200 on 21st September. A flock of 100 birds roosted in Mesnes Park in December. At Belmont a group of 40 visited a garden during November and December. Other sightings included a flock of 32 in Heath Lane, Lowton in September. Numerous sightings were received of birds visiting gardens with flocks of up to 20 seen. Goldfinch. (Carduelis carduelis) Common Resident. Recorded each month and from all sites throughout the year with large flocks, as with other finches during the winter months. The Astley area recorded flocks of 50 in March, 30 in July, 100 on the landfill in August and September and 50 in December. Pennington Country Park saw flocks of 40+ in March and November and Houghton Green Pool reported a flock of 200 in August. Also in August a 110 were seen on thistles at Belmont Reservoir on 24th with 60+ on 7th September. A mixed flock of 100 (Greenfinch) was recorded in Mesnes Park Wigan in December. Sightings of birds visiting garden feeders included a flock of 38 in a Belmont garden feeding on nyger seed and up to 30 at Ellenbrook, Boothstown and Leigh with smaller numbers seen at Lostock, Tyldesley and Gidlow at Wigan. Siskin. (Carduelis spinus) Fairly Common Winter Visitor. Recorded each month and from 30 locations in our area with half the sightings on garden feeders. The following are maximum numbers seen at each site. Astley (30 in January), Hope Carr Reserve (30 in January), Pennington Country Park (20 in January/February), Atherton (25 in January), Risley Moss Reserve (recorded each month of the year with up to 10 birds), Amberswood Common (100 in February), Egerton (18 in January), Winwick Lane, Lowton (28 in February), Houghton Green Pool (28 in February), Rixton Clay Pits (6 in November), Borsdane wood (4 in November). In the Belmont area 3 pairs bred fledging 9+ juveniles and breeding was confirmed at Egerton with 3 possible broods. In Roddlesworth Plantations 2+ pairs were located during the breeding season, and outside the breeding season 45 at Belmont in January, 30+ at Entwistle Plantations in March, 15 at Roddlesworth Plantations in December with 20 at Delph Plantations also in December. Linnet. (Carduelis cannabina) Common Resident. I received numerous records of these birds throughout the year, commencing with 35 in January at Hope Carr Reserve, Glazebury 100, Risley Moss Reserve 35 and 20 at Astley. The only record in February was a flock of 25 at Astley. Between March and July the only noticeable flock was of 40 in April at Houghton Green Pool. During that period most sites recorded up to 6 birds with some evidence of breeding at most of them. Breeding was confirmed with 5+ pairs on Darwen Moor and 6+ pairs on Withnell Moor. During August the birds started to flock again when up to 150 were seen at Houghton Green Pool and in the Astley area, also smaller flocks of 30 at Rumworth Lodge and Marsland Green. September saw flocks of 130 at Heath Lane, Lowton, up to 300 at Houghton Green Pool and 35 at Rumworth Lodge. On Irlam Moss on 10th October 140 were recorded, a large flock of up to 250 were at Houghton Green Pool, also 30 at Rumworth Lodge with smaller flocks of 14 over Risley and Astley. There were smaller groups during November and December with up to 50 at Houghton Green Pool and Astley, 30 at Rumworth Lodge and into December with 100 seen in stubble fields in Astley.
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Twite. (Carduelis flavirostris) Uncommon Resident. At Elton Reservoir a pair was located on 4th January, another pair was at Risley Moss Reserve on 27th January and a pair at Tyldesley on 26th March. A pair bred on Darwen Moor (BTO-BBS) and another pair with 3 juveniles was at Belmont Reservoir on 3rd August. A pair probably bred at Withnell Moor between 26th May and 12th June. A bird was recorded on Darwen Moor on 26th August. During December a group of 13 was located on Darwen Moor on 22nd (via Bird Guides) and a single bird was seen with Linnets in a stubble field at Astley on 18th. Common Redpoll. (Carduelis flammea) Uncommon Visitor. Recorded at six locations with 6 at Hope Carr Reserve on 22nd January, 13 on 16th February and 3 seen on 21st November. A pair was at Pennington Country Park on 2nd January, that being the only record. In the Astley area singles were recorded in February, March, April, November and December. The largest group was a flock of 120 in the Wigan Flashes area on 11th March. Also pairs were at Rixton Clay Pits in November and at Amberswood Common in February. Lesser Redpoll. (Carduelis caberet) Uncommon Visitor. During January records included 5 at Bickershaw, singles at Hope Carr Reserve, Risley Moss Reserve and 3 at Astley. At Risley Moss Reserve birds were recorded from April to the end of the year on a monthly basis, mainly singles and pairs, with a group of 15 seen on 23rd September. There was a similar story at Astley with 3 in February and April. No records were received between May and November apart from a bird in Vicars Hall Lane in August, but pairs were reported in December. On 11th March a flock of 20+ was recorded at Belmont. At Roddlesworth Plantations an estimated 10 territorial pairs were located during the breeding bird survey. Common Crossbill. (Loxia curvirostra) Rare Visitor. In January 24 birds were seen between Entwistle and Wayoh Reservoir on 9th, then a flock of 18 at Belmont on 20th February. A pair was recorded at Risley Moss Reserve on 23rd March, in the north possible breeding took place in Roddlesworth Plantations when male and female birds were observed in April and early May. A family group was in Belmont Plantations on 23 rd July, origin unknown. During September a male was seen over Risley Moss Reserve on 28th and a pair during October, a single bird was at Pennington Country Park on 23rd October. Bullfinch. (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) Common Resident. This bird is increasing in our area, which could be the result of garden feeders, where it has become a more common visitor than it was in the past. The bird was recorded throughout the area each month, the largest concentration being at Pennington Country Park with winter groups on the feeding station numbering 15 birds. Other sites were as follows: - Risley Moss Reserve (5 on reserve, 6 on the boundary), Astley area (6 in December and juveniles in June), Elton Reservoir (4 and juveniles), Delph Reservoir (6 in January), an Egerton garden (7), Glazebury (5 in January), Borsdane wood (3), Higher Folds Community Woodland (4), Rumworth Lodge (singles), Boothstown (4 and juveniles), Belmont (7 males in November) and sightings also received from several gardens in the area. Hawfinch. (Coccothraustes coccothraustes). Rare Visitor. A pair of these rare birds was observed flying over Risley Moss Reserve on 2nd of October (this is only the third occasion that this bird has been seen in the Risley area).
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Yellowhammer. (Emberiza citrinella) Fairly Common Resident. This year appears to have been a bumper year for this bird in our region with winter flocks reaching 200 birds, which were seen in Rindle Road, Astley in December and a smaller flock numbering 84 birds in November. Other notable flocks were 50 (with Reed Bunting) at Marsland Green in January, and 20 in March. A winter flock seen near to the Astley landfill in December contained up to 86 birds and were observed in the area for most of that month. The main breeding areas are the Bridgewater Canal between Leigh and the M60 at Worsley (where it is estimated up to 20 pairs bred) and the area between Tyldesley and Atherton known as Millers Lane (where up to 10 pairs bred). Other locations where this bird was recorded were Risley Moss Reserve with a winter flock in the east of the reserve numbering 9 in January and a single male seen on the reserve up to the month of August, good numbers in the Rixton/Glazebrook area but under observed, Little Woolden Moss saw singles in the year, as did the fields near to Standish High School with a pair in September. Little Bunting. (Emberiza pusilla) Rare visitor. There was an unconfirmed report of a bird at Pearson’s Flash on 31st August. Reed Bunting. (Emberiza schoeniclus) Common Resident. A very common bird and recorded throughout the year from all locations with winter flocks as follows: - approximately 60 birds were seen in two groups at Belmont on 5th October and 40+ on moors above Belmont (at 1,050 feet) on 23rd November and 27 on Winter Hill (at 1,100 feet) on 20th December. A flock of 20 were at Marsland Green and Pennington Country Park in January and February. In November approx 100 was recorded in stubble fields at Astley with 20+ on Higher Folds Community Woodland. The following are maximum numbers for the particular site: - Hope Carr Reserve (11), Risley Moss Reserve (15 male/3 female) and a pair host to a Cuckoo, Astley (8), Rumworth Lodge (8), Houghton Green Pool (5), Belmont Reservoir (7 pairs bred around the reservoir) and breeding was confirmed at all the above locations. Corn Bunting. (Miliaria calandra) Uncommon Resident. The small population we have in our area appears to be stable if not experiencing a slight increase. Records received from 8 locations with sightings in each month. Chat Moss recorded the largest flocks with 21 in January and 25 in December; there was a smaller flock of 18 seen at Little Woolden Moss again in January and 8 on Irlam Moss in August. At Risley Moss Reserve birds were recorded on the east side of the reserve with 4 in January, 6 in February, a single in March and then a gap until 3 were located in October. At Houghton Green Pool birds appear to have returned to the area with a pair seen there for the first time for many years; this was in June and later in the year 8 were located in November and 10 in December. Breeding birds observed along Holcroft Lane at Culcheth with 3 singing males in May, and a further male in Glazebrook again in May. Other sightings included singles at Astley in February, in Winwick lane in July and 2 on Little Woolden Moss in August. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Escapes, Feral and Introduced Species.
American Black Vulture. (Coragyps atratus) A single bird was identified in fields near to Abbey village in late October early November. Crimson Rosella. (Platycercus elegans) A single spotted on Darwen Moor on 11th May. Peregrine/Saker Falcon. (Falco cherrug) A single was seen at Astley on 30th October. Cockatiel. (Nymphicus hollandicus) A single was at Astley on 20th February. Nanday Parakeet. (Nandayus nenday) A single was seen at Pennington Country Park until 10th November when it was found dead. Black Swan. (Cygnus atratus) Single at Westlake Hindley on 22nd January the bird was removed, as were 3 at Rumworth Lodge on 7th April. Red-crested Pochard. (Netta rufina) A single bird was seen along the Bridgewater Canal in the Leigh area during the year with mallard and is most likely an escapee.
NOTE: -
Reports of birds from Roddlesworth are from the whole area, not just the part that is inside the Leigh Ornithological Recording Area.
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