The numbers are totals for both visits, there is a lot of engineering disturbance between Strongstry and Irwell vale as the cycle track is being extended to Helmshore over the viaduct. The old mill site by the river is still being felled, despite local protests, we are waiting to read the planning application to see what is involved.
The four common Tit species are in good numbers with nesting activity all through the area, several boxes are in use mostly by Blue and Great, I have put up a few boxes designed for Coal Tit but none are being used at the moment. There are Long-tailed nests in the usual sites with young being fed in three.
The Finch situation has changed, Bullfinch numbers seem low, there are two nest sites near my house in usual places, but I only saw two more pair, one in Irwell Vale and one near Ewood bridge. Chaffinch numbers appear higher than last year with breeding activity all round the route and lots of male song. There were 5/6 pair of Goldfinch feeding and calling especially around Alderbottom farm. No Greenfinch were seen, but there was a pair active in an Irwell Vale garden last week.
I would estimate that the House Sparrow colony in Stubbins is now down to around three pair, the ones in Irwell Vale seem in good numbers, slightly of the route, there are good numbers of this species around the new stables at Iron bridge.
Blackbird numbers are excellent all round, three young being fed in a neighbours garden this morning, Song Thrush also doing very well with good numbers in Chadderton wood and all along the railway embankment. No Mistle Thrush seen on the lower ground but there are a couple of pair higher up.
Robins, Wren, and Dunnock all as expected, Our Nuthatches are still doing well with at least 7 pair all very vocal, one pair in a nest box and one pair in the usual hole in my garden. Two traditional Treecreeper nest sites have been felled in Stubbins Vale, this area was a stronghold but I saw no activity, the only pair I saw was again near my house and this pair have been there all winter.
Willow Warbler numbers appear high, lots of song and feeding through out the route, difficult to count but certainly over 15 pairs, two definite Chiffchaff pairs seen and heard, one at Alderbottom and one at Ewood bridge, two others heard around Irwell Vale. I think Blackcap numbers will be as high as last years excellent numbers, the hotspot is the Railway embankment habitat there are pairs all along the line singing and nesting. Garden Warbler has been heard but not yet seen between Strongstry and Alderbottom. No sign of Whitethroat yet at last years site near Ewood Bridge.
Goldcrest numbers are the best I have recorded here, there is a lack of conifers in this area, but where there are some we now have this species, at least 5 pair are showing nesting activity.
Great Spotted Woodpecker in usual numbers with several nest sites in use, the Green Woodpecker site on the old railway in Irwell Vale is not in use, presumably due to the area being cleared for the new cycle track, the pair in Chadderton wood have not returned either, there was a calling bird last week most days so maybe they have found a new site.
Rook, Jay, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow we're all seen in usual numbers, several Rook nests in Irwell vale and a few Crow nests in the woodland, Jackdaws on most building roofs, two pair of Jays nesting in Chadderton woods.
Two adult and juvenile Grey Heron seen along the river, three Canada Geese nests with sitting birds, two pair of Moorhen on the lodges. There are 5 Dipper sites along the river all doing well should see young any time now. Two pair of Grey Wagtail seen both with nest sites but did not appear to be feeding young, away from the river is a third nest in a farm building. Kingfisher seen in two areas. Three Goosander, 2 female and 1 male at Alderbottom.
There was a serious flood on Easter Monday which may explain the lack of Mallard young as they breed on the banking. I saw none but was told some were seen yesterday in Irwell Vale, usual numbers of adults.
Only one Pied Wagtail seen, at least 6 pair of Sand Martin have started to excavate nest holes at Strongstry in two areas, there were 15 + Swallows around the route, because of the low temps most of the hirundinidae are still over the water treatment plant.
Magpies are still increasing in numbers, Wood Pigeons are as usual everywhere, only two pair of Collard Doves seen, male and female Pheasant in Chadderton woods. Three Blackheaded Gulls along the river and lots overhead last night.
Three Buzzards and one Sparrowhawk overhead being chased by several Rooks, Tawny Owls are doing very well at three sites.
-- Edited by brian on Thursday 30th of April 2015 01:00:50 PM
