Month: March 2016

Date: March 13th 2016, 0830 hrs to 1130 hrs

by Amanda and Terry

 A lovely sunny morning with a slight breeze only.

Temperature 5° – 12°C

 Bird Count 

Robin 12

Blue Tit 10

Dunnock 19

Woodpigeon 25

Wren 8

Blackbird 6

Magpie 23

Greenfinch 20

Reed Bunting 8

Bullfinch 5

Black-headed Gull 3

Chaffinch 9

Long-tailed Tit 11

Great Tit 5

Goldfinch 14

Moorhen 3

Mallard 5

House Sparrow 12

Carrion Crow 17

Buzzard 3

Jay 1

Grey Partridge 2

Stonechat 1

Pheasant 1

Gadwall 2

Coot 2

Cormorant 1

Redwing 90 (Two flocks of 40 & 50 rested in the hedgerows on their way North)

 28 species in all

 Spring Has Sprung! 

Another very enjoyable days birding in spring-like weather resulted in one more species than in February. The paths and fields are virtually dried out now; the majority of birds were noted in transects 2, 4 and 6. 

No Song Thrush evident this month probably because the birds are nesting and keeping a low profile. However, this was more than made up by the significant sightings of a pair of Grey Partridge (another red list species) a Stonechat  and a notable increase in Reed Bunting numbers. 

Two large flocks of Redwings alighted briefly in the Meadows hedgerows en route to their nesting sites in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Haste ye back! But not too soon.

 Mammals 

3 Grey Squirrel seen during this month’s survey, although there are plenty more about.

willow-tit

The Woolston New Cut Canal has been selected as one of the locations to be surveyed as part of a co-ordinated surveillance of this species in the months March and May 2016. The survey is being undertaken as part of the Carbon Landscape project under the guidance of Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trusts.

Willow tit numbers have declined rapidly in the last three decades. Results from national monitoring schemes suggest the British Willow Tit population declined by 87% between 1970 and 2005, making it one of the UK’s most rapidly declining breeding birds. Nevertheless, it is estimated that 10% of the UK population or these birds is to be found within the carbon landscape area of the north west.

The aim of the survey is to better estimate the existing willow tit population in the local area and to provide relevant habitat information to hopefully increase future willow tit numbers. The birds nest typically in a rotted tree stump in a hole the birds make themselves each year and it is thought that areas of the New Cut canal may provide ideal conditions.

Need help to identify a Willow Tit? The best way is by listening to it’s call. This BTO link my help.

If you live close to the New Cut canal and believe you may have seen a willow tit on your bird feeders or whilst walking along the canal trail, please contact Terry Eagan on 07710 548170 or email terryeagan@lineone.net with the details.