Lancashire Bird Report 2005

Lancashire & Cheshire Fauna Society

Publication No. 108

The Birds of Lancashire and North Merseyside S. J. White (Editor) D. A. Bickerton, A. Bunting, S. Dunstan, R. Harris C. Liggett, B. McCarthy, P. J. Marsh, S.J. Martin, J. F. Wright.

2 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

CONTENTS

Introduction ...... Dave Bickerton & Steve White ...... 2

Review of the Year ...... John Wright ...... 11

Systematic List Wildfowl ...... Charlie Liggett ...... 16 Gamebirds ...... Steve Martin ...... 35 Divers to cormorants ...... Bob Harris ...... 39 Herons to birds of prey ...... Stephen Dunstan ...... 45 Rails ...... Steve Martin ...... 53 Oystercatcher to plovers ...... Andy Bunting ...... 56 Knot to Woodcock ...... Charlie Liggett ...... 61 Godwits to phalaropes ...... Steve White ...... 66 Skuas ...... Pete Marsh ...... 73 Gulls ...... Dave Bickerton ...... 75 Terns to auks ...... Steve White ...... 84 Doves to thrushes ...... Barry McCarthy ...... 90 Warblers to flycatchers ...... Steve White ..... 119 Bearded Tit to buntings ...... Dave Bickerton ..... 129 Escapes and feral birds ...... Steve White ..... 149

Lancashire Ringing Report ...... Pete Marsh ..... 153

First for Lancashire: Caspian Gull at Fishmoor Reservoir ...... John Wright ..... 162

Earliest and Latest Migrant Dates ...... Steve White ..... 165

List of Contributors ...... 166

Cover photograph: Red‐throated Diver at Fairhaven Lake by Steve Young. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 3

Introduction D.A.Bickerton & S.J.White 2005 may not have been a spectacular year for birding but there were definitely some particular highlights. Huge flocks of winter Waxwings drew regular admirers as did the relatively long‐staying Chough at Knott End. The nailed‐down identification of a Caspian Gull in Lancashire was long overdue and the sight of a male Golden Oriole in November was totally incredible. Of our more regular birds, the declines in the Wood Warbler and Willow Tit populations seem to be becoming irreversible but perhaps there is some more positive news on several other species that have had a hard time of it recently. The work on the Avifauna has taken up a lot more time than expected but it promises to be a fantastic publication when it hits the shelves in 2007. At the time of writing, the main text is finished and the task of putting it all together has started. There will be pre‐publication offers and members of the Society will get preferential rates when purchasing this book. Currently we have a number of authors contributing to this report. The adage “Many hands make light work” certainly applies. As each author has a smaller number of species to write about, the detail in the accounts is increasing. With the rapid spread of computing and internet use, communication is now so much easier that there’s little excuse for people not getting their records in to the editor – just look at the contributor list! Thank‐you to everyone that has sent in their observations. If you have a particular interest or knowledge in a species or family of birds and you fancy imparting some of your knowledge in a permanent form (and make sense of a whole host of records from elsewhere), then contact the editor. We’re always keen to have new contributors. Membership of the Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Society is be £10 per annum – this includes a copy of the Lancashire Bird Report and any General Reports published. Members taking the Cheshire Bird Report as well pay £17. The Society is non‐profit making charity, manned totally by volunteers who give many hours of their time freely. It provides data that are key in many aspects of conservation in the North West – we are regularly asked for our opinion on developments that may have an ecological impact or for information regarding areas of the county that need protection. We work closely in association with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and BTO and many members are active in those organisations. So if you aren’t already a member, please consider joining us and supporting the work we do. Details can be obtained from the web site or directly from the Honorary Secretary.

Our web‐site address is www.lacfs.org.uk 4 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

Officials of the Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Society Chairman: Dr Frank Walsh, 80 Arundel Road, Lytham St. Annes, Lancs, FY8 1BN Tel: 01253 737765 email: [email protected] Secretary: Dave Bickerton, 64 Petre Crescent, Rishton, Lancs, BB1 4RB Tel: 01254 886257 email: [email protected] Treasurer: John Wright, 68 Dukes Brow, Blackburn, Lancs, BB2 6DH Tel: 01254 580268 email: [email protected] Report Editor and Lancashire Bird Recorder: Steve White, 102 Minster Court, Crown Street, Liverpool, L7 3QD Tel: 0151‐707 2744 (home) or 0151‐920 3769 (work) email:[email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS Thanks goes to Nicola Breaks and Tony Disley for providing some excellent illustrations this year. The illustrations of Pink‐footed Goose, Red‐legged Partridge, Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Long‐tailed Tit and Magpie were the work of Nicola and the Pintails, Bonxie and Coal Tit were Tony’s illustrations. If you have some line drawings that we could use in our publications, send them to the secretary. There is an ever increasing band of digital photographers who offer us their images for use in the annual report. The standard is becoming very high as the technology improves and gains wider use. We welcome submissions from anyone – common bird images will need to be of high quality with some particular ornithological interest. For rarities, we accept what we’re given!

SUBMISSION OF RECORDS The task of compiling the report is becoming ever more daunting with the increasing number of records coming into us. With the authorship of the report split between nine people and the growing number of people using bird recording software or word‐ processing, the preferred method of submission is via email, though posting a disc or written records are still perfectly acceptable. Please can you ensure that records are submitted in systematic order. Files sent by email or on disc should be in Word or simple text format and can be zipped up to save downloading time. Paper records should preferably be on one side of A4. In order to keep to our very strict deadlines so that the report can be published during September, all records from individuals should reach us by the end of February and reserve or area reports by the end of March. All records in whatever format you wish to use should be sent to the County Recorder. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 5

BRITISH BIRDS RARITIES Descriptions of nationally rare species (for the list, see British Birds Rarities Reports or their website) should be submitted to the British Birds Rarities Committee via the County Recorder at the address above. From 1 January 2007 the BBRC will no longer be accepting paper records. Paper submissions, including sketches, should therefore preferably be electronically scanned and sent by email to the County Recorder as low resolution jpegs. Photographs should also be sent as low resolution jpegs. Digital copies of the BBRC submission form are available from the County Recorder. We are aware, however, that a small number of birders do not have access to the necessary equipment; if this is the case please continue to send paper records to the County Recorder who will process them before sending them to the BBRC.

The following records have been accepted by the BBRC since the publication of our last report: American Wigeon, Pilling, 9 September to 5 October 2000 Ferruginous Duck, Martin Mere, 2003‐2004 Lesser Scaup, Myerscough Quarry, 6 October to 10 November 2005 Great White Egret, Oxcliffe Marsh and Leighton Moss, 27‐30 May 2004 Red‐footed Falcon, Bispham Marsh, 12 June 2005 Red‐footed Falcon, Middleton, Heysham, 21 June 2005 Collared Pratincole, Freckleton, 23 May 2005 White‐rumped Sandpiper, Skippool Creek, 26 July to 3 August 2005 Caspian Tern, Eric Morecambe complex and Leighton Moss, 16 July 2005 White‐winged Black Tern, Seaforth and Crosby Marine Park, 9‐14 September 2005 Penduline Tit, Leighton Moss, 11 November 2004

The following records are still under consideration by the BBRC and/or the BOURC: Lesser Canada Goose, south‐west mosses, November 1976 Black Stork, Marshside, 8 June 2006 Black Stork, Liverpool, 15 June 2006 Black‐winged Stilts, Martin Mere, May to June 2006 Broad‐billed Sandpiper, Cockersands, 15‐17 May 2006 Laughing Gull, Crosby Marine Park, 2 January 2006 Laughing Gull, Marton Mere, 9‐16 April 2006 Laughing Gull, River Lune, Aldcliffe, 19 August 2006 Alpine Swift, Whalley, 10‐11 July 1964

As far as is known, the following reported records have not been submitted to the BBRC: Lesser Canada Goose, Formby Moss, 29 November to 10 December 2005 Ferruginous Duck, Leighton Moss, 11 July 2005 6 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

Great White Egret, Bolton‐le‐Sands, 22 January 2005 Cattle Egret, Lancaster, 8 March 2005 Pallid Harrier, Marshside, 10 July 2006 Black‐winged Stilt, Samlesbury, 21 June 2006 Collared Pratincole, Brockholes Quarry, 12‐13 April 2006 Pratincole sp., Warton, Fylde, 9 June 2006 Lesser Yellowlegs, Lune Estuary, 23 July 2006 Iberian Chiffchaff, Leighton Moss, 11 May 2005 Black‐headed Bunting, Rossall Point, 9 October 2005

COUNTY DESCRIPTION SPECIES Descriptions of species considered to be county rarities (see list below) should be sent to the County Recorder, preferably as soon after the sighting as possible. Most descriptions now come in by the preferred email route, some with digital images attached, but paper records are perfectly acceptable. The increase in digital submissions has meant that the county records committee has been able to circulate records and make decisions promptly. Consequently, there has been a significant increase in time spent in assessment of each and every record submitted with problematical records left to the annual meeting held in May. Current members of the committee are Steve White (Chair), Bill Aspin, Chris Batty, Maurice Jones, Barry McCarthy, Pete Marsh, Gavin Thomas and John Wright. The job of the committee is to run the rule over every record of a species that requires a description and they have an obligation to apply the rules even‐handedly. On odd occasions this means that a perfectly good record will be fail to be accepted (normally through lack of detail). It is very rare that a record is thought to be incorrect, just that it is not 100% proven or there is some doubt. Many county rarities get to be seen by many observers and an increasing proportion are now photographed, and the committee generally accepts such records on the nod – but it is still important that someone writes the record up so that all records can be reviewed by future generations. All records of scarce migrants and rare breeding birds are submitted each year for publication in British Birds. This makes it vital that we are confident about the accuracy of all records. In the past we have had two categories of ‘description species’ but have decided to drop the ‘basic details only’ one so that only major county rarities require descriptions. These need to be as full as possible ‐ if anyone needs any guidance, please contact the recorder. The BBRC has recently reviewed the species it will consider with effect from 2006 and has dropped a large number, many of which remain extreme rarities in Lancashire. These species will now be adjudicated by the Lancashire committee, which has in turn dropped some species from the list now requiring descriptions. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 7

SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES REQUIRING FULL DESCRIPTIONS These are all marked with an asterisk in the systematic list. Black Brant Temminck’s Stint Cetti’s Warbler American Wigeon White‐rumped Sandpiper Aquatic Warbler Ring‐necked Duck Pectoral Sandpiper Marsh Warbler Ferruginous Duck Buff‐breasted Sandpiper Icterine Warbler Surf Scoter Red‐necked Phalarope Melodious Warbler Black Grouse Long‐tailed Skua Barred Warbler Red‐necked Grebe Sabine’s Gull Subalpine Warbler Great Shearwater Ring‐billed Gull Dartford Warbler Sooty Shearwater Caspian Gull Greenish Warbler Cory’s Shearwater White‐winged Black Tern Pallas’s Warbler Balearic Shearwater Roseate Tern Yellow‐browed Warbler Wilson’s Storm‐petrel Little Auk Radde’s Warbler Night Heron Puffin Dusky Warbler Purple Heron Nightjar Red‐breasted Flycatcher Great White Egret Alpine Swift Golden Oriole Honey Buzzard Bee‐eater Red‐backed Shrike Black Kite Hoopoe Woodchat Shrike Montagu’s Harrier Wryneck Chough White‐tailed Eagle Woodlark Rose‐coloured Starling Golden Eagle Short‐toed Lark Serin Rough‐legged Buzzard Shore Lark Arctic Redpoll Red‐footed Falcon Red‐rumped Swallow Common Rosefinch Spotted Crake Richard’s Pipit Lapland Bunting Corncrake Tawny Pipit Ortolan Bunting Common Crane Red‐throated Pipit Rustic Bunting Stone Curlew Grey‐headed Wagtail Little Bunting Kentish Plover Nightingale Cirl Bunting American Golden Plover Bluethroat 8 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

A Guide to Birdwatching Sites in Lancashire and North Merseyside

71 73 70 72 74 75 7 Morecambe Bay 68 River Lune 66 69

67 Lancaster 6 55 61 58 56 64

57 60 65 62 59 63 5 47 44 Forest of 50 Bowland

45 48 51 46 River Wyre 49 River Ribble 53 54 4 52

Blackpool 39 Burnley 37 41 42 43 35 Preston 38 3 36 40 29 23 26 27 Blackburn 34 28 Ribble Estuary 32 25 30 31 33 2 24 Rossendale Southport 14 Chorley 22 20 21 17 18 16 19

1 13 15

9 10 12 11 River Alt 0 SD SJ 3 8 2 St Helens 4 6 5 7 9 Liverpool

8 River Mersey

3456789 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 9

Site, No. on Map and Grid Reference Ainsdale Dunes NNR 13 SD290100 Lee Green Res. 43 SD880335 Aldcliffe Marsh 67 SD460600 Leighton Moss (RSPB) 73 SD480750 Eric Morecambe complex 72 SD475730 Longridge Res. 39 SD605360 Altcar Withins 12 SD325050 Longton Marsh 28 SD450265 Arkholme 75 SD590720 Lytham St Annes NR 36 SD310305 Banks Marsh/Old Hollows Farm 25 SD390230 Marshside (RSPB) 24 SD355205 Barnacre Res. 50 SD525478 Martholme/Altham 41 SD760330 Belmont Res. 20 SD670170 Martin Mere (WWT) 16 SD425145 Birkacre 18 SD572150 Marton Mere 37 SD345353 Blea Tarn Res. 58 SD495585 Mere Sands Wood (LWT) 17 SD448160 Brock Bottoms 51 SD550430 Morecambe Stone Jetty 66 SD425635 Brockholes Quarry 38 SD585305 Newton/Clifton Marsh 29 SD455290 Cabin Hill NNR 10 SD280050 Ogden/Calf Hey/Holden Wood Res. 33 SD765225 Carr Mill Dam 8 SJ525980 Otterspool 1 SJ370860 Champion Moor 65 SD745525 Pendle Hill 53 SD805415 Claughton Hall Heronry 49 SD525425 Pilling Lane Ends 47 SD415495 Cleveley Mere 59 SD500500 Pilling Moss/Eagland Hill 48 SD425450 Clowbridge Res. 34 SD830280 Pine Lake/Dockacres 74 SD515725 Cockersands/Bank End 57 SD430530 Plex Moss 15 SD340105 Cowm Res. 22 SD880190 Prescot Res. 5 SJ470940 Dunsop Valley 63 SD655500 Rimrose Valley 3 SJ335995 Eccleston Mere 6 SJ482950 Rishton Res. 40 SD715300 Fairhaven Lake 23 SD340273 Rivington/Anglezarke Res. 19 SD620155 Fazakerley 4 SJ390965 Roddlesworth Res. 30 SD650220 Fishmoor Res. 32 SD700260 Rossall Point 44 SD310475 Fleetwood ICI Pools 45 SD335455 Rowley Lake 42 SD860330 Formby Point 9 SD270065 Seaforth NR/Crosby Marine Lake 2 SJ315975 Foulridge Res. 54 SD890415 Skerton Weir 69 SD480630 Freckleton Naze 27 SD435275 Southport Marine Lake 14 SD335180 Hambleton Marsh 46 SD365415 Squires Gate 35 SD303320 Hest Bank 68 SD470670 Stocks Res. 64 SD730560 Heysham NR & Harbour 55 SD405595 Sunderland Point 56 SD420550 Higher Hodder Bridge 52 SD695412 Sunnyhurst Woods/Darwen Moor 31 SD680230 Hightown 11 SD295030 Ward’s stone 61 SD590590 Jenny Brown’s Point 70 SD460735 Warton Bank & Marshes 26 SD400270 Langden Valley 62 SD630510 Wayoh/Jumbles Res. 21 SD735160 Lea Green Flash and Tip 7 SJ503920 Woodwell 71 SD463743 Wyreside Fisheries/Street Bridge GP 60 SD515520

The sites shown on the map have been determined according to the frequency that they have appeared in the systematic list over the past few years. Full grid references have been included to help you pinpoint any site. 10 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

KEY TO STATUS OF BIRDS IN THE SYSTEMATIC LIST

BREEDING PASSAGE/WINTER Based on Breeding Bird Survey 1997‐1999 Based on records for last 25 years (1981‐2005) Rare: breeding in < 7 tetrads or < 11 pairs Vagrant: < 11 records Scarce: breeding in < 38 tetrads or < 51 pairs Rare: < 26 records Uncommon: < 251 pairs Scarce: < 101 records Fairly common: < 1001 pairs Uncommon: < 21 annually Common: < 5001 pairs Fairly common: < 201 annually Abundant: > 5000 pairs Common: < 2001 annually Occasional: less than annual Abundant: > 2000 annually Former: not in last ten years

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE TEXT 1S - first-summer, 1W - first-winter, and so on.

GC Golf Course ML Marine Lake GP Gravel Pit Qry Quarry LNR Local Nature Reserve SW Sewage Works NR Nature Reserve Res Reservoir NNR National Nature Reserve

EMP/C Eric Morecambe Pools complex BBS Breeding Bird Survey (BTO) MBR Morecambe Bay Reserve (RSPB) WeBS Wetland Bird Survey MB(ay)S Morecambe Bay South (Lancashire CNHS Chorley Natural History Society section of Morecambe Bay WeBS) ELOC East Lancs Ornithologists Club MMWWT Martin Mere Wildfowl and FBC Fylde Bird Club Wetlands Trust Reserve LDBWS Lancaster and District MSW Mere Sands Wood (LWT) Birdwatching Society SNR Seaforth Nature Reserve (LWT) LWT Lancashire, Manchester and North BBRC British Birds Rarities Committee Merseyside Wildlife Trust BOURC British Ornithologists Union ROC Rossendale Ornithologists Club Records Committee SWLRG South‐West Lancashire Ringing BTO British Trust for Ornithology Group CBC Common Bird Census (BTO) Lancashire Bird Report 2005 11 Review of the Year, 2005 John Wright (Weather information courtesy of Ted Boden)

January The month began with squally winds and ample rain, particularly on the 7th when storm force winds brought two inches. Unsettled weather continued with snow and sleet on the 17th and 18th. From the 22nd, northerly winds reduced the temperatures with some night frosts, but it remained dry to the end of the month. The year started with the unseasonable observation of a pair of Mistle Thrushes feeding three fledged youngsters in gardens along Lord Street, Southport on the 2nd! High counts of waders and wildfowl included 25991 Lapwings and 3529 Grey Plovers on the Ribble, 112 Scaup in Morecambe Bay, 303 Pintail on Stocks Reservoir and a county total of 43950 Pink‐footed Geese, the second highest count ever made in Lancashire. Waxwings continued to delight, with flocks in the Queens Drive area of Liverpool and Weir Street, Blackburn peaking at 320 and 228 respectively, the former a record Lancashire count. For the second year in succession, rarity interest was provided by a ʹBlueʹ Fulmar off Rossall Point on the 12th, along with four Black Guillemots.

February There was a mild start to the month with average temperatures and a very wet day on the 11th. This was followed by bitter northerly winds during the second half with frosty nights from the 18th to the end of the month, and snow on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd and sleet on the 24th giving a taste of Arctic conditions. Seaforth enjoyed a good month with a Slavonian Grebe, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls and two site record counts: 447 Great Black‐backed Gulls and 73 Scaup. Another Slavonian Grebe was showing well on Middleton Industrial Estate ponds. Rarity interest came in the form of the first Caspian Gull for Lancashire. This likely future split from Herring Gull was discovered at Fishmoor Reservoir on the evening of the 26th and returned to the roost the following day but, unfortunately for county listers, was not seen subsequently.

March The month started with cold weather, snow and sleet on northerly winds, low daytime temperatures and frosty nights. By the middle of the month westerly winds brought milder weather with a significant increase in temperature. Dry conditions continued, however, with a return to easterly and northerly winds at the end of the month. Three notable sightings occurred during an otherwise quiet month. Firstly, a Cettiʹs Warbler was found at Fazakerley Reedbed, the first county record away from Marton Mere and Leighton Moss. This was followed by a Firecrest trapped at Pilling Lane Ends on the 20th, the first of five records of this delightful species in 2005. At the end of the month 12 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 a Green‐winged Teal was picked out from the thousands of wildfowl present at Marshside.

April April began on a dry note, but this soon changed with two wet days on the 5th and 6th. Showery days continued to the middle of the month with average daytime temperatures and one or two cold nights. Easterly winds from the 19th brought a few rain‐free days to be replaced with yet more showers at the end of the month. One of the most exciting events in the birding year is the spring movement of Arctic Terns through the county; in suitable conditions large flocks move up our estuaries, apparently taking a short cut on their way to northern breeding grounds. This was well illustrated this year with a major passage movement on the 25th producing 963 past Heysham and 1030 flying up the Ribble at Preston Docks. Earlier in the month Red Throated Divers appeared to be following a similar route when an impressive group of 100+ gathered off Jenny Brownʹs Point on 5th. As these birds passed through early migrants had already settled to breed. The news was positive with some noticeable increases on 2004. For example, Sand Martins at Arkholme increasing from 531 to 651 nests and Wheatears on the United Utilities Bowland estate from 16 to 24 pairs.

May May was one the coolest for many years. The warm start only lasted two days and temperatures did not recover until the 19th. The early month was showery with a dry spell in the middle, heavier rain fell from the 21st to the 24th while the 22nd was a stormy day with hail showers. Temperatures recovered a little at the end of the month with hardly any rain. Migration continued apace with Morecambe Bay again producing an excellent passage of skuas. Observers lucky enough to be at Jenny Brown’s Point on the 5th witnessed the spectacle of a minimum of 14 Pomarines and 11 Arctics heading east. Other notable sightings included a fine male Long‐tailed Duck at Preston Dock on the 16th. On the same date Seaforth recorded an early Roseate Tern, the first of a record influx of 11‐15 birds at the site. A Ring‐billed Gull, first seen at Seaforth on the 22nd, was present at various sites on the Mersey for the rest of the year. Early breeding success came in the engaging form of 36 Mute Swan cygnets on Southport Marine Lake. However, the highlight of the month for photographers was the summer‐plumaged Red‐necked Grebe at Mizzy Dam in Knowsley Safari Park, from the 18th.

June A cold wet start with heavy rain on the 1st and 2nd was followed by a few dry days until the 12th, when a period of showers continued until humid south‐westerly winds saw temperatures rise. The warm sunny weather continued to the end of the month. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 13

The most unexpected breeding record of the year was the discovery of at least 58 pairs of Kittiwakes in the Liverpool Docks – Lancashireʹs only mainland colony. The close watch kept on the Newton Marsh Black‐tailed Godwits resulted in at least five young hatching. Other notable records included 22 pairs of Gadwall nesting at Leighton Moss, the county stronghold for this species. Eiders did not fare as well but ducklings were located at Glasson, Cockersands and Lytham. It was a good Quail season, particularly on the south‐west mosses. Up to four were calling on Plex Moss with similar numbers on Downholland Moss. Further east two calling at Coldwell Reservoir surprised observers by showing well on occasion. Rarity interest was provided by a Red‐footed Falcon, seen briefly on Kincraig Road, Blackpool on the 12th and again at Middleton Industrial Estate on the 21st.

July An unsettled start, with half an inch of rain on the 5th, soon changed for the second week with a hot spell of fine weather. The dry weather continued during the third week but wet conditions returned on the 28th and the weather remained unsettled in the closing days of the month. Signs of a productive summer included a county total of 90 juvenile Great Crested Grebes from 50 pairs. Other high counts included 2500 juvenile Black Headed Gulls at Belmont Reservoir and 21 young Merlins fledged on the United Utilities Bowland estate. Two popular rarities arrived during the month. A Caspian Tern which showed well at Leighton Moss on the 16th was only the fourth county record and the first since 1979. The good run of White‐rumped Sandpipers in the county continued with an adult at Skippool Creek on the River Wyre from the 26th.

August August had periods of light showery weather interspersed with fine and sunny days; only two really wet days were recorded. Temperatures were near or a little above average, ending with thunderstorms on the 31st. The month was notable for high numbers of passage birds. Formby Point had a series of good records starting with a Sooty Shearwater on the 4th and followed by a spectacular count of 2166 Common Terns on the 20th and a Sabineʹs Gull on the 25th. Another Sabine’s was seen at Heysham on the 27th. Other impressive totals included 471 Sandwich Terns at Knott End and 2200 Swallows and 650 House Martins south over Seaforth on the 31st. Unusual records came in the form of a White Stork perched on a public house in Much Hoole on the 5th and a Fieldfare in Bowland on the 7th. An initially elusive Chough finally settled down at Knott End golf course on the 17th, allowing many birders to catch up with this county rarity. Equally well received was an extremely confiding Grey Phalarope on a small pond at New Laithe Farm, Newton‐in‐ Bowland. 14 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

September The beginning of the month was warm and dry with the first noticeable rainfall on the 10th followed by another mainly dry spell, which continued until the 27th before rain returned. Raptors were much in evidence during the month with seven Ospreys in the first week along with 13 Buzzards over Downholland Moss, and 19 Kestrels at Sefton Meadows. Wader highlights comprised a Dotterel on Pendle Hill and a Pectoral Sandpiper at Martin Mere. An Icterine Warbler at Heysham Nature Reserve on the 5th was the best passerine record but unfortunately this bird soon moved on. In contrast a juvenile White‐winged Black Tern found on Crosby Marine Lake on the 9th stayed for six days and gave spectacular close views as it fed over the small boating pond and at Seaforth.

October The first fortnight was reasonably dry with a showery spell on the 11th and 12th but low pressure dominated for the last two weeks with outbreaks of rain every day. A typically busy month began with 112 Leaches Petrel south past Formby Point on the 1st. Other notable sightings included Lancashire’s second Lesser Scaup at Myerscough Quarry from the 6th and a county record 1169 Coot on Southport Marine Lake. Visible migration was excellent at several sites and this was highlighted by the autumn total of c.12000 Chaffinches over Fairhaven. The highest day total was 2221 on the 14th, with a further 2004 on the 27th when 211 Bramblings were also recorded. Jays were also on the move with a high count of 22 recorded at Seaforth on the 9th. Scarcer species included Great Grey Shrikes at Marshside and Fluke Hall, Pilling and two Shore Larks at Crosby Marine Park. However, the autumn highlight for many was the remarkable influx of 12 Yellow‐browed Warblers. This began on the 8th and included at least three at Heysham and two inland birds. Remarkably, one of these was found at New Laithe Farm in Bowland – only a month after the Grey Phalarope at the same site!

November The first half of November was wet and warm but the second was cold and dry. The mild weather lasted until the 15th when cold air with northerly winds dominated for the rest of the month with cold, raw days. A few light snow showers came at the end of the month. A number of interesting records included juvenile Great Northern Divers on Crosby Marine Lake and Prescot Reservoirs. Two lingering Garden Warblers were unusual, with one trapped on the Birkdale dunes and another in an Ainsdale garden.. A Night Heron in a garden at Anderton, Chorley on the 27th was a surprise but the most remarkable sighting of the month, and possibly of the year, was an adult male Golden Oriole at Leighton Moss from the 16th. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 15

December The month started with mild wet weather but soon changed after the first week when northerly winds lowered daytime temperatures producing night time frosts. This quiet cold weather continued to the end of the third week when a few mild days broke the pattern. Christmas Eve saw the return of night frosts with northerly winds reducing temperatures until the end of the year. Two potentially wild Canada Geese – a Greater (interior or parvipes) and a Lesser (hutchinsii) – appeared on the south‐west mosses on the 10th; with the recent split into two species these birds generated much discussion. Fairhaven Lake played host to a popular ‘couple’ during the month with the appearance of very confiding a juvenile Slavonian Grebe and juvenile Red‐throated Diver. A Shag at Southport Marine Lake from the 13th was the last of 16 individuals seen in the county during the year, surpassing the previous record total. Little Egrets also set a new high with nine roosting adjacent to the Lune Estuary in the Ashton Hall heronry. The year ended as it had started with high numbers of wildfowl recorded, including 76659 Wigeon on the Ribble and a site record 920 Teal at Stocks Reservoir.

16 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Uncommon breeding resident, common winter visitor. International importance: 380. National importance: 375 Monthly Peak Counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec M Bay S 251 211 141 128 143 155 136 159 301 194 294 249 Southport ML* 99 120 107 105 131 176 174 228 182 186 215 233 Ribble WeBS** 93 50 105 40 77 71 17 27 76 60 86 109 * SML counts do not include cygnets ** Ribble WeBS counts do not include Southport Marine Lake. The 233 birds on Southport Marine Lake in December came close to the record count there of 260 in 1996. Most birds in Morecambe Bay were found in the Aldcliffe‐Conder Green area including 231 in September. Other notable site counts in the Morecambe Bay area included 197 at Thurnham on 11 Nov, 190 at Glasson on 18 Nov, 96 at Cockersands in February and 157 at Jeremy Lane, Over Wyre on 13 Nov. Ribble flocks included 85 on Warton Marsh on 4 May with 75 there on 26 Nov, and 50 at Freckleton Naze on 3 Aug. The only count received from Fleetwood Marine Lake was of 48 in the first winter period, while 24 on 9 Feb was the only double‐figure count at Marton Mere. Brockholes Quarry reported a high site total of 53 on 3 Oct, but there were few birds elsewhere inland, with no double‐figure counts from St. Helens, east or central Lancashire, apart from 15 at Birkacre on 15 Feb. Breeding honours were easily taken by Southport Marine Lake, where there were 36 cygnets in May. A pair in Sefton Park, Liverpool nested successfully for the first time for over 30 years. Single pairs were reported breeding with mixed success from a wide range of other sites, but just two held more than one pair, Marshside where three pairs raised only one brood of six, and Leighton Moss where four pairs nested.

BEWICK’S SWAN Cygnus columbianus Common but declining winter visitor. International importance: 290. National importance: 81. Monthly Peak Counts Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov Dec MMWWT 11 6 2 2 12 9 Ribble 100 92 13 3 48 85 Over Wyre 9 1 1 0 0 3 S Fylde 60 62 0 0 14 11 Bewick’s Swans on the Ribble Estuary are struggling to maintain nationally significant numbers, in strong contrast with the situation ten years or so ago. The British wintering population was estimated in the January 2005 census at 7216, a drop of 4.6% from the figures obtained in 2000 and 1995. During the past ten years numbers have decreased dramatically in Ireland and in the west of England, while increasing by about 7% in eastern England. Birds have almost abandoned MMWWT and most now feed and roost on or near the Ribble. On the south side of the river the birds fed on the saltmarsh alongside the River Douglas or on winter wheat or harvested potato fields at Hesketh Bank. These same birds also visit the north side of the Ribble, where most fed on Warton Marsh although eight Lancashire Bird Report 2005 17 were seen at Lytham Moss on 1 Jan and a pair was there on 14 Jan, and one was at Marton Mere on 16 Jan. Very few birds wintered north of the Wyre at either end of the year. Other than a sick bird at Plex Moss from 22 April until 10 May, the last were five at Longton Marsh on 13 March. There were 12% young amongst the flock on the Ribble in the first winter period. The first birds back in autumn were three at Hundred End on 28 Oct, followed by two at MMWWT on 30 Oct, including a marked individual with the code TZA which had been ringed as an adult at MMWWT in 1991. The Ribble flock mainly fed on grass or stubble fields near Hundred End, either on Hesketh Out Marsh or near Shore Road. Three were observed flying in from the sea at Rossall Point on 13 Nov and three flew over Prescot Reservoirs on the 19th, the first recorded in the St. Helens area since 1993; four were on Aldcliffe Marsh on 27 Nov. There were no records in east Lancashire. The species had a better than average breeding season in 2005 following a succession of poor seasons, with about 16% young arriving on the wintering grounds nationally and 14% in the Ribble flock.

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Common and increasing winter visitor. International importance 210: National importance: 57 Monthly Peak Counts Jan Feb Mar Apr Sept Oct Nov Dec MWWT 1900* 1450 1200 8 20 382 1216 1295 Ribble 218 188 180 1 0 377 570 608 N Fylde 146 84 59 0 0 8 115 123 S Fylde 176 131 58 1 0 120 108 130 * Site record The census of migratory swans in western Europe revealed that the population of Whooper Swans wintering in Britain and Ireland had grown from 20856 in Jan 2000 to 26366 in Jan 2005 (an increase of 26% and an increase of 66% from 1995). A total of 2241were counted in Lancashire: 1980 in the Ribble/MMWWT area, 110 at Lytham, five at Marton Mere and 146 at Pilling. The total for the Ribble/MMWWT area was the highest ever, surpassing the previous record of 1740 attained on both 5 Jan 2003 and on 23 Jan 2004. By the beginning of February many of the approximately 1900 birds that had roosted in mid‐January at MMWWT had dispersed to other roost sites on the Ribble and on 3 Feb there were only 1450 roosting at MMWWT. The Ribble/MMWWT flocks contained 19.3% young. During the first winter period the most important feeding areas south of the Ribble were around Low Meadows near Burscough, around MMWWT, at Pool Hey Lane, Scarisbrick, near Hundred End and near the confluence of the Rivers Douglas and Ribble. A flock with consistently more than 100 birds fed at Lytham Moss for most of January to March, while the Over Wyre flocks fed mostly on Pilling and Stalmine Mosses. Eleven were on Aldcliffe Marsh on 23 March. Away from the main sites there were four at Brockholes Quarry on 21 Jan, one at Stocks Reservoir on 6 Feb with up to eleven there on 22‐24 March, three on the River Lune at Wenning Foot on 13 March and six briefly on Aldcliffe Marsh on the 25th. One at Ogden Reservoir on 8 April was an unusual spring record for the area. 18 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 The last healthy bird seen was one on Longton Marsh on 4 April. Three sick or injured birds spent the summer at MMWWT and one was at Mythop until at least 17 May. The first returning migrants were four flying south over Pilling on 25 Sept, followed by five at MMWWT on the 28th. There were far fewer in the region in the second winter period than during the previous winter and it was the first time for over 20 years that numbers decreased at MMWWT. The largest roost at MMWWT was of 1295, although there were also up to 250 roosting on the Ribble at the end of November. It is thought that the Ribble/MMWWT flocks totalled approximately 1400, about 550 fewer than in January. Far more than usual of these fed near the Ribble, for example 450 on a winter wheat field on Hesketh Out Marsh on 4 Dec. They also fed on the saltmarsh at Longton, on a grass field at Hundred End and they discovered a huge pile of dumped potatoes and carrots near Mere Brow, which kept up to 200 swans fed in December. Up to 120 were at Warton as early as 16 Oct and up to 130 birds fed at Ream Hills, Mythop from mid‐November until the year’s end. The proportion of juveniles at MMWWT was lower than in most other recent years, with 10.4% young in a flock of 757 on 4 Dec. The bulk of the Over Wyre birds fed at Pilling. Away from the major haunts up to seven fed and roosted intermittently on Downholland Moss from 16 Oct, seven flew over the Rimrose Valley on 13 Nov with five over Seaforth and nine briefly on Eccleston Mere on the same date. Seven were on Clare’s Moss, St. Helens on 13‐19 Nov and two were near Rainford from 29‐31 Dec. There were 13 on the foreshore at Marshside on 16 Oct; with 13 on the reserve on the 23rd with four remaining on the 31st; one was at Hightown on 29 Dec. Numbers on Aldcliffe Marsh grew from one on 15 Oct to five on 19 Nov, ten on 22 Oct and eleven on 27 Nov, with one remaining until the end of the year; one was at Leighton Moss on 8 Nov. Brockholes Quarry recorded six on 4 Nov and one was at Belmont Reservoir the same day. East Lancashire records comprised one at Black Moss Reservoir on 3 Oct, two juveniles at Stocks Reservoir on 14 Oct, eleven at Parsonage Reservoir on 2 Nov, seven at Clowbridge Reservoir on the 11th, five at Stocks on the 12th and two at Great Hameldon on the 13th. There were many reports of birds on migration but the most interesting were small numbers seen over east Lancashire in October and November, pointing to a movement across the Pennines towards the large East Anglian wintering population. It is not known how many of these birds stage in Lancashire but some appear to migrate directly from Iceland, five moving south at Heysham at 9.22am on 2 Oct and five flying east at Ogden at 10.15am on the same day being a possible example.

BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalis Uncommon winter visitor. Fabalis (Taiga) subspecies. Up to five were at MMWWT during 3‐28 Jan, one up to 4 Feb and three intermittently from 10‐25 Feb. Records elsewhere on the south‐west mosses and Over Wyre may have referred to the same birds: two on Downholland Moss on 29 Jan, 2 Feb and 23‐25 Feb; two on Crossens Marsh on 8 & 16 April; and singles at Pilling on 13, from 20‐22 Feb (reported as an injured bird) and intermittently from 27 Feb until 27 March. In the second winter period there were single(s) at MMWWT on 19 & 26 Sept and in the first two weeks of October. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 19 Rossicus (Tundra) subspecies. There was one Over Wyre at Nateby on 9 Jan, two at Pilling on 29 Jan, one at Cockerham on 13‐14 Feb and at MMWWT on 9‐10 March, and up to three at Pilling intermittently during 12‐28 March with one from 30 March until the late date of 5 May. One was at MMWWT on 26 Sept. Undetermined race One of undetermined subspecies was at Pilling on 28 March and 10 April and two were at Cockerham on 17 Oct.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus Abundant winter visitor. International importance: 2400. National importance: 1900 Monthly Peak Counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MMWWT 21000 8000 2500 50 23 12 11 18 18600 20000 2600 4200 Ribble (WeBS) 607 579 1102 1907 560 0 0 0 2457 2319 7428 10059 2005 followed the pattern set in recent years with large numbers arriving in the south‐west in September and early October, and staying for around six weeks before moving away, probably to Norfolk, to be partially replaced by a fresh influx of birds moving from Scotland in late November, mainly to Over Wyre, before the Norfolk birds return to Lancashire in January and February and migrate northwards in late February and early March. The coordinated counts on 16 Jan located 43950 birds, the second highest count of Pink‐footed Geese ever made in Lancashire. Of these 23160 were roosting on the Lune, 3750 on the Wyre, 2450 on the Ribble, 11400 at MMWWT and 3100 on the Alt Estuary. A roost of 8000 on 24 Jan at MMWWT increased to 21000 on the 26th, but they did not stay long, with only 4400 by dawn on 3 Feb. A later influx brought 8000 to MMWWT on 25 Feb, but these birds again quickly moved off. Feeding flocks included 1000 at Rainford on 31 Jan and 6000 on Downholland Moss on 26 Feb. Almost all had left MMWWT by the end of March, leaving about 20 wild birds on the reserve until 6 May, but 4700 remained on Crossens Marsh on 8 April, the highest recorded April total for the species in the south‐west, with 4000 there on 22 April and 520 on 7 May. Over Wyre recorded large flocks in January and February, with an estimated 20000 roosting on Pilling Marsh on 16 Jan and 10000 feeding at Pilling on 3 & 24 Feb, 5500 there on 23 March and 1000 on 30 April. There were up to 1200 at Mythop, near Blackpool in February. Peaks at Aldcliffe/Colloway Marshes were 960 on 5 Feb and 1500 on 11 March. Flocks seen flying to and from Norfolk included 1200 west over Rivington on 29 Jan and 360 west over Brockholes Quarry on the same day, 95 north‐west over Speke, south Liverpool on 25 Jan and 550 over Prescot on 6 Feb. A total of 29 flocks, comprising 3080 birds, were seen flying west over east Lancashire in the first winter period. The first back were 60 at Barnaby’s Sands on 27 Aug with 150 at Pilling the following day and the first 18 birds arrived at MMWWT at 3.30 a.m. on 30 Aug, the earliest recorded date for the site. By 3 Sept numbers at MMWWT had risen to 236, with 14000 there by 16 Sept and 20000 by 3 Oct, unprecedented counts so early in the autumn. Numbers quickly declined, however, so that by the end of the month only 2650 remained 20 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 there with 4200 on 14 Dec the highest late year count. Away from MMWWT there were peaks of 8000 at Halsall Moss on 21 Sept, 2500 at Marshside in mid‐October,7000 at Crossens on 22 Oct, and 4000 in the Rainford area on 13 Oct.

The coordinated count on 9 Oct produced a total of 31860, the third highest October count ever: 11700 on the Lune (mostly at Pilling), 2850 on the Wyre, 1700 on the Ribble, 13600 at MMWWT and 2000 on the Alt. A total of 17560 was recorded on 6 Nov: 3320 on the Lune, 2600 on the Wyre, 8060 on the Ribble, 2230 at MMWWT and 1350 on the Alt, while the 4 Dec total was 30618, with 14700 on the Lune, 3600 on the Wyre, 9390 on the Ribble, 1550 at MMWWT and 780 in the Altcar area. Sightings of incoming flocks included 5500, mostly south, over the Fylde during September and October, including 3830 south over Lytham on 17 Oct. An indication of onward migration was given by flocks of 58 south over Rossendale on 16 Sept, 50 east over Rossendale on the 24th and 200 south‐east at Rivington on the 26th, while a colossal 8000 flew south‐east over Haydock on 22 Oct in less than an hour. These early autumn movements are not always in one direction, however, as illustrated by 120 west over Foulridge Reservoir on 8 Oct and 113 west over Belmont on 16 Oct. Unusually in the ELOC area, many more overflying birds were reported in the first winter period (at least 3200) and far fewer in the second winter period (c.690). In that second period, one skein flew east and one west in September, one east and seven west in October and five east in November. With the exception of 40 over Towneley on 5 Dec (direction of travel not recorded), there were no reports for the period 17 Nov 2005 to 11 Jan 2006, presumably reflecting a cessation of trans‐Pennine migration during this mid‐winter period. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 21 WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Uncommon winter visitor. Russian race. Two were at MMWWT on 3 Jan and intermittently until the 28th, an adult was at Marton Mere on 20 Feb with perhaps the same bird at Cockerham on the 22nd, and a juvenile at Pilling on 12 March. In the second winter period there was an adult at Weeton on 28 Nov with three adults there the following day, and perhaps one of these at Pilling on 27 Dec. Greenland race. An adult was recorded intermittently Over Wyre from 9 Jan until 17 Feb and at Pilling on 10 March until the 28th, with two together there on the 12th and one on three dates between 8 and 30 April. An adult at Mythop on 15‐16 Jan and 6, 16 & 17 Feb were perhaps one of these birds. An adult was on Aldcliffe Marsh on 8‐9 Jan. None was seen in the Fylde in the second winter period, while in the south‐west, single adult(s) were at Formby on 11 Jan, Downholland on 27 Jan, Crossens on 12‐13 Feb and during April until at least the 22nd, and MMWWT from 21‐25 Feb. In the second winter period there was an adult at Formby on 28‐29 Nov and on 14 and 28 Dec. Undetermined race An adult, of undetermined race, was at Pilling on 23 Jan and 5‐6 Feb.

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Scarce feral breeder and uncommon wild winter visitor. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 298 269 43 171 64 24 51 160 83 277 820 712 Ribble WeBS 3 39 47 22 22 17 60 86 37 184 240 95 MMWWT 260 110 110 12 12 4 150 350 600 530 300 330 Southport ML* 86 92 126 144 105 238 58 9 8 8 70 153 *Goslings not included There is a considerable interchange of birds between MMWWT, Southport Marine Lake and Marshside, where peak counts were 311 in April, 200 in August and 218 in November. Most birds recorded on the Morecambe Bay WeBS counts were at Leighton Moss, including 600 in November, or at Aldcliffe‐Conder Green, including 220 in November and 407 in December; other large congregations included 330 at Preesall on 10 Aug, 637 there in September and 394 on 8 Oct. Sixty were at Belmont Reservoir on 10 Sept and birds were reported from eight sites in east Lancashire, mostly regularly at Stocks Reservoir where two pairs bred and the largest count was of 14 adults and seven juveniles there on 22 June. Other breeding reports came from Marton Mere (one pair) and Knott End (two pairs), Southport Marine Lake (99 juveniles in May and 13 broods in June) and Leighton Moss (40 pairs, 27 of which hatched 149 young). A count of 245 on 1 Jan and 13 Feb on the Eric Morecambe complex were all probably wild birds; 217 remained there on 31 March and 84 on 5 April. Counts on the Eric 22 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Morecambe complex in the second winter period included 385 on 10 Oct, 360 on 8 Nov and 305 on 4 Dec.

GREATER CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Fairly common breeder and common winter visitor. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 88 48 36 19 7 8 22 261 237 242 213 296 Ribble WeBS 63 182 37 69 58 161 211 566 199 317 530 269 Stocks Res. 228 170 71 64 51 295 303 300 242 184 285 144 Foulridge Res. 394 300 250 35 / 183 227 288 400 314 / 39 Rishton Res 8 60 50 14 / / / 110 7 / 325 150 Belmont Res 32 54 86 104 149 290 29 30 18 40 21 7 MMWWT 3 11 27 17 15 45 27 60 450 240 10 10 Southport ML* 110 77 123 77 48 279 80 36 119 189 62 101 * Goslings not included Peak site counts away from those in the table included 150 at Seaforth in June, 416 at Fairhaven Lake on 13 July, 106 at Brockholes Quarry in August, 300 on Anglezarke Reservoir on 7 Aug, 143 at Myerscough Quarry on 29 Aug, 365 at Mere Sands Wood in September, 196 near Speke on 28 Sept, 253 on the Lune Estuary on 4 Dec and 232 at Clay Colliery, St. Helens on 24 Dec. Following record counts at Belmont Reservoir in June, 245 birds were culled in a licensed operation on 1 July and, although 46 pairs bred, only two young fledged. However, large numbers of young did fledge around the county, with ‘pride’ of place going to Southport Marine Lake, where there were 87 juveniles in May; there were 27 young at Calderstones Park, Liverpool on 22 June. Two pairs bred at Brockholes Quarry, eight at Marshside, three at Mere Sands Wood, eight in Rossendale, three at Leighton Moss, and doubtless many more at other sites. A possibly wild bird was at various sites with Pink‐footed Geese on the south‐west mosses from at least 10 December into 2006 (see photograph). It was variously described as being of the subspecies interior (‘Todd’s Canada Goose’) or parvipes (confusingly previously known as ‘Lesser Canada Goose’). Only the former race is a very likely candidate for vagrancy in Britain; no formal claim as a wild bird has been received.

[LESSER CANADA GOOSE Branta hutchinsii ] A photograph and description of a bird of the nominate race (‘Richardson’s Canada Goose’) that was with Pinkfeet at various sites on the south‐west mosses on 14‐28 Nov 1976 has recently been submitted to the BBRC for consideration. A small bird was reported at MMWWT on 7 March but no further details are known; one reported as nominate hutchinsii was with Pinkfeet on Formby Moss on at least 29 Nov and 10 Dec (DRW, ASDu) but has not yet been submitted to the BBRC. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 23 BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Fairly common winter visitor and rare feral breeder. Birds of possibly wild origin. Up to four, including a pair, were at Marshside in January to April and September to December, a pair was at Scarisbrick on 6 Oct, Barton Moss on 10 Oct and Crossens on 27 Dec, and singles were at Little Crosby on 28 Dec and Downholland Moss on 29‐30 Dec. One at Aldcliffe on 15 Jan and three off Jenny Brown’s Point on 22 Oct were the only records in north Lancashire. The first Fylde record of the year was of two near Marton Mere on 15‐16 Jan and up to six near Pilling during January and February, up to three there until 9 March with one or two until 26 March. Later in the year one was at Pilling on 8 & 18 Oct, one at Bispham on 22 Oct, one or two Over Wyre from 16 Nov until 2 Dec and finally two at Weeton on 29 Nov and 4 Dec. Feral birds. The flock of 50 or more birds moved from its winter quarters, mostly at MMWWT, to its summer haunt in Knowsley Park in the third week of February, and returned on 3 Sept. Birds from this population were also seen at Prescot Reservoirs in January and March and June to August, and on the mosslands around Rainford in September and October. Up to ten at Crossens and Marshside during winter were probably part of this same flock. Up to five, of unknown origin, were at Leighton Moss from February to 15 April with up to six were there on 23‐28 Oct. Ones or twos of feral origin were also seen at various locations in the east of the county and up to 19 were at Stocks Reservoir in March, August and September.

BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla Fairly common winter visitor. Dark‐bellied race bernicla. Singles were at MMWWT on 29 Jan and 4‐6 Feb, Mythop on 15 Feb, Cockerham on the 19th, Pilling on the 22nd and Aldcliffe on 16 March – perhaps involving no more than one roving individual. In the second winter period an adult was at Pilling on 16‐24 Oct, with two adults there on 3 Nov, and one was at Marshside on 31 Oct. Pale‐bellied race hrota. A juvenile was at Fleetwood Marine Lake from 1 Jan until 22 Feb and this or another juvenile near Pilling on 5 Feb and 4‐25 March, with a second bird there on 13 March. Single adults were at Cockersands on 31 Jan, Mythop on 15 Feb, Cockerham on 19 Feb and again on 13 March, and Aldcliffe on 6 March. A flock of 30 flew over at Rossall Point on 27 Feb. In the second winter period there was an adult at Barnaby’s Sands on 14 Oct and a juvenile at Eagland Hill, near Pilling on 19 Oct, followed by an adult on Formby Moss on 27 Dec.

24 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Abundant winter visitor to the coast and estuaries. Fairly common breeder. Scarce in east where occasional breeder. International importance: 3000. National importance: 782. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 2916 1492 1682 1131 814 812 186 365 611 3013 3509 1647 Ribble WeBS 3013 1187 1305 993 578 1341 648 362 2935 1736 1915 1651 Alt WeBS 147 17 38 56 70 149 27 43 265 247 218 142 MMWWT 1410 1510 960 535 850 / / 28 7 30 360 753 2004. Fifteen pairs nested at Arkholme, on the River Lune, raising six broods. 2005. Fairly typical wintering numbers were registered on all three estuaries but those at MMWWT continued to rise with a record count of 1510 there on 26 Feb. Large counts not included in the WeBS data included 1360 on 7 July at Marshside, twice the WeBS count for the whole estuary for that month, and 3200 at Crossens‐Marshside on 19 Nov. Few were seen on the Lancashire side of the Mersey with a peak of 72 at Seaforth in September and just 93 at Garston and Oglet on 6 March, although the Mersey estuary remains the most important site British for the species. Perhaps surprisingly, eleven on Prescot Reservoirs was a record count in the St. Helens recording area. Few breeding data were received although there is no reason to believe that the population underwent any significant change. No information was received from MMWWT, the county’s most important inland site, but 13 pairs attempted to breed at Arkholme. There were scattered sightings in east Lancashire in every month of the year, but there was no evidence of breeding.

WIGEON Anas penelope Abundant winter visitor, especially on the Ribble marshes. Fairly common on some reservoirs in the east. International importance: 15000. National importance: 4060 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 4195 2544 1314 169 6 2 0 15 763 3593 4017 4979 Ribble WeBS 34761 11319 9579 749 8 4 0 20 9084 24970 56948 76659 MMWWT 1220 1800 1670 38 6 4 8 3 83 310 640 828 Marshside 9278 / / 126 / 9 / / 870 / / 11970 Stocks Res 381 70 51 1 0 0 0 3 11 134 200 45 Foulridge Res 91 120 90 0 0 0 0 0 12 3 0 32 WeBS totals in Morecambe Bay continued the slight upward trend which began at the turn of the century. The Ribble flocks almost halved from 63000 in December 2004 to 35000 in January; such mass midwinter emigration was relatively unusual during the 1980s and 1990s but has occurred in all but one of the past seven winters. Large numbers returned to the Ribble during the second winter period with the December total considerably higher than the ten‐year average for that month. The only double‐figure counts from the Chorley area were ten at Roddlesworth on 28 Feb and ten at Yarrow Reservoir on 28 Oct; Brockholes Quarry reported peaks of 23 in January and 36 in September; and a total only of six birds were recorded all year in Lancashire Bird Report 2005 25 Rossendale. Peak counts in east Lancashire not included in the table were 67 at Whitemoor Reservoir on 2 Jan, 15 at Altham on 9 Jan and 13 at Parsonage Reservoir in March; single‐ figures counts were recorded at an additional eleven east Lancashire sites in the first winter period. Up to nine were seen during the summer at Marshside, seven at MMWWT, and two at Cockerham on 26 June and Freckleton Naze on 6 Aug.

GADWALL Anas strepera Common in winter when supplemented by immigrants. Scarce in east. Scarce feral breeding populations, especially south‐west and north. International importance: 600. National importance: 171 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MMWWT 42 21 17 7 14 22 3 22 36 33 33 48 Leighton Moss/ EMC 67 78 42 32 68 30 55 170 155 297 163 54 The counts at Leighton Moss and the Eric Morecambe complex, which between them form a nationally important site for Gadwall, are not usually carried out simultaneously and, although there is much interchange between the two sites, the counts for most months given above are probably slight underestimates – the large October count of 297 were all on the Eric Morecambe complex. The county’s other major wintering Gadwall population commutes between Nuck’s Wood in Holmeswood, Mere Sands Wood and MMWWT. Peak counts were 46 on 10 Jan, 75 on 17 Oct and 100 on 27 Nov at Nuck’s Wood, 34 at Mere Sands Wood in February and March, and 42 in January and 48 in December at MMWWT. As with the north Lancashire sites, the combined size of this West Lancashire population is not known precisely. Small numbers were recorded on the Fylde, with peaks of nine in January and 16 in December at Marton Mere. Ones or twos were seen at three sites in east Lancashire in January to March and a pair at Foulridge on 20 May, plus four there on 20 Sept. Other site peaks included 21 in January and 25 in December at Brockholes Quarry and eight at Prescot Reservoirs on 29 May. Leighton Moss remains the breeding stronghold; 22 pairs nested there, the same total as 2004. Three pairs bred at Marshside, at least one pair at MMWWT and a single pair at Seaforth.

TEAL Anas crecca Abundant winter visitor in west. Small flocks in east. Scarce breeding bird. International importance: 4000. National importance: 1920 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 1486 874 289 99 0 5 18 226 886 1535 2079 1432 Leighton Moss 580 280 607 125 3 2 95 180 180 270 355 340 Ribble WeBS 8688 2070 1519 528 16 13 55 355 1887 6103 9591 7633 Seaforth (Alt) 777 650 120 44 9 3 1 47 207 140 381 253 Stocks Res 500 373 79 53 3 13 17 36 69 221 550 920 26 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Marton Mere 770 / 109 14 1 2 / 22 185 350 633 645 MMWWT 3900 2000 1380 214 10 50 80 600 2500 3800 3200 2600 Numbers on the Morecambe Bay WeBS were slightly below average but above average on the Ribble during both winter periods. There were again low numbers on the Lancashire stretch of the Mersey Estuary, with 209 at Garston on 13 Sept the highest annual count. The annual peak at Stocks Reservoir of 920+ on 21 Dec was a site record, and the site once again dominated records from east Lancashire, where 36 at Wood End Sewage Works in February, 40 at Rishton in March and 20 at Foulridge Reservoir in April and October were the only other significant counts. Other inland peak counts included 965 at Mere Sands Wood in January, a site record 152 at Brockholes Quarry in October, 150 at Newton Lake, Newton‐le‐Willows on 19 Dec and 160 at Lower Rivington Reservoir on 28 Dec No reports of breeding were received.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL Anas carolinensis Rare winter visitor. All records were, as usual, of males: one at MMWWT from 26 Jan until 4 Feb, when it was joined by another just for a day, then one bird there until at least 10 March., and perhaps the same at Marshside on 25‐28 March. At the year’s end one was at MMWWT on 10 Dec.

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchus Abundant winter visitor and common breeding resident. International importance: 20000. National importance: 3520 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WBS 917 283 248 223 151 351 303 433 293 744 660 964 Ribble WeBS 935 623 568 252 217 262 112 391 716 1007 1445 893 Alt WeBS 767 186 70 43 32 97 72 378 379 411 454 309 MMWWT 1950 2130 1050 900 850 / / / 2300 3150 2270 2390 Stocks Res 289 120 22 18 29 78 265 420 326 527 401 402 Although winter numbers at the county’s most important site, MMWWT, are stable, the number of breeding birds there has declined considerably during the past ten years or so. The Ribble made a slight recovery from the dismal figures of 2004, when numbers dipped below the 1000 mark for the first time. Seaforth reported another poor year with a very low peak of 148 on 21 Aug, although numbers held up on the Alt as a whole. Monthly maxima at Stocks Reservoir hide the fact that numbers dropped to only 46 on 30 Sept, indicating that most of those that arrived in August and September flew on elsewhere to be replaced by a larger influx, most of which stayed for the winter. Peak counts at other sites included 250 at Brockholes Quarry in January, 596 on Downholland Moss on 29 Aug, 446 at Marshside, 512 on Barnacre Reservoir and 250 on Eccleston Mere in October, and 270 at Taylor Park, St Helens and 299 on the Leeds‐ Liverpool Canal from Bootle to Crosby in November. No counts above 50 were reported in Rossendale. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 27 Breeding was reported from many sites and some birds had nested early, with broods reported in early March. There were 34 nests along the Lune from Crook to Skerton.

PINTAIL Anas acuta Common winter visitor to coasts, especially Ribble. International importance: 600. National importance: 279. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 776 248 180 8 6 0 0 5 228 665 87 713 Ribble WeBS 3058 1519 131 22 0 0 20 15 380 604 1886 3579 MMWWT 710 667 464 7 4 3 1 2 31 324 245 253 Stocks Res 303* 65 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 4 75 63 *site record Numbers were high on the Ribble in both winter periods; the site has only held more than 3000 birds in six years since records were kept. The January total included 1190 at Marshside. Other large site counts included 900 at Lytham on 15 Oct, 560 on the Keer Estuary on 13 Nov and 510 at Fairhaven on 13 Dec; 300 flew north‐west across Morecambe Bay on 19 & 24 Sept, and there were 205 at Jenny Brown’s Point on 25 Dec. Twenty off Otterspool Promenade on 26 Dec was the only significant count on the Lancashire Mersey. There was no record of breeding in the region in 2005 but a pair of unknown provenance was at a former breeding site in the West Pennine Moors in late April. The first birds of autumn were 25 flying off Jenny Brown’s Point on 25 Aug.

The count of 303 on Stocks Reservoir on 24 Jan was the largest ever recorded in east Lancashire; the few other inland records away from the coastal plain included seven at Brockholes Quarry on 21 Jan and four at Foulridge Reservoir on the 22nd.

28 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 GARGANEY Anas querquedula Fairly common spring and autumn passage: scarcer in the east. Rare breeder. Vagrant in winter. Number of individuals Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec All sites 0 0 0 4 6 0 8 6 3 1 2 0 None was seen all year at Leighton Moss which is usually the county’s major site for Garganey. The first were a pair at Brockholes Quarry on 2 April; they were followed by a male at Marshside the next day which was joined by another on 12‐18 May with one remaining until the 22nd. The only other April record was a male on Foulridge Reservoir on the 4th. New arrivals in May were males on the 7‐24th at MMWWT, on the 16th at Mere Sands Wood and Newton Marsh on the 9th, 15th & 17th, and a pair on Prescot Reservoirs on the 29th. None was seen in June and the first returning birds were a pair on the Middleton Industrial Estate on 2 July, followed by a male, three females and two juveniles at Brockholes Quarry on the 18th to 31st, three of which stayed until 9 Aug and two until the 12th. Female/immatures at Seaforth on the 10‐14th with a different bird on the 17th that stayed to 14 Sept, and at Middleton on the 28th were the only August arrivals. The year was rounded off with a male at MMWWT on 4 Sept with one at Fleetwood Marsh Park the same day, one on Pilling Marsh from 18 Oct until 1 Nov and another female/immature at Seaforth on 12 Nov. Breeding was not suspected anywhere in the county.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata Common winter visitor to west and north. Scarce breeder. International importance:400. National importance: 148 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 71 100 46 40 6 / / / 2 51 137 75 Leighton Moss 117 27 55 86 6 10 35 95 120 110 34 67 EM complex 102 79 70 43 10 4 4 46 168 170 140 56 Ribble WeBS 215 186 123 50 11 0 0 1 5 60 286 119 Marshside 204 179 120 44 6 12 0 1 15 300 177 116 Marton Mere 62 26 78 57 0 0 0 0 6 117 64 101 MMWWT 28 46 88 38 14 11 2 63 34 217 88 6 Brockholes Quarry61 24 30 2 2 1 4 10 40 35 10 10 Counts from Leighton Moss and the Eric Morecambe complex did not necessarily take place on the same day; nonetheless the minimum numbers on these combined sites significantly exceeded the Morecambe Bay WeBS totals for most of the year. Most of the Ribble birds were recorded at Marshside. Numbers everywhere were fairly typical with the exception of a record count of 61 at Brockholes Quarry in January. Birds from the Marton Mere flock were seen regularly on Stanley Park lake, including 74 on 31 Oct. Counts on less favoured sites included 14 on Pilling Moss on 4 Feb, eleven at Pilling Hall in mid‐March, twelve at Mythop on 30 March Lancashire Bird Report 2005 29 and 15 at Seaforth in August. A total of about 20 individuals was reported in east Lancashire during the year and just four in the Chorley area. Seven pairs bred at Leighton Moss, four on the Eric Morecambe complex, three at Barrow Scout, two on Silverdale Moss, four at Marshside and a (failed) pair at Aldcliffe.

POCHARD Aythya farina Common winter visitor. Rare breeder. International importance: 3500. National importance: 595. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MMWWT 472 475 296 7 5 4 6 1 1 73 122 176 Dockacres 158 77 27 10 5 2 0 19 6 0 219 370 L Moss/EMC 188 88 41 35 35 35 44 38 103 225 226 3 Marshside 72 90 23 0 0 0 0 2 12 18 83 171 Stocks Res 27 10 9 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 77 69 Brockholes Quarry30 8 24 0 5 1 10 9 33 66 65 30 Marton Mere / / 48 / / / / 12 / 54 52 52 Seaforth 41 48 21 0 0 1 2 1 4 15 22 28 Numbers in north Lancashire were at their highest during the mid‐1990s and those in the south at the end of that decade; the overall county wintering population has been in decline for at least five years and 2005 witnessed a further downward shift. Numbers in the north were about average for recent years but those in the south, almost all of which occur at MMWWT and Seaforth, plunged to a 15 year low, with the smallest ever counts at Seaforth and the lowest at MMWWT since 1991. Against this trend, Marshside reported a record 171 in December, probably indicating some shift from MMWWT. Other peak counts included 32 on Anglezarke Reservoir on 25 Jan, 232 at Mere Sands Wood, 27 on Fairhaven Lake and 36 on the ICI pools in January, 22 at Prescot Reservoirs on 3 Feb and 39 on Fishmoor Reservoir on 19 March. Double‐figure counts were also recorded at Foulridge, Parsonage and Walverden Reservoirs, and Victoria Park, Nelson. Six pairs bred at Leighton Moss, two pairs on the Eric Morecambe complex, one pair on Silverdale Moss, two pairs at Mere Sands Wood and one pair on Whittington Hall Lake in the Lune Valley, where two young were seen on 29 May; no breeding information was received from MMWWT but four or five birds were present throughout the summer.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Common winter visitor, particularly to south and west. Uncommon breeder. International importance: 12000. National importance: 600. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dockacres 155 67 63 52 29 32 32 118 66 56 89 117 Seaforth 16 29 38 40 24 54 95 117 72 25 52 40 Prescot Res 3 10 4 10 40 22 60 100 112 105 50 23 Leighton Moss 51 52 46 43 32 15 16 30 22 48 32 34 Brockholes Quarry40 30 30 21 6 14 19 19 29 50 44 22 30 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Numbers on Prescot Reservoirs were considerably lower than in the last two years but held up elsewhere in Merseyside, including peak counts of 114 at Sands Lake, Ainsdale in February with 210 there in December, and 117 at Seaforth in August. Mere Sands Wood held average numbers, including 89 in January and 110 in November, while nearby Nuck’s Wood had 49 in February. Amongst significant counts on the Fylde were 27 on Stanley Park lake on 16 Feb and 28 at Myerscough Quarry on 3 April, while on the Lune there were 40 at Glasson on 23 Jan and 22 on the Conder Pool on 14 Feb. Middleton Industrial Estate reported a peak of 34 on 23 Oct, while 22 in the first winter period on Lee Green Reservoir was the largest count in east Lancashire and 14 at Birkacre on 18 Sept the largest in Chorley; few were seen in Rossendale or on the West Pennine Moors. Breeding was reported from only ten sites, one more than last year. There were 13 pairs on the Leighton Moss complex, three pairs at Prescot Reservoirs, two pairs at Fairhaven, Marshside, Belmont Reservoir and Brockholes Quarry, and one pair at Stocks Reservoir, Myerscough Quarry and the irrigation pond on Downholland Moss.

SCAUP Aythya marila Uncommon winter visitor to coasts. Occasional inland. International importance: 3100. National importance: 76. There were high numbers in both winter periods in Liverpool Bay and very high numbers in the first winter period in Morecambe Bay. Morecambe Bay An exceptional 112 were seen in the RSPB sector on 13 January and 26 on 11 February off Jenny Brown’s Point. Three were off Jenny Brown’s Point on 12 March and 19 Dec, with singles there in September and November; one was at Heysham on 20 March. Two were on the Conder Pool on 14 & 17 Feb and 6 March with perhaps the same at Glasson on 26 Jan and 12 March, and a male on the Wyre at Singleton on 3 Aug. Liverpool Bay At Seaforth numbers increased from one in December 2004 to 70 by the end of January, remaining at this level into March, with a site record‐equalling 73 present on 26 Feb to 1 March; the last was seen on 24 April. Eight were seen off Formby Point in January and six in February – probably part of the Seaforth flock – and singles were at Marshside on 20 March and Sands Lake, Ainsdale on 24 March. First‐summer male(s) were at Marshside on 5‐19 June and Seaforth from 21 June to 8 July with perhaps the same bird there from 3 Aug to 18 Sept. Three juveniles arrived at Seaforth on 12 November, after which numbers grew to eight on 17 December then rapidly to 56 on the 27th and 64 on the 30th. One was seen off Formby Point during October and a male and a female were at Marshside from 27 Nov to 24 Dec. Inland A female at Parsonage Reservoir from 1 Jan until 3 March moved to Dean Clough Reservoir until 22 March; one was at Mere Sands Wood on 1 Jan and a female was at Stocks Reservoir on 4 & 24 Jan. Single males were at Prescot Reservoirs on 27 June and 26 Aug. A male arrived at Foulridge Reservoir on 16 Aug, and a male was at Fishmoor Reservoir on 6‐13 Sept, a Lancashire Bird Report 2005 31 female at Stocks Reservoir on 2 Oct and a male there on 9 Oct. An adult female, thought to be the same bird from the past two winters, was at Parsonage Reservoir on 12 Nov and was seen there and at Dean Clough until the year’s end. A first winter female was at Brockholes Quarry from 5‐6 Nov, and a male and a female at MMWWT on 9 Oct with one there on 2 Dec.

LESSER SCAUP Aythya affinis Vagrant. An adult male was at Myerscough Quarry from 6 Oct until 10 Nov (CGB et al) and was seen by numerous observers. It has been accepted by the BBRC and becomes the second record for Lancashire.

Aythya hybrids A bird resembling a female Lesser Scaup, probably the same bird that was at Marton Mere in 2004, was again at Marton Mere on 1 Dec.

EIDER Somateria mollissima Common winter visitor, especially N Fylde. Uncommon in south. Rare breeder. Vagrant inland. International importance: 15600. National importance: 730. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 31 46 26 186 194 33 177 9 71 306 745 485 Rossall Pt / / / 71 / / / / / 73 27 94 Starr Gate 17 2 19 23 5 0 0 6 0 9 4 4 Ribble WeBS 0 0 92 87 76 16 6 0 2 23 5 6 After several years of decline relatively large numbers were recorded in the second winter period, particularly at the northern end of Morecambe Bay. Apart from those in the table significant counts included 48 at Lytham on 26 March, 23 off Blackpool in April and 31 in October,180 off Rossall Point on 27 April, 50 at Jenny Brown’s Point on 30 June with 970 there on 23 Oct and 500 on 3 Dec, 125 at Knott End on 5 Oct and 88 off Morecambe on 19 Dec. Breeding was confirmed at Glasson, where three ducklings were seen on 23 July, Cockersands, with two females and a crèche of twelve ducklings on the same date, and on the Ribble, with seven ducklings on 24 June at Lytham the only record.

LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Uncommon winter visitor to coasts. Scarce on inland waters. The first of the year were a long‐staying first‐winter female at Crosby Marine Park and Seaforth from 8 Jan to 28 April, and a female on the Lancaster Canal at Kellett’s Bridge from 15 Jan to 23 Feb. Further females were on Eccleston Mere on 4 March and off Formby Point on 19‐21 April and a male at Preston Dock on 16 May Seawatching produced a series of female/immatures from Starr Gate, Blackpool on 20 Feb, 19 April, 19 Sept and 28 Oct, a male and a female off Jenny Brown’s Point on 22 32 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 April with two were there on the 25th, and an adult male and four female/immatures off Heysham on 24 April A female/immature on Rishton Reservoir on 1 Nov was the only inland record in the second half of the year.

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Present all year on Shell Flat, abundant in winter. Abundant off Blackpool and Formby in winter. Uncommon inland on early return passage, scarce there at other times. International importance: 16000. National importance: 500 Monthly peak seawatching counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blackpool 1000 500 150 375 80 30 300 1000 2500 3500 10000 15000 Formby 1200 1500 844 3000 65 34 356 54 400 850 150 658 The aerial surveys carried out by WWT on behalf of the Countryside Council for Wales produced counts from Shell Flat to the Ribble of 9392 on 13 Jan and 9021 on 15 Feb, and from Formby Point to the Dee of 3217 on 23 Jan and 329 on 2 March (almost all off the Sefton Coast). No surveys were conducted in English waters during the second winter period. The actual numbers present are estimated at two to three times larger than the counts, implying that up to 25000 were off the Lancashire coast in January. The bulk of the Shell Flat population is rarely seen from shore and the estimates made from Blackpool in November and December were exceptional. As usual, few were seen outside of Liverpool Bay and 86 off Jenny Brown’s Point and 40 off Heysham on 4 April were the only other significant seawatching tallies of the year. A male was on Fairhaven Lake on 24 Sept. Eight were seen in east Lancashire: a female on Foulridge Reservoir on 5 May, two males at Stocks Reservoir on 2 July, a male at Dean Clough Reservoir on 2‐12 Aug, a male at Foulridge Reservoir on 22 Aug, and singles at Black Moss Reservoir on 18 Sept, Foulridge Reservoir on 5 Oct and Fishmoor Reservoir on 18 Nov. In Rossendale there were four males on Clowbridge Reservoir on 22 June and a male with a female/immature at Cowm Reservoir on 24 July. A male at Brockholes Quarry on 16 Aug was the first record for the site. St Helens had a productive year with four at Prescot Reservoirs on 13 April, seven there on 18 July, one on 17‐21 Aug and one on 18 Sept, and two at Carr Mill Dam on 18 Nov.

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca Uncommon in winter, often with Common Scoter flocks. A good set of records this year. One was off Heysham on 3 July with another there on 3 Dec, a juvenile at Knott End on 18 Nov, and a male and a female off Rossall Point on 29 April, a male there on 17 Sept and two on 3 Dec. Seawatching from Blackpool brought records of males on 8 Sept and 3 Nov, with two there on 11 Nov and three on 12 Dec. There were four males plus two females on 29 Jan off Formby Point, two there on 13 Feb, a male on 6 May, one on 2 Oct, two on 16 Oct and one on 30 Oct.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 33

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Common winter visitor. Stronghold Morecambe Bay. Former feral breeder at Mere Sands Wood from mid‐1980s to late 1990s. International importance: 4000. National importance: 249 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 168 175 33 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 9 34 Glasson 120 113 / / / / / / / / 87 124 Seaforth 38 42 35 42 1 0 0 1 1 10 28 45 Brockholes Qry. 41 20 28 17 1 0 0 0 0 11 8 7 Prescot Res 34 26 34 20 2 0 0 0 0 18 15 20 Stocks Res 11 8 16 10 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 The majority of the birds in Morecambe are now found in the Glasson area of the Lune, where the November and December peaks were missed by the monthly WeBS counts. The only notable count at Morecambe was of 37 on 17 Nov and ten on 28 March was the largest count at Heysham. Other peak counts not mentioned in the table included eleven on Eccleston Mere in January and March, 34 on Southport Marine Lake on 8 Jan, 13 at Mere Sands Wood on 6 Feb, 26 at Parsonage Reservoir and 17 at Dean Clough Reservoir in February, twelve at Foulridge and Whitemoor Reservoirs in March, eight at High Bullough reservoir on 18 March, and 19 on the River Calder at Martholme on 26 Dec. Fifteen were on the sea off Formby Point on 29 Jan .

SMEW Mergellus albellus Uncommon winter visitor. All records in the early year were of single redheads: on Southport Marine Lake on 28 Jan, Stocks Reservoir on 10 March, Haweswater, Silverdale on 2 April and Marshside on 18 May – the first record for the reserve. A first‐winter male which commuted between Seaforth and Crosby Marine Lake on 19 Nov was the only record in the second winter period.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Fairly common winter visitor to coasts. Commonest in north. Scarce inland. Rare breeder. International importance: 1700. National importance: 98. Monthly counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 47 35 39 75 5 3 2 3 1 33 37 104 Morecambe Bay just ‘scraped over the bar’, recording nationally important numbers in just one month with 104 in Dec; here as elsewhere in the county wintering numbers have been in decline for many years. Offshore counts included 28 at Rossall Point on 29 Jan, five at Heysham in January, and 22 off Formby Point in January with 15 there in February, eleven in March, 17 in April, six in October and three in December. Coastal lagoons fared even worse: the species has almost disappeared at Seaforth with only three singles in the course of the year, while six 34 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 were on Fleetwood Marine Lake on 12 Jan and three on Fairhaven lake on 13 Feb; four were on the River Wyre on 17 Feb with six there on 6 Nov. A pair wintered at Stocks Reservoir, a rare event in the uplands, and was joined by a second pair on 14 March with four pairs there by 10 April. At least one female went on to breed at Stocks, producing three young. Six or seven other birds were present in the Hodder catchment with pairs present at Doeford Bridge, Langden Brook and probably Dunsop Bridge, but breeding was not proven. A male was on Prescot Reservoirs on 21 April and two females there on 6 Oct; seven were briefly at Foulridge Reservoir on 20 Aug and three there on 15 Oct.

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Fairly common winter visitor to east. Uncommon on coast and in the south‐west. Uncommon breeder. International importance: 2500. National importance: 161. Monthly counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Delph Res 54* 51 38 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 23 22 MBS WeBS 1 2 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 12 * Site record 2004. Twelve females attempted to breed at Arkholme; the first eggs were laid on 28 Feb but only 33 eggs out of 96 survived due to predation, mainly by Jackdaws. There were two successful broods and six further broods in the wider area, producing 99 young on 12 June and 45 on 23 July. Disturbance from canoeing was reported as a problem since this split up broods and allowed predation. 2005. Counts on the Ribble included 13 at Haslam Park, Preston in January and February, 14 on Brockholes Quarry in January with 26 on the river on 1 May, 16 at Walton‐le‐Dale on 16 July and 14 at Avenham Park, Preston on 8 & 22 Sept. The largest count on the Wyre was of 17 on 20 Feb, while the lower Lune had five at Aldcliffe on 29 Jan and ones and twos at Glasson throughout the year; five on the Douglas at Sollom on 31 Aug were unusual for this site. Twenty‐eight at Slipper Hill Reservoir on 23 Jan was the highest count in east Lancashire for five years. Other double‐figure counts included 24 on the River Calder in April, nine at Stocks Reservoir in June, 27 at Parsonage Reservoir in August and 14 at Fishmoor and 24 at Foulridge Reservoir in December. Peak counts in Chorley and the West Pennine Moors included a record 54 at Delph Reservoir in January, 20 at Birkacre on 8 Jan and ten at Rivington on 13 Feb. Elsewhere there were 13 on the Dockacres complex in February, twelve at Mere Sands Wood in November and three on Prescot Reservoirs on 18 Dec. Few breeding records were received but young birds were reported from Stocks Reservoir, the Ribble at Elston, the Calder at Altham and Croasdale Brook at Slaidburn; seven females nested at Arkholme on the Lune, five of them successfully.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 35 RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis Fairly common post‐breeding and winter visitor. Scarce feral breeder. The largest count anywhere in the county was of seven at Mere Sands Wood early in the year; Prescot Reservoirs recorded a peak of three, a far cry from the 70 in 2003. other peak counts were five at Leighton Moss, MMWWT and Fleetwood and three pairs at Longton Brickcroft, south of Preston. Non‐breeding birds were also reported from Ainsdale Sands Lake, Nuck’s Wood, Formby Hall Golf Course, Fairhaven Lake, Marton Mere, Myerscough Quarry, Ream Hills, Brockholes Quarry Bretherton, Ulnes Walton, Seaforth, and Stocks, Foulridge and Barnacre Reservoirs. Breeding was confirmed at the following sites: Leighton Moss, two pairs; Fleetwood Marine Lake, two pairs; Freckleton Naze Pool, one pair; Preesall Flashes, one pair and MMWWT, two pairs. The fate of most of these ducklings is unknown but it is suspected that, as usual, few of them will have survived.

RED GROUSE Lagopus lagopus Common breeding resident Disease and poor weather in spring resulted in depressed production of young throughout the county with many estates reported to have cancelled shooting. In Bowland records were widespread, but counts largely unrepresentative. Eight hours of fieldwork in January per 10km square resulted in counts of 49 in SD65, 41 in SD66, 28 in SD55 and 14 in SD56. Other counts from Bowland included 25+ on Brennand Fell on 18 June, 20 on White Hill on 20 Feb, 20 at Marshaw on 6 March and 15 on Harrisend/Hawthornthwaite Fell on 24 Feb, whilst the species was described as ‘numerous’ on Lamb Hill on 27 April and at Abbeystead/Clougha on 28 March. Up to ten were also recorded from Croasdale, Caton Moor, Cross of Greet, Langden, Leck Fell, Roeburndale and Haylot Fell with birds also recorded from the Bowland outliers of Longridge Fell, Bradford Fell, Newton/Browsholme Moor and Gannow Fell. Included in 58 east Lancashire records were 23 on Boulsworth Hill on 2 Aug, four pairs on Pendle on 6 May, eight at Wycoller on 12 March and a nest found at Cant Clough on 23 May. In Rossendale up to six were recorded from Cowpe Moss, Rushy Hill, Haslingden Moor, Alden, Musbury Heights and off the moors at Whittaker Pasture. On the West Pennine Moors gamekeeper counts in early April estimated 39 pairs on Anglezarke/Withnell Moors (badly fire‐damaged in 2003) with over 95 seen there during a shoot in September. On Darwen Moor gamekeeper counts with dogs estimated 440 grouse present in late July (approximately half of the 2004 July estimate), resulting in a limited shooting season during which some 134 grouse were shot during three days driving. More than 25 were on Belmont Moor when shot over on 13 Aug. A rarely witnessed sighting of local migration was observed in late July when a covey of seven was seen to fly west off Hoddlesden Moss high over Darwen town centre and onto Darwen Moor.

36 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa Fairly common breeding resident. Population supplemented by regular releases in most areas. The release of birds, particularly on the western side of the county, continues to maintain numbers locally. Evidence of any self‐maintaining populations was scant, with only three confirmed records of breeding. In the north, a pair with five juveniles at Cockersands on 21 Sept was notable, with up to four recorded from Conder Green and in SD66 and SD57. Large numbers were again released Over Wyre, resulting in 43 at Pilling on 3 Jan, with other Fylde records of up to seven birds at Eagland Hill, Copthorne, Singleton, Blackpool, Lightfoot Green and Warton. In the south west, gamekeepers were reported to have released 200 on Downholland Moss and 100+ at Great Altcar. The largest counts were 100+ on Churchtown Moss on 7 Oct and 58 on Downholland Moss on 28 Aug. Smaller numbers were recorded from Roby Mill, Croston, Wrightington, Stanley High School, Southport and Bretherton with a pair with six young at Eccleston, near Chorley, on 27 June. Further large scale releases took place on the mosses north‐ west of St. Helens resulting in 42 sightings from nine locations including 60 by Dairy Farm Road on 7 Aug and 30 on Catchdale Moss on 29 Dec. In the West Pennine Moors, following releases in 2004, at least four pairs were present around Belmont during the breeding season, with a nest found in July. Birds were again released at Belmont in the autumn, resulting in a covey of 15+ there on 30 Dec. There were 32 reports from east Lancashire, notably 26 at Newton on 26 Nov, eleven at Marl Hill on 30 Dec and up to five at Hareden, Hoghton and Moor Piece.

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Common but declining resident in the south and west Judging from the good number of records received (nearly 300 from 105 locations) the species appears to be holding up well over most of the county especially on the arable mosses of the west and south‐west. However, reports, or rather a lack of them, from parts of the eastern uplands, the Lune Valley and Rossendale would suggest local declines are continuing. Reports from the north of the county involved a pair at Middleton Industrial Estate on 22 May and a few pairs on the Overton peninsula, notably in the Heaton area, but the Lancashire Bird Report 2005 37 species was described as ‘really hard to find in the Lune Valley’. To the south of the Lune a maximum of ten were at Cockerham in November, ten at Aldcliffe in December, eight at Cockersands in January with 16 on saltmarsh at Stodday on 5 Nov. The strong population on the south Fylde and Over Wyre mosses was evident with over seventy records received from 26 sites, with sizeable numbers seen in some areas although it is known that releases have taken place in the latter area. At least six pairs were at Pilling in March to May with 47 seen in three coveys later in the year. Other good counts included 27 on Lytham Moss on 6 July, 25 on Rawcliffe Moss on 1 Oct, 19 at Whyndyke Farm on 6 July and counts of 17 at New Ridge Farm and Black Hill Farm on 14 Nov and 17 Dec respectively. On the West Pennine Moors, gamekeepers described the wild population around Belmont as being ‘healthier than any time since the early 1960s’. A minimum of eight pairs were estimated with four broods totalling 24 young seen later. At Belmont Reservoir, a covey of twelve was seen in January and two coveys totalling twelve birds in November. The Chorley area produced sightings of up to six at Croston, Bretherton, Lead Mines Clough and Anglezarke, with up to nine seen further west at Longton in November, eight on Farington Moss in October and seven at Roby Mill in November‐ December. Records were received from just seven sites in Rossendale, with pairs at Whitworth, Dearden, Hawks Clough, Deeply Vale, Grane Blackwood and Marl Pits with coveys later of eight at Loveclough in October and over ten in November at Alden. In east Lancashire there were 38 records from 15 sites (cf. 16 reports from 13 sites in 2004 and 30 from 20 sites in 2003). Pairs were with young at Horton Bridge and Altham in July and later coveys of twelve were seen at Dean Clough and Lee Green Reservoir in September. In the south‐west, up to 40 were at Mere Sands Wood and nine at MMWWT in December with eight at Sollom Moss in January. Seven were at Marshside in January with at least three pairs in the breeding season, although no young were seen. Other breeding season records included ten to twelve pairs at Great Altcar, five calling males on Sollom Moss on 20 June, and single pairs at Birkdale and on Freshfield Dune Heath. Few other records were received from the south‐west stronghold and again no information was forwarded from those shooting estates on the mosses where wild partridge stocks are managed. However, gamekeepers were known to have released 200 on Downholland Moss with 40 still present on 28 Dec. On the farmland around St. Helens an increase was noted with thirty records from 13 locations (cf. twelve records from ten locations in 2004) the highlights being 23 near Rainford on 14 Jan, 20 on Reed’s Moss on 4 Oct and 15 at Carr Mill Dam on 23 Sept. In the south Liverpool area, birds were recorded from Speke, Woolton, Oglet, Tarbock, Halewood, Cronton and Garston with coveys totalling 29 at Speke in August/November and ten at Woolton in November.

38 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 QUAIL Coturnix coturnix Scarce summer visitor to lowland areas, occasional influxes. 2005, whilst probably not a ‘quail year’, was certainly was the best since 1997. As usual, the vast majority of records came from the mosses of the west and south‐west and concerned calling birds. The first report came from Lytham St. Annes NR on 15 May. Thereafter, calling birds were relatively widespread on the Fylde and Over Wyre in the period 10 June until 23 Aug with records from Copthorne, Lytham Moss (two), Weeton, Staining, Pilling, Eagland Hill and Todderstaffe Hall. The highlight was groups of three and two flushed by harvesting operations at Eagland Hill on 21 Aug, probably relating to successful breeding. Further north, one was calling at Cockersands on 22 July. On the south‐west mosses up to four were calling on Plex Moss between 12 June and 11 July with a bird seen on 15 June; likewise on Downholland Moss up to four were calling between 9 June and 17 July with two described as ‘showing well’ on 4 July. One was calling from Sollom Moss on 20 June. For the third year running birds were present in the eastern uplands. Two were calling and seen at Coldwell Reservoir on 31 May and thereafter one or two were calling up until a sighting on 9 July. One was nearby at Shedden Clough on 26 June.

PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Abundant on or near keepered estates, fairly common elsewhere As usual, very few records were received despite the species’ abundance, particularly from the many areas where releases take place. Breeding must be commonplace, especially in the west, but is rarely reported. In the north, 150 were recorded in eight hours January fieldwork in SD55, probably emanating from the Abbeystead Estate. Twenty‐five were on Winmarleigh Moss on 19 Nov, whilst in Bowland, 40+ were in the Dunsop Valley on 21 Aug with 27 by the Hodder inlet at Stocks Reservoir on 2 Nov. The species was described as widespread in low numbers (up to eight) in Rossendale with only one record of successful breeding (at Calf Hey) received. In the West Pennine Moors, males were present on moorland territories at high altitudes with a minimum of eight on Winter Hill at up to 440m asl in May, with the usual release of several thousand for sporting purposes nearby resulting in 500+ near Belmont on 6 Nov. Mere Sands Wood had a peak count of 17 in February, three pairs bred on Freshfield Dune Heath with up to 30 regular at Eccleston Mere. The south‐west mosses held large numbers as usual with 84 on Reeds Moss on 4 Oct and 40 by the Old Coach Road on 23 Oct. In south Liverpool, the species was recorded from Speke, Oglet and Garston throughout the year.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 39 RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata Fairly common winter visitor and spring passage migrant. Scarce inland. International importance: 10000. National importance: 50 The first bird of the year was a single at Heysham on 3 Jan. Counts during January included five at Rossall Point on the 12th, three at Ainsdale on the 29th and 43 at Blackpool on the 30th, while the CCW/WWT aerial surveys recorded a minimum 37 divers, probably overwhelmingly this species, between Shell Flats and the Ribble on the 13th and 34 between Formby Point and the Dee on the 16th and 23rd. Fifty‐two were off Formby Point on 11 Feb and 85 on the 26th; a February repeat of the Shell Flat aerial survey reported at least 42 birds. Ones and twos continued to be seen regularly off Blackpool during February and March with larger counts of 15 on 29 March and 70 on 19 April, while Formby Point reported peaks of 19 on 24 March and 48 on 7 April. An even larger spring passage occurred in north Lancashire, notably 58 off Heysham on 5 April and 100+ off Jenny Brown’s Point the same day; with 64 still present the following day. One was seen in the Mersey Estuary on 5 April. Numbers rapidly dwindled after mid‐April until the last sighting of a single bird at Blackpool on 23 July. The autumn passage witnessed ones and twos at the major seawatching sites throughout September, reaching a peak of 29 off Formby Point on the 18th. One was at Leighton Moss on 1 Sept, three at Marshside on the 21st, on the sea off Ainsdale on 4 Oct and 14 were reported on the October WeBS count of the Alt. Other sites reporting birds at this end of the year were Cleveleys (one in October), Bispham (three) and Glasson Marsh (one) both in November. Finally, a juvenile was on Fairhaven Lake from early November to the end of December. A first‐winter at Hurstwood Reservoir on 19 March was the year’s only inland record.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Uncommon annual winter visitor, mostly on coast. All records were in Liverpool Bay. In the first winter period one was seen off Formby Point on 16 Jan with two there on 11 Feb, and singles off Rossall Point on 27 Feb, 14, 20 & 24 March and off Blackpool on 7 March. Spring passage consisted of singles off Formby Point on 19 & 28 April and 7 May, while one off Rossall Point on 30 Oct was the only record in the second half of the year.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Scarce, less than annual, mostly on coast. The January CCW/WWT aerial survey of Liverpool Bay reported one on Shell Flats, and singles were recorded off Formby Point in February and March with a full summer‐ plumaged adult there in April. A long‐staying juvenile was on Crosby Marine Lake from 6‐16 Nov, and another juvenile was on Prescot Reservoirs on 7‐8 Nov.

40 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Uncommon but increasing breeding bird. Fairly common in winter. International importance: 3400. National importance: 78. Thirty‐three sites reported birds during the first winter period; the largest groups were 16 at Thornton ICI Reservoir in January and 13 on Southport Marine Lake, also in January. Seaforth held six in February and March (the lowest winter count there since 1998), and Wood End Sewage Works, Nuck’s Wood and Conder Pools all held five at some time during this period; all other sites reported ones or twos. During the second winter period numbers were not much different for the majority of the 50 sites reporting the presence of Little Grebes. Exceptions were Thornton ICI with 24 in October, Myerscough Quarry with 15 in October, Southport Marine Lake and Marshside with 14 apiece in December, Seaforth with ten in October and Nuck’s Wood ten in November. Other first winter peaks included 26 on the January Morecambe Bay WeBS count, seven on the Ribble WeBS, seven at Stocks Reservoir, six on the Leeds‐Liverpool Canal between Liverpool and Crosby, five on the River Lune at Lancaster, four on the Ribble at West Bradford and two on the Calder at Whalley. Breeding this year involved at least 30 pairs at 23 sites; 17 sites reported successful breeding with at least 44 juveniles counted (the five pairs at Mere Sands Wood produced an unspecified number of young). Seaforth played host to its first breeding record although, after three attempts, breeding was unsuccessful. In addition a further eighteen sites all held pairs with no breeding attempts recorded. The largest post‐breeding build‐up was at Thornton ICI where numbers rose from none in June rose to six, ten and 16 over the following three months. Numbers also increased during July to September to 13 at Seaforth, twelve at Preston Dock and Myerscough Quarry, ten on Southport and Fleetwood Marine Lakes (ten each), and 22 during the August Morecambe Bay WeBS count. A further fourteen sites reported the presence of birds at some time of the year.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Uncommon but increasing breeding bird. Fairly common in winter with concentrations in Morecambe Bay. No longer of national importance on the Mersey. International importance: 4800. National importance: 159. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 68 49 26 28 4 0 8 12 8 26 19 57 Formby Point 40 17 4 2 4 1 2 4 8 13 4 4 Foulridge Res 19 14 22 19 15 12 25 16 6 16 12 8 Eccleston Mere 25 19 16 21 19 18 15 20 15 11 14 14 Carr Mill Dam 15 14 36 20 50 36 31 54 40 30 32 15 Numbers in Morecambe Bay, our main wintering site, continued to fall; this year’s winter peaks of 68 and 57 compared poorly to last year’s 170 and 110. Numbers in Liverpool Bay, principally seen off Formby Point, remained stable although the January count of 40 was noteworthy. Inland, birds were reported from more sites and in higher numbers than last year. In addition to those in the table there were peaks of 28 at Rishton Reservoir, 15 at Marton Lancashire Bird Report 2005 41 Mere and 14 and Taylor Park in St. Helens. Peaks of four or five were recorded at Barrowford and Dean Clough Reservoirs, Marshside and Pilling, and an additional 35 sites held between one and three. Breeding was documented from 26 sites involving at least 50 pairs. Ninety juveniles were reported this year (compared to 47+ in 2004), including at least 20 on Carr Mill Dam, 13 at Eccleston Mere, six at Rishton Reservoir, and five each at Birkacre, Stocks Reservoir and Nuck’s Wood. Although Foulridge Reservoir held large numbers of individuals all year only one juvenile was conclusively documented.

There were no sizeable post‐breeding counts apart from at Carr Mill Dam, but some movement was reported, for example at Dean Clough Reservoir, where counts of one to four rose to ten in August, Stocks Reservoir with twelve in August, and Barnacre Reservoir which reported nine in July, a record for this site. Second winter period counts were low. Apart from sites mentioned above only Jenny Brown’s Point (59 in October, ten in November and December), Taylor Park (eleven in November and December) and Barrowford Reservoir (eleven in December) reached double figures. A further ten sites held between five and nine and another fifteen sites up to four. An additional 32 sites reported Great Crested Grebes (usually ones and twos but occasionally threes) at some time during the year.

RED NECKED GREBE* Podiceps grisegena Scarce winter visitor. A summer‐plumaged adult on the Mizzy Dam in Knowsley Safari Park on 18‐29 May was the first record since 2001.

42 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Scarce winter visitor Five of this year’s six records from were of reasonably long‐staying individuals: on the Middleton Industrial Estate ponds on 12‐28 Feb, off the Heysham coast for virtually the whole of February, at Seaforth from 25 Feb until 24 March, Southport Marine Lake on 13‐ 17 Nov and Fairhaven Lake on 2‐17 Dec. The only other sighting was a single on the River Mersey off Otterspool Promenade on 2 March.

BLACK NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Scarce visitor, mostly in spring and autumn. International importance: 2800. National importance: 50. A pair was on Prescot Reservoirs on 23‐24 April, a juvenile at the same site on 19‐23 Aug and one on Crosby Marine Lake on 23 September.

FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Fairly common on coasts in late summer and early autumn during onshore winds. For the second year in succession, and almost to the day, a third record of a dark morph ‘Blue Fulmar’ was seen in Lancashire waters (CGB et al), off Rossall Point on 12 Jan. In all other respects it was a disappointing year. The only double‐figure counts in Morecambe Bay were ten off Jenny Brown’s Point on 4 June and twelve there on 13 June; four off Heysham on 5 May was the only other record of note. It was little different off the Fylde coast where the peak counts were ten off Rossall Point on 12 Jan, the ‘Blue Fulmar’ day, with three there on 3 April and 19 July and eight on 14 Aug, and five off Blackpool on 22 May. Rather more were seen off Formby Point, particularly in spring, including 38 on 5 May, 16 on the 6th, 52 on the 21st, twelve on the 29th and 22 on 2 July. The last of the year was off Rossall Point on 12 Nov.

SOOTY SHEARWATER* Puffinus griseus Rare autumn visitor. One flying south during a seawatch at Formby Point on 4 Aug (BMcC) was the first seen in Lancashire waters since 2002.

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Common offshore in late summer‐autumn, especially during onshore winds. Heysham reported its worst ever year since seawatching began with two on 4 June, 25 Aug and 27 Sept the only records. Thirteen off Jenny Brown’s Point on 13 June and 22 off Knott End on 2 July were the only other records in Morecambe Bay. As usual, considerably more were seen in Liverpool Bay. A moderate spring passage began with one off Formby Point on 7 April and included 38 at Formby on 5 May and 28 off Blackpool on the 23rd. The largest numbers, however, were seen in June with peaks of 297 off Formby on the 2nd and 112 on the 19th, 138 off Blackpool on the 4th. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 43 Fewer were seen during the summer months; the highlights were 67 off Rossall Point on 28 July, 46 off Formby on 3 Aug and 80 off Blackpool on the 23rd. The last were two at Formby Point on 29 Sept. None was seen inland this year.

EUROPEAN STORM-PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus Uncommon offshore in late summer and autumn. Less than annual in occurence A slightly better year than last with 18 records involving up to 100 individuals. The first of the year was one off Heysham on 14 June, but most sightings came during a four day period in July. One was off Heysham, five off Blackpool and three off Rossall Point on 19 July; these were followed by 41 at Heysham on the 20th, when 16 were also seen off Formby Point and three off Blackpool and in the mouth of the Mersey. On the following day seven were in the Mersey mouth and one off Formby, and finally and two were off Formby and in the Mersey on the 22nd. No more were seen until singles off Formby Point on 4‐5 Sept, in the Mersey mouth on the 25‐26th and at Heysham on the 28th.

LEACH’S STORM-PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa Fairly common offshore in variable numbers during September and October gales. The first of the year were three seen on the river Mersey at Seaforth on 26 Aug. An exhausted individual was found on the tideline at Blackpool on 15 Sept and one was seen off Heysham on the 28th. Onshore winds on 1 Oct produced the only significant influx of the year, when two were off Heysham, eleven off Blackpool, 20 in the Mersey Narrows and 112 went south past Formby Point. Five on the Mersey on the following day were the last of the year.

GANNET Morus bassanus Common summer and autumn visitor offshore in variable numbers. Scarce in winter. Three off Rossall and Blackpool on 17 March were the first of the year. The main passage got underway, however, at the beginning of April, rather later than last year. Early peak counts included ten off Jenny Brown’s Point on 5 April, 230 off Rossall Point on the 6th, 51 off Heysham on the 8th, 50 off Formby Point on the 17th and 51 off Blackpool on the 19th. Good numbers continued to move through during May, most notably off Formby Point, including 179 on the 21st and 109 on the 29th, and off Blackpool, where 125 were seen on the 22nd; Heysham recorded 100 bird‐days during the month. Records for the rest of the year were concentrated on the same two sites, and at Rossall Point. Notable summer counts included 118 off Formby on 17 June, with 140 there on the 22nd, 229 on 2 July and 384 on the 5th; 23 off Blackpool on 29 June with 93 there on 18 July; and 100 off Rossall on 19 July. Autumn passage continued strongly during August and early September, including 89 off Rossall Point on 14 Aug with 73 there on the 28th, 40 off Blackpool on the 17th, and 135 off Formby Point on 8 Sept with 166 there on the 10th and 97 on the 16th. Only occasional double‐figure counts were made during October but there was a large late 44 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 season movement of 60 off Formby on 2 November. The last were five off Blackpool on 5 Nov and one there on the 7th. The only autumn birds seen in Morecambe Bay after three off Heysham on 17 July were singles off Knott End on three dates between 28 Aug and 29 Sept.

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Common and increasing on coasts and estuaries. Local but increasing inland. International importance: 1200. National importance: 230 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 96 88 59 101 7 33 61 125 160 143 107 88 Ribble WeBS 543 97 177 73 0 65 57 94 167 196 277 205 Formby Point 300 203 70 58 17 9 18 100 313 165 315 160 Seaforth 530 638 75 127 57 30 40 354 110 99 880 600 Stocks Reservoir 26 32 33 30 3 5 7 18 30 62 36 34 Numbers, and especially locations, of these birds at all times of the year continued to increase. Indeed, there are now probably several nationally important roost sites throughout the county. The Lancashire section of Liverpool Bay now supports an internationally important population, at least in autumn; the combined November WeBS counts on the Alt and Ribble totalled 1356. The two main roost sites on the Alt Estuary, Seaforth and Taylor’s Bank off Formby Point, both recorded large numbers throughout the year (see table), and the 880 at Seaforth on 4 Nov was close to the county record of 888 at the same site in December 2001. Other Sefton Coast sites also produced some large numbers: 111 on Ainsdale beach and 278 on Southport Marine Lake in January, and 134 at Marshside in October. Further north numbers were typically smaller but peak numbers were slightly up on last year for Rossall Point, including 38 in August and 48 in December, and Freckleton Naze, where there was a peak of 50 in August. Numbers of coastal sightings off Blackpool were lower than usual, mostly in the low twenties, whereas numbers counted on the Wyre Light at Fleetwood were similar to last year, peaking at 51 in July; 28 were on Marton Mere in February and 30 on Fairhaven Lake in September. Stocks Reservoir continues to be the most important site in the east of the county, but the peak counts at Foulridge and Whitemoor Reservoirs, 31 in October and 21 in December, were also significant; the only other site recording double‐figures was Walverden Reservoir with 30 in February. Nine at Belmont Reservoir on 1 Oct was a site record, as was 88 at MMWWT on 4 March. Other inland counts included 19 On Prescot Reservoirs on 18 March, 21 on a lagoon in Rainford in May and 18 on Pine Lake in December. Unusual reports included nine on Downholland Moss irrigation lakes and roosting in a tree at Kingswood School, Scarisbrick in December. A leucistic second‐calendar‐year bird was seen at Seaforth on 17 April.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 45 SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Uncommon but increasing on coasts. Most records are of immatures. At least four were seen during January, a juvenile at Rossall Point on the 5th with an adult there on the 12th, a juvenile at Heysham on the 8th with probably the same bird there on the 14th, and an adult at Seaforth and Crosby Marine Lake on the 12‐14th. After this flurry of records there were no further sightings until singles on Southport Marine Lake on 1 June and off Formby Point on 31 Aug. Two juveniles were present more or continuously at Heysham from the end of September until early December; they were joined briefly by two more juveniles on 6 November with another juvenile at Morecambe the same day , producing a record county count. Apart from an adult at Formby on 1 October, all further records were of single juveniles – one each at Morecambe and Blackpool on 3 Oct, long‐staying individuals at Fleetwood Docks from the end of November until early December and at Southport Marine Lake from 13 Dec until the end of the year. In all, at least 16 individuals were seen during the year, surpassing the previous record total of 15 in 1998.

BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Rare breeding bird Leighton Moss, uncommon winter visitor there and elsewhere. All records came from Leighton Moss and the only other regular site, Marton Mere. Careful scrutiny of the resident birds at Leighton provided some interesting life history information. The sole male boomed strongly, suggesting it had been an inexperienced young bird previously. Three females were present at the start of the breeding season, including an older pale bird and a female that fledged in 2000. Two active nests were observed, one of which fledged four young including a runt whilst the other was also thought to have fledged young. No significant counts of wintering birds were received from Leighton Moss, though it was noted that the pale female had disappeared late in the nesting season. At Marton Mere there were up to two birds in January and February and one to at least 24 March. Return was noted from 21 Sept, with up to three by late December. Overall it was a fairly typical showing for this site in recent years, lacking a major cold weather influx.

NIGHT HERON* Nycticorax nycticorax Vagrant. An adult was seen in a garden at Anderton, Chorley on 27 Nov before flying towards the Rivington reservoirs (JL). The late date is interesting, having echoes of the first‐winter bird at Ribchester in December 2002; it was the fifteenth county record.

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Uncommon but increasing visitor, mainly to coastal marshes. It was, perhaps, another record year for this species, particularly given the numbers in north Lancashire in the second winter period. Fortunately, escaped birds appeared to be less of an issue although at least one still frequented the Ribble area. In January there were 46 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 up to five in residence on the Lune Estuary and at least two wild birds on the Ribble, whilst elsewhere up to three were seen on the Keer Estuary and one visited MMWWT. Few reports were received in February and March, but there were up to five on the Lune at Colloway Marsh throughout the period and two still lingered on the Ribble. Movement during April produced singles inland at Tewitfield on the 7th and Upper Foulridge Reservoir on the 17th, whilst up to three were on the north Ribble marshes and one was seen on the Eric Morecambe complex. In May up to three were on the Ribble in the Warton Bank‐Freckleton area and one was seen at MMWWT. In the absence of any breeding evidence, birds were typically scarce in June, with one at MMWWT on the 10th and 13th and undated reports from Marshside. Things soon picked up again in July, with possibly as many as five on the Ribble Estuary and perhaps two or more birds responsible for singles at several Morecambe Bay sites. August brought widespread records including up to five at Cockerham and several other records from the southern part of Morecambe Bay. There were also at least a couple on the other main site, the Ribble Estuary, and a number of other widespread reports. As well as two at Seaforth there were records inland at Brockholes Quarry (up to two) Marton Mere, Mere Sands Wood and further east at Arkholme from 27 Aug to 5 Sept and Lower Foulridge Reservoir from 20 Aug to 5 Sept. During September there was another county record equalling count of five birds, this time on the Wyre Estuary at Little Singleton on the 3rd; five were seen at different sites on the Ribble Estuary count and two were at Glasson during the month – there may have been some overlap between these and the Wyre count, which was a single date only. No large counts were made in October but ones or twos were seen on the Eric Morecambe complex, at Pilling Marsh, the Wyre Estuary and Marshside; one over Prescot Reservoir on 28th was a notable St. Helens record. Birds began to settle on the wintering grounds in November and December. Peak counts included an unprecedented nine roosting adjacent to the Lune Estuary in the Ashton Hall heronry, three on the North Ribble marshes (excluding one escapee), three at Marshside and also three on the Eric Morecambe complex. The year concluded with one touring east Lancashire sites in December, at Upper Foulridge Res on the 12th, Altham on the 17th and Whalley Sewage Works on the 29th.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Scarce breeding resident. Monthly Peak Counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 4 5 12 12 10 21 41 32 39 35 18 19 Ribble WeBS 5 0 1 6 6 13 21 45 45 36 18 23 Seaforth 11 5 3 2 7 14 14 21 29 12 13 18 The largest count early in the year was 23 at Brockholes Quarry in January; also notable in the same month were 18 at Glasson Marsh and up to twelve at Grove Lane Marsh, Padiham. The Lancaster area winter atlas work recorded 70 birds in eight 10km squares in January. Breeding data continued to present a mixed picture. Claughton‐on‐Brock continued to hold the largest reported colony, but 46 pairs represented a continued decline there for Lancashire Bird Report 2005 47 reasons which are not fully understood. The Entwistle heronry stabilised at 41 occupied nests, with 37 later containing young, and there were 33 occupied nests in Stanley Park, Blackpool. No information was received from heronries in south‐west Lancashire or North Merseyside. The Cockerham heronry held a minimum of nine nests and may have had as many as 26 amongst a rookery; also in the Fylde there were at least eight active nests at Savick Brook. In east Lancashire there were between six and nine nests at Winkley Hall, eight at Read and five near Bolton‐by‐Bowland. There were six occupied nests in the colony at Waterfoot, Rossendale. The two pairs in Cuerden Valley Park fledged five young. In north Lancashire a pair at a new site at Aldcliffe failed, while a heronry at Melling was abandoned after most of the trees were blown down in January storms. During the late summer and autumn a number of double‐figure counts were made as birds dispersed from heronries. There were up to 15 at Lower Foulridge Reservoir in July, while August congregations included up to 15 at Skippool, Marshside and Saltcotes, Lytham. Thereafter, counts included up to eleven at Cockerham in September and 17 at Brockholes and ten at Eccleston Mere in October. Late in the year there were again 18 at Glasson Marsh and 13 at Eccleston Mere in December.

WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Rare passage migrant, true picture clouded by free flying collection birds There were three reports this year, the origin of birds being seen in the county remain problematic but genuine vagrancy cannot be ruled out. A bird flew over Oswaldtwistle on the early date of 2 April and one flew south over Bolton‐le‐Sands and Lancaster on 24 July. Finally, one was perched briefly on a public house in Much Hoole before flying south on 5 Aug.

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia Scarce annual visitor, mostly to coastal marshes, has bred. All records came during a spell of just over a week from mid‐ to late May. At least two individuals were involved. One flew low over the Champion Moor flood on 19 May, appearing briefly later that day on the Eric Morecambe complex. This bird, which was presumably the same as one seen over Knaresborough (Yorks) on 18 May, had been recorded previously at Stocks Reservoir and Leighton Moss in 2002; it was ringed as a nestling in the Netherlands in 1999. One dropped in at Marshside during a thunderstorm on 22 May, feeding constantly after arrival. This bird was not aged, but may have been the first‐summer subsequently on the Eric Morecambe complex from the 23rd to the 26th.

RED KITE Milvus milvus Scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor from successful reintroduction schemes. There was a fairly wide scattering of records, most of which occurred in June and possibly related to wandering non‐breeders. In spring one flew over Warton Crag on 3 April and another was pursued by Jackdaws over Edenfield, Rossendale on 14 May. The first of a surge of sightings in June was one following the plough at Lydiate on the 7th, this wing‐tagged bird was a first‐ 48 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 summer from Yorkshire. Clearly different was an untagged bird south‐east over Darwen and Turton Moors on the 10th. One was at Plex Moss on the 11th, and a remarkable record involved no fewer than three high east over Netherton on the 18th The following day one drifted north‐east over Brockholes Quarry. Perhaps surprisingly, given the June numbers, there were just three reports in the second half of the year. One flew over Caton Moor on 14 Aug, bearing wing tags showing that it had been ringed in central Scotland in 2003. A bird lingered at Calf Hey Reservoir from 1 to 15 Nov, and finally one was seen over the Trough of Bowland at Marshaw on 28 Dec.

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Fairly common passage migrant, scarce in east. Rare breeder, rare in winter. There was one wintering record, a female at Barrow Scout near Leighton Moss on 16‐28 Jan. Typically, birds were back at Leighton before any migrants had been recorded elsewhere, with a male arriving on 19 March and the first female the next day. The first away from Leighton Moss was one at Stocks Reservoir on 17 April; a further six followed during the month with most of these being seen at coastal watchpoints including Marshside, Rossall, Fairhaven and Heysham. Numbers were rather similar in May, away from the coast they included an apparently lingering female at Catlow Hill on the 1st, Croasdale on the 9th and Birch Clough, Halsteads on the 17th. A male and two females bred at Leighton Moss, producing a total of seven young. Another male and female nested at nearby Haweswater and fledged a single chick. At least three birds summered in the south‐west; one nest site was thought to have been identified but no young were seen and the attempt presumably failed – the birds involved were both immatures and this may have been a factor in the nest failing. One north‐east over Crag Bank on 18 June may have been a late migrant or a wandering Leighton Moss bird. Post‐breeding dispersal was certainly underway by the end of June when two were seen at MMWWT. Juveniles were seen at a number of sites during July, particularly on the Fylde, as birds drifted south from Leighton and other nest sites further north. Subsequently there were assemblies at several sites in the south‐west, including up to five at MMWWT in August and four – probably including at least some of the same birds – at Altcar and Downholland Moss in September. Singles were widespread on or near the coast at this time but the only records any distance inland were a juvenile over Hapton on 10 Aug and one at Stocks Reservoir on 21 Aug. Birds lingered well into October at several sites; there were still two at MMWWT late in the month, and perhaps the same juvenile at Eagland Hill on the 27th and Burrow’s Marsh on the 28th. The last was seen at Leighton Moss on 29 Oct, when there was also one at Hundred End, and at least one was seen at Marshside on unspecified dates in November, whilst another or the same was at MMWWT on 5‐12 Nov.

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Fairly common visitor to coasts and hills outside breeding season. Rare breeder. There was good news from the Bowland nesting stronghold where eleven nesting attempts on United Utilities land was the highest number since 1990. Nine of these were Lancashire Bird Report 2005 49 successful, with just above average productivity resulting in nineteen fledged young. Four other nests were monitored in Bowland, three of which were successful, fledging four young. All chicks were marked and radio‐tagged as part of ongoing research. There was no other confirmed breeding in the county, although a pair was apparently prospecting in spring at one other upland site. Outside the nesting season up to a dozen were present in Bowland at each end of the year, whilst the regular spring influx there produced an estimated minimum of 33 birds on United Utilities land at some part of the season. Another influx in early November saw up to 20 birds present. Elsewhere in the first winter period there were at least two on the south‐west mosslands and scattered singles on the coast and on the West Pennine Moors. Up to four birds passed through the Altcar area in April and May and a couple of other migrants were seen on the coast at this time. An unseasonal bird was at Mere Sands Wood on 16 July. Birds were back on the Ribble Estuary from September and thereafter at least three were seen at both Marshside and Warton Bank though there may have been duplication in these totals. Up to two were seen at Leighton Moss and the West Pennine Moors and there were a few other scattered singles on the coast and inland away from Bowland.

GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis Rare feral breeding resident. An interesting set of records suggested that this species may be spreading in the county, at least in part be due to newly escaped or released falconers’ birds. There were at least half a dozen scattered pairs and one displaying male in upland areas; in Rossendale birds were thought to be escapes on the basis of behaviour, but this would not, of course, preclude colonisation. Observations of one pair displaying at a lowland site in March, suggested that one of them may have been immature. Away from nesting areas, one was over Hic Bibi, Chorley in February, a male was at Burscough on 11 Aug and another male was seen at Harrisend Fell on 15 Dec.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Fairly common breeding resident, uncommon passage migrant. There was little evidence of spring migration, although two birds flew north over the sea at Formby Point on 10 April. In the same month one was hunting Twite at Cant Clough, not winning any friends among local conservationists. There were seven pairs in the Anglezarke‐Rivington area and at least four pairs nested in the Pilling‐Preesall area. Widespread successful breeding in south Liverpool included two broods of five fledged young and four fledged by a pair at the Garden Festival site. Counts of four at Out Rawcliffe on 19 June and Winmarleigh Moss on 17 Aug may have related to family parties. Possible migrants were noted in September at Heysham on the 2nd, 14th and 27th and Marshside on the 4th. Counts at this time included four at Brockholes on 3 Sept and five at Prescot Reservoirs on the 16th; the last significant report of the year concerned four at Eccleston Mere on 25 Nov. 50 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 BUZZARD Buteo buteo Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant. Monthly peaks at selected sites Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Leighton Moss / 7 / 8 / / 6 / 2 13 / 1 MMWWT 5 4 4 4 3 4 2 5 6 10 6 8 Prescot Reservoirs 3 4 5 8 4 3 2 10 10 3 6 3 The double‐figure counts in the above table reflect the increase in this species throughout the county in recent years. Further evidence of how widespread Buzzards have become came from the Lancaster winter atlas work in January, which recorded no fewer than 60 individuals across eight 10km squares. The breeding population in Bowland appeared to be stable with seven territories on or near United Utilities land. There were at least te n pairs in the area around Ince Blundell, Maghull, Sefton, Lydiate and Altcar. Four pairs were in the Lune Valley around Arkholme, and numbers appeared to be stable or increasing in recently colonised areas including Chorley, the Fylde and St. Helens. The highest counts were typically in August and September; away from the sites in the table these included up to 13 at Downholland Moss on 28 Sept, twelve at Dunsop Bridge on 21 Aug and ten at Marshside (where the species is normally scarce) on 21 Aug. A walk along the Old Coach Road in Rainford on 3 Sept produced 27 sightings of birds.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD* Buteo lagopus Rare winter visitor. On 6 Dec one was watched near Whelp Stone Crag before flying west towards Bowland Knotts (JM). Subsequent searches in the area drew a blank, and the bird appears to have been passing through. Would‐be finders of this species in the county are recommended to get a post round in deepest Bowland!

OSPREY Pandion hailiaetus Fairly common passage migrant. The increasing Scottish population continues to produce an increase in the number of passage birds in the county, with in the region of 75 individuals recorded this year. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 51 One at Arkholme on 4 March was the earliest ever in Lancashire; a gap of a fortnight followed until the next at Harrisend Fell on the 18th. The eight or so birds in the rest of the month included two over Marton Mere on the 28th. Spring passage climaxed in April when around 25 were recorded, peaking during the 15th‐18th and on the 25th when birds were seen at Darwen Moor, Hornby, Marton Mere and Seaforth. The total of 15 or so in May included only three after the 17th, nevertheless there were still a respectable seven June reports (presumably of immature non‐breeders): at Crag Bank on the 3rd, Southport on the 5th, Leighton Moss on the 9th, Quernmore on the 10th, MMWWT on the 14th, Arkholme on the 22nd and St. Helens on the 26th. Although there were only two sightings in the typically quiet month of July, these included the highest count of the year when three birds were seen at Arkholme on 6 July; the other was one over Formby on the 16th. Thereafter, autumn was something of an anticlimax after the busy spring, with only five birds seen in August and a brief rally producing seven in the first week of September. The last in September was over Oakenclough on the 11th, but there was a late bird at Stocks Reservoir on 1 October and the county’s latest ever record over Hurstwood Res on 7 Nov.

KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Fairly common breeding resident and winter visitor. Few records were received for the first part of the year; those of note included six in the Dunsop Valley on 10 Feb and April migrants over Marshside on the 1st and past Heysham on the 3rd and 23rd. Breeding data included nine monitored pairs in the Pilling‐Preesall area which fledged 30 young from 47 eggs (a much better performance than in 2004), at least nesting pairs in Rossendale and at least ten occupied territories on the United Utilities Bowland estate with confirmed breeding at four of these; both the latter totals were similar to the previous year. The first evidence of post‐breeding congregations involved nine at Downholland Moss on 2 July and eight on Pendle Hill on the 27th, whilst in August the emergence of craneflies led to gatherings of up to ten on the saltmarshes at Warton Bank and seven on the south bank of the Ribble at Marshside. An impressive 19 were at Sefton Meadows on 2 Sept and there were again nine at Downholland Moss on 16 Sept. Autumn migrants can be difficult to pick out with certainty; a juvenile in the Dome bushes at Morecambe was clearly dispersing, while possible migrants heading in a broadly southerly direction in October included several over Fairhaven, three at Laund Hey (Rossendale) on the 2nd, one at Rossall on the 5th and two over the Rimrose Valley on the 15th. The only late year total of note from a single site involved seven at Eagland Hill on 25 Nov. Forty‐nine were recorded in total during the LDBWS winter atlas fieldwork.

RED-FOOTED FALCON* Falco vespertinus Vagrant A female was seen briefly on Kincraig Road, Blackpool on 12 June. The bird was perched on a dead tree before leaving to the east (ChR). What was accepted as probably the same 52 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 bird by the BBRC was seen for a frustratingly similar short period at Middleton Industrial Estate on 21 June before again flying off east (PJM). These records have been accepted by the BBRC and become the tenth and eleventh in Lancashire.

MERLIN Falco columbarius Scarce breeding bird in uplands, fairly common winter visitor particularly to coastal marshes and mosses. Birds were widespread on the coast and more thinly inland, including in the east, in both winter periods. The peak counts came, typically, from Marshside where there were up to three in the first winter period and four in the second. Elsewhere, up to three were on the Altcar mosses in January and up to two were reported from Carnforth Marsh, Downholland Moss, Formby, Glasson, MMWWT, Mere Sands Wood, Pilling Marsh and Warton Bank. Migrants were reported through coastal and near‐coastal watchpoints well into April. Late birds were noted at Newton Marsh on the 24th, Marshside, Birkdale and Plex Moss on the 26th, Warton Bank on the 27th, Heysham on the 28th and finally Brockholes Quarry on the 29th. There were eight nesting attempts on the United Utilities Bowland estate; one is known to have failed, whilst a maximum of 21 young fledged, representing represented an above average year. At least one other pair nested in Bowland, presumably several more. Pairs were on territory at two regular sites on the West Pennine Moors and birds were seen at another irregularly occupied site. One pair was on territory in Rossendale but unfortunately the eggs disappeared. Dispersal to the coast began with one at Marshside on 14 July, the same month produced birds at Pilling Marsh on the 21st and Cockerham on the 23rd, while in early August there were singles at Downholland Moss and at Fleetwood Nature Park on the 4th. A female at Withnell Moor on 25 Sept was seen to hover like a Kestrel.

HOBBY Falco subbuteo Rare breeding bird and uncommon passage migrant. There were more than 60 reports this year and, although some duplication was no doubt involved in this total, the continuing increase in numbers in the county is undoubtedly significant. Birds were seen from April, when one was at Lower Foulridge Reservoir on the 25th & 27th and another at Brockholes on the 29th. There were around ten records in May, spread throughout the month. Occurrences were mostly in the south, including two together at Downholland Moss on the 10th, but there were also a couple in the east of the county. A dozen or so records in June, included perhaps three different sightings from Brockholes Quarry. The size of the breeding population in the county remains very difficult to assess. There may have been as many as three pairs in the south‐west, but breeding was not confirmed anywhere in the county. Away from possible breeding sites around 15 were reported in July, including several from Lancaster and north Fylde sites that may have involved some duplication. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 53 Birds were seen regularly at MMWWT. About 13 were seen in August, including the first records in western Fylde at Marton Mere on the 24th and Freckleton Naze on the 29th. The month was also enlivened by a well‐watched first‐summer at Hapton in east Lancashire from the 2nd to the 19th. Records began to thin out in September, with perhaps seven birds in total including a couple of certain juveniles. The fact that birds were passing through at this time was reflected in brief occurrences at migration watchpoints at Laund Hey (two) and Darwen Moor. There were three seen in October, at Eccleston on the 2nd, south at Fairhaven on the 9th and south through Brockholes Quarry on the 14th.

PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus Scarce breeder, fairly common winter visitor. Birds were widely reported at coastal sites in both winter periods; site peaks included up to three at Marshside, MMWWT and Downholland Moss, and two roosted regularly on the Heysham nuclear power station. There were six nesting attempts on United Utilities land in Bowland, together with a further two pairs that did not appear to make breeding attempts. Productivity was much lower there than in 2004, with five young fledged from three nests. Numbers were generally considered to be increasing in east Lancashire, where several pairs were reported away from Bowland. Elsewhere, nesting attempts included at least three pairs on the Fylde, a pair in central Liverpool and one in the Seaforth Docks, and unsuccessful or non‐breeding birds in Southport and St. Helens. Unusual prey species included auks being taken off Rossall on 13 Nov and Common Terns being attacked by two birds hunting together at Seaforth in July. A hybrid Lanner x Peregrine was noted at Marshside on 8 April; escaped falconers’ birds could conceivably cause issues for the purity of wild Peregrine stock in the county.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Fairly common winter visitor. Rare breeder. No survey was carried out at the county stronghold of Leighton Moss, a site that holds the vast majority of Lancashire’s breeding and wintering birds; the largest count there was of ten on 17 Nov. Similarly, birds were known to be present throughout the year at nearby Haweswater, but no detailed records were received. From elsewhere in the north of the county up to four or five wintered at both Heysham NR and Middleton Industrial Estate. Breeding was confirmed at Warton Bank with a juvenile seen on 28 Sept, whilst at Marton Mere birds were recorded in every month except April and June‐August with a maximum count of twelve on 28 Nov. Elsewhere on the Fylde singles were recorded at Newton Marsh in September, Staining Nook in October, Fleetwood and Bispham Marshes in December with singles at Pilling in five months in both winter periods. Slightly further east, a single was at Greenhalgh Castle Tarn in February. One at Ogden Reservoir on 13 March was the only record from Rossendale whilst in the Chorley area singles were at Cuerden Valley Park in January, Birkacre in November with Withnell Fold hosting one on two dates in January and two on 27 Nov. In east Lancashire the first winter period produced a single at Lomeshaye Marsh with six reports 54 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 of up to two birds at Lee Green Reservoir up until 29 Feb. Apart from one reported at Dilworth, Longridge ‘throughout year’, there were no further reports from east Lancashire until 7 Oct, when records to the year’s end totalled a minimum of eight birds in the region at Lee Green Reservoir, Lomeshaye Marsh, Lowerhouse Lodges, Rowley Lake, Martholme and Wood End WwTW. In the south‐west, one pair bred at MMWWT with a peak count of three reported on 27 March. Nearby at Mere Sands Wood up to three were present in the first winter period with two in the second. Marshside had no records between April and August but regular sightings throughout the other months with up to three in November. The Rimrose Valley held a single bird in January with two seen in both October and November, whilst singles were recorded from Wicks Lane, Formby in December and Crosby Marine Lake in February and November. Seaforth produced records from the reedbed in September and October, on the saltmarsh in September and the freshwater pool in October. It was a good year in the St. Helens area with a total of 14 sightings from Sankey Valley, Ravenhead, Eccleston Mere, Prescot Reservoirs and Carr Mill Dam whilst on the Mersey, one was in Oglet Bay on 16 Nov. By far the most unusual record of the year concerned a bird photographed walking across a table, two floors up in St. Johns Market, central Liverpool in September or October!

SPOTTED CRAKE* Porzana porzana Scarce migrant. Rare breeder. The only record was of one at Marton Mere on 16 Aug (MJ, JFW).

MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Common winter visitor and breeder. International importance: 20000. National importance: 7500 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MMWWT 450 390 330 310 214 / 74 62 310 490 330 342 Whilst numbers at MMWWT have declined slightly in recent years, it is still the second most important site in Britain for this species (WeBS data). The largest counts received from Leighton Moss, the county’s second most important site, were 20 on 1 Jan, 40 on 21 Aug and 33 on 15 Oct. No breeding data were received from either MMWWT or Leighton Moss. Elsewhere, three pairs bred at Seaforth, eight to twelve pairs at Marshside, 13 pairs in the Rivington/Anglezarke area, three pairs at Brockholes, a record ten pairs at Belmont Reservoir, whilst in June a 20km stretch of the Leeds‐Liverpool Canal from Maghull to Liverpool held 24 pairs with 29 young and 30 single birds. Outside of the breeding season counts included 53 in SD45 (Galgate) in January, 17 on Fleetwood Marsh in August, 28 at Marton Mere in November, 18 at Brockholes in September, 21 at Birkacre in December, a site record 30+ at Belmont Reservoir from August until November with 16 feeding nearby in woodland with Pheasants in January. Slightly further east, the peak count from Rossendale was seven at Holden Wood Reservoir in September whilst ELOC received 96 records from 24 sites including 30 at Lancashire Bird Report 2005 55 Pleasington Old Hall and 17 at Walverden Reservoir both in January. Larger counts were received from the south‐west, namely 144 on the canal from Liverpool to Crosby in November, 50 at Eccleston Mere in December, 49 on Downholland Moss in September, twelve in Princes Park, Liverpool in January and a peak of 25 at Mere Sands Wood in the second half of the year.

COOT Fulica atra Abundant winter visitor and common breeder. International importance: 17500. National importance: 1730 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Leighton Moss 95 90 78 75 80 160 460 440 220 175 90 85 Dockacres 442 340 270 81 25 48 281 400 392 614 633 755 Brockholes 130 90 68 / / 160 300 377 511 250 224 / MMWWT 670 450 148 76 73 107 106 80 70 374 446 442 Southport ML 598 296 46 26 23 133 296 481 972 1169 919 1157 Seaforth 76 76 70 37 33 115 235 263 113 81 75 64 The count of 1169 at Southport Marine Lake in October was a new record for the county. The counts of 511 at Brockholes Quarry in September and 263 at Seaforth in August were new site records. Other notable counts from the west included 250 at Marton Mere on 29 Dec, 175 at Glasson Basin on 23 Oct, 170 at Ream Hills in October, 158 on the Eric Morecambe complex on 29 Sept, 153 at Myerscough Quarry in August, 92 during the Cockerham/Wyre WeBS count in September, 70 in Stanley Park, Blackpool in September and 60 at Fairhaven Lake in January. On Merseyside, a total of 255 on the Leeds‐Liverpool Canal from Liverpool to Crosby in November, 120 on Prescot Reservoirs in December, 85 on Crosby Marine Park in December and 50 on Eccleston Mere in December were notable. Numbers in the east were much lower with peak counts of 25 at Rishton Reservoir in February and March, 20 at Foulridge Reservoirs in July and 20 at Walverden Reservoir in December. Breeding records included nine pairs at Seaforth, five pairs on Downholland Moss and five broods fledging at Brockholes but no report of breeding numbers was received from the county stronghold at Leighton Moss. Ten pairs bred in the Liverpool parks of Sefton, Calderstones and Princes and a notable 94 pairs with 252 young, together with 25 single birds, was recorded on a 20km stretch of the Leeds‐Liverpool Canal from Liverpool to Maghull in June. In the east, breeding was reported from Stanhill, Stocks Reservoir, Wood End, Barrow Lodge and Jackhouse Reservoir, whilst a poor year in Rossendale was compounded with a lack of breeding records although four were present at Holden Wood Reservoir in March.

56 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Abundant winter visitor. Common breeding bird. International importance: 10200. National importance: 3200 WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS 25030 29445 13833 7413 3568 4350 15622 19649 10113 28398 28282 20586 Ribble 9040 9678 12953 2298 1223 657 1508 7651 2263 5846 4277 6384 Alt 1340 1832 805 276 268 144 422 2193 922 1215 745 1373 The December WeBS total was the lowest second winter peak ever recorded on the Ribble. Numbers also continued to fall on the Alt but the Morecambe Bay counts were about average at both ends of the year. Site counts during the first winter period included 3240 on the 16 Jan WeBS count at Knott End, 4200 at Barnaby’s Sands on 13 Feb and 2800 there a month later. Breeding records included 106 pairs in the Arkholme area, made up of 72 pairs nesting on the Lune gravels, 20 on pasture and 14 on arable land. Thirty pairs nested at Carnforth Slag Tip, 24 pairs on the Lune between Wenning Foot and The Snab, five pairs at Belmont and at MMWWT, at least two pairs in fields at Oglet and, nearby, one pair on the roof of the Jaguar factory at Halewood which fledged at least one young. Further sites where breeding or attempts at breeding were reported included Brockholes Quarry, Delph Reservoir, Langden Beck, Lightfoot Green Pools, the Old Coach Road, Prescot Reservoirs, Seaforth and six sites on the West Pennine Moors.

Autumn counts included 3230 at Barnaby’s Sands on 21 Aug and 3600 there on 18 Sept. WeBS counts on 16 Oct recorded 5875 at Fluke Hall and 5070 at Knott End on the 6 Nov. Up to six were present at Arkholme during December, the first such records in 31 years. These coincided with other unusual inland sightings along the eastern edge of Morecambe Bay and in the Lune Valley, possibly suggesting an intertidal food shortage.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 57 AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Recently established breeding bird, uncommon passage migrant. The first returning bird arrived at Marshside on 10 Feb, remaining until the 12th. Two were at this site between 10‐13 March, and up to 32 were present by the 21st. Fourteen pairs went on to breed, fledging twelve chicks, making this the largest and most productive colony in north‐west England. After the first at the Eric Morecambe complex on 14 March numbers increased to a peak count of 38 on the 26th. Six pairs bred although nine nests were recorded. Five were successful, producing a total of eleven young. Four were present in the last week of March at MMWWT, where three pairs nested, fledging six young. Away from these main sites a bird was noted on Crosby shore on 7 May, a single bird flew south‐west over Darwen on 17 June and four were at Freckleton on 18‐19 July with a single bird there on the 31st. The last report was of four on the Eric Morecambe complex on 18 Aug.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius Fairly common on passage. Scarce breeder. The first reports of the year were of two Altham on 20 March and three at Knuzden the next day. One was at MMWWT on 22‐23 March and one arrived at Seaforth on 24 March to be joined by another on the 27th, while Brockholes Quarry recorded its first on 26 March. One was reported at Calder Foot on 27 March and two were at Blackleach and a single at Arkholme on the 31st. April brought many more arrivals, including at Haslingden Grane on the 1st, two at Lightfoot Green Pools on the 2nd, one at Stocks Reservoir on the 3rd increasing to three the next day, one at Prescot Reservoirs on the 4th, two on flooded pools by the Ribble at Hurst Green on the 12th, one at Conder Green on the 14th, a pair at Martholme on the 19th and one at Newton Marsh on the 24th. Peak counts in spring were twelve at Arkholme on 24 May, eight at Brockholes on 12 May and seven at Altham on 3 & 10 May. Breeding was recorded at Arkholme with eight nests producing five clutches, fledging four young. Five pairs bred at MMWWT and one at Seaforth fledged two young. Two pairs attempted to breed at Brockholes Quarry without success, and nesting was reported from Altham, Upper Foulridge Reservoir, Martholme, Castle Cement Quarry and Stocks Reservoir with an estimate of ten young in the east Lancashire recording area. Breeding was suspected at Conder Pool, Lightfoot Green and Clifton Marsh. A pair nested on Silverdale Moss. Passage birds reported in July and August included eight at Brockholes Quarry on 1 & 18 July and eight adults and a single juvenile at Upper Foulridge Reservoir on 6 July. Other sites recording passage birds included Anglezarke, Aldcliffe Wildfowlers Pools, Conder Pool, Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park, Leighton Moss, Marshside, MMWWT, Newton Marsh, Parsonage Reservoir, Prescot Reservoirs, Seaforth and Stocks Reservoir. The last records were from MMWWT with four birds on 4 Sept.

58 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Common passage migrant and winter visitor. Scarce breeding bird. International importance: 730. National importance: 330 (winter); 300 (passage) WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS 133 70 22 101 48 26 54 157 73 141 67 99 Ribble 50 36 4 302 1296 2 17 853 113 51 27 26 Alt 1 / 13 114 128 6 18 404 70 4 26 / As has been the case for the past few years, virtually all the birds recorded on the Alt WeBS counts were at Formby Point with never more than a handful seen at Seaforth/Crosby Marine Park. Spring passage on the Alt was the lowest for ten years but above average numbers passed through in autumn. It was a similar story in Morecambe Bay but passage numbers on the Ribble were about average at both ends of the summer. Wintering numbers continued to fall and, although the December WeBS counts on the Alt were incomplete, it appears that the county total slipped below 200 for the first time ever. The first returning inland birds reported were 13 at MMWWT on 4 Feb and three at Prescot Reservoirs on the 8th with four there on the 20th. Singles flew over Darwen Moor and Fishmoor Reservoir on 1 and 6 March respectively and the first was at Stocks Reservoir on the 17th. Brockholes Quarry recorded its first of the year with seven birds on 6 April and eleven were there on 21 May. Fourteen were at MMWWT on the 9 April. As has been the case for many years, the largest concentration of breeding birds was on Carnforth Slag Tips near Leighton Moss where 16 pairs were located. Fifteen pairs attempted breeding on the shore between Ainsdale and Southport, of which ten pairs laid eggs, half of which were washed out by high tides. Numbers further south on the Sefton coast were not monitored this year but one pair fledged three young by Southport’s Floral Hall gardens and two pairs nested at Seaforth, fledging just a single chick. Eight pairs nested at MMWWT and two pairs attempted nesting at Arkholme, with two pairs on a maize field at Gressingham. The return passage at inland sites saw birds recorded at Brockholes Quarry, Clowbridge, Foulridge, Stocks, Parsonage, Sunnyhurst Hey, Fishmoor and Prescot Reservoirs, and at Eccleston Mere. Peak counts included eight at Brockholes Quarry on 16 Aug and nine at Lower Foulridge Reservoir on 23 Sept. Late records included singles on at Lower Foulridge on 7 October and Brockholes Quarry on the 23rd. On the coast 322 were recorded at Lytham Promenade on 17 Aug, 100 at Skippool Creek on the Wyre on 31 Aug, 77 on Garston Shore on 13 Sept, and 73 at Morecambe on 16 Nov.

DOTTEREL Charadrius morinellus Uncommon, but regular spring migrant, scarce in autumn. It was a poor spring passage. A male arrived on Pendle Hill on 24 April but no more were seen until 2‐3 May when three birds were present and then none until one on 15 May. In view of the intense scrutiny this site receives, it is fairly certain there were no others. Similarly, two visits to Ward’s Stone both drew blanks. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 59 Elsewhere, one was literally on the Trough Road between Smelt Mill Cottages and the Langden Intake on 27 April before flying up Sykes Nab. Another reliable Bowland report was of two females and a male at Langden Head on 12 May. Return passage sightings are few and far between, so it was pleasing that a juvenile was on Pendle Hill from 29 Sept to 1 Oct.

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Abundant on passage and in winter near coasts. Scarce breeding bird. International importance: 8000. National importance: 2500

Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 3279 1880 848 207 0 24 174 512 515 4310 5076 2140 Ribble WeBS 1705 763 792 860 0 2 160 50 667 3658 3529 3210 Alt WeBS 1200 / / / / / / 14 34 948 11 267 Marshside 450 1880 4500 1500 / / 2 28 100 1300 2000 2300 Peak WeBS counts on all three estuaries were about average in the early months of the year but slightly above average in the second winter period. Notable site counts during the first winter period included 700 at Cockers Dyke, Preesall on 16 Jan and 3700 at Colloway Marsh on 29 Jan. Marshside logged a noteworthy 4500 in March, the largest count anywhere in the county all year. Inland spring passage was first noted at Trawden with 75 on 18 Feb, increasing to over 200 on the 28th, 405 on 3 April and 600 on the 19th. Seventeen returned to the moors at Belmont on the 19 February. Other passage sites included Altham, Champion Moor, Hunters Oak, Myerscough Quarry, Pendle Hill, Prescot Reservoirs and Swinden Reservoir. Breeding pairs were recorded at Cowpe Moss and Wet Moss with at least three pairs at these sites in June. Six pairs bred on the West Pennine Moors around Belmont, including one on Winter Hill which was the first there since 1984. Breeding is still believed to be widespread in Bowland. Pairs were reported on suitable territory in the breeding season at Catlow Hill, Pendle Hill, Hasgill Fell and Boulsworth Hill. Birds were noted near Upper Coldwell Reservoir in June but no further details were given.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Abundant passage and winter visitor to coast. Uncommon inland. International importance: 2500. National importance: 530 WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS 493 209 500 95 8 0 17 86 473 576 439 92 Ribble 3529 967 386 2895 2236 340 125 1115 3813 1033 1108 1255 Alt 861 617 924 1800 1749 / 12 1090 272 1060 1174 979 Although the January count on the Ribble was the highest winter total anywhere in the county this century, it was generally an unexceptional year on all three estuaries. Notable site counts in the first winter period included 1490 at Marshside on 16 Jan and around 750 at a high tide roost at Ainsdale on 9 Feb. Seawatching at Starr Gate produced 20 birds on 9 Jan, 100 on 23 March and 80 on the 24th, all logged going south. 60 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Significant counts missed by the monthly WeBS included an estimated 4500 roosting on Banks Marsh at high tide on 22 Aug. One reported in the Norden Valley in east Lancashire on 25 Jan was an exceptional winter record so far from the coast. The only inland records were three at MMWWT on 7 April and one at Prescot Reservoirs on 1 & 3 Dec, only the second record for the St. Helens recording area.

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Abundant but decreasing winter visitor, passage migrant and breeder. International importance: 20000. National importance: 20000 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec WeBS counts MBS 11920 7825 750 265 72 1268 2127 2672 4439 9313 13062 10991 Ribble 25991 7894 973 311 201 1091 925 1522 2110 9307 13014 15834 Alt 730 60 8 4 2 304 87 819 910 1648 730 315 Monthly peak counts EMC 890 820 57 35 40 340 310 475 160 540 330 2200 Brockholes Qry. 72 / 60 / / 150 700 700 500 90 / 200 Foulridge Res. 120 / 1 / / / 260 483 388 348 / 326 Stocks Res. 4 6 60 36 2 58 222 95 40 120 5 / MMWWT 4000 4600 / / / 268 900 1700 4000 3500 800 3645 Marshside 1298 993 242 210 138 120 28 31 32 53 1998 2500 Seaforth 150 60 45 4 4 85 150 1000 250 335 80 315 Prescot Res. 50 / / 50 66 1 20 205 117 120 400 600 The January Ribble WeBS total was the highest recorded anywhere in the county since 1990 but it was otherwise a fairly typical year on the estuaries. Significant counts in the first winter period not mentioned in the tables included 3200 in flooded fields at Warton, Carnforth on 2 Jan and c.1000 at Mythop on 26 Jan. Inland, numbers rose in February as birds returned to the breeding grounds; counts included 175 at Samlesbury Airfield on the 11th, 150 at both the Old Coach Road, Rainford and Fishmoor Reservoir on the 15th, 255 at Belmont on the 17th, 650 at Arkholme on the 18th and 120 at Myerscough Quarry on the 19th. One hundred pairs bred at MMWWT, 99 pairs on the RSPB properties of Leighton Moss, Carnforth Marsh, Eric Morecambe complex and Silverdale Moss, and 81 pairs at Marshside. Away from the major sites a possible 60 pairs at Gore House Farm, Great Altcar produced just 14 young, while around 40 pairs on Sollom Moss on 20 June were with 24 juveniles. Seven pairs bred successfully on Birkdale shore and dunes. Thirty adults were seen with ten chicks at Dairy Farm Road, St. Helens on 11 May, five pairs bred at Berrington’s Lane, Rainford and four pairs in fields at Oglet in south Liverpool. An estimated 26 pairs bred around Belmont Reservoir, 20 pairs on the United Utilities Bowland estate, twelve pairs on the Lune at Arkholme, 45 pairs in the Hindburn/Roeburn catchment, 22 pairs at Fluke Hall Lane fields, Pilling and 22 pairs at Newton Marsh. Smaller numbers of breeding birds were reported from a large number of other sites and successful breeding was also noted at Altham, Darwen Moor, Holden Wood Reservoir, Deeply Vale and Musbury. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 61 KNOT Calidris canutus Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant to coasts. Uncommon inland. International importance: 4500. National importance: 2800. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 19692 15681 7209 1938 476 5 51 79 4403 8851 9138 5838 Ribble WeBS 15300 19451 21540 18550 3800 1900 4690 25003 502 24100 6769 6390 Alt WeBS 4548 13458 790 2051 817 150 502 8651 720 3126 2040 5205 Winter numbers were low on all three estuaries, especially during the second half of the year. However, the August and October Ribble count were about average and, since Knot do not usually leave the county at this time of year, it is very likely that significant numbers were missed by the WeBS counts in September, November and December. Site counts missed by WeBS included 2182 at Rossall Point in April and 6000 at Formby Point on 3 Sept, and other site notable counts included 1000 at Jenny Brown’s Point on 3 March and 4000 at St. Annes on 27 July. Inland, there were singles at Belmont Reservoir on 6 Feb, Prescot Reservoirs on 6 Feb and 3 Dec, Brockholes Quarry on 4 April and MMWWT on 12 April; an unprecedented eight were in east Lancashire – singles at Stocks Reservoir on 21 May and 20‐22 Aug, Altham on 19 June, Parsonage Reservoir on 22 Aug and Foulridge Reservoir on 25 Aug, 10 Sept and 6‐8 Oct.

SANDERLING Calidris alba Abundant passage migrant and common winter visitor. International importance: 1200. National importance: 210 (winter); 300 (passage) Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ribble WeBS 995 1246 924 4830 3895 0 1 1025 1062 1604 3020 2155 Alt WeBS 289 417 815 1278 2278 0 1621 2317 994 703 624 504 Winter numbers on the Alt were low in the early part of the year but about average later on, while passage numbers were higher than in 2004 and close to the ten‐year average; counts on the Ribble were fairly typical during both passage and winter periods. Notable site counts included 1000 at Ainsdale on 9 Feb, 1800 at Formby Point on 7 Aug, 1100 there on 21 Sept, 820 at Marshside on 11 Aug and 1300 at Birkdale on 23 Sept. WeBS totals for Morecambe Bay South included 28 in January, 69 in September, 125 in October and 36 in Dec. In addition, there were 61 at Knott End on 19 May, 91 there on 3 Sept and 71 on 24 Dec and 102 at Rossall Point on 16 Aug, whilst 500 flew past Starr Gate on 5 Jan and 400 on 18 May. There was a good set of inland records this year: singles at Brockholes Quarry in April, May and August, Stocks Reservoir on 2 & 18 April and 18 May, MMWWT on 26 May, Anglezarke Reservoir on 24 July, Parsonage Reservoir on 25 Aug and Foulridge Reservoir on 25 & 27 Aug. An exceptional series of records occurred at Prescot after one of the reservoirs had been drained: two on 23 May, five on 25 & 26 May, five on 21 July and one on 18 Nov. 62 Lancashire Bird Report 2005

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Fairly common passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor. 2003. Last year’s report stated that the bird at Foulridge Reservoir was there on 30 Oct, not the 3 Oct. It apparently was 3 Oct, as originally stated in the 2003 report! 2005. A wintering bird was at Marshside on 6 & 27 Feb and 6 & 9‐13 March with two there on 27‐28 March. The only spring records were singles at Marshside on 7, 11, 22 & 30 May and 4‐5 June with three there on 22 May, and at MMWWT on 12‐14 May. Unusually, the autumn passage was equally sparse: unaged singles at Whitemoor Reservoir on 20 Aug, the Eric Morecambe complex on 27‐28 Sept and MMWWT on 28 Sept, single juveniles at Seaforth on 4‐11 & 25 Sept and at Cockersands on 8 Sept with two juveniles there on the 19th.

TEMMINCK’S STINT* Calidris temminckii Scarce spring and autumn passage migrant. The year’s four records typically all came during spring: singles on Newton Marsh on 10 May (P&MS), at MMWWT on the 14‐15th (CGT et al) and Marshside on 17‐21 May and 8 June (BMcC et al).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER* Calidris fuscicollis Vagrant An adult was found at Skippool Creek on the River Wyre on 26 July where it remained until 1 Aug (PS). It was assumed to be the same individual seen at the same site in August 2003; the record has been accepted by the BBRC and becomes the 13th county record.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 63 PECTORAL SANDPIPER* Calidris melanotos Rare passage migrant Two adults were on the Eric Morecambe complex on 1‐3 Aug with one remaining until the 5th, an adult or first‐summer at Brockholes Quarry on 13 Aug (WCA) and at least one adult at MMWWT on 14‐24 Aug and 2‐23 Sept.

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Fairly common passage migrant One at Marshside on 25‐28 March had presumably wintered fairly locally. A very thin spring passage, consisting of singles at Warton Marsh on 1 May, MMWWT on the 5‐18th and Marshside on the 12th with three there on the 18‐26th, was followed by two presumably non‐breeding birds at Marshside on 9‐19 June and one at MMWWT on the 17th. The first returning adult was at Seaforth on 25 July and the first juvenile at the same site on 22 Aug. A strong coastal passage, particularly of juveniles, then ensued with peak counts of five juveniles at Seaforth on 2 Sept, twelve juveniles in the Skippool Creek area from 31 Aug until 6 Sept with ten at Little Singleton on the 18th, 16 juveniles at Cockersands on 10‐11 Sept; one on the Eric Morecambe complex on 21‐22 Aug was the only record received from north Lancashire. Six at MMWWT on 3 Sept was the largest count inland; there were another three there on 10 Sept, two juveniles at Foulridge Reservoir on 10‐16 Sept, a juvenile at Brockholes Quarry on 26‐27 Sept and three juveniles there on 9 Oct. The latest records were singles at Marshside on 6 Nov and Pilling Lane Ends on 7 Dec.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritime Scarce winter visitor. After another dismal year; the time is perhaps not far off when descriptions will be required for records of Purple Sandpiper in Lancashire. The only records were singles at Fleetwood Marine Lake on 8 & 13 March and 18 Nov, Jenny Brown’s Point in January and on 10 & 14 Feb and 7 April, and at Morecambe on 4 Nov.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina Abundant passage migrant and winter visitor. Scarce breeding bird. International importance: 9500 (schinzii); 13300 (alpina). National importance: 5600 WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS 5046 4122 5564 3212 643 15 1011 140 864 6996 6057 5705 Ribble 24024 10348 7781 7126 27847 1014 10218 / / 11095 5984 8905 Alt 4802 1940 3541 5041 7588 6 1954 2154 344 762 5184 3333 Dunlin are far less numerous in the county than ten years or so ago. Numbers on Morecambe Bay were again very low, while the Ribble held reasonable numbers only in 64 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 January and on passage in May; the Alt also had good numbers in May, but otherwise did not build on the excellent showing of 2004. Apart from the WeBS counts, there were 5000 in fields at Damside, Pilling on 11 Jan, almost equalling the WeBS count for the whole of Morecambe Bay, 3000 at Lytham on 4 Aug and 1800 at Formby Point on 3 Sept. There were also very large numbers at Marshside in May with 3200 there on the 9th. The largest count from the Mersey Estuary was of 575 at Garston on 27 Dec. Like some other waders, Dunlin were attracted to Prescot when one of the reservoirs was drained, producing a record count for St. Helens of 25 on 30 April with double‐figure counts there on several days in May. Peak counts of 121 were recorded at MMWWT on 16 May and 25 at Brockholes Quarry on 25 Aug. In east Lancashire singles at Sunnyhurst Hey and Stocks Reservoirs on 17 and 24 March were followed by a poor spring passage with only ones or twos at several sites. Autumn was more productive: six birds at five sites in early August were followed by numerous sightings at Stocks, Parsonage and Foulridge Reservoirs until the 31 Oct, with peaks of 14 at Stocks on 25 Aug and twelve at Foulridge on the 27th. There were more sightings than usual in the second winter period with ones or twos at Altham, Foulridge and Stocks Reservoir in late November and December. Little breeding information was received, but birds were back on territory on the West Pennine Moors and in east Lancashire by the beginning of June.

RUFF Philomachus pugnax Fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor. Rare breeder. International importance: 10000. National importance: 50. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MMWWT 80 90 91 20 4 12 42 60 40 40 55 41 Marshside 2 5 80 29 1 2 1 1 3 32 15 1 Numbers at MMWWT were lower than last year, especially in the second winter period. The first birds arrived back at MMWWT on 2 June and there were twelve males there by the end of the month. Two were at the Conder Pool and Cockersands from January to March, increasing to four in April, with the last there on 2 May. The first returned to the Conder Pool on 17 July, after which up to three were seen at several Fylde sites with five juveniles at Cockersands on 10‐11 Sept the largest count. One was on the Eric Morecambe complex from 30 April to 1 May, with up to three there virtually daily between 3 July and 23 Sept. One on 31 March and two on 2 & 4 April were the first spring records at Seaforth since 2000, but few were seen in autumn with three juveniles on 27 Aug the only multiple count. The species remains rare in St. Helens and three at Prescot Reservoirs on 31 Aug and one there on 18 Nov were welcome. Eleven individuals were recorded at Brockholes Quarry between 14 Aug and 18 Sept, with four on 3 Sept the largest count. East Lancashire produced six sightings: a juvenile at Foulridge Reservoir on 3‐8 Aug with singles there on 3 & 22 Sept, a juvenile at Parsonage Reservoir on 22 Aug, a juvenile at Slipper Hill Reservoir on 10‐13 Sept, and finally one at Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir on 10 Oct. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 65 JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Fairly common, though overlooked, passage migrant and winter visitor. 2004. Two were on the River Lune at Arkholme on 17 March. 2005. A total of more than 65 was reported from at least 25 sites – with, no doubt, many more going unseen – with noteworthy counts of five on Birkdale Green Beach in January and February and eight there in March, seven at St. Annes and at Heysham in January, six at Myerscough Quarry in January, and three at Nuck’s Wood on 12 Feb, at Halewood on 7 March and on Warton Marsh on 11 March. There were 25 sightings during the year at Leighton Moss. One was seen near the centre of Liverpool on a travellers’ site on 14 Jan. The last were reported at Lomeshaye Marsh on 17 April and Leighton Moss on the 27th, and the first of autumn on 18 Sept at Stanah. Ones and twos were subsequently reported from about 20 sites, totalling some 40 birds. The largest counts in the second half of the year were six on Birkdale Green Beach on 17 October, four at Myerscough Quarry in December, and three at Birkacre in November and at Heysham in December. One at Calf Hey Reservoir on 16 Oct was the only record in Rossendale all year.

SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Common but declining wintering and breeding bird. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 12 2 11 7 0 0 2 2 29 24 65 14 Ribble WeBS 27 3 44 2 0 2 2 2 30 119 122 23 Brockholes Qry 20 2 7 3 0 1 5 25 46 35 6 12 Padiham 42 97 0 9 0 0 0 0 10 / 89 71 Lomeshaye Marsh 69 16 28 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Birds were recorded at a very large number of sites throughout the county during both winter periods but were nowhere very numerous. An estimated 100 were flushed by beaters on Downholland Moss in November. Counts of 50 or more were made as follows: 54 at Arkholme on 18 Feb, 76 at Cabin Hill in March, 80 at MMWWT in September, 97 at Knott End on 30 Oct, 58 at Parsonage Reservoir on 3 Oct, 89 at Grove Lane Marsh on 12 Nov with 71 there on 4 Dec, 42 and 112 at two sites in Pilling on 23 Nov and 59 on Hameldon Hill in December. A total of 171 birds were reported from 41 sites in east Lancashire throughout the year, compared with 239 from 31 sites in 2004. No breeding records were received from MMWWT, where the highest summer count was of four in July. In east Lancashire three were on territory at Black Moss and singles at Croasdale, Wycoller, Waddington, Marl Hill, Altham, Coldwell and Higher Park Gate, five or six around Belmont Reservoir with a further 15 in surrounding in‐bye fields but just one in Rossendale. The only breeding record in the lowlands, apart from MMWWT, was one at Marshall’s Cross in St Helens; Snipe no longer breed at Marshside.

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Common winter visitor and fairly common breeder. Birds were reported during the two winter periods from more than 50 sites throughout the county but almost all records were of ones and twos – eleven flushed by shooters at 66 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Charters Moss on 14 Jan and twelve flushed at Belmont on 26 Nov were the only double‐ figure counts all year. Counts of three to five were received from Eccleston, MMWWT, Nuck’s Wood, Prescot Reservoirs, Summerer’s Farm, Fylde Leighton Moss and Arkholme. One on Hesketh Golf Course on 1 Jan was presumably wandering. Breeding information was far from comprehensive and the only survey data received were from Silverdale, where three were found at Lamberts Meadow on 25 May and at Eaves Wood on 30 May, two at Heald Brow on the 30th and four on Warton Crag RSPB. Roding was reported from only three sites in east Lancashire, Longridge Fell, Moor Piece and Stocks Reservoir, although birds were also seen at Cliviger and Altham during the breeding season. A formerly favoured site, Spring Wood, has been virtually deserted due to dog‐walkers. Roding birds were also seen at Belmont, Roddlesworth and Anglezarke on the West Pennine Moors, at Green Alley Wood in Appley Bridge, and at Reed’s Moss and Siding Lane in St. Helens. The first definite returning birds arrived in mid‐October with singles at Heysham on the 13th and Pilling on the 18th, and two at Fairhaven the following day. Migrants continued to be found out of habitat throughout November, including gardens in Belmont and Ainsdale, open moorland above Belmont at 380m asl, Fishmoor Reservoir, Coal Clough Wind Farm, Lowerhouse Lodges and Seaforth, but the prize for the luckiest escape went to one grounded in fog in Liverpool city centre on 22 November which was rescued by a Big Issue seller and eventually released by Merseyside Police.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa Abundant passage migrant and winter visitor. Rare breeder. International importance: 350. National importance: 150 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 417 360 420 718 413 322 432 124 20 386 200 307 EM complex 297 392 910 1050 665 423 400 400 387 380 550 641 Ribble WeBS 2629 2503 1540 697 226 405 225 1107 2921 953 1094 531 Marshside 3250 1972 547 2480 103 260 900 2000 395 790 977 600 MMWWT 60 14 110 380 60 80 160 20 6 8 1 0 Numbers continued their seemingly inexorable rise throughout the county with the rather odd exception of the Lune Estuary, where the species remains relatively scarce; there was, for example, just one record at Heysham this year and only a handful on Aldcliffe Marsh, although 100 were at Conder Green on 30 April. The April peak of 1050 on the Eric Morecambe complex provided a record count there for the second year running. The vast majority of birds at northern sites are found on the Eric Morecambe complex but some very large flocks were on the Wyre Estuary and surrounding areas, including up to 580 on Burrow’s and Barnaby’s Marshes on 26‐28 Jan and 786 on Pilling Moss on 5 Feb. Further north, several large counts at Jenny Brown’s Point included 360 on 11 Feb and 665 on 22 April. The Ribble, however, continues to support more than 75% of Lancashire’s Black‐ tailed Godwits. Site counts in excess of the monthly WeBS totals included 3250 in January, 2480 in April and 2000 in August at Marshside, and 2600 on 21 April on Newton Marsh. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 67 Twenty‐nine on Garston Shore on 13 Sept was the year’s highest count on the Lancashire section of the Mersey, while 160 at Seaforth on 17 Aug and 1 Sept were the largest on the Alt Estuary. Inland passage reports away from MMWWT included 93 at Myerscough Quarry on 22 March, two on Bartle Pools, Preston on 12 April, 727 on Plex Moss with 21 on Downholland Moss on 7 April, five on Belmont Reservoir on 9 May with four there on 13 July, one at Stocks Reservoir on 4‐5 April with three there on the 30th, six on Upper Foulridge Reservoir on 6 July with two there on 30 July and one at Parsonage Reservoir on 4 August. Brockholes Quarry recorded a total of 56 29 April and 22 Aug. Two pairs bred on Newton Marsh, hatching at least five young.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Abundant passage migrant and winter visitor International importance: 1200. National importance: 620 Monthly WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 1649 1033 305 41 13 6 4 22 56 256 312 561 Ribble WeBS 4657 2056 4627 360 1100 0 80 1200 / 1415 1421 2618 Alt WeBS 3900 3670 2886 344 0 0 902 4131 4120 3000 1927 3220 Peak winter counts on the Alt in 2004/05 were the lowest since 1995/96 but autumn counts there, overwhelmingly at Formby Point, were about average. The Ribble showed an opposite pattern with fairly typical numbers in winter, including 4353 at Marshside on 16 Jan, but low passage peaks, perhaps reflecting shifting preferences in roost sites between the two estuaries. Other large site counts included 900 at Fairhaven on 27 Feb with 400 there on 30 Oct. The vast majority of the Morecambe Bay WeBS counts were of birds seen on the Pilling‐Cockerham Marshes and the Lune at Glasson. Significant counts further north included 303 on the Eric Morecambe complex on 13 February and 65 at Jenny Brown’s Point on 13 January. Birds were typically scarce inland; singles at MMWWT on 17 March and 7 April, two with passage Whimbrel on 30 April at Barnacre Reservoir, one in the Whimbrel roost at Brockholes Quarry on 3 May and one at Stocks Reservoir on 14 May with three there on the 19th were the only records.

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Common passage migrant, especially in spring. International importance: 6100 (islandicus), 2300 (phaeopus). National importance: 50 (passage). Evening Roost Counts 22/4 23/4 24/4 25/4 26/4 28/4 30/4 1/5 2/5 3/5 6/5 8/5 Brockholes Qry / 28 70 51 150 202 204 264 289 192 150+ 51 Barnacre Res. 70 54 / 290 / / 553 / 319 / / / Numbers in the Brockholes Quarry roost were slightly down on last year’s but numbers held up at Barnacre Reservoir. The Windy Harbour roost on the Wyre appears to have 68 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 been largely deserted although 30 were seen there on 4 May, while the Longton Marsh site on the Ribble continued to be impossible to monitor. The first were six at MMWWT on 10 April but there were none elsewhere until eleven on Formby shore on the 17th, with the main passage taking place between the third week of April and mid‐May. A total of 633 bird‐days was recorded on the Fylde including a dozen or so double‐ figure counts; most were of birds flying over but 180 were feeding at Out Rawcliffe on 1 May. Flocks fed regularly in the Formby and Southport area throughout the spring passage period, including 27 on Plex Moss on 22 April, 51 at Moss Lane, Formby on the 26th and 41 on setaside at Hightown on 8 May, with regular single‐figure flocks on several other mossland sites. Up to 51 roosted on Formby Moss tip between 23 and 26 April. A total of 112 flew over Withnell Fold on the afternoon of 30 April – oddly, none was heading in the direction of any of the known roost sites. Flocks of up to 40 flew over Eccleston during the last week of April. Eight flew over Belmont Reservoir on 5 May. Records in the north and east of the county were typically much scarcer than on the central plain. Jenny Brown’s Point reported totals of 34 bird‐days in April and 108 in May, including 16 on the 15th, while Heysham’s largest counts were 15 on 24 April and 18 on 1 May. Stocks Reservoir had just four spring records but these included an exceptional eleven on 7 May. One flying west over Ogden Reservoir on 2 May was the only record all year in Rossendale. The return passage was, as usual, much thinner and more protracted, beginning with one at Skippool Creek on 3 July and finishing with two at Marshside on the late date of 18 October. The largest counts were seven at Barnaby’s Sands on 24 July, 22 at Jenny Brown’s Point on several dates in August, and eight at Eccleston on 23 August. In east Lancashire there were three reports from Stocks Reservoir, with three there on 2 August, and one over Pendle Hill on 3 September.

CURLEW Numenius arquata Abundant winter and breeding bird. International importance: 4200. National importance: 1500. Monthly WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 4097 4008 3576 2852 234 1923 5072 4456 5743 6331 5439 1233 Ribble WeBS 1248 445 480 62 41 33 632 687 1061 819 608 907 Alt WeBS 1224 963 386 18 0 260 1245 1295 1212 1138 607 456 Winter peaks continued to decline on both Morecambe Bay and the Alt but remained relatively stable on all three estuaries during passage periods. The bulk of the Morecambe Bay birds are found on the north Fylde coast between Pilling and Cockerham Marshes and on the Lune and Cocker Estuaries, including 625 on Glasson Marsh and 2610 at Bank End on 6 Nov. Five hundred on Crosby Shore on 2 Sept was an exceptional count for the southern end of the Alt Estuary. Inland, one was at Altham on 16 Jan but passage back to the breeding grounds from the coast got underway in mid‐February and continued into the third week of March. Significant gatherings included 109 at Altham on 27 Feb with 250 there on 8 March, 53 at Lancashire Bird Report 2005 69 Whitemoor Reservoir on 19 Feb with 427 there on 13 March, 62 at Withnell Fold on 11 March, and 95 at Arkholme on 18 Feb with 1040 there on 6 March. One at Belmont Reservoir on 1 Feb was the earliest ever record there and the roost peaked at 139 on 12 March. In east Lancashire spring gatherings are regular at both Altham and Whitewell in the Calder catchment but there appear to be none in either the Ribble or Hodder catchments. Is it possible that birds breeding in these two catchments fly non‐stop from the coast, while those following the Calder are heading deeper into the Pennines and need to rest and/or feed en route? Autumn passage from east Lancashire takes place in small groups and is usually non‐stop to the coast, although there were some gatherings at Whitemoor Reservoir, reaching a maximum of 115 on 20 August. Few breeding records were received but a survey of the 700ha Higher Pasture Farm at Belmont located 19 territories and at least eight pairs bred successfully on the United Utilities Bowland Estate.

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus Fairly common passage migrant. One remained at Hightown from 2004 until at least 14 April and two were on the Conder Estuary from 2004 until at least mid‐March. One or two were seen on the Conder Pool regularly until 7 May but it is not known how many individuals were involved during this period. Other early year birds included two at Marshside on 13 Feb, two at MMWWT on 12‐13 Feb, and singles at Warton Marsh on 11 March, Pilling on 12‐27 March, Bartle Pools on 23 March, Blackleach on 23‐28 March, and a peak of four on the Eric Morecambe complex on 8 March. Presumably most of the later of these records referred to spring passage migrants, April singles at Marshside and Brockholes Quarry on the 3rd, Cockerham on the 10th, Pilling on the 10th to 27th and Jenny Brown’s Point on the 19th almost certainly did. The first returning adult at Marshside on 21‐23 June was joined by another, also still in breeding plumage, on the 24th. The next were two at MMWWT on 26 June with further singles there from the end of June until 10 Aug, and one on the Conder Estuary on 27 June with one or two there regularly until the end of the year and peak counts of four on 23 Sept and 2 & 19 Oct. As usual, the other main site was the Eric Morecambe complex which recorded birds almost continuously from 19 Aug to 13 Dec with high counts of five on 2 Sept and three on 3 Nov. Two at Brockholes Quarry on 17 Aug, three there on the 27th and one on the 31st were the only autumn birds specifically identified as juveniles. Other autumn records included singles at Marshside on 1 Aug, on the Wyre (mostly in the Skippool Creek area) on 24 July, 21 Aug to 4 Sept, 14‐27 Sept and 5 Oct, at Freckleton Naze on six dates between 17 Aug and 12 Nov, Pilling on 20 Oct to 1 Nov and at Morecambe on 4 Nov. Glasson recorded one on 10 Sept and another on 11 Nov which remained to the end of the year. None was recorded in either east Lancashire or Rossendale and, apart from those at Brockholes, the only inland record was one at Prescot Reservoirs on 19 Nov.

70 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 REDSHANK Tringa totanus Abundant passage and winter visitor. Fairly common breeding bird. International importance: 650 (robusta), 1300 (‘britannica’). National importance: 1200 Monthly Peak Counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 3894 4032 2705 3229 104 336 1288 2059 2073 4638 3869 3018 EM complex 177 90 470 512 105 65 330 485 1308 670 499 235 Ribble WeBS 2176 1728 1215 757 117 195 274 392 1799 698 885 618 Alt WeBS 832 931 551 1036 6 112 788 676 684 674 829 494 SNR 330 556 190 659 25 101 450 400 350 410 460 315 WeBS counts on the three main estuaries were unexceptional in both winter and passage periods, although Seaforth recorded its lowest ever annual peak since 1987. Notable site counts included 1200 on the grazing marsh at Marshside in February, 340 on the Mersey at Garston on 31 Aug, 1150 on the Conder Estuary on 22 Aug, 1000 at Glasson on the 29th, 1200 in the Skippool Creek area of the Wyre on 4 Sept with 1018 there on the 18th, and 2500 at Cockersands on 19 Sept. As usual only small numbers were seen in the uplands until birds began to return to the breeding areas in March and April. The majority of early spring sightings in east Lancashire came from the Calder catchment. Three had returned to Arkholme by 18 Feb and 42 were there on 31 March, and eight arrived at Withnell Fold on 24 March, remaining until May but failing to breed when the flash dried up. Breeding data were sparse in east Lancashire but pairs were reported at Altham, Stocks Reservoir and between Hodder Foot and Hurst Green. MMWWT reported six birds on 7 March, 13 on the 16th and 30 on the 19th but no breeding records were received. Twenty‐six pairs bred at Marshside, four or five pairs at Belmont Reservoir, 27 pairs on the RSPB Morecambe Bay saltmarshes with another four pairs on Silverdale Moss, 23 pairs on the Lune between Wenning Foot and The Snab and 23 pairs at Arkholme, 16 of which produced fledged young. A better year than 2004 was reported in Rossendale but there was no suggestion of breeding there and most records were of singles at Clowbridge Reservoir between May and August.

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Fairly common on passage, especially in autumn. Scarce in winter. There were only three records of wintering birds this year: one on the Wyre Estuary on 22 Jan and 17 Feb, another at MMWWT on 7 Dec and two on the Eric Morecambe complex on 4 Dec with one there into 2006. Spring records were also rather sparse; the only reports were singles on the Conder Estuary on 22 March and 30 April, at Aldcliffe on 25 March, the Eric Morecambe complex on 4‐6 April, Marshside on 17 & 29 April, MMWWT on 30 April, Stanah on 23 April, Waterside Farm in the Fylde on 1 May, Heysham on 3 May and Withnell Fold on the 8th, and two at Brockholes Quarry on 4 April with four further individuals there to 27 May. One at MMWWT on 5 & 10 June, with two there on the 10‐17th and three in the last week of the month, together with singles on the Eric Morecambe complex from 9 June and Larbreck, Fylde on the 29th were perhaps non‐breeding birds. More began to return in Lancashire Bird Report 2005 71 early July and a strong passage ensued, particularly on the main staging sites in Morecambe Bay and on the Wyre and Ribble, peaking at the end of July and in early August. Notable counts on the Eric Morecambe complex included 19 on 10 July, 26 on the 15th and 16 on 3 Aug and 10 Sept; on the Wyre six on 21 July and 3 & 7 Aug, and nine on 3 Sept; and on the Ribble at Freckleton nine on 27 July, eleven on 17 Aug and 9 Sept and eight on 30 Sept. Many single‐figure counts were also made at a variety of other coastal sites, mostly in the Fylde. As usual most were gone by mid‐October and just five were reported in November, singles on the Wyre, at Freckleton, Morecambe and two on the Eric Morecambe complex. Five at MMWWT on 17 July, the largest autumn count inland, were followed by regular ones and twos there until 4 Oct. Brockholes Quarry recorded 13 individuals between 25 June and 11 Sept, while singles at Belmont Reservoir on 26 July, at Prescot Reservoirs on 2 Aug and in the Irwell Valley on 8 Aug were the only records all year on the West Pennine Moors and in St. Helens and Rossendale respectively. About 20 individuals were seen at nine sites in east Lancashire between 7 July and 1 Oct with four at Parsonage Reservoir on 25 Aug and at the Foulridge Reservoirs in mid‐September.

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Fairly common on passage, especially autumn. Scarce winter visitor. Roughly equal numbers were seen in each winter period. In north Lancashire two were in the Aldcliffe and Fairfield Orchard area from 2004 until 28 March, two on the Lune at Arkholme on 18 Feb with one there on 5‐6 March, and one on the Eric Morecambe complex on 2 Jan. In the Fylde recording area one was at Carr House Green Common, Inskip from 2004 until 30 March, and singles at Medlar on 5 Jan and Mythop on the 23rd. At the other end of the year two were again at Aldcliffe, one or two at Lightfoot Green during December, one on the Calder near Wood End from 30 Nov to the end of December and one next to the lion enclosure in Knowsley Safari Park on 18 Nov, with perhaps the same bird at Prescot Reservoirs on the 25th. One had returned to the regular wintering site at Eccleston on 26 Aug but it was not reported after 26 Sept. As birds began to move after mid‐March one was at Lightfoot Green on the 18‐24th, one at Arkholme on the 31st, two there on 1 April and one on the 15th. Spring passage was completed with singles at Fazakerley Reedbed on 2 April, Marton Mere on 25 April to 1 May, MMWWT on 28 April and Warton Marsh on 17 May. About 100 were recorded during autumn from mid‐June onwards at a wide variety of sites throughout the county, most frequently on the Conder Estuary, Lightfoot Green, Brockholes Quarry, MMWWT and the Eric Morecambe complex. Peak site counts included three at Lightfoot Green on 7 July, on four dates at Brockholes Quarry in August and early September, on the Douglas at Tarleton on 8 Sept, at Low Meadows, Burscough on 30 Oct, four at Aldcliffe on 3 July and on the Conder Pool on the 30th, eight on the Eric Morecambe complex on 1 Oct and ten at MMWWT on 18 July. One at Clowbridge Reservoir on 15 Aug was the only record in Rossendale all year, and one at Mere Sands Wood on 22 Nov the last migrant reported. 72 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola Uncommon passage migrant. Numbers were unexceptional during either passage period. Spring began with one at MMWWT on 26 April to 1 May, followed by singles on Newton Marsh on 11‐15 May and at Marshside on 13 & 19 May. Two returned to MMWWT during the first and second week of July, a juvenile was at Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park on 27 July to 16 Aug and an adult and a juvenile at Brockholes Quarry on 30 July. Rounding off the year, one was on the Eric Morecambe complex on 1 Aug, one flew over Brockholes on the 7th, and singles were at MMWWT from 11 Aug to the first week of September, at Marshside on 31 Aug and 5 Sept and the Eric Morecambe complex on 1 September. The latest records were a juvenile on Newton Marsh on 9‐11 Sept and two at Stocks Reservoir on the 11th.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Common passage migrant, fairly common breeding bird. Scarce in winter. None was seen in either winter period, although two on the Calder at Altham on the late date of 18 Nov may have been settling down for the winter. The first arrivals were typically widespread: at Prescot Reservoirs on 5 April, four at Clough Bottom Reservoir, Rossendale and one at MMWWT on the 7th and one at Fairhaven on the 8th. Within the next fortnight birds had been reported from at least another 40 sites. Most other spring counts were of ones or twos, exceptions being ten at Stanley Park, Blackpool on 24 April, five at Waterside Farm, Fylde on 1 May, and four at Prescot Reservoirs on 26 April and Brockholes Quarry on 4 May. Sixteen pairs bred at Arkholme and at least six pairs elsewhere on the Lune, six pairs at Belmont Reservoir and probably six pairs in the Rivington‐Anglezarke area. In Rossendale three pairs bred at Clowbridge Reservoir, two pairs at Clough Bottom and all the Grane reservoirs held at least one breeding pair. Breeding data were incomplete in east Lancashire but birds were reported from ten sites in June. Just a trickle of birds were seen away from breeding sites from mid‐June, with the exception of eleven at Shard Bridge on the Wyre on 29 June, but the main passage began in the following week with numbers peaking in most areas from mid‐July to mid‐August, small numbers seen in October and the last at Marshside on 5 Nov. Notable site counts included ten at Stocks Reservoir on 2 July, eleven on Prescot Reservoirs, 26 at Shard Bridge on the 5th, six at Seaforth on the 6th, five at Marshside on the 13th, 14 on the Lune at Aldcliffe‐Stodday on the 17th, twelve on the Conder Pool on the 18th and 23 at Shard Bridge on 1 Aug. One at Sefton Park, south Liverpool on 30 July was a relatively unusual urban record.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 73 TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Common passage migrant and winter visitor International importance: 1000. National importance: 640 Monthly Peak Counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 362 502 81 230 224 2 100 178 535 534 224 169 Ribble WeBS 168 140 19 55 65 1 164 / 227 82 113 99 Alt WeBS 97 99 187 89 91 24 50 21 66 66 102 47 The WeBS counts have remained relatively stable for several years now since the disappearance of the Seaforth roost. Significant roost counts from the county’s two main sites included 454 on 12 Jan, 255 on 16 Oct, 306 on 19 Nov and 200 on 17 Dec at Fleetwood Marine Lake (Morecambe Bay); and 350 on 17 Aug at Lytham (Ribble), where 170 were roosting on a single boat on 11 Feb. Inland records were typically scarce with Brockholes Quarry getting the lion’s share: singles on singles 5 & 20 May, 30 July, 26 & 27 Aug and four on 25 Aug. Two were on the island at Stocks Reservoir on the evenings of 13 & 14 May, and two at MMWWT on 15 May and 5 Sept.

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius Scarce autumn migrant and winter visitor. A first‐winter was found on the recently excavated scrapes at New Laithe Farm, Newton‐ in‐Bowland on the early date of 27 Aug (BB), where it remained until the 30th; typically confiding, it became the most photographed bird of the year in Lancashire, making the choice of a picture for publication in this report a difficult one. A further three birds, all first‐winters, were seen in the more usual late autumn period: at Crossens inner marsh on 28‐30 Oct (BMcC et al), by the Heysham outfalls on 5 & 8 Nov (PWo et al), and on Crosby Marine Park on 12 Nov (PK et al).

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus Uncommon double passage migrant. Rare in winter. Although good numbers were recorded in spring, particularly, as usual, in Morecambe Bay, the majority occurred on a single day and the remainder of both the spring and autumn passages was unexceptional. The first two(s) were seen off Heysham and Jenny Brown’s Point on the early date of 6 April but the next were singles off Jenny Brown’s on 3 & 4 May. The following day’s wind was a moderate south‐westerly and an absolute minimum of 14, and perhaps as many as 18, were logged at these two sites, at least twelve of them at Jenny Brown’s. Two of the Heysham birds were almost certainly not recorded at Jenny Brown’s as they were starting to climb high into the sky relatively close inshore. On the same day two were seen from Crosby Marine Park and one at Formby Point. All birds seen on 5 May (and for the remainder of spring) were light morph adults, with the exception of one dark morph in Morecambe Bay. A further nine or ten went through Morecambe Bay up to 22 May, including five at Heysham on the 6th. 74 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Poor seawatching conditions in autumn had the expected result. None was seen in Morecambe Bay and just two in Liverpool Bay, both off Formby Point: a light morph adult without spoons on 25 August and a juvenile on 1 Oct.

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus Fairly common passage migrant, more numerous in autumn. Rare in winter. Spring began with singles off Heysham on 4 & 5 April and reasonable numbers continued to pass through Morecambe Bay until 14 June with a minimum of 39 seen at Heysham and Jenny Brown’s Point. Peak counts were eleven off Jenny Brown’s on 5 May, when six were seen at Heysham, and four at Jenny Brown’s on the 28th. It was assumed that all these birds were in rapid transit – many were spiralling up and going overland within view of observers, especially at Jenny Brown’s Point. A slight trend towards increased numbers of light morphs later in the spring was observed. Twos were recorded at Rossall Point on 23 & 25 April and singles on the 27th & 30th, but singles off Blackpool on 15 April and 10 June were the only others seen from the Fylde coast in spring or early summer. Elsewhere in Liverpool Bay, seven were seen at Formby Point on 7 April, two on 5 & 8 May and singles on 6, 7 & 21 May and on 4 June. The only spring record from the Mersey was one off Crosby on 28 May. As usual, in autumn the focus of attention turned to the southern coasts. In the absence of onshore gales many records were of birds chasing terns off the Fylde and Sefton coasts and it was difficult to separate passage birds from those lingering offshore. The Fylde reported 28 bird‐days between 19 July and 1 Oct with peak counts of five on 20 July and 16 Aug off Blackpool and four on 28 Aug off Rossall Point. Only one was definitely aged as a juvenile – on 7 Sept. There were at least 83 bird‐days off Formby Point between 22 June and 1 Oct with peaks of seven on 20 July, 14 on 31 August, nine on 18 Sept and four on 1 Oct. Again juveniles appeared to be at a premium with just three specifically aged. Dark morph birds predominated by about 5:1. About six were in the Mersey mouth on 24‐25 August and singles on 28 August, 9 Sept and 1 Oct. Two were seen on the RSPB Liverpool Bay cruise on 15 Sept. A juvenile was seen at Marshside on 4 Sept and the lone inland record was provided by a light morph flying west over Nuck’s Wood on 4 Aug. None was seen in autumn off Heysham or Jenny Brown’s Point and the only Morecambe Bay records were one on 4 Aug and three, probably Arctics, on 7 Sept.

GREAT SKUA (BONXIE) Stercorarius skua Fairly common on passage, mostly in autumn gales. Rare in winter. Given the level of recording at Heysham and Jenny Brown’s Point in spring, this must have been one of the poorest years on record in Morecambe Bay with singles on 9 April, 22 May and 3 August the only records. Liverpool Bay was a little more productive. Two were seen off Formby Point on 29 May and 20 Aug, with singles there on 22 June, 15 July, 31 Aug and 28 Sept. Blackpool recorded two on 26 and singles on 3 Aug and 28 Sept; none was seen from Rossall Point or on the Mersey. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 75

UNIDENTIFIED SKUAS One off Heysham on 19 June was probably a dark morph Arctic. Two off Jenny Brown’s Point on 25 April were likely to have been Pomarine, while two there on 8 May were either Arctic or Pomarine and one on 20 May probably a sub‐adult Pomarine. One, thought to have probably been a juvenile Great Skua, was seen flying west over Rishton Reservoir at 17:30 on 16 Sept – one of just two inland skua records this year.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus Fairly common passage migrant; uncommon winter visitor. Most numerous on southern coasts but increasing inland. Recently established rare breeder. WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Alt Estuary ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 4 2 1 3 2 3 1 North Fylde ‐ ‐ 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ MBS 3 3 1 0 0 1 12 4 1 4 2 2 Minimum number of individuals Seaforth 2 3 6 2 3 13 15 11 8 5 4 4 Heysham 2 3 1 5 1 2 16 8 4 2 4 2 Fylde 9 4 16 9 2 4 20 14 13 8 3 3 Another strong showing from this species as it becomes a regular feature of birding in Lancashire. At Seaforth, there was a typical series of records with the peak in July being the highest monthly tally for ten years. The largest day counts there were of seven (six first‐summers and an adult) on 21‐24 June, and eight (six adults, a juvenile and a first‐ summer) on 27 July. Similar peaks were noted at Heysham with unprecedented numbers there between 17‐21 July with 14 birds on the 21st (five adults, one second‐summer, six first‐summers 76 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 and two juveniles). A Czech‐ringed second‐winter bird was regularly recorded throughout the first winter period to 14 March and returned on 20 July, blossoming into adulthood by the end of August. A Polish‐ringed first‐winter put in a brief appearance on 12‐13 Feb. Nearby, the regular Polish‐ringed adult was present in central Morecambe until the beginning of April and returned on 4 July. The data suggest that there was an absolute minimum of 49 on the Lancashire coast during July. The first bird to arrive back at Stocks Reservoir roosted on 8 March. Adults with colour rings were observed on 20 & 25 March. From 15 April, four were present and by 16 May two separate birds were sitting at nest sites. Successful breeding could not be confirmed this year due to the luxuriant growth of vegetation on the island; the last was seen on 7July. At Belmont Reservoir, three birds had returned by 29 March. Up to eight were present during the breeding season and they included two first‐summers and a colour‐ ringed adult. Breeding was confirmed for the first time at this site with a second pair possibly breeding. As at Stocks, the vegetation masked the nest and so no juveniles were seen. Numbers were down on last year at Marshside, with no more than two reported on any day. A juvenile was seen on the Sandworks Pool on 6 Aug with a green ring with white lettering on left leg; a green ringed bird had been on Fairhaven beach the month before. Several sites including MMWWT, Formby, Myerscough Quarry and Prescot Reservoirs recorded up to three birds throughout the year, all peaking in the summer. On the Fylde, notable aggregations included four at Rossall Point on 12 Jan, five at Ballam on 24 March, four at Mythop on 10 April and six at Pilling Lane on 18 July with at least eight individuals at Skippool Creek during the autumn. An adult came down to bread with Black‐headed Gulls in a Formby garden on 3 July. There were few reports from the winter gull roosts inland with the only regular sighting being at Fishmoor Reservoir in January to February and August to December.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus Fairly common gale‐blown winter visitor. Common on spring passage, concentrated at Seaforth and Crosby Marine Park. Small numbers of first‐years in summer. Early year records were rather few apart from influxes associated with strong westerlies during January. At Seaforth, there was a lone adult on 4 Jan but following strong winds on the 8th there were 16 adults and two first‐winters and up to three until the 21st. Three were in the Crossens Channel on the 12th. Heysham registered some significant counts with numbers building up to at least 78 on 8 Jan and then declining with further peaks of 54 on the 12th and 22 on the 18th. The largest numbers during this period were noted past Rossall Point; 100 flew west on the 12th, and 195 on the 18th; it seems likely that the birds at Heysham and Rossall were part of the wintering population on Shell Flat which was not surveyed this year. Various sites up and down the coast recorded the odd ones or twos during this period. There were few records in February and at Seaforth there were six on 11 March and eight on the 25th. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 77 Spring passage numbers at Seaforth/Crosby were below average. A sudden influx in the first week of April produced 68 (including six first‐summers) on Crosby Marine Lake on the 4th and the first sizeable flock of 26 on the Freshwater Pool at Seaforth on the 7th. Numbers built to 128 on 13 April when the majority were on Crosby Marine Lake but after this almost all were on the Freshwater Pool. Very few were then seen during a spell of cold, wet northerlies but when the weather broke on 18 April there were 167 at Seaforth (27 first‐summers) and 192 (26 first‐ summers) on the 21st. It was after this date that a lot of other sites in Lancashire started to generate records. Numbers at Starr Gate peaked at 20 on the 24th and numbers built up to ten on Prescot Reservoirs on the 26th. Numbers declined again until the usual second wave of migrants came through with 41 (13 adults) at Seaforth on 30 April and 60 on 1 May. Forty were watched leaving the reserve to the north‐east on 2 May but birds continued to move through until mid‐ month, including three unusually late adults out of a total of 26 on the 15th, with the last adult the following day. During May, singles were seen at Heysham on the 1st, Carr Mill Dam on the 2nd and Marshside on the 19th. Back at Seaforth, very few first‐summers lingered into late May with just four on the 25th and the last on 3 June. During July, August and September a few were reported from Seaforth, Formby Point, Fairhaven Lake, and Heysham with no more than two birds on any day. The only counts greater than this were at six at Formby on 23 July, eight at Starr Gate on 24 Aug and four at Rossall Point on the 28th. A single bird was at MMWWT on 9 July. Two adults remained in the Heysham area until the year’s end. Elsewhere there were very few late autumn records with the last birds at Seaforth being three on 21 Oct. Three were at Formby Point on 28 Oct, four were at Rossall Point on the 30th and, during November, there were singles at Starr Gate on the 10th, MMWWT on the 11th and Formby Point on the 12th

SABINE’S GULL* Larus sabini Scarce passage migrant After the bumper crop of records in 2004, it was back to the more usual meagre fare this year. On 25 Aug, an early juvenile few south past Formby Point (BMcC, SJ). Two days later, on the 27th, a juvenile fed at the Heysham outfalls around midday for 40 minutes before slowly flying out of the bay (PJM). There had been an unseasonably deep low pressure system to the north of Scotland that produced strong gusts on the 24th followed by showery westerlies.

BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus Locally abundant breeding bird. Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. International importance: 20000. National importance: 19000 Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS WeBS 3012 2182 1021 650 113 304 5355 4287 1322 3918 572 1093 Seaforth 6500 3000 750 / / 200 200 250 400 600 3500 2750 On 4 Jan, 6500 birds came into bathe at Seaforth. Peak first winter period roost counts included 4000 at Rossall Point on 12 Jan, 2000 at Lower Rivington Reservoir on the 16th, 78 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 1500 at Clowbridge Reservoir on the 27th, 3800 at MMWWT on 4 Feb and 1 March, 3000 at Fishmoor Reservoir on 27 Feb, 1800 at Delph Reservoir on 16 Jan and over 1000 at Foulridge Reservoir on 6 March. There were 3000 at Pilling Lane on 4 Feb increasing to 6000 by 9 March. Numbers at Marshside peaked in the region of 1700 birds during January and March. The breeding population at Belmont Reservoir has shot up in recent years from fewer than 100 pairs between 1995 and 2002 to 285 in 2003, 810 in 2004 and 1550 in 2005. This meteoric rise may well be a function of overspill from other colonies in the North West. An adult recovered dead in the colony was ringed as a nestling at Woolston Eyes, Cheshire. Considering that Mediterranean Gulls are present at both Belmont and Stocks, there are probably some birds arriving from the Stocks colony also. One pair attempted to breed at Delph Reservoir, the site of a former colony not used for over 40 years. The first returning birds (c.150) arrived on 26 Feb and stayed to roost in the gullery. The numbers rose to 1000 on 8 March and over 3000 by 5 April. A census of the colony showed that there were 1550 breeding pairs and that productivity was good with over 2500 juveniles fledging. The first young were seen on 11 May and the last unfledged young was still present on 21 Aug. At Stocks Reservoir, the first prospecting breeding birds were resting on the water near the island on 1 March and were first seen on the island on the 14th. By the end of the month around 4000 birds were on the island. The first young were seen on 19 May, a little later than Belmont, and the colony was deserted by the end of July. The Leighton Moss colony contained 820 occupied nests, with a further 363 on the Eric Morecambe complex. About 30 pairs nested on the Dockacres complex. No data were received from the Ribble Marshes. The earliest independent juveniles away from breeding sites were seen on 22 June at Clowbridge Reservoir and at Withnell Fold Flash on the 26th; as usual, numbers built up everywhere from late June onwards. Unusually large numbers were present at Heysham, peaking at around 1500 on 20 Aug (cf. WeBS counts for MBS). The largest counts recorded at MMWWT were 1300 on 23 Aug and 2200 on 23 Sept. Winter roost numbers were typical: 3500 at Seaforth on 4 Nov, 4000 at Lower Rivington Reservoir and 2750 at Seaforth on 6 Dec, and 2000 at Clowbridge Reservoir on the 27th. There were no counts at Fishmoor Reservoir where overall numbers were down. There were 2000 at Pilling Lane throughout December.

RING-BILLED GULL* Larus delawarensis Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, mainly in spring. An adult was seen at Catforth, Fylde on 21‐28 March (SP) and presumably the same bird was at Myerscough Quarry on the 28th. A first‐winter was found on the Freshwater Pool of Seaforth on 22 May (AJC) and was seen almost daily on the reserve to 22 July, by which time it had completed its moult into second‐winter plumage. It was last seen on the reserve on 29 July as it began its wanderings throughout the Mersey and Alt Estuaries. It was seen at Otterspool on 1 Aug and again on the 18th and 30th. It commuted between the two sites but became more regular at Seaforth from 16 August until mid‐September, after which it appeared on and Lancashire Bird Report 2005 79 off on the boating pond on Crosby Marine Park and from 19 November until the end of the year at Hall Road, Blundellsands. It was last seen on the reserve on 20 November. An adult was at Netherton, Liverpool from late December 2005 into 2006 (EMcC).

COMMON GULL Larus canus Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. International importance: 16000. National importance: 9000 WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Formby Pt WeBS 231 1000 1082 120 4 ‐ 188 1531 626 260 272 361 MBS WeBS 643 221 69 443 3 12 163 56 68 458 9 195 The year started off with some very large numbers being recorded at Stocks Reservoir – 1000 roosted there on 3 Jan and over 2500 the following evening. More than 2000, overwhelmingly adults, were at Seaforth and Crosby Shore during January and February; numbers here dropped off somewhat but remained in four figures through to April. Other peak counts from around the county included 250 on Blackpool beach on 22 Jan, 600 at Knott End in early January, 850 on Plex Moss on 8 Feb, 1000 on Formby beach on the 12th and 1600 at St Annes on the 13th. The count of 1460 at Arkholme on 18 Feb was an exceptional early spring migration count for this site both in numbers and date. In March, over 250 roosted at Lower Foulridge Reservoir on the 6th and over 500 were at Stocks Reservoir on the 31st. At Heysham numbers were typically in the region of 10‐15 birds during the first winter period. The usual influx of first‐summer birds was first noticeable on 26 March when 40 were on the outfalls; this increased to 200‐240 for most of April, increasing to the highest ever count of 456 on the 26th, followed by 396 on the 28th. There were few records during June but numbers started to build up from mid‐July: inland, there were ten at Fishmoor Reservoir on the 22nd and ten roosted at Stocks Reservoir on the 23rd. At the latter site there was a gradual rise in numbers through September starting with 35 on the 6th and rising to 280 on the 19th. The maximum second winter period count at Stocks was approximately 1000 on 2 Nov, while the peak at the Lower Rivington Reservoir roost was 500 on 6 Dec. Other second winter period peaks included 1400 at Formby on 3 Sept, 200 at Prescot Reservoirs on 2 Nov, 1920 at Seaforth on 20 Dec, 1000 at Pilling Lane on the 22nd and 200 at Eccleston Mere on the 29th. Flocks of up to 80, and occasionally higher, were recorded in both winter periods in parklands in the Liverpool and St. Helens areas.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus Abundant breeder especially in Bowland and on the Ribble. Abundant spring and autumn migrant. Smaller winter population. International importance: 4500. National importance: 500 WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Formby Pt 74 201 112 64 39 ‐ 142 614 248 89 129 122 MBS 67 94 198 727 500 323 579 123 452 311 107 148 80 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 The small winter population at coastal sites remains fairly constant year on year but with the milder winters there seem to be a few more inland records than normal. Around 50 were in the Lower Rivington Reservoir gull roost on 16 Jan, twelve at Stocks Reservoir on the 17th and 25 at Rishton Reservoir on 24 Feb. Around 100 flew over Ewood Bridge Sewage Words on 23 Jan. During spring, several large flocks were reported across the county; at Arkholme there were 350 on 31 March and 810 on 12 May, but overall numbers recorded there are declining. Around 180 were counted at Myerscough Quarry on 27 May. Numbers at Stocks Reservoir peaked at 400 on 31 March. Small numbers were seen at Marshside throughout the year, peaking at 40 in March and birds were seen predating Lapwing and Redshank chicks. At the main colony at Tarnbrook, there were an estimated 8269 pairs of gulls of which approximately 97% were Lesser Black‐backed. Between 20 and 30 pairs again nested around Liverpool city centre. Young were also reared at the Toxteth end of Hope Street, and again nested on the roof of the Jaguar factory in Halewood, where over 90 adults were counted on 31 May. One pair held territory on the periphery of the Black‐ headed Gull colony at Belmont Reservoir but it is not thought that breeding occurred at the site, despite the presence of a recently fledged juvenile in the gullery in mid‐July. Up to 40 pairs nested on roofs in the Heysham/Middleton area but the site of the main colony on the old Pontin’s roof will be replaced in 2007. 700 were feeding on the shore at Formby on 3 Sept but otherwise reported numbers were lower. At Seaforth, a small influx of intermedius began on 17 Sept. The last birds were seen at Stocks on 2 Nov but Prescot Reservoirs had its largest numbers of the year with 100 present on 2 Nov and 4 Dec.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Fairly common but increasing all year. Most numerous in late summer and on southern coasts. Monthly minimum number of individuals Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Seaforth 1 2 1 0 2 0 4 1 1 1 0 3 Away from Seaforth, the vast majority of records emanated from Prescot Reservoirs with birds recorded on 22 days in 8 months of the year. All the birds recorded there were adults and recorded from 14 Jan to 1 Dec. Records of an adult seen at Rossall Point in early January then at Starr Gate, Fleetwood and Marton Mere in subsequent months may have related to the same bird. A juvenile and third‐summer were on the foreshore off Cressington Promenade, Liverpool on 28 Aug. The veteran returning adult was on the Lune Estuary at Glasson from 17 July to 21 Sept.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 81 HERRING GULL Larus argentatus Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Common breeding bird, mainly on the Ribble and in Bowland. International importance: 13000. National importance: 4500 WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Formby Pt 2005 4405 5172 641 136 ‐ 294 816 1432 412 402 613 MBS 197 410 411 1 1422 1249 669 314 1110 865 303 609 Monthly peak counts Seaforth 2450 2750 5000 800 / 400 200 375 500 450 550 2800 This species is definitely under‐recorded in many regions. The largest first winter period counts were of 2500‐3000 at Seaforth and Crosby Shore in January and February rising to 5000 on 11 March, 3000 at Rossall Point on 12 Jan, 3000 on Blackpool beach on 22 Jan, 3150 at Formby on 11 Feb and 1250 at Marshside during January. Counts from inland reservoir roosts were rather sparse with the largest being 500 at the Lower Rivington Reservoir roost on 16 Jan and 400 over Ewood Bridge Sewage Works on the 23rd. Numbers at Fishmoor Reservoir, Blackburn were not recorded though the roosts weren’t as highly populated as previous years and numbers at Rishton Reservoir peaked at just 200 on 24 Feb. Birds of the nominate argentatus subspecies were noted as follows. On Crosby Shore/Seaforth on 11 Jan 108 out of 1500 Herring Gulls were argentatus, 12 out of 350 at Hightown on 24 Jan and 30 at Seaforth on 25 Feb. Other single figure counts were received from Blackpool, Fleetwood and the Lune Estuary. In Liverpool city centre, birds nested on rooftops at a number of sites. A pair built a nest at Belmont Reservoir on the periphery of the Black‐headed Gull colony but went no further. There were approximately 200 pairs in the Tarnbrook gull colony. At least 15‐20 pairs nested on roofs in Heysham/Middleton/Morecambe West End. Second‐winter period counts were generally lower. There were 2800 at Seaforth on 31 Dec (of which ten were argentatus), 800 at Prescot Reservoirs on 4 Dec and 200 at Rivington Reservoir on the 7th.

CASPIAN GULL* Larus argentatus cachinnans Vagrant A first‐winter bird was discovered at Fishmoor Reservoir on the evening of 26 Feb (JW et al). It returned to the roost the following day and gave a few other observers excellent views of this quite distinctive gull; having sat on the reservoir for 20 minutes or so, it then flew directly over the observers giving them excellent views of some identification‐ clinching features. This is the first accepted record for Lancashire – there have been others claimed or suspected but none have been described in sufficient detail.

82 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Uncommon winter visitor and spring passage migrant, mainly January to April. Occasional influxes. There were three records at Seaforth: an adult briefly on the Long Bank on 9 Jan, a second‐ calendar‐year bird on 11 May and a flyover adult on 25 September. An adult showing characteristics of kumlieni was on Crosby Shore on 27 February. An adult was in the Fleetwood‐Rossall area from 12‐16 Jan. Birds in transition from first‐winter to second‐winter were seen at Rossall Point on 10 April and Fairhaven Lake on 22 May. At Heysham, a first‐winter bird was at Middleton sewage works on 30 Jan and what was probably a second‐winter was off Red Nab on 23 Feb. Nearby, a second‐summer bird was in the gull roost on the Lune opposite the Golden Ball pub on 28 March to 10 April. A very white “first‐summer” bird was seen by Lifeboat Station, Morecambe on 16 June and remained in the area and was seen almost daily up until 31 Aug. A bird in similar plumage was seen at Aldcliffe Marsh on 1 June. Inland, all records came from Fishmoor Reservoir involving at least three birds in the first winter period: a second‐winter on 3, 10, 22 & 29 Jan, a first‐winter on the 4th, an adult on 5 Feb and a first‐winter again on the 27th. Later in the year a second‐winter bird roosted on 28 Nov to 1 Dec.

GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Uncommon visitor, mostly winter. Usually more numerous and more coastal than Iceland Gull. The reduction in records of this species continues. At Fishmoor Reservoir there were just three records this year that probably all relate to the same bird: a first‐winter on 22 Jan, 1 Feb and 6 Feb. A second‐calendar‐year bird was on the Freshwater Pool, Seaforth on 21 Jan, and probably the same bird was at Hightown on 24 January, then Crosby Shore later that day. Another of the same age roosted alone at Seaforth for three hours on 6 April. On the Fylde a first‐winter was seen in the Fleetwood area between 10 March and stayed until 6 April.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Common winter visitor and passage migrant on coasts. Rare breeder. International importance: 4800. National importance: 400 WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Formby Pt 134 142 93 19 28 ‐ 42 187 158 47 201 143 MBS 109 98 29 61 50 72 87 29 143 111 153 108 Monthly peak counts Seaforth 127 447 160 112 / 35 30 35 / 53 70 70 The peak of 447 at Seaforth on 13 Feb was a reserve record count. Elsewhere, numbers of were pretty typical at the coastal sites (150 at Knott End on 4 Jan being the highest count) but rather low inland. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 83 At Marshside there were just three birds in both winter periods, augmented by birds after gales and high tides such as 20 in April and 74 on 31 Oct. Two adults have become specialist hunters and were regularly observed relentlessly pursuing and catching a range a healthy prey, including Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Moorhen and Coot. At Formby, peak counts came in autumn with 106 on 3 Sept and 180 on 6 Oct whilst on the Fylde, the peak count was 116 at Barnaby’s Sands on 6 Nov. By far the largest inland count was 60 at Lower Rivington Reservoir on 13 Jan. Sixteen were at Belmont Reservoir on 13 Jan, 20 at Clay Colliery, St Helens on the 31st, eleven at Altham on 20 Feb and ten at Clowbridge Reservoir on 28 Dec. Apart from these, single‐figure counts were the norm, mainly during the winter periods. A breeding pair was displaced from Borwick Waters by development but then held territory at Leighton Moss near the public hide.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Common passage migrant on coasts, fairly common in winter. Scarce inland. Rare breeder. WeBS counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MBS 0 10 0 150 0 1 1 0 0 0 151 0 Monthly peak counts Starr Gate 10 / / 37 4 / 139 1 / 10 20 / Formby 5 2 1 / 256 2 91 66 112 303 / 7 As was prefaced in last year’s report, one of the most unexpected pieces of news this year was the discovery of a colony of at least 58 pairs breeding in Liverpool on the dock wall next to the West Alexandra sheds. With a population of that size is seems entirely plausible that it has been there for some time; it is Lancashire’s only mainland colony and no information was forthcoming about the one on the Morecambe Bay gas rigs. Seaforth has been a regular site for Kittiwakes in the past, especially outside the winter months, but, rather perversely, numbers are dropping off with December being the first blank month since records began in 1985. At Heysham, birds were recorded in every month including some regular visitors that fed at the outfalls and followed ships into and out of the harbour. During April, 935 passage birds were counted with a peaks of 502 on the 4th, 83 on the 6th, 195 on 10th, 93 on the 11th and 45 on the 27th. In May there was just one day of passage with 384 on the 5th. During the autumn there were very few records other than the long‐staying individuals, 42 on 25 Oct and 50 on 7 Nov being the most notable. On the Fylde, Rossall Point was the best place to encounter Kittiwakes. In early January there were 150 on the 12th and 455 on the 18th, associating with a large movement of Little Gulls; later in the year, there were peaks of 77 on 21 May, 100 on 1 Oct and 72 on 12 Nov. 139 flew past Starr Gate on 18 July. Regular watching at Formby Point recorded birds in most months with peaks of 256 south on 21 May and 303 on 28 Oct (when all but one were adults). Away from these regular sites, number were predictably small. In east Lancashire, there was just a single record of one at Stocks Reservoir on 11 April. Two were at MMWWT on 24 Nov and a single bird was off Marshside on 13 Feb. 84 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons Fairly common passage migrant on coasts, rare inland. As usual, records at Formby Point outnumbered those from all other sites. Spring passage began there with singles on 22 & 24 April with a further 13 bird‐days between 5 and 25 May, including a peak of four on the 21st. The only other spring records were three off Blackpool on 6 May and one at Seaforth on 31 May to 3 June. Presumably non‐breeding birds were seen during June at Formby Point (two on the 4th and four on the 22nd) and one at Seaforth on the 8th, while what may have been the first of the return passage was at Seaforth on 3 July. Further singles followed there on 11, 19 & 27 July, while Formby Point logged a total of 40 bird‐days between 7 July and 10 Sept with largest counts of six on 9 Aug and seven on the 31st. Birds were much scarcer on the Fylde coast with singles off Blackpool and Rossall Point on 3 Aug, seven off Blackpool on 28 Aug and a juvenile there on 12 Sept, and up to two at Knott End – the only records of the year (just) in Morecambe Bay – on 1‐3 Aug. Single adults at MMWWT on 15 & 24 June and a juvenile there on 29‐30 September were the only inland records.

CASPIAN TERN Hydroprogne caspia Vagrant An adult or sub‐adult was found roosting with Black‐headed Gulls on the Eric Morecambe complex in the morning of 16 July (AR, NL et al). On several occasions it flew off to the main pool at Leighton Moss, where it was seen fishing, and was last seen flying east late that same evening. This was the fourth record for Lancashire. All previous records have also been at Leighton Moss in July or August: in 1966, 1973 and 1979.

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Uncommon spring and autumn migrant. Usually more numerous and more coastal in autumn. Most northern records in spring. It was a mediocre year on the coast and most inland sites but the St. Helens area recorded its second best year total. Spring passage was an almost complete non‐event with one at Seaforth on 1 May, up to three there on the 13‐15th, two on the Dockacres complex on 1 May and singles at MMWWT on 15 & 23 May and Foulridge Reservoirs on the 27‐28th. No more were seen until one off Heysham on 19 July. A juvenile briefly on the Heysham outfalls on 26 Aug and two juveniles at Sunderland Point on the 28th were the only others seen in Morecambe Bay all year. Birds were only slightly more numerous in Liverpool Bay. All records at Seaforth/Crosby Marine Lake were of juveniles: singles on 19 & 25 Aug, up to three from 26 Aug to 7 Sept and one offshore on 1 Oct. Three were seen off Formby Point on 31 Aug and one on 1 Oct, while Rossall Point recorded singles on 28 Aug and 4 Sept. A total of 19 bird‐days was recorded in St. Helens between 18 Aug and 9 Sept, involving a minimum of five individuals. All were juveniles and, with the exception of four together on Prescot Reservoirs on 26 Aug, all were seen at Eccleston Mere. The only Lancashire Bird Report 2005 85 other autumn records inland were singles at Dean Clough Reservoir on 30 July and MMWWT on 1 Sept, three juveniles at Brockholes Quarry on 25 Aug and two at Lower Foulridge Reservoir on 2 Sept.

WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN* Chlidonias leucopterus Rare passage migrant. A juvenile was found on Crosby Marine Lake on 9 September (PK et al). It commuted between there and Seaforth until the 14th, often giving spectacularly close views, especially when feeding on the Crosby boating pond. It was Seaforth’s fifth record and the 16th for Lancashire.

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis Common spring and autumn migrant on coasts, rare inland. Morecambe Bay One off Knott End on 17 March was the earliest anywhere in the county but no further records were received from there in spring. Passage off Heysham began with a single on 25 March and continued with 356 bird‐days on 15 dates in April and 27 bird‐days on nine dates in May and early June with peaks of 70 on 2 & 4 April – with presumably the same 73 off Morecambe Jetty on the latter date. Three were off Jenny Brown’s Point on 24 March but just two were reported there in April and 26 bird‐days during May. In contrast to spring, Knott End was well‐covered in autumn and reported a massive total of 2193 bird‐days on 19 dates between 27 July and 2 Oct. These included two of the largest day totals ever recorded in Lancashire – 376 on 2 August and 471 on the 16th – with three‐figure counts on another five dates between 30 July and 18 Aug, apparently the result of a large flock lingering in the area for a fortnight or so. By comparison, autumn passage further north paled into insignificance with a total of just 15 at Heysham during July and August. Liverpool Bay Four off Rossall Point on 23 March were the first of the year, followed by two off Blackpool on the 24th. Fairly regular sightings followed on the Fylde coast over the next ten days but none was seen on the Sefton coast until one off Seaforth on 5 April. A strong spring passage then ensued in April and June with 180 bird‐days recorded off Formby Point (with a peak count of 75 on 21 May), 410 bird‐days off Blackpool (peaks of 108 on 17 April and 52 on 18 May), 295 bird‐days from Rossall (peak 117 on 25 April) and a scattering of smaller counts elsewhere. Birds were seen fairly regularly the length of the coast during June, including 35 off Formby Point on the 4th, before the return passage got underway in mid‐July. An above average autumn total was reported from Formby Point with 1618 bird‐days on 23 dates and peak counts of 198 on 6 Aug, 200 on the 31st and 152 on 8 Sept. The other main watchpoints were less favoured with 273 bird‐days recorded off Blackpool on 24 dates (peaks of 74 on 17 Aug and 40 on 12 Sept), and 253 bird‐days off Rossall Point on nine dates (peaks of 71 on 14 Aug and 61 on the 28th). Roosts on Fairhaven to St Annes shore peaked at 114 on 6 Aug and 153 on the 8th. 86 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 As usual, the passage slowed rapidly from mid‐September and just a handful were seen during October with the last at Formby Point on 2 Nov. Inland Four adults at Foulridge Reservoir for an hour on 22 July was the only record.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Abundant spring and autumn migrant. Scarce breeder on Ribble, Lune and at Seaforth. Regular cross‐Pennine migrant. Morecambe Bay The only spring records came from Heysham where the continuing decline in the north of the county was reflected in a truly miserable total of seven bird‐days in April and a peak of six birds in May and June. The majority of these records probably related to birds attempting to breed on Colloway Marsh where, unsurprisingly, given the increasing levels of disturbance by picnicking power boaters, no successful nesting was reported. It seems that this, the county’s longest established tern colony, is doomed to extinction. Despite the special protection afforded to all species of tern under the European Birds Directive, government agencies appear unable or unwilling to act; indeed, the recent lifting of restrictions on access brought in by the CROW Act are likely to make matters worse. Heysham’s autumn consisted of a very few records of ones and twos, mostly on the outfalls with a final record on 3 Oct, while five were at Conder Green on 25 & 30 July. Things were not so desperate at the southern extremity of the bay where reasonable numbers were seen at Knott End between 1 and 18 Aug, peaking at 206 on the 2nd. Liverpool Bay Spring arrival came late with birds at Seaforth, Formby Point and Rossall Point on 17 April – totals of 27 at both the latter sites presumably being no coincidence. Seaforth had an extremely low April peak count of just twelve but 51 arrived on 1 May and 500 in damp, overcast conditions and light easterly winds on the 16th was a record count for that month. Spring numbers peaked at Formby Point with 190 on 5 May; larger counts of 257 on the 21st and 293 on the 25th probably included some from the Seaforth and Ribble colonies. The Ribble colony was not counted this year but is thought to still hold at least 100 pairs, while at Seaforth 172 pairs fledged 95 young from 199 clutches with one unfledged bird still present on 11 Sept. Numbers grew at Seaforth to 450 in June, 700 on 6 July, 1100 on 24 July and 1300 on 4‐6 Aug, with 1459 on the 24th the largest count since 1995. Numbers dropped dramatically to 500 on 28 Aug, 74 on 18 Sept and just six remained on the 28th, with just occasional ones and twos during October and the last on the 22nd. Formby Point also registered a good autumn, including a spectacular count of 2166 on 20 Aug. Unfortunately, no count was made at Seaforth that day but 600‐650 were present immediately before and after, so it seems likely that as many as 2750 may have present on the Alt Estuary, reinforcing the national importance of this area of Liverpool Bay as an autumn stopover site. 458 on 31 Aug, 268 on 10 Sept and 131 on the 16th were the last large counts at Formby and the last was seen on 1 Oct. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 87 The only sizeable count from the Fylde coast was 300 past Rossall Point on 28 Aug. Peaks elsewhere were 15 off Blackpool on 21 April with 35 there on 3 June and 40 on 2 Aug, and 20 off Lytham on 14 July. Inland The St Helens area amassed a remarkable 76 records involving 245 bird‐days, mostly at Eccleston Mere. One at Prescot Reservoirs on 18 April and four at Carr Mill Dam on 12 May were the only spring records but up to six were seen at these sites during June. The main movement began, however, in mid‐July and continued until 24 Aug, with peak counts of nine at Prescot on 21 July, 15 at Carr Mill on the 23rd and eleven at Eccleston Mere on the 27th. The first in east Lancashire were two on Lower Foulridge Reservoir on 14 April, three days before any appeared on the coast. They were followed by singles at Stocks Reservoir on 30 April and 1 May and up to two at Foulridge on 2‐19 May. Autumn produced five records at Foulridge between 24 and 30 July, with three there on the 30th, and singles at Dean Clough Reservoir on 1 July, Stocks Reservoir on 9 Aug and two on Rishton Res on 25 Aug, with a final single at Lower Foulridge Reservoir on 5 Sept. Three were at MMWWT on 5 May with two there the following week (two of which were at Mere Sands Wood on the 7th), eight on the 19th, two in the last week of May, one on 10 June and two on 1‐3 July. One flew west over Downholland Moss on 29 Sept. Elsewhere, there were ones or twos at Myerscough Quarry on 4 May, Cuerden Valley Park in May and August, the Dockacres complex on 23 June, Arley on 8 Aug, Anglezarke on 25 August and Brockholes Quarry on 28 & 30 April, 1 & 22 May and 15 Sept. One fishing the Lune at Arkholme on 22 June was a very unusual record there, while one at Myerscough Quarry on 23 Oct came a day later than any on the coast.

ROSEATE TERN* Sterna dougallii Scarce summer visitor. Seaforth enjoyed a completely unprecedented year with at least eleven, and possibly as many as 15, different individuals seen, producing a total of 31 bird‐days. Unfortunately, no ring numbers were read since few birds used the posts next to the hide, so neither the real scale nor the origins of this year’s influx are known. The vast majority appeared to have been second‐ or third‐summer birds. The first arrived on the very early date of 16 May (JD et al), suggesting it may have been a full adult. The next were two which stayed for just ten minutes on 15 June (TV), followed by further brief singles on 18 June (MG et al), 20 June (MG) and 23 June (TM et al). A new bird with faint flecking on its forehead put in a 30 minute appearance on 1 July and reappeared on the 3rd in the company of another with similar markings (MG et al) and an unringed bird (the only Roseate seen at Seaforth in recent years which did not carry the hallmark metal rings on both legs). What were probably the same three birds were seen again on the 5th and 6th (EJS et al) and the unringed bird was also recorded on the 9th and 13th. Three together on 8 July contained at least one, and possibly two, new birds (PK et al). What may have been the same three birds were also seen on the 12th and may also have accounted for all other records on 16‐17, 20 & 22 July, but on the 21st one 88 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 definite new bird was present – it was seen again on the 23rd in the company of one of those first seen on the 12th. The final record was one on 6 & 8 Aug (PK et al); hopes of an even later record were dashed when one wearing both BTO and ‘Roseate’ rings turned out to be a Common Tern! The only record away from Seaforth for which a description was received was one flying south off Formby Point on 3 Aug (BMcC) – possibly one of the birds that were seen at Seaforth around this time.

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Common on spring passage, especially in Morecambe Bay; less numerous in autumn. Rare breeder. Morecambe Bay The now expected spring passage at Heysham got underway on 23 April with 2083 bird‐ days recorded on just five dates that month and large counts of 736 on the 24th, 963 on the 25th and 340 on the 26th. A rather late movement of 141 on 13 May was followed by up to 20 feeding on the outfalls later that month and in early June and six in early July. The next to be seen were two juveniles on 25‐29 Oct and one or two until 12 Nov, the latest ever seen in Lancashire by a full ten days. Highlights elsewhere were 390+ off Jenny Brown’s Point on 25 April, 368 there the following day and 94 on 9 May. Sixteen were on the Lune at Stodday/Colloway Marsh on 8 May but only four or so remained in June and it is not thought that any bred successfully. Liverpool Bay Eight were seen off Formby Point on the very early date of 8 April. The next were off Rossall Point on the 17th but the main passage began in the final week of April with large counts of 455 past Rossall on the 25th, 60 there on the 27th and 280 off Formby on the 28th. The last sizeable spring movements were 220 on 7 May and 130 the next day at Formby Point. The only double‐figure count away from these two sites was of 20 off Blackpool on 2 May with 14 there on the 6th. A dozen or so were seen occasionally on both the Fylde and Sefton coasts during June but significant autumn passage was only reported from Formby Point, beginning with twelve on 23 July and peaking at 87 on 3 Aug, 360 on the 9th and 93 on the 10th. Few were seen during September but a late flurry brought up to three juveniles to Crosby Marine Lake on 4‐7 Nov. Inland A major passage movement took place throughout the county on 25 April but, remarkably, the largest count that day came from inland when 1030 were watched in four hours flying up the Ribble at Preston Docks before gaining height and moving east over Preston; 85 flying east up the Ribble at Freckleton Naze were presumably part of this same movement. One was at Prescot Reservoirs on 29 May with two there 24 June, eight adults on 11 Aug and seven the next day. Nearby at Eccleston Mere there were three on 12 Aug and two on the 22nd. East Lancashire recorded eight at Stocks Reservoir on 30 April and singles at Clowbridge Reservoir on 1 Aug and Lower Foulridge Reservoir on the 13th. Finally, one (unaged) was at MMWWT on 4 Nov. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 89 GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Common passage migrant; uncommon winter visitor. An overwintering bird at Heysham and another there on 8‐9 Jan were, together with one off Rossall Point and Cleveleys on several dates in January and three off Formby Point on 26 Feb, the only shore‐based records in the first winter period. However, it seems likely that a sizeable proportion of the 200 or more ‘auk sp.’ sightings during the aerial survey of Liverpool Bay in January and February were Guillemots. One off Blackpool on 3 March and three there on the 10th were probably the first of a moderate spring passage. The highlights off Formby Point were 13 on 28 April, 72 on 5 May and 44 on the 21st, and off Blackpool 16 on 19 May and 40 on the 22nd. Nine were off Rossall Point on 22 May and 15 spring bird‐days were reported from Morecambe Bay, split evenly between Heysham and Jenny Brown’s Point. Two off Blackpool and 36 off Formby Point on 4 June were perhaps non‐breeding birds and a few single‐figure counts followed off Formby in July before the first handful of passage birds appeared in both Morecambe and Liverpool Bays in September, with a largest count of eleven off Formby on the 16th. Few were seen in October with ten on the 6th, 13 on the 19th and 27 on the 30th off Formby the only double‐figure counts. Eleven were off Formby on 2 Nov and 16 off Blackpool with two there on the 28th were the last flurries of autumn. Twelve off Formby on 17 Dec was the only record in the second winter period

RAZORBILL Alca torda Common passage migrant; uncommon winter visitor. Two(s) off Rossall Point in early January and Blackpool on 22 Feb, plus one off Formby Point on 26 Feb were the only records in either winter period. A small passage movement began with ten off Blackpool on 10 March and small numbers were seen until early June, including a further nine off Blackpool on 31 March with 22 there on 16 April, 20 off Rossall Point on 6 April, five off Formby Point on 21 May and one at Heysham on 5‐6 April (the only records in Morecambe Bay all year). Autumn passage was rather subdued with most birds seen in September. Eleven off Blackpool on 13 Sept were followed by eight single‐figure counts there until 50 on 18 Oct. Formby counts included 206 on 16 Sept, 75 on the 22nd, 105 on 19 Oct and 102 on the 28th. The final records were one off Blackpool on 31 Oct and two off Formby on 2 Nov.

UNIDENTIFIED LARGE AUKS A rather higher than usual proportion of large auks remained unidentified to species this year. The pattern of occurrence of the past few years suggests that it is likely that the majority of autumn records are likely to have been Razorbills. The CCW aerial survey of Liverpool Bay counted 97 between Shell Flat and the mouth of the Ribble and 20 between Formby Point and the Dee in January, and 53 and 33 respectively in February/March. Actual numbers are likely to have been twice as large as these totals. 90 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Other notable counts in the early year were ten off Rossall Point on 12 Jan with 200 there on 6 April, and ten off Blackpool on 4 June. The largest autumn numbers were seen off Formby Point, including 52 on 22 Sept and 198 on 28 Oct.

BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grylle Scarce passage migrant; rare winter visitor. All previous Lancashire records have been singles, with the exception of two off Formby Point on 23 October 1994, and just three had been seen in midwinter – so four flying west off Rossall Point on 12 Jan were doubly exceptional (CGB, IG et al). There were three other records: a winter‐plumaged bird close inshore at Heysham on 19 April (PJM et al), a summer‐plumaged adult off Rossall on 3 Aug (LGB, RJS) and another adult on the wooden jetty at Heysham on 26‐27 Nov (JWo et al).

PUFFIN* Fratercula arctica Scarce passage migrant. Two flying south off Formby Point on 5 May was the only record (BMcC, NH).

FERAL PIGEON Columba livia Abundant and widely‐distributed breeding resident. This generally despised urban scavenger is gradually beginning to receive its fair share of attention from some of Lancashire’s birders. Most high counts in 2005 came from Liverpool, with peaks of 165 in Sefton Park on 10 Jan and 238 there on 29 Aug, 290 on newly‐sown cereal fields at Oglet on 6 March, 130 in the City Centre on 19 April and 160 at Bootle New Strand on 17 Nov. Other high totals in predominantly urban areas included 209 in 10km square SD45 and 605 in SD46 during the Lancaster & District winter survey in January, up to a hundred at Moor Park Avenue, Preston throughout the year, 120 at Glasson on 4 Dec and 110 at Preston Docks on the 10th. There were 200 at Dairy Farm Road, St. Helens on 2 Nov and 180 at Carr Mill Dam next day. A hundred at Moor Lane, Clitheroe on 29 Sept and 24 in Rawtenstall town centre on 27 April were the highest counts in the east Lancashire and Rossendale regions respectively. Two birds were incubating in the centre of Lytham on 25 Jan. A few Feral Pigeons demonstrated a more adventurous tendency to wander deep into rural areas: there was a regular flock of up to 20 at Black Moss Farm, Champion Moor, one escaped a stooping Peregrine on Waddington Fell on 19 April, and two were on the summit of Pendle Hill on 2 Oct.

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Fairly common breeding resident; local flocks in winter. Peak counts in the first winter period were unusually low everywhere, with the highest in the Fylde of 29 near Pilling on 5 Jan and ten on Warton Marsh on the 10th; in the south‐ west there were 34 on a recently‐tilled field at Oglet, south Liverpool on 6 March and 23 at Cabin Hill, Formby on the 25th. Twenty at Cant Clough Reservoir, Burnley on 14 Jan was the highest count in east Lancashire all year. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 91 Breeding activity was recorded at 22 locations in south Liverpool with an estimated total of 35 pairs, including seven in Sefton Park as in 2004. Birds were present at 15 sites in Rossendale in the breeding season while in the Chorley NHS region at least six pairs nested in quarries on Withnell Moor Edge and breeding took place at six locations in the Rivington‐Anglezarke area. In the Pilling‐Preesall area, Over Wyre, about 50 pairs laid 247 eggs in 120 clutches and fledged 141 young, an improvement on last year’s fledged total of 125 from 113 clutches. Single pairs bred on the Middleton Industrial Estate, at Arkholme, Calderfoot and Altham in east Lancashire, and for the first time in Avenham Park, Preston. In contrast to the early year, autumn and winter flocks were considerably larger than in 2004 in both stronghold areas, the Fylde and the south‐west. Peak counts included 190 at North Woods Farm, Pilling on 18 August, 100 at nearby Fluke Hall on 23 Sept, 65 at Downholland Moss on the 29th, 50+ at Cabin Hill on 4 Oct with 71 there on 6 Nov, 100+ at Bradshaw Lane, Pilling on 29 Nov and 80 near MMWWT on 4 Dec. Unusually for this species there was some evidence of passage during October, with seven birds over Laund Hey, Rossendale on 2 Oct, three over Caton Moor on the 9th and over Fairhaven on the 27th; twelve flying south over Seaforth on 29 Oct were the first autumn migrants ever to be recorded at this site.

WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Abundant breeding resident; widespread winter flocks. The high counts of late 2004 continued, and even increased, in the New Year. Flocks of over a thousand birds were recorded at five locations in the Fylde in January and February including 5000 at Lamb’s Lane, Pilling on 19 Feb. There were 1500 at Earnsdale Reservoir, Darwen on 13 Jan and 4000 at Old Coach Road, Rainford next day, while up to 2000 roosted near Mere Sands Wood and 1500 in Knowsley Park during that month. There were few high counts in March, but 1500 were again present at Old Coach Road on 9 April. Evidence of spring passage included 37 north over Seaforth on 2 April (the first spring movement to be recorded there) and a total of 358 over Fairhaven between 18 March and 3 April. Few observers trouble to record breeding data for this super‐abundant resident, and 2005 was no exception. Nesting was reported from ‘all the usual places’ in Rossendale and south Liverpool and a single pair attempted (unsuccessfully) to nest at Seaforth for the first time. There were post‐breeding assemblies of 100+ feeding on bilberries on moorland at Winter Hill on 16 July and 70 in Rossendale’s Grane Valley on the 31st. Autumn movements began slowly with 67 over Rimrose Valley on 3 Sept and 300 at Brockholes Quarry on the 18th the only significant counts during the month. Very large flocks were reported from the south of the county during 10‐18 October, including 5500 at Old Coach Road on 10 Oct and 5000 at nearby Queen’s Park on the 14th, when 3026 also passed south over Rimrose Valley in just 45 minutes; another 1571 flew over Rimrose Valley, while at least 2600 moved over the old garden festival site in south Liverpool on 16 Oct. A second, more widespread movement from late October brought 1910 over Seaforth and 504 south over Crag Bank, Carnforth on 29 Oct, 795 over Rimrose Valley next day, 1985 south over Crag Bank and 574 south‐west over Brockholes Quarry on the 31st; two thousand flew 92 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 south over Darwen Moor on 1 Nov and there were 1000 at Bradshaw Lane, Pilling on the 4th. Activity dwindled generally from early November, although 1700 moved south over Darwen Moor on 13 Nov and there were 1000 at Dairy Farm Road, St. Helens on the 18th. Woodpigeons were described as scarce or even absent in much of Rossendale and the Chorley NHS region at the end of the year and 581 at Oglet, south Liverpool on 31 Dec was the only significant count during that month.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common breeding resident, more local in the east; some coastal passage. Many observers appear to have ignored this species in 2005 and it failed to feature in several reserve and even regional reports. All the high counts in the first winter period came from the Fylde: 47 flew to roost at Blackpool’s Stanley Park on 8 Jan, there were 65 at Whyndyke Farm, Mythop on the 13th and a peak of 41 at Bradshaw Lane feeding station, Pilling during the month; 43 were at Bond’s Farm, Pilling on 5 Feb, 60 at Bradshaw Lane Head on 8 March and 120 also in the Pilling area on the 12th. Eight birds at Harle Syke on 11 Jan and at Thursden next day were the highest counts in east Lancashire; up to twelve were at Whitworth, Rossendale on 1 Jan. Four passage birds were recorded at Heysham NR on 20 March and a total of 66 migrants were seen over Fairhaven between 20 March and 2 May. Collared Doves were reported to be breeding widely across south Liverpool and a hatched eggshell was found in a Whalley garden on the late (or early) date of 19 Dec.

Seventy‐two at Bradshaw Lane Head, Pilling on 11 Aug was the first sizeable flock of the autumn; September counts included a peak of 89 at New Ridge Farm, Pilling, 26 at Ingol, Preston on the 25th and 20 at Todderstaffe Hall, Fylde on the 29th. Nine south over Seaforth on 24 Sept were the only migrants recorded there this year. Flocks and movements increased substantially in October: there were 100 at New Ridge Farm on 6 Oct, an autumn peak of 45 passed over Fairhaven and ten flew south over Rimrose Valley on the 9th, and there were 75 at Haydock next day. Thirty‐eight flew south‐east over Lancashire Bird Report 2005 93 Liverpool’s Garden Festival site on 16 Oct and numbers Over Wyre continued to grow to a peak of 120 at Birk’s Farm, Eagland Hill on 29 Oct; a total of 17 birds passed at Heysham during the month. Numbers appear to have declined in November‐December, with 80 at Fluke Hall, Pilling the highest count reported; eight at Whalley on 26 Dec was the largest late‐year gathering in east Lancashire.

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Scarce passage migrant. As in 2004 only two records of this dwindling summer visitor were received: one arrived on board ship at Seaforth Docks on 14 May and was taken into care, and on the following day there were brief flight views of a bird at Heysham NR.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Uncommon breeding bird and double passage migrant, more numerous in spring. The first of spring was at Merrybent Hill, just west of Stocks Reservoir, on 19 April followed by birds at Old Coach Road, Rainford on the 21st and Crag Bank, Carnforth next day. A widespread influx on 24 April brought birds to Darwen Moor, Mitton, Staynall and Bretherton; about ten others were recorded before the end of the month. For the second successive year there was a heavier passage during May than the average of recent years: thirty birds were reported from 14 sites in east Lancashire, including three calling males throughout the period in the Stocks Reservoir area; there were five in St. Helens, 13 elsewhere in the south‐west, six in the Fylde and about eight in the Chorley NHS region. There were records from three locations in Rossendale, all in May, an improvement on last year’s single occurrence. Ten birds were recorded in east Lancashire in the first half of June and there were eight further reports during the month, six of them from the south‐west. As usual, Cuckoos were scarce in July. There was a single bird at Crag Bank on 2 July and a very noteworthy five there on the 17th, single birds at Anglezarke Reservoir on 4 July, at Heapey on the 11th and a juvenile in the Altham‐Read area on 24‐25th; one at Pilling Marsh on 27 July was the last of the year.

BARN OWL Tyto alba Uncommon breeding resident, most numerous in the south‐west and the Fylde. 2005 seems to have been an exceptionally productive year for Lancashire’s Barn Owls. There was an excellent breeding season in West Lancashire and North Merseyside where a minimum of 35 pairs raised at least 60 young, and 54 pulli had been ringed up to 24 August; in addition, eleven other pairs probably bred. Further north a pair bred successfully at Crossens and at least three pairs in the Much Hoole‐Longton‐South Preston area. There were twelve records from five locations around St. Helens, although breeding was not proved. In the Fylde there were many sight records from all parts of the region. In the Pilling‐Preesall area 14 pairs laid 69 eggs in nest‐boxes, hatched 42 and fledged 39 young, 2.8 per pair (2.13 in 2004); another pair nested in a barn at Eagland Hill and raised three young. In the Chorley region nesting was confirmed at Ulnes Walton and Belmont and 94 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 considered probable at Bretherton and Eccleston. Fourteen records were reported during the year from eleven locations in east Lancashire, including singles at Slaidburn in March and the Trough of Bowland in June; two pairs bred successfully, one near Chipping, the other at a confidential site. In contrast to an otherwise positive picture, there were no records from either north Lancashire or Rossendale.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Fairly common and widespread breeding resident. A solid year, with detailed information from all regions except the north. On the south‐ west mosslands one observer estimated a total of 50 pairs, and nesting by ten pairs was confirmed in seven widespread locations. In the Fylde, with sight records from all parts of the region, 21 pairs nested in boxes in the Pilling‐Preesall area laying 65 eggs from which 49 hatched and 43 fledged, a slight improvement on the statistics for 2004. East Lancashire remains a stronghold for this species; there were 75 records from 31 locations and breeding was confirmed at four sites. Rossendale provided records from 17 locations, with confirmed nesting at Higher Hollinbank and breeding season presence at seven other sites. There were records from nine sites in the Chorley region; breeding was confirmed at Whittle and Belmont Reservoir. In the north of the county there were occasional sightings, though no proof of breeding, on the Middleton Industrial Estate; birds were present at two sites in the Aldcliffe area throughout the year and Little Owls were recorded in four 10km squares during the Lancaster & District winter survey in January. A single bird at Arkholme on 13 May was the only record there all year.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Common and widespread breeding resident. Indications of possible declines in populations were noted in the St. Helens area, elsewhere in the south‐west and in Rossendale. Tawny Owls were recorded widely in east Lancashire but there was only one confirmation of breeding, at Moor Piece; there were reports from 18 sites in Rossendale, with nesting confirmed at Alden and Hareholme. In the Chorley NHS region at least ten breeding territories were located in the Rivington‐ Anglezarke area, and young were seen at four of these; a pair bred in Cuerden Valley Park and another attempted to nest in a Belmont garden. In the south‐west there were 13 sightings in nine locations around St. Helens and birds were recorded at four sites in south Liverpool during the breeding season. A clear decline was reported from the mosslands, with only one confirmed and five probable breeding pairs located by one regular observer on the West Lancashire/Sefton mosses, and three pairs reported further north by others. In the Fylde there was the usual widespread scatter of sight records; in the Pilling‐Preesall area 13 pairs laid 39 eggs, hatched 27 and fledged 23 young, all in nest‐boxes. Apart from a pair on Heysham Head no breeding details were received from the north, although Tawny Owls were recorded in six of the eleven 10km squares surveyed in the Lancaster & District area during January.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 95 LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Scarce breeding resident; uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. The exceptional surge of records from upland areas in 2004 was not replicated this year. In Rossendale intensive searching located breeding season presence at three sites, but nesting was confirmed at only one. In the east a bird was seen near Clowbridge Reservoir on 1 Jan and a pair bred at a confidential site, with two juveniles ringed on 25 June. One pair nested successfully on the West Pennine Moors near Belmont, the late brood fledging in August. In contrast, 2005 was described as an exceptional year on the south‐west mosslands, with four pairs certainly or almost certainly breeding, and another four considered probable. The regular winter roost at Marton Mere again held Long‐eared Owls at both ends of the year. Five birds were present in early January and up to six in early March; two or three remained until 10 April. The first returning bird was recorded on 3 Oct; two were present from 10 Oct to 12 Dec and three later in the month. A bird some 10km further north at Fleetwood on 3 Oct may well have been en route to the Marton Mere roost.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Scarce upland breeding bird; uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Fewer reports than usual were received from upland areas during the first winter period: there were four on Champion Moor on 13 Jan and two were on Longridge Fell on the 27th, while single birds were present around Belmont and in north Rossendale during January‐ March. Peak counts at regular coastal wintering sites included up to six on Sefton Meadows and two on Lytham Moss; there were three at Warton Marsh on 10‐11 Feb and 11 March and at Marshside‐Crossens on 25 Feb. An unusually lively and prolonged spring passage brought single birds briefly to twelve coastal or near‐coastal sites, from Hightown to Jenny Brown’s Point, between 29 March and 19 June. One of the breeding events of 2005 was confirmed nesting by a pair on the south‐ west mosslands for the first time in several years; three young were fledged. Two other nearby territories were occupied for a time, but successful breeding was not proven at either. In the uplands there were three territories on the United Utilities Bowland estate with one pair at least fledging three young; this major slump from the 19 territories in 2003 and 23 in 2004 was a consequence of the cyclical end of the vole boom. Elsewhere in east Lancashire a pair nested on Boulsworth Hill. In Rossendale pairs were present at two sites in April and single birds remained all summer at three other locations, but there was no proof of nesting; two pairs bred on the West Pennine Moors around Belmont. Post‐breeding dispersal brought two or three birds to Downholland Moss in late July and singles to the Conder Estuary and the Speke‐Oglet area of south Liverpool in early September. With the exception of Sefton Meadows, where an exceptional peak of 14 was reported on 30 Dec, late‐year numbers at coastal sites were on the low side with maxima of two each at Marshside in November‐December, on Birkdale Green Beach on 10 Nov, and at MMWWT on 17 Dec. In upland areas at least five were present at Coal Clough Wind‐farm, south‐east of Burnley, in mid‐November, with at least three remaining to the end of the year. Two were at Musbury, Rossendale on 15 Nov and at Clowbridge Reservoir from 4 Dec, and one was on Champion Moor at the end of December. 96 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 NIGHTJAR* Caprimulgus europaeus Rare passage migrant and summer visitor, probably extinct as a breeding bird. 2004: One was present in potential breeding habitat in north Lancashire on 1 June, but was not relocated (IW); the most recent record was at Garstang in June 2002.

SWIFT Apus apus Common summer visitor and abundant passage migrant. Our first spring arrivals were singles over Prescot Reservoirs, St. Helens on 16 April and Brockholes Quarry on the following day. The next flooded in during a widespread surge on 24 April, with singles or small parties at 14 locations, along the coast from Seaforth and Marshside to Marton Mere and Heysham, and inland at Barrowford and Lower Foulridge Reservoirs in east Lancashire and Whitworth in Rossendale. Thirty at Marshside and 50+ at Foulridge on the 30th were the highest April counts, and peaks in May included 225 at Seaforth on the 2nd, 500 at Ewood Bridge Sewage Works, Rossendale on the 8th, 300 at Marshside on 17th & 25th and an exceptional 1000 over Leighton Moss on the 23rd. Passage in 2005 appears to have continued right through June; there were moving flocks of 270 at Seaforth on the 2nd, 250 at Lytham Moss and 100+ over Withnell Moor on the 22nd, and 450 flying north‐east at Marshside on the 28th. Breeding data were minimal in 2005, comprising four pairs nesting at Reedsholme in Rossendale and reports of breeding season presence in various urban areas, but there is no basis for assuming any significant change in numbers or distribution. Swifts were on the move southward by early July, with 80 over Marshside on the 2nd, 100 over Grane, Rossendale next day and a similar number over Heysham and 200 over Rawtenstall on the 4th. Later peaks included 150 over Clowbridge Reservoir on 11 July, 130 over Seaforth on the 18th, and an exceptional 2000 over an oilseed rape field at North Woods Hill Farm, Pilling on the 23rd. As usual, numbers dwindled very rapidly in August. There were 200 over Brockholes Quarry on 4 Aug, 95 at Thurnham, Fylde next day, 300 over Dairy Farm Road, St. Helens and 140 at Upper Foulridge Reservoir on the 7th. Six birds over Stacksteads on 15 Aug were the last recorded in Rossendale. There was a flurry of late records for the second year in a row, with five September reports, from Prescot Reservoirs, Brockholes Quarry, Mere Sands Wood, Lancaster and Seaforth; two late October sightings, at Mount Park, Fleetwood on the 29th and Lower Foulridge Reservoir on the 31st; and two in November, single birds at Sankey Valley, St. Helens on the 5th and Stalmine, Fylde on the following day.

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Uncommon bur widely‐distributed breeding bird, mainly in the east; post‐breeding dispersal westward. Almost all the reports of coastal birds in the first winter period came from north Lancashire; Kingfishers were present in five of the eleven 10km squares of the Lancaster & District Survey in January. There were 104 reports in east Lancashire, spanning all months of the year, but only one confirmed breeding record, a pair with four juveniles at Admergill, south of Barnoldswick. Rossendale reported confirmed or probable nesting at two locations; there Lancashire Bird Report 2005 97 were at least three successful breeding pairs in the Chorley NHS region and reports throughout the year from most parts. In the north three pairs nested along the Lune at Arkholme and another on the lower Greta; there were two more pairs further down the Lune between Wenning Foot and The Snab. On the western edge of the main breeding range pairs bred on the Wyre at St Michaels, at Scorton, on the River Brock, and in Haslam Park, Preston; one pair probably bred in the Altcar area. St. Helens reported a good year, with four young fledged by a pair at Eccleston Mere and probable nesting at Carr Mill Dam. Post‐breeding dispersal to the coastal west was underway by the middle of June. There was a major influx on the Fylde; the exact number of birds cannot be determined but Kingfishers were reported from 18 widespread locations, not including breeding sites, between 12 July and the end of December. There were many sightings at Leighton Moss and the Eric Morecambe complex from June onwards, occasional records at Marshside between June and November, and three singles at Heysham NR in September‐October; other late‐year records came from Seaforth, Downholland Moss, Tarbock, Sollom Moss and Aldcliffe Marsh.

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Fairly common and local breeding bird, mainly in the north and east. Green Woodpeckers were, as usual, widely recorded in east Lancashire with an increase in reports from the easternmost parts of the region. There were no confirmed breeding records in the ELOC report but many repeated sightings of birds at several sites during the nesting season; another observer, however, reported confirmed breeding in the Hodder Valley at Whitewell and Higher Hodder Bridge. In Rossendale the species was present at nine locations in the breeding season and juveniles were seen at Clough Head Quarry on 31 July and at Clowbridge Reservoir on 5 Aug. Chorley NHS reported nesting by two pairs in the Delph Reservoir‐Belmont area, another two at Rivington and probable breeding by two more at Anglezarke; birds were present in Cuerden Valley Park in February, July and October, at Birkacre in February, and at White Coppi ce in March. In the north, Green Woodpeckers were regularly present throughout the year in the Silverdale‐Leighton Moss‐Warton Crag area and the species was recorded in 98 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 four of eleven 10km squares during the Lancaster & District Survey in January. Singles were recorded at Heysham NR on three dates in March and there was a sighting on the Middleton Industrial Estate in the late year; further inland birds were present at Leck in January and Roeburndale in November. We still await a decisive extension of range into lowland Lancashire, although the St. Helens area would seem to be the most likely candidate for this; in spite of a decline in records from 2004’s total there were 22 sightings overall, from King’s Moss, Prescot Reservoirs and Sankey Valley spanning nine months of the year. One was calling at Wrightington on 21 April and a pair probably bred at nearby Parbold, a bird was seen at Mere Sands Wood on various dates in the early year, and a female was at Todderstaffe Hall, Fylde on 29 March. At Brockholes Quarry there were regular sightings of a pair, and later of a fledged juvenile, between mid‐May and late August.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Common and widespread breeding resident. This species goes from strength to strength, with widespread records from small outlying woods where it was unknown only a decade ago. The ELOC report summarises 140 reports, pretty evenly spread across the year; breeding was confirmed at eight widespread sites, including Cross of Greet Wood, 250m up in the fells. The species was reported from all significant woodland areas in Rossendale, with breeding season presence at nine locations. At least 28 territories were located in the Rivington‐Anglezarke woodlands, there were five successful nests in Cuerden Valley Park, and birds were reported from seven other locations in the Chorley region during the spring. The Fylde BC website listed 145 widespread reports, over all months, illustrating the robust population there; breeding was confirmed in Blackpool’s Stanley Park, at two sites around Pilling and one at Preesall. In the south‐west there were 70 sightings at 22 locations in the St. Helens area; Great Spotted Woodpeckers nested at eight sites in south Liverpool, including three pairs in Sefton Park, and breeding was also recorded on Freshfield Dune Heath, Downholland Moss and at Mere Sands Wood. There were fewer reports from the north of the county, although the species was present in nine of eleven 10km squares during the Lancaster & District survey in January; a pair bred on Heysham Moss. There was no evidence of any passage at Heysham this year, but 14 were recorded over Fairhaven between 2 Aug and 5 Nov, two flew south at Formby Point and there was one at Seaforth on 31 Aug, and two flew over Marshside on 7 Oct and Rimrose Valley on the 9th. A minor flurry of movements mid‐month bought a bird to Caton Moor on 14 Oct, and to Crag Bank, Carnforth, Marshside (2) and Seaforth on the 16th.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor Scarce and local breeding resident. As this most sought‐after of our woodland birds declines to apparently inevitable extinction, it may be about to make its last stand in east Lancashire, rather than in its former stronghold around Chorley. Birds were recorded at six locations in the ELOC region: singles were at Low Moor, Clitheroe on 9‐10 Jan and at Dunnow Hall, Slaidburn on the 21st; a well‐watched female was in Spring Wood, Whalley during 6‐13 Feb, a male was Lancashire Bird Report 2005 99 at Paythorne, near Gisburn on 12 April, and one was at Knowle Green, near Longridge, on 6 June. A pair bred successfully at a confidential site in east Lancashire. In the Chorley region there were several reports from Burgh Wood, Birkacre between 20 Feb and the end of March; one was on a garden feeder at Wheelton on 5 July and another at Eccleston on 21 Aug. In Rossendale, where the species has not been recorded for many years, one was at King’s Hillock Wood on 9 Feb & 28 March and a probable was reported from Clough Head on 8 July. The only other hopeful signs in 2005 were in the Preston area, where a male was drumming in Red Scar Wood, Samlesbury on 20 March and one was at Lightfoot Green on 14 July; a bird reported at Mere Sands Wood on 15 April was the only other county record this year.

SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Abundant breeding bird and passage migrant. Eighty at Marshside on 1 Jan and 50 on Reed’s Moss, St. Helens on the following day were the largest flocks reported. In the uplands birds were back on Great Hameldon, Rossendale on 6 Feb and at Crown Point, Burnley next day; males were in song at Altham from 13 Feb, on Anglezarke Moor from the 15th and at Belmont from the 19th. Sixty on Warton Marsh on 11 March and 50 at Heysham NR on the 19th were the only significant spring movements reported. Twenty singing males were recorded on Marshside RSPB reserve, but a sharp decline in breeding numbers was reported from the Heysham area. All other nesting records came from inland locations: there were ten singing males in May in a 1km BTO‐ BBS square on Darwen Moor, an increase of three on the 2003‐04 totals; 24 were in the BBS tetrad at Alden, Rossendale on 1 May and 25 males were singing on Cowpe Moss on 19 June. Seventeen males were on territory in the Pendle‐Barley‐Downham Moors area on 19 June. The first of 352 autumn migrants was recorded at Fairhaven on the early date of 2 Aug; movements at Heysham began on 21 Sept when 57 were also present on Rawcliffe Moss, Fylde. Coastal passage gained momentum very quickly in late September with 120 at Seaforth on the 24th and 75 there on the 27th, and continued right through October. Peaks included 150 at Marshside on 4 Oct and 330 there on the 31st, 150 south over Pilling Marsh on 9 Oct, 442 over Downholland Moss next day, 100 at Prescot Reservoirs, St. Helens on 14 Oct, 120 on Pilling Marsh on the 20th and 125 at Cockersands on the 30th. Movements continued at a reduced level during the first half of November, including 85 at Seaforth on 5 Nov, 100 on Croston Moss on the 13th and 54 at MMWWT on the 16th. As usual, peak numbers of migrant Skylarks in the uplands were very much lower; in Rossendale, 21 over Laund Hey on 2 Oct and 14 there on the 14th were the highest counts reported. The last of the year in the ELOC region was at Lowerhouse Lodges on 8 Nov. As is so often the case, the Marshside‐Crossens saltings held by far the highest numbers at the end of the year: 350 were counted on 3 Dec and 650 on the 19th, and 540 were flushed by Merlins on the 29th. A hundred at Bradshaw Lane Head, Pilling on 29 Dec was the only other three‐figure count reported.

100 Lancash SHORELARK* Eremophila alpestris Scarce and irregular winter visitor and passage migrant. Two birds seen briefly in the dunes at Crosby Marine Park on 26 Oct was the only record in 2005 (PK).

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Common but local breeding bird, mainly in the east; common double passage migrant. Seven at Stocks Reservoir on 8 March were a full week ahead of the next arrivals, two at Brockholes Quarry and three at Marton Mere on the 17th. Numbers were building steadily by the end of the month, with 40 at Arkholme on the Lune and 25 at Marton Mere on 25 March, 150 at Leighton Moss at dusk next day and 25 at Brockholes Quarry on the 28th. Birds at Hoghton and Eccleston on 2 April were the first in the Chorley NHS area, and 15 reached Ewood Bridge Sewage Works, Rossendale on the following day. Subsequent passage was light in most areas. A total of 14 passed at Heysham NR in April and nine in May, and 30 over Seaforth on 16 May was the highest spring count there; there were 150 at Pine Lake on 8 April, nearby Leighton Moss had a peak of 550 on 21 April, there were 120 at Marshside on the 26th and 100 at Foulridge Reservoirs, Colne on the 30th. Sixty at Marshside on 1 May was that month’s highest count away from the breeding areas. At Arkholme there were 651 nests above the Viaduct and another 95 below (respective totals for 2004 were 403 and 128); flooding and digging by badgers caused some casualties. In east Lancashire there was a major increase in numbers along the Altham‐Martholme stretch of the River Calder, with three colonies comprising 63, 66 and 54 nests. Ninety‐five active nests were counted at Lightfoot Green Quarry, Preston and there were 35 on the River Yarrow at Eccleston in July; elsewhere in the Chorley region several pairs bred at Clayton Hall Quarry in Cuerden Valley Park. In Rossendale about ten pairs nested in the colony on the River Irwell at Townsendfold. Breeding was also reported from Calderfoot and Jackhouse Reservoir in east Lancashire, from the Lune at Loyn Bridge, Gressingham and from Myerscough Quarry, but without any numerical details. At Brockholes Quarry, where over 100 pairs bred in 2004, little nesting activity was recorded due to ongoing excavation works. As usual a few birds were on the move south by mid‐June, with several reports of ones and twos from Downholland Moss Irrigation Lakes and Marshside. Eighteen flew south at Crag Bank, Carnforth on 3 July, there were three at Seaforth on the 12th and 20 at Prescot Reservoirs on the 24th. Autumn passage numbers were very low for the second successive year; August peaks included 150 at Brockholes Quarry on the 23rd, 30 at Seaforth on the 30th and 48 south at Formby Point on the following day, while two at Troy Quarry on 7 Aug were the last of the year in Rossendale. Thirty passed at Eccleston Mere on 1 Sept and 103 at Formby Point on the 3rd; St. Helens and Seaforth recorded their last Sand Martins on 9 Sept, one at Pilling Marsh on the 18th was the latest recorded in the Fylde, and one at Upper Foulridge Reservoir on 1 Oct brought the year to a close.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 101 SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Abundant breeding bird and double passage migrant. The first spring migrant to arrive, at Lancaster on 22 March, was followed by a minor influx on the 26th that brought birds to Heysham, Glasson, Leighton Moss, Aldcliffe, Marton Mere and Stocks Reservoir. One at Prescot Reservoirs on 30 March was the first to arrive in St. Helens; a bird at Burgh Lane, Chorley on 2 April and six at Ewood Bridge Sewage Works next day were the first recorded in the CNHS and ROC regions, respectively. Some substantial movements were recorded in April, although these were very much concentrated in the final week. A total of 496 passed at Heysham with a peak of 260 on 25 April, when 278 were also recorded at Rossall Point. There were 450 at Marshside and 600 at Leighton Moss on 26 April, while a widespread influx on the 30th brought 200 to Foulridge Reservoirs, 160 to Seaforth, and 100 each to Rossall Point and Marshside. Movements continued at a somewhat lower level through the first three weeks of May, with peaks of 160 at Leighton Moss and 103 at Heysham on 1 May, 200 at Marshside on the 10th and 220 there on the 12th, 350 over Seaforth/Crosby Marine Park on 16 May, and 200 over Prescot Reservoirs and 143 north‐east over Crag Bank, Carnforth on the 22nd. A larger than normal amount of breeding data was received. In the Pilling‐Preesall area 40 pairs laid 254 eggs in 54 clutches, hatched 194 and fledged 183 young. Twenty pairs bred in stables at Freshfield Dune Heath, four in Cuerden Valley Park, three beneath the new bridge over Southport Marine Lake, and ones or twos at Marshside Sand Plant and on British Energy property at Heysham. Pairs at Chipping and Whalley Nab in east Lancashire each raised three broods of offspring. Autumn assemblies and passage began on schedule in mid‐July, with 50 at Deeply Vale, Rossendale on 11 July, 25 at Seaforth on the 17th, 100 at Fleetwood Marsh on 23 July, and Heysham NR’s first movement on the 30th.Three hundred Swallows hunted over an oilseed rape field at North Woods Farm, Pilling on 31 July. August peaks included 200 at Clowbridge Reservoir on 6 Aug and 200 at Marshside on the 21st; a distinct quickening in the pace of migration late in the month brought 500+ to MMWWT on 26 Aug and 900 to Seaforth, 450 to Leighton Moss and 300 to Preesall Flashes on the 30th. The following day saw a record site count of 2200 south over Seaforth, while 1569 also flew south over Formby Point during the morning. There was a steady flow of migrants throughout most of September; highlights included 598 south over Formby Point on 3 Sept, counts of 330 over Rawcliffe Moss, Fylde and 250 each at Marshside and Seaforth on the 10th, and 531 over Caton Moor next day. On 16 Sept there were 300 at Old Coach Road, Rainford; 540 passed at Marshside on the 18th and 800 at Myerscough Quarry on the 21st. The recent trend towards an increase in late autumn records continued: there were some 45 widespread reports during October, including twelve over Belmont on 2 Oct, 92 at Downholland Moss on the 4th and 23 at Fairhaven next day. Rossendale’s last were at Shawclough on 9 Oct, Heysham’s final migrants passed on the 15th, and birds at Mount Park, Fleetwood and Marton Mere later in the month were the Fylde’s last stragglers. One was at Leighton Moss on 1 Nov but by far the latest Swallow of 2005 was at Foulridge Reservoirs, Colne on 21 Nov.

102 Lancash HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica Common and widespread breeding bird; abundant passage migrant. There were two March records, singles at Rossall School on 19 March and at Prescot Reservoirs on the 30th. Heysham’s first was recorded on 2 April, followed by a bird at Brockholes Quarry on the 4th. Widespread arrivals began on 10 April, including the first in Rossendale at Ewood Bridge Sewage Works and in east Lancashire at Darwen. The Chorley region saw its first House Martins at Eccleston and Croston on 17 April and birds arrived at Seaforth on the 20th; numbers overall built up only slowly and 20 at Foulridge Reservoirs on 30 April was the month’s highest count. In contrast, passage in May and early June was the heaviest for several years: peaks included 500+ at MMWWT on 16 May and 200 at Prescot Reservoirs on the 24th and at Brockholes Quarry on 13 June. There were 21 active nests in Belmont Village, the lowest total since annual surveys began in 1996. Several pairs bred in Cuerden Valley Park and breeding took place as usual in housing estates adjacent to Marshside, with up to 150 birds regularly over the reserve in June and July. There were five small colonies in Aigburth and another in Toxteth, south Liverpool; seven pairs at Black Lane Head Farm, Pilling laid 38 eggs from which 36 young hatched and 29 fledged. There were eleven nests in Pendleton Village near Clitheroe, and two pairs were still feeding young in the nest at Feniscowles, Blackburn on 1 Oct. In Rossendale colony counts included nine nests in Grange Road, Rawtenstall, eight in Hoyle Street, Whitworth, two at Helmshore and three or four at Reedsholme, where a juvenile was still unfledged on 23 Sept. Autumn flocking and movements began in late July; there were 100 over Piercy, Rossendale on 22 July, 300 at Prescot Reservoirs two days later and 100 over an oilseed rape field at North Wood Farm, Pilling on the 31st. Movements at Seaforth began with 95 on 17 Aug and a very light passage commenced at Heysham three days later. ‘Masses’ of House Martins were reported over Rivington and Anglezarke Reservoirs on 23 & 25 Aug and heavy movements on the Sefton coast at the month’s end brought 300 to Seaforth on 30 Aug and 650 there, plus 131 south over Formby Point, on the following day. Passage continued at a high level during the first half of September, with up to 300 at Higher Hollinbank, Rossendale early in the month, 80 over Fairhaven on 1 Sept, 73 over Caton Moor on the 2nd, 467 south over Formby Point next day, 150 at Seaforth on the 7th and 563 at Formby Point on the 10th. Two hundred passed over Darwen Moor on 21 Sept and there were 150 at Old Coach Road, Rainford on the 28th. Numbers dwindled very rapidly in October: twelve over Eccleston on 3 Oct were the last in the Chorley region, six at Rowley Lake, Burnley on the 6th ended the year in east Lancashire, and 29 south over Ramsbottom on the 9th were Rossendale’s latest. Leighton Moss reported its last migrant on 14 Oct and two at Fairhaven and a single at Heysham on the following day were the last birds recorded in 2005.

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Uncommon local breeding bird in the north and east and double passage migrant. The first spring birds to arrive were unusually early; one reached Gisburn Forest in east Lancashire, a regular breeding location, on 23 March and two were reported in display Lancashire Bird Report 2005 103 flight at Calf Hey Reservoir, Rossendale (a former breeding site) on 30 March and possibly again on 3 April. Coastal movements began in mid‐April and were the liveliest for several years. Twelve were recorded in the Fylde between 17‐30 April, including three at Rossall Point on 17 April and two there on 22nd & 25th; one was at Prescot Reservoirs on 16 April and on Formby dunes on the 19th, but the main influx was in the last week of April, with four at Heysham, three each at Seaforth and Marshside and single birds at four other sites. Movements fizzled out very quickly in May: there were three at Heysham on 1 May, two at Marshside next day and one at Prescot Reservoirs on the 5th. In the breeding areas there were records from mid‐April at Roddlesworth Woods, Darwen Moor and Lower Foulridge Reservoir, and from Heather Lea Woods, Brinscall and White Coppice in the Chorley area in early May. Many local observers are always cautious in claiming confirmation of breeding for this species, but there were displaying birds at eight locations in the Rivington‐Anglezarke area, at two sites each around Stocks Reservoir and at Beacon Fell, and one on Warton Crag. Elsewhere in the north there were up to four territorial males in the Birk Bank, Clougha area in May and June, while in east Lancashire birds at Longridge Fell in June were considered probable breeders. Dispersal was observed at Parsonage and Upper Foulridge Reservoirs and at Hapton in east Lancashire during 7‐10 Aug and a bird flew over Speke, south Liverpool on the 12th, but coastal passage in August was mainly concentrated in the last ten days of the month, with four recorded over south Liverpool, three at Heysham and singles at Pilling Lane and Fairhaven. Inland, there were birds at Clayton‐le‐Moors and nearby Altham on 21 Aug and at New Laithe Farm, Newton‐in‐Bowland on the 29th. A reasonable total (by the standards of recent years) of 20 Tree Pipits was recorded in September: Caton Moor featured strongly with four during 2‐11 Sept and there was one on Pendle Hill on the 3rd. All other reports were from coastal or near‐coastal sites, including seven in the St. Helens area, three at Heysham and two at Seaforth. One on Downholland Moss on 7 October was the last of the year.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Abundant breeding bird, especially in the east, and double passage migrant; scarcer in winter. A typical pattern of small scattered flocks was reported from both coastal and inland areas at both ends of the year, including up to 20 at Seaforth, 42 on cereal fields between Speke and Hale, south Liverpool on 23 Jan, 30‐40 at two sites in the Great Harwood area in December, 50 at Blackpool Airport on 28 Dec and 20+ at Belmont Reservoir on the following day. An unusually prolonged spring passage began in early February with 40 at Prescot Reservoirs on 1 Feb and 93 on Downholland Moss on the 9th, but peak counts did not reach treble figures until late in March. Heavy and sudden coastal movements peaked at 380 at Marshside on 20 March, 793 over Rossall Point next day, and another 972 there on the 26th. Migration continued at a high level through most of April, with 1244 north at Heysham and 65 at Seaforth on 2 April, 761 north‐east over Crag Bank, Carnforth next day, 422 over Rossall Point on the 19th and 456 there on the 25th. Throughout this period 104 Lancash inland movements were, as usual, much smaller: there were 50+ at Calderfoot in east Lancashire on 27 March and 40 at Wycoller on 1 April.

Breeding data received were again fairly scanty. Inland, Meadow Pipits were described as still abundant on moorland in the Chorley NHS region, including about 15 pairs around Belmont Reservoir. There were ten pairs in a BBS tetrad at Alden, Rossendale in May and June, while a sharp decline was noted in a 1km BTO‐BBS square on Darwen Moor, from 29‐30 territories in 2004 to only 15‐19 in 2005. On the coast up to seven pairs nested at Heysham, six in Fairhaven Dunes and a single pair at Crosby Marine Park. Autumn passage got underway at a low level in August; Fairhaven recorded its first migrant on 2 Aug, Seaforth on the 9th, and there were 45 at Marshside on the 21st, when the first of 2597 autumn birds passed at Heysham. A sudden quickening in the pace of events was noticeable from 11 Sept, when 985 flew south over Caton Moor and 420 over Crag Bank, Carnforth; there were 200 on Downholland Moss and 75 at Seaforth next day and 120 at Rowley Lake, Burnley on the 13th. A major surge of migration was recorded over a broad front on 24 Sept: 2050 passed at Seaforth, 1313 at Heysham and 1156 flew over Laund Hey, Rossendale; on the same day heavy but unquantified movements of Meadow Pipits were reported from Anglezarke Reservoir and Sefton Park, south Liverpool. Passage continued intermittently at a somewhat slower rate until late October: 961 were recorded over Laund Hey on 1 Oct and 675 on the 14th, when 200 also flew south at Starr Gate; there were 200 on Downholland Moss on 5 Oct, 439 flew south at Crag Bank on the 9th, when Fairhaven recorded its autumn peak count of 391, and 100 moved south at Seaforth on 26 Oct. Passage had virtually ceased by the end of October, and 35 at old Coach Road, Rainford on 26 Nov was that month’s highest count.

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant, mainly in autumn. 2004: Correction: The exceptionally early autumn bird reported at Brownside, Burnley on 21 July was an erroneous entry in the ELOC report. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 105 2005: The concentration of records of this species on coasts north of the Ribble has become more pronounced in recent years as numbers there have increased, while those to the south have declined. There were seven January records in the Fylde, including five at Knott End on 13 Jan; on Aldcliffe Marsh counts peaked at twelve on the 11 & 15th and there were single birds at Conder Green and Morecambe Stone Jetty. One at Marshside on 9 & 25 Jan was the only report from the Sefton coast. Totals in the north Fylde and Lune increased in February, with 20 on Colloway Marsh and six at Fleetwood Dock on 6 Feb, seven at Knott End on the 8th and up to twelve regularly on Aldcliffe Marsh. Five were on Banks Marsh over the high tide on 11 Feb and one was at Marshside next day. March peaks included ten at Barnaby’s Sands, Wyre on 10 March, seven on Warton Marsh on the 11th and five at Aldcliffe next day; there were four at Aldcliffe on the 27th. Singles at Seaforth on 13, 24 & 26 March were the only early year records there. Seven birds were recorded in April, an obvious summer littoralis at Heysham North Harbour Wall and four on Aldcliffe Marsh on 2 April, and single birds at Marshside on the 3rd and at Blundellsands on the 17th. Three at Morecambe Stone Jetty on 16 Sept were the first autumn migrants reported; four more were seen before the end of the month, all on the Fylde coast or further north. There was a substantial influx during October including eleven in all through Heysham and 19 Fylde records, peaking at six at Rossall Point on the 16th. Numbers on Aldcliffe Marsh reached five on 22 Oct and there were four at Fairhaven on the 29th. Four singles at Seaforth between 3‐31 Oct were the only coastal records south of the Ribble, and there was one inland bird, at Colne Sewage Works on 8 Oct. Numbers overall in November and December were lower, peaking at five on the Conder Estuary on 5 Nov, three on Aldcliffe Marsh on a number of dates, and at Sunderland Point on 29 Dec; there were singles at Seaforth on 5 & 12 Nov and at Marshside on 3 Dec, while inland two passed over Darwen Moor on 1 Nov.

WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Uncommon winter visitor and scarce passage migrant. There were reports from four locations in the early year. At Warton Bank, Fylde two on 12 Jan increased to three over the high tides on 10 Feb and eight next day. Only one was recorded on 28 Feb but the next series of high tides produced counts of 13 on 11 March and twelve on the following day; two on 2 April were the last recorded. Just across the Ribble Estuary on Banks Marsh two were present over the tide on 10 Feb; one was seen at Leighton Moss on 14 Feb and 9 March, and a nearly full summer bird at Seaforth on 21 April was the last of spring. The late year picture was virtually a duplicate of that in 2004: there were no reports from Warton Bank, one was near Coal Clough Windfarm, near Burnley on 29 Oct and the same or another was at Cant Clough Reservoir, 3km to the north, on 16 Nov; this may have been the same returning individual first recorded in March 2003. One was present at Leighton Moss on 21 Nov and 20‐21 Dec and there were two on Glasson Marsh on 4 Dec.

106 Lancash YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima Scarce and declining summer visitor; fairly common passage migrant. For the second year in succession there were no records in either the Chorley NHS or Rossendale regions, and for the first time in 53 years a veteran Lancashire birder failed to see a single Yellow Wagtail in 2005. The first of a very light spring passage was at MMWWT on 5 April, followed by one at Marshside on the 14th; a minor influx from 21 April brought four to Seaforth and three to the Fylde before the end of the month; four at Arkholme on the Lune on 29 April was the largest group reported. A mere 13 migrants were recorded in May, all in the south‐west apart from singles near Langden Castle, Bowland on 8 May and near Clitheroe on the 11th. Breeding was not recorded this year in east Lancashire’s sole remaining outpost at Altham, and nesting activity was essentially confined to two discrete areas and habitat types, the south‐west and the Lune Valley. On the mosses pairs bred on Downholland Moss and Altcar Withins; nesting was considered probable at Curlew Lane, Rufford and at Oglet, south Liverpool, and a pair was present at MMWWT during June. On the Lune two pairs bred at Melling and one at Gressingham, where one of the juveniles was ringed. Up to three males, alas unmated, were at Arkholme at the end of April. A few birds were on the move along the coast from mid‐July, beginning with four at Marshside on 9 July and one at Formby Point next day; birds were reported later in the month from Seaforth, Brockholes Quarry, Granny’s Bay, Fylde, the Eric Morecambe complex, MMWWT and Prescot Reservoirs. Light movements continued until late September without any discernible peaks; as usual, records of ones or twos were typical but there were seven at Marshside on 18 Aug, four at MMWWT on the 22nd and at Crosby Marine Park on the 31st, and three at Seaforth on 10 Sept. Two at Blackpool on 22 Sept were the last coastal migrants reported. Inland there were five records in the ELOC region, including three birds at Towneley Park, Burnley during 29 Aug‐3 Sept and ending with one at Cant Clough Reservoir, Burnley on 20 Sept.

BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flava Scarce passage migrant, mainly in spring Only one spring migrant was recorded, a male present briefly at Crosby Marine Park on 29 April; the nominate race has been recorded in the county in every year since 1996.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Fairly common breeding bird, mainly on upland streams in the east; common passage migrant, especially in autumn. Widespread in small numbers in winter. There were numerous reports of small numbers in both coastal and inland areas in the first winter period. Six were present in 10km square SD46 during the Lancaster & District Survey in January, there were ten January records in the Fylde and eight in February, and one or two wintered at both Seaforth and Heysham. In Rossendale a bird frequented a garden feeder in Hoyle Street, Whitworth in January. Spring movements were a little more noticeable than usual, including six at Morecambe Stone Jetty on 9 March, three north at Heysham on the 19th, six at Marshside on the 20th and four over Rossall Point on the following day. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 107 Grey Wagtails were described as quite common breeders in Rossendale, with pairs on most stretches of the Rivers Irwell, Limy and Whitewell and their tributaries. Birds were on territory in April at twelve locations in the Chorley region, including 14 pairs in the Rivington‐Anglezarke area; pairs with juveniles were recorded at eight sites in east Lancashire and three pairs nested along the River Lune between the Crook and Skerton Weir. The breeding range may have extended significantly westward in 2005, with first nesting (by two pairs) on the banks of Southport Marine Lake and another at Blackpool Pleasure Beach; in Preston pairs nested by the River Ribble and in Haslam Park and single pairs bred at Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens and on Downholland Moss. Early autumn movement and dispersal were on a small scale, with four at Prescot Reservoirs on 9 Aug and six there on the 17th the highest counts reported, but a surge of coastal passage on 30‐31 Aug produced totals of 42 at Seaforth, eleven at Heysham and eight each at Fairhaven and Formby Point. Intermittent movements continued until the first week of October, including 33 at Seaforth on 2 Sept, 17 there on the 4th, 14 at Heysham on the 12th, 21 over Fairhaven and seven at Brockholes Quarry on the 22nd and 26 at Seaforth again on the 24th. Ten at Fairhaven and seven at Heysham on the relatively early date of 2 Oct marked the last significant movement of the autumn. Late year numbers everywhere were low, with seven in Taylor Park, St. Helens on 15 Dec the only noteworthy count.

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrellii Common and widespread breeding bird and winter visitor; abundant double passage migrant. Three hundred in Curzon Street, Burnley, 130+ in a single plane tree on Church Street, Liverpool and 105 at the Matalan store in Marton, Blackpool in January‐February were the largest early‐year roosts reported. Other high counts included 60 at Old Coach Road, Rainford on 1 Feb and 70 at MMWWT on the 13th. Spring movements were almost entirely confined to the month of March: there were widespread reports of moderate‐sized flocks including 44 on Downholland Moss on 2 March, 73 at Arkholme on the 5th, 50 at Padiham on the 15th, 60 at Ewood Bridge Sewage Works, Rossendale on the following day, 82 over Heysham and 78 over Starr Gate on the 19th and 60 on Lytham Moss on the 21st. Breeding data were, as is the norm for this species, negligible; 28 pairs nested at Arkholme in the Lune Valley and up to seven pairs at Belmont Reservoir. Post‐breeding dispersal and autumn movements began in the third week of July, with flocks of up to 65 at Fairhaven Lake and 25 at Aldcliffe Marsh and Marshside. Numbers increased only slowly in August, with peaks of 70 at Fairhaven on 2 Aug, 33 on Fleetwood Marsh on 7 Aug, 40 at Marshside next day, 50 over Heysham on the 21st, and 46 on Downholland Moss and 40 at Seaforth on the 31st. Passage continued intermittently through September and the first half of October; high counts included 150 on Lytham Green on 7 Sept, 100+ on Towneley Playing Fields, Burnley on the 28th, 86 over Caton Moor on 2 Oct and 131 over Fairhaven on the 9th. Heysham recorded 579, mainly southbound, during the autumn, peaking at 68 on 15 Oct. In November there were 64 at Parsonage Reservoir on the 2nd and 70 at Old Coach Road on the 26th; up to 70 were roosting at the Philips site in Blackburn during the month, 108 Lancash and there were 419 at the roost in Church Street, Liverpool on 11 Nov and 200 in Corporation Street, Preston on 20 Dec.

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba alba Spring migrant in variable numbers, mainly coastal; much scarcer in autumn. Six at Rossall Point and one at Seaforth on 23 March and twelve at Mythop, Fylde on the 26th were the first of spring; the first inland record, four birds at Withnell Fold Flash on 2 April was the only occurrence in the Chorley region all year. Small numbers were widely reported along the coast during the first three weeks of April; Seaforth stood out, with 58 on 15 April and 50 next day. A sudden influx on 21‐22 April brought a site record flock of 21 to Brockholes Quarry; 53 passed over Rossall Point, there were 38 on Plex Moss, 13 at MMWWT and ten at Marshside. Thirty‐one were at Gore House Farm, Great Altcar on 25 April, and 22 on Downholland Moss with 21 on nearby Plex Moss on the 27th. Inland records were few; one was at Wenningfoot in the Lune Valley on 7 April, two were at nearby Arkholme on the 14th, and a bird remained at Stocks Reservoir during 1‐18 April. Movements, as usual, dwindled very quickly in May as the birds set out on their long crossing of the North Atlantic; there were 20 on Plex Moss on 1 May, 15 at Marshside next day and twelve on Birkdale Green Beach on the 3rd. The last of four Fylde records was on 7 May, there were three at Eccleston Mere on the 8th, Brockholes Quarry saw the last of an excellent spring passage on the 10th, and one at Seaforth on the 23rd was the last spring bird recorded. There were three at Seaforth on 20 Aug, the first of a typically brief and light autumn passage; one to three birds were seen fairly regularly there up to 13 Sept. One at Bispham Cliffs on 4 Sept was the only Fylde record, and other coastal or near‐coastal reports of one to four birds came from Crosby Marine Park, Dairy Farm Road, St. Helens and Marshside. One at Parsonage Reservoir on 30 Sept was the only record from any distance inland, and the last bird of the year.

WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus Fairly common, irregular winter visitor. Following the massive irruption of late 2004 some very large flocks and many smaller parties roamed the county in the first winter period; there were scores of reports with every region represented, and only the highlights can be given here. The main concentrations during January were in Liverpool, Blackburn, Lancaster and Burnley. The flock in the Queen’s Drive area of Liverpool peaked at a county record 320 on 23 Jan; there were up to 228 in Weir Street car park, Blackburn early in the month, a total of 46 in the Lancaster area on the 16th and up to 39 in the Burnley area during 29‐31st. In addition, smaller flocks of up to 30 birds were reported from Ashton‐on‐Ribble, St. Helens, Rawtenstall, Morecambe, Chorley, Darwen, Garstang and Lytham. One of the Liverpool flock was a first‐winter female, colour‐ringed at Inverurie, Aberdeenshire on 31 Oct 2004. The largest flocks in February were in Darwen, with 250 on 22 Feb, and in the Preston area, where the Ashton flock reached 60 during 10‐13th, and there were over 60 at Fulwood Barracks on the 16‐17th; there were 30 in Ingol on the 20th. Apart from the Lancashire Bird Report 2005 109 Darwen assembly there were 14 records in east Lancashire during February; in Rossendale small flocks were reported from Rawtenstall, Helmshore and Waterfoot, and there were seven in Caton in the Lune Valley on the 24th. Numbers fell away sharply in March and 30 in St George’s Street, Chorley and nine at Middleton Industrial Estate, Heysham on 2 March and 17 at Adlington on the 18th were the largest groups reported. There were two April records, 25 in Rishton on 14 April and up to nine in central Southport during the last week of the month. A flock of 29 over Seaforth and Crosby Marine Park on 5 Nov – the first site record – signalled the beginning of a relatively small‐scale incursion by the standards of recent winters. Two of the locations prominent in the first winter period reported returning birds, with 43 in Liverpool’s Queen’s Drive on 7 Nov and up to nine on Stocks Road, Ashton‐on‐ Ribble at the end of the month. Ten in Lancaster in mid‐December, 25 in Walton, Liverpool in the last week of the month, and one at Scarisbrick, Southport on the 22nd were the only other end of year reports.

DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Uncommon breeder, mainly in the east. The ELOC report tabulated 112 records, spanning the full year; a pair was displaying and carrying nest material as early as 19 Jan at Lowerhouse Lodges. Breeding was confirmed at four sites on Pendle Water between Reedyford Bridge and Roughlee, and at four other locations. In Rossendale, Dippers were reported from nine locations with confirmed breeding at Reedsholme, Rawtenstall, Irwell Vale and Crawshawbooth. The Chorley region reported nesting at Cuerden Valley, White Coppice and Lower Healey, with breeding considered probable at two other sites. In the north, a pair bred on the Lune between the Crook and Skerton Weir, as in 2004; breeding season presence was recorded at Caton, Leck Beck, Abbeystead and Borwick. On the western edges of the species’ range nesting was confirmed or judged probable at four sites on the River Brock as far downstream as Myerscough College; birds were present in spring at Scorton. One at Newton‐le‐Willows for a few days in early February was the only record from the south‐west.

WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Abundant breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. A habitually under‐recorded species. Peak early year counts were of 35 at Mere Sands Wood and 50 and 40 respectively in two 10km squares during the Lancaster & District Survey in January. There were six at Whyndyke Farm, Fylde on 13 Jan and at least four at Seaforth in both winter periods. Four birds through Heysham between 13 March and 3 April, and three at Rossall Point on 19 March were the only spring migrants reported. 110 Lancash

What was described as an unprecedentedly high breeding population at Heysham NR, based on counts of singing males, was not reflected in the low numbers of local juveniles caught later in the season. Low productivity was also recorded at Pilling, where three monitored pairs fledged only nine young from 17 eggs laid. Twenty‐one pairs bred on Freshfield Dune Heath, ten on Warton Crag RSPB and six in Avenham Park, Preston. Nineteen autumn migrants were ringed at Heysham during October and early November. A clear pulse of migration on 16 Oct brought 25 to Marshside and 13 to Seaforth; in St. Helens there were ten each at Eccleston Mere on 1 Nov and Carr Mill Dam on the 3rd. Further inland, seven were at Lee Green Reservoir, Burnley on 3 Oct.

DUNNOCK Prunella modularis Abundant breeding resident and uncommon double passage migrant. The highest early year count at Mere Sands Wood was 37; there were peaks of 25 and 27 in two 10km squares during the Lancaster & District January Survey. No reports of spring passage were received. All the regional reports to hand note the species’ abundance as a breeding bird, but with few (or no) details. Sixteen pairs bred on Freshfield Dune Heath, eighteen on Warton Crag RSPB and three at Seaforth; four monitored pairs in the Pilling area laid 16 eggs and fledged ten young, and Dunnocks were described as frequent breeders in Preston’s parks. A slight autumn passage was detectable: 16 were ringed at Heysham NR between the end of August and mid‐November; Seaforth reported a record autumn count of 17 on 12 Oct, part of a fall of passerines on the saltmarsh that also included Blackcap, and a single migrant flew south‐west over Crag Bank, Carnforth on the 9th. Five were at Eccleston Mere on 20 Oct and 1 & 9 Nov.

ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Abundant breeding resident, autumn passage migrant and winter visitor. Up to six birds were present at Seaforth at both ends of the year; 44 was the early and late year peak at Mere Sands Wood, and 117 were counted in 10km square SD56 during the Lancaster & District January survey; there were 16 at Winckley Hall, Clitheroe on 6 Feb. A total of 16 migrants was ringed at Heysham NR between 14 March and 22 May; three at Rossall Point on 19 March were the only other spring passage birds reported. As usual, only scattered items of breeding data were received. The breeding season at Heysham was described as ‘mediocre’, there were 23 pairs on Warton Crag RSPB and 14 on Freshfield Dune Heath, and 15 singing males at Mere Sands Wood. At least ten pairs nested in the Preston parks, five monitored pairs in the Pilling area fledged 19 young from 26 eggs laid, and a single pair bred at Seaforth. Thirty‐eight passage birds were ringed at Heysham NR between early August and mid‐October, with a peak of eleven during 5‐11 Sept. Early September also saw widespread movements elsewhere, with about twelve at Marshside on 4 Sept, 14 at Seaforth and nine at Walverden Reservoir, Burnley on the 6th, ten at Marshside on the 10th and 18 at Seaforth next day. A second ripple of movements later in the month brought twelve to Marshside and eight to Moss House Farm, Fylde on 21 Sept and there Lancashire Bird Report 2005 111 were 25 in song along Kirklake Road, Formby on the following day. There were 25 at Marshside on 4 Oct and 26 at Seaforth on the 6th; 35 at Marshside on 16 Oct was the last significant movement of the autumn.

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros Rare breeding bird, uncommon double passage migrant and winter visitor. There was only one winter record, a male present at Squire’s Gate, Blackpool from November 2004 which remained until 8 Jan. No reports of breeding were received, and both spring and autumn movements were compressed into quite brief periods. A singing male was at Seaforth during 14‐16 March, joined by a female on the 15th; the female stayed until 21 March but there was no indication of breeding activity. A female/immature was in a housing estate beside Heysham Moss on 21 March, and another at Fluke Hall, Pilling on the 24th was the last spring migrant reported. A female/immature at Seaforth on 14 Oct signalled the beginning of a brief but fairly intensive autumn passage. A female/immature was at Sunderland Point on 5 Nov and two arrived in the Heysham area in drizzle and a south‐east wind on the 8th, a female/immature at Heysham Red Nab and an adult male at Morecambe Dome Groyne. Also on 8 Nov a female/immature was at Thornton, Fylde, remaining until the following day; a male at nearby Bispham Cliffs on 10 Nov was seen again on the 17th, and an adult male and a female/immature were at Seaforth on the 13th.

REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus Fairly common breeding bird and double passage migrant. The first spring arrivals were quite early, at Pilling Lane Ends, Rivington and Langden Valley on 3 April. A lull ensued until the next on Darwen Moor on 10 April and on the coast at Staining on the 14th. The subsequent coastal passage was worryingly light for the fourth year in succession. In the second half of April there were four Fylde records, two at Heysham and one each at Leighton Moss and Warton Crag. Movements tailed off in the first week of May, with singles at Seaforth, Heysham and Fleetwood Cemetery on 1 May and a female at Cabin Hill, Formby on the 3rd. None was recorded at Marshside all year. Information from the breeding areas was fragmentary this year and most of the hard data were rather discouraging. On the United Utilities Bowland estate there was something of a population crash, with eight occupied nest‐boxes and two other pairs in natural cavities, compared with 15 and four respectively in 2004. Average clutch size was 5.5, brood size 4.6, and 32 of 37 fledged young were ringed. Elsewhere in east Lancashire seven males were singing in the Downham‐Rimington area on 30 May and singing males were reported from Moor Piece, Bashall Eaves during the month, but no data on breeding success were received. In the Chorley NHS region only one pair bred in a nest‐box in the Rivington‐ Anglezarke woodlands; nine males singing at other locations were apparently unmated. On a brighter note, a single pair in a nest‐box at Smeer Hall, near Wray fledged all six young; no other breeding information was received from north Lancashire. On the western edge of the breeding range there were five in Grizedale, Scorton on 10 July and birds were in song in the Brock Valley in May. 112 Lancash Perhaps unsurprisingly, there were fewer reports of dispersing birds than usual from inland areas; single juveniles were at Cross of Greet, Bowland on 16 Aug and White Coppice on the 21st, and the last in both ELOC and Chorley regions were reported on 11 Sept. Coastal movements were negligible, as in 2004: singles were at Leighton Moss on 6 Aug and at Prescot Reservoirs on 1 Sept; there were three at Heysham, on 6 & 11 Sept, and two at Seaforth on 12 & 25th.

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Uncommon breeding bird on eastern hills; common double passage migrant. After last year’s dismal showing, coastal passage in both spring and autumn displayed considerable improvement. A male at Leighton Moss on 15 April was the first to arrive; after a few days’ pause birds were at Prescot Reservoirs on 20 April, Heysham on the 23rd, and Seaforth and Burglar’s Alley, Wyre on the following day. There were four more in the Fylde before the end of April, four around the Lune Estuary and seven in the south‐west. The first inland record was on Darwen Moor on 22 April. What probably qualifies nowadays as a fall for this diminished visitor was recorded on 1 May, with reports from nine coastal sites between Halewood and Heysham. Peak counts were nine at Marshside, five each at Heysham and Marton Mere and three at two other Fylde locations and at Brockholes Quarry. Further inland, 1 May also saw the first arrival on the United Utilities estate in Bowland. A trickle of migrants continued through most of May with a total of nine more birds at Marshside, three at Singleton, Fylde on the 10th and two on Altcar Moss next day and at Heysham on the 12th. A male at Aldcliffe on 28 May was the last migrant reported. The breeding picture in 2005 was broadly similar to last year’s. In east Lancashire 19 pairs bred on the United Utilities estate (22 in 2004); nesting was also recorded at Coldwell Reservoir, Shedden Clough and Kenibus. In the Chorley NHS region a single pair bred at Belmont and fledged four young. In the north a pair was present by Leck Beck in June; no breeding activity was reported from Rossendale. A total of 14 dispersing birds was reported from Clowbridge, Cowm and Calf Hey reservoirs in Rossendale during August; one was at Dilworth Reservoir, near Longridge on 7 Aug and the first coastal bird was on Carnforth Marsh on the 16th. Subsequent coastal passage was somewhat stronger than in 2004, although Heysham reported another blank season and none was recorded in the St. Helens area for the first time since 1994. Seven migrants were in the Fylde between 3 & 22 Sept; there were two each at Seaforth, Crosby Marine Park and Brockholes Quarry during the month, and singles at Marshside and Blundellsands. Meanwhile, widespread September reports inland included birds at Lee Green Reservoir, Black Moss, Clowbridge Reservoir, Spring Mill and White Coppice. One at Upper Calf Hey Reservoir on 16 Oct was the latest in Rossendale and one was at Whittington in the Lune Valley on the 29th. There were two October records in the south‐ west, at Seaforth on 19 Oct and MMWWT during 28‐30th.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 113 STONECHAT Saxicola torquata Uncommon and local breeding bird; uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Continuing improvement in the fortunes of this popular species is reflected in both ELOC and ROC reports, which described increasing breeding and wintering populations. Birds were widespread on the coast and in the uplands in the first winter period, including at least twelve throughout on the United Utilities Bowland estate, four on Lytham Moss in January, five in 10km square SD56 during the Lancaster & District winter survey, and ones or twos at many other locations. Spring movements on the coast began a little early with five at Marshside on 5 February, followed by four on Fairhaven Dunes on the 20th. There was a obvious peak in movements during 16‐21 March, with 20 at Heysham, including eleven on the 19th; 14 of 18 March records in the Fylde came in this six‐day period and Seaforth recorded its only spring migrant on the 16th. The breeding population on the United Utilities Bowland estate reached a record 46 pairs (39 in 2004); elsewhere in east Lancashire there were four pairs on Pendle Hill and three in a 1km BTO‐BBS square on Darwen Moor. At least seven pairs bred at four sites in Rossendale; in the Chorley area the total on the West Pennine Moors was estimated to be a little lower than 2004’s 30 pairs; five pairs bred on Anglezarke‐Withnell Moors and two at White Coppice. No breeding data were received from north Lancashire, although a pair was present on Harrisend Fell in June. The small and fragmented coastal population at least held its own in 2005: three pairs were recorded between Formby Point and Hightown Dunes and two more on Birkdale Dunes; a pair bred at MMWWT for the first time. Leighton Moss reported its second nesting record, with a pair at Barrow Scout raising two broods, and a pair bred successfully on Fairhaven Dunes. Two newly fledged juveniles, presumably from a nearby breeding site, were at Seaforth on 15 July. An early dispersing bird was at Brockholes Quarry on 13 Aug; movements were well underway inland by mid‐September, with ten at White Coppice on 11 Sept and nine at Clowbridge Reservoir next day; over twenty were present in the Belmont area during October. Apart from singles at Seaforth on 11 Sept and on Rawcliffe Moss, Fylde on the 17th coastal passage did not begin until early October. Twelve were recorded at Heysham during 2‐16 Oct, there were four at Prescot Reservoirs on 4 Oct and at Rossall School on the 15th, up to ten at Marshside on the 16th and four at Marton Mere on the 24th, where a bird was taken by a Merlin on the 27th. Intermittent coastal movements continued in November, peaking with ten at MMWWT on 18 Nov; inland there were four on Croston Moss on 13 Nov and three at Bretherton Eyes on the 17th. There were widespread reports at the end of the year from both upland and coastal areas, including four sites in Rossendale and two on the West Pennine Moors. There were 21 records in the Fylde in December, including four apiece at Marton Mere and Blackpool Airport, with six at MMWWT early in the month and two each at Marshside and the Old Coach Road, Rainford.

114 Lancash WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe Fairly common though local breeding bird; common double passage migrant. A fairly early bird was at Lamb Hill Fell, Bowland on 9 March, followed at some distance by two at Clowbridge Reservoir and singles in the Langden Valley and at MMWWT on the 17th. Coastal passage began in earnest next day, with birds at Heysham, Pilling Lane Ends and Marshside, and gathered pace very quickly with 24 at Heysham on 23 March. Movements in April were moderate with 21 at Seaforth on the 2nd, ten at Rossall Point on the 25th, 39 at Singleton and 17 at Heysham the next day, and 13 at Marshside on the 29th. Inland, 23 passed through Belmont during the month and there were twelve at Whinberry Naze, Rossendale on 3 April. The first definite Greenland bird was at Seaforth on 14 April, although birds probably of this race were reported in the St. Helens area from the 7th. There was a heavy and widespread coastal influx, which also involved smaller numbers of other migrants, on 1 May, with an unprecedented 150 at Heysham, 18 on Carnforth Marsh, 40 each at Pilling Marsh and Marshside, 28 at Seaforth and 21 at Brockholes Quarry. Arrivals continued next day: there were twelve on Carnforth Marsh, 55 on Lytham Moss and 30 at Seaforth. Movements inland included 37 through Belmont during May, 14 at Nutshaw Hill and 13 at Clowbridge Reservoir on 4 May and another 30 at Clowbridge on the 8th. Heysham recorded its last spring migrant on 22 May and Seaforth on the 31st; apart from one at Fluke Hall, Pilling on 11 June passage appears to have ceased everywhere by the end of May. Twenty‐two breeding territories were located on the United Utilities Bowland estate, a significant improvement on the 16 in 2004, although the Langden Valley population has still not returned to the levels of the late 1990s. At least 23 pairs nested in Rossendale; in the Chorley NHS region one pair bred successfully at Belmont Reservoir and pairs probably nested at two other locations. No breeding reports were received from north Lancashire. Dispersing birds reached Crag Bank, Carnforth and Catforth, Fylde on 27 July. Apart from 16 on Carnforth Marsh on the 29th, August counts, both inland and on the coast, were quite low; there were only 26 bird‐days at Heysham during August and September combined, ten August records in the Fylde and a peak of five at Seaforth on 31 Aug. Movements in September were a little more lively, including 16 at Bispham Cliffs, Fylde on 2 Sept and 14 there on the 10th, 14 on Pendle Hill on 3 Sept, eight at Seaforth on the 10‐11th and five at Prescot Reservoirs on the 20th. The usual trickle of late migrants continued during October, including 22 Fylde records with peaks of three at Fleetwood Golf Course on the 13th and at Arm Hill on the 18th; there were six at Seaforth/Crosby Marine Park on 6 Oct. At Belmont singles were recorded on 2 & 7 Oct; the last bird in Rossendale was at Clowbridge Reservoir on the 28th. November stragglers included Heysham’s first ever in that month, at the North Harbour Wall on the 5th; the three Fylde records were all reported on the 2nd, eight flew south at Crag Bank on 5 Nov and one flew east there on the 13th, when east Lancashire also recorded its last Wheatear of the year, on Pendle Summit.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 115 RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Scarce and local breeding bird in the hills; uncommon double passage migrant. With justifiable pride the ELOC report notes that the Langden Valley, Bowland remains the best bet for connecting with this species in Lancashire: there were 22 records of one to 13 birds between 24 March and 31 July, including ten males and a female on 22 April. This encouraging cluster aside, however, the overall picture in 2005 was much less rosy. There were no coastal migrants in March; the first of the year were males at Belmont on the 22nd & 28th, Langden Valley on the 24th, Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir, Darwen on the 26th and Seat Naze, Rossendale on the 27th. A male at Burglar’s Alley, Wyre on 2 April was the first coastal arrival, followed by singles in the Rimrose Valley next day and on Birkdale shore on the 8th. Only four more coastal migrants were reported in April, at Heysham, Lytham St Annes, Marshside and Plex Moss; there were no May records. Inland, Belmont had an exceptional spring with pairs on 2 & 15 April and four birds on the 16th; elsewhere in the Chorley region a male was at Rivington on 22 April. Three at Calf Hey on 3 April were the only birds that month in Rossendale. Only the ELOC region reported breeding activity this year, heavily concentrated on the United Utilities Bowland estate where twelve territories were located (14 in 2004). Five nesting attempts were monitored and all were successful with 18 young fledged. Elsewhere in east Lancashire a pair bred near Chipping. Autumn passage was concentrated in the month of October. There were only two coastal records, singles at Marshside on 16 Oct and at Fairhaven Lake on the 30th. Belmont had another good season with 16 bird‐days during 20‐29 Oct, including a party of four on the 22nd to 23rd; in Rossendale there were singles at Laund Hey on 15 Oct and at Plunge on the following day. In east Lancashire the last Bowland bird was recorded on 28 Sept, there was a juvenile at Lee Green Reservoir on 17 Oct and three at Pendle Hill on the 18th.

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Abundant breeding resident and winter visitor; common double passage migrant, more evident in autumn. The first winter period featured some unusually high flock counts, including three on the Fylde, 40 at Marton Mere on 1 Jan, 25 at Moss House Farm on the 7th and 30 at Greenhalgh Castle Tarn on the 13th. There were 208 in 10km square SD46 and 164 in SD66 during the Lancaster & District survey in January and 30 at Blacko, near Nelson on 20 Feb. A slight spring passage appears to have peaked on 19 March, with 25 grounded at Heysham and 30+ over Darwen Moor; intermittent movements continued well into April and there were 15 at Rowley Lake, Burnley on 4 April and 42 at nearby Swinden Reservoir on the 15th. Breeding data, though still scanty, were a little more detailed than usual. Blackbirds were described as equal commonest breeders with Robins in the Preston parks; 20 pairs nested on Warton Crag RSPB, 19 at Freshfield Dune Heath, ten in a BBS tetrad in Rossendale’s Grane Valley and three at Seaforth. There were six singing males at Mere Sands Wood and twelve monitored pairs in the Pilling‐Preesall area laid 41 eggs, of which 23 hatched and 21 young fledged. 116 Lancash Some quite substantial movements were recorded in autumn, extending from late September to the end of November, at both coastal and inland sites. The first significant count was of 30 south over Darwen Moor on 25 Sept; two flying in off the sea at Formby Point on 6 Oct was an unusual record for this site, and October peaks included 63 at Marton Mere on the 11th, 18 at Pilling on the 18th and 25 at Eccleston Mere, St. Helens on the 20th. Twenty to thirty birds were counted most days at Heysham in mid‐ to late October and there were 22 at Fluke Hall, Pilling on the 30th. Movements peaked in November: there were 40 at Earnsdale Reservoir, Darwen after an overnight fall on 4 Nov and 25 at Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens on the 9th; exceptional counts were of 150 flying to roost in the Rimrose Valley on 10 Nov and 180 on the 17th, when 23 were also present at Moor Piece, Bashall Eaves. An influx in late November included 28 at Myerscough Quarry on 28 Nov, 95 at Marton Mere next day and 30 at Carr Mill Dam on the 30th. Thirty‐five Blackbirds were ringed at Heysham between 10 Oct and 20 Nov. Numbers at year end were much lower, peaking at 39 at Mere Sands Wood and ten on Rawcliffe Moss, Fylde on 18 Dec.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common to abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. After late 2004’s exceptionally large movements the first winter period was replete with high counts in both inland and coastal areas. January peaks included 1222 in 10km square SD55 during the Lancaster & District winter survey and ten flocks of 200+ in the Fylde, with 1500 on Cumming Carr on 20 Jan; there were 356 on Altcar Moss on 2 Jan, 210 at Hornby, Lune on the 16th and 250+ at Anglezarke on the 27th. Flocks and movements continued at a slightly lower level during February and most of March, including 450 at MMWWT on 15 Feb, 280+ at Belmont and 200 at Withnell Fold, Chorley on the 20th, 300+ again at MMWWT on 7 March, 293 at Eagland Hill, Pilling on the 16th, 300 at Siddows, Clitheroe on the following day and 297 at Engine Lane, Altcar on the 21st. The usual trickle of stragglers was recorded in the first half of April, including 20 at Turf Moor, Rossendale on 3 April and 30 at Arkholme on the 9th, both presumably late flocks hurrying back east. A single bird in Langden Valley, Bowland on 1 May was the last spring report. A Fieldfare in company with Ring Ouzels at White Greet, Bowland on 7 Aug was judged by the finder to be a summering individual rather than an exceptionally early autumn arrival. The first unambiguous autumn migrants were nine flying south‐east at Formby Point on 6 Oct, followed by singles or small parties in the Chorley region on 9 Oct, in the Fylde on the 13th and in Rossendale next day. The subsequent autumn passage was lively, if not quite at 2004’s spectacular levels. Four hundred and fifty over Birkdale Dunes on 14 Oct and 1500 over Seaforth on the 16th were the first major movements and there were two obvious peaks in migration, the first during 25‐29 Oct and a smaller influx during 1‐7 Nov. Five hundred and twenty over Prescot Reservoirs, St. Helens on 25 Oct was followed by a massive surge next day, including 1807 over Fairhaven, 1000 over MMWWT, 887 south over Laund Hey, Rossendale, 853 south over Crag Bank, Carnforth, 750 west over Darwen Moor and 430 south at Hightown Dunes. Passage continued undiminished on the 27th with 1800 over Seaforth, 1495 at Heysham, 1935 over Fairhaven, 898 over Rimrose Valley and 450 at Lancashire Bird Report 2005 117 Belmont. Subsequent high counts were mainly in inland areas, including 400 at Clowbridge, Rossendale on 28 Oct and 400+ at Higher Hollinbank on the following day. In early November a second major influx brought 1000 to Champion Moor and 177 to Seaforth on 1 Nov; there were 212 at Prescot Reservoirs next day, 300 at Whyndyke Farm, Blackpool, 270 at Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens, 190 at Brockholes Quarry and 150 at Belmont on the 5th, and 600 at Higher Hollinbank on the 7th. Reports of significant flocks dwindled dramatically after mid‐November, and Fieldfares appear to have been virtually absent from the Chorley NHS region at the end of the year. There were 150+ near Ormskirk on 27 Nov, 120 at Cogie Hill, Pilling on 4 Dec, 700+ at Trawden, east Lancashire next day, and 311 on Downholland Moss on 13 Dec.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Common breeding resident. Apart from counts of 24 and 41 in 10km squares SD45 and SD46 respectively during the Lancaster & District January survey there were no reports of numbers in the first winter period, although males were in song in various parts of the county from 1 Jan. A group of four at Clowbridge Reservoir on 12 March and eight birds through Heysham on the 19‐ 20th were the only reports of spring passage. Breeding data were, as usual, fragmentary. Twenty singing males were recorded in the Rivington area while at least 16 in St. Helens was considered an underestimate, as reports were not received from some parts of the area. Thirteen pairs bred on Warton Crag and four each at Mere Sands Wood and Freshfield Dune Heath; there were five territories in Cuerden Valley Park and Childwall Woods, south Liverpool, three in Avenham and two in Miller Park, Preston, and three at Brockholes Quarry. Three monitored pairs in the Pilling‐Preesall area laid 13 eggs but hatched and fledged only four young. Autumn migrants were recorded at Heysham from 8 Sept with six more by the end of the month; there were five at Eccleston Mere on 22 Sept, twelve at Lee Green Reservoir, Burnley on 3 Oct and 27 over Laund Hey, Rossendale in four hours on the 5th. A clear peak in movements was evident during 14‐22 Oct, with 18 at Heysham and eight over Fairhaven on 14 Oct, 14 at Fairhaven and an autumn peak of eight at Seaforth on the 16th, 20 at Heysham, nine at Fairhaven and eight at Eccleston Mere, St. Helens on the following day, and ten at Heysham on both 21st and 22nd. A total of eleven birds were ringed at Heysham between early September and late November. There were no reports of significant movements or flocks in November or December, but singing males were recorded in Rossendale, east Lancashire, Liverpool and St. Helens before the end of the year.

REDWING Turdus iliacus Abundant double passage migrant and winter visitor. The unprecedented flocks and movements of late 2004 continued to influence numbers in the first winter period. Over 20 three‐ or four‐figure counts were reported in January, including 1017 south‐east over the Rimrose Valley on 1 Jan, 509 at Out Rawcliffe and 456 at Cottam Brickworks, Fylde on the 3rd, 180 at Heath Charnock, Chorley on the 13th and 200+ at nearby Farington on the 15th, 400 at Hambleton, Fylde on 16 Jan and 225 at 118 Lancash Abbeystead on the 28th. The Lancaster & District winter survey counted 1314 Redwings in 10km square SD66 in January. There were continuing high numbers during February, with 17 reports in east Lancashire and a maximum count there of 250; flocks of around 250 were at Cuerden Valley Park, Withnell Fold and Roddlesworth Plantations during 7‐20 Feb, there were 200 at Musbury, Rossendale on 5 Feb and three other counts of over a hundred in that region during the month. Two hundred were at Ellel Grange on 14 Feb, 200 at Cockerham on the 24th and 300 in Sankey Valley, St. Helens on the following day. Numbers fell rapidly in March, with peaks of 140 on Newton Marsh, Fylde on 6 March and 120 at Childwall Black Woods, south Liverpool on the 13th. There were two migrants at Heysham on 20 March and 38 there on the 25th; the last Fylde record was of three at Fairhaven on 21 March, and 20 at Ewood Bridge Sewage Works on the 28th were the last in Rossendale. There were eleven at Marshside on 1 April and four at Jepson’s Clough, Rivington on the 3rd; two north over Darwen Moor on 13 April were the latest spring migrants reported. The first autumn arrivals were nocturnal migrants calling over Burnley and three at Marton Mere on 3 Oct, and four at Prescot Reservoirs on the 4th. Numbers remained low during the first half of the month but a heavy and widespread influx took place between 14 & 17 Oct. Some very large movements were reported on the 14th, including 2622 over Fairhaven, 1100 south‐east over Darwen Moor, 884 at Heysham and 286 over Laund Hey, Rossendale; there were 350 at Clowbridge Reservoir on the 15th. On 16 Oct 760 flew south over Rimrose Valley, 400 were at Deeply Vale, Rossendale, 358 passed over Heysham and 344 over Fairhaven; 1801 passed in 3.5 hours at Laund Hey on the 17th, while 416 flew over the Rimrose Valley. A week’s comparative inactivity was followed by a second wave of heavy movements, in company with other thrush species, during 23‐30 Oct. There were ‘many hundreds, perhaps thousands’ at Gait Barrows on 23 Oct and peaks of 900 at Seaforth, 776 at Fairhaven and 300 over Birkdale Dunes on the 26th. Next day saw 1632 pass over Rimrose Valley, 100 at Seaforth, 590 at Heysham, 350 at Marshside and 256 at Fairhaven; subsequent peaks included 377 at Prescot Reservoirs on 28 Oct, 280 at Seaforth on the 29th and 500 at Cowm Reservoir, Rossendale on the following day. Numbers diminished very rapidly in November; 400 at Higher Hollinbank and 200 at Old Coach Road, Rainford in the first week were the month’s highest counts. There were a few scattered flocks of 20 or fewer in early December, but the only three‐figure counts were 130+ at Dilworth Reservoir, Longridge and 250 on Warton Crag, both on 27 Dec.

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Common breeding resident; some autumn dispersal/passage. Thirty or more were counted in 10km squares SD56 and SD66 during the Lancaster & District survey in January; 15 with Redwings at Calf Hey Reservoir, Rossendale on 8 Feb was the only other early year flock reported. Males were in full song in Altham and the Rimrose Valley on New Year’s Day. An extraordinary observation was of a pair feeding three fledged youngsters in gardens along Lord Street, Southport on 2 Jan. More conventionally, nine pairs bred in the Rivington area in April‐May, and there were reports of single pairs in Cuerden Valley Lancashire Bird Report 2005 119 Park, Avenham Park, Preston, Freshfield Dune Heath, Fleetwood Cemetery and Hesketh Golf Course, Marshside. The first post‐breeding gatherings were in the Fylde, 13 at Rossall School on 12 June and 14 at Staining on the 23rd; there were 21at Calf Hey Reservoir on 16 July, 37 in Prince’s Park, Liverpool on the 18th and 16 at Brockholes Quarry on the 30th. As usual, subsequent autumn passage was protracted; this year it was also heavier than normal. There appears to have been a general movement in the second week of August, with 24 at Calf Hey and nine on Fleetwood Marsh on 7 Aug, 24 at Coppull Moor Lane, Chorley and 19 at Peel, Fylde on the 10th and 20 at Rivington and 17 at Roddlesworth Plantations on the 12th. Later in the month there were twelve at Clowbridge Reservoir on 28 Aug and 22 at Marl Hill, east Lancashire next day. September peaks included 21 at Old Coach Road, Rainford on 3 Sept, 18 at Rivington and 14 in a garden at Hillside, Southport on the 11th, an exceptional flock of 54 on Downholland Moss on the 18th and 18 at Seaforth on the 27th. Autumn passage was exceptionally conspicuous at two coastal watchpoints: at Fairhaven 184 passed between 2 Oct and 19 Nov, with peaks of 22 on 17 Oct and 27 on the 29th; at Heysham a total of 96 was recorded between 21 Sept and 2 Nov, peaking at 27 on 2 Oct and 21 on the 17th. Other noteworthy October records include a flock of 40 roosting below Pendle summit on 9 Oct, and 16 over the Garden Festival site in south Liverpool and 13 north‐east over Crag Bank, Carnforth on the 13th. Movements continued, but at a lower level, in November. There were 17 over Fairhaven on 2 Nov, ten at Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens on the following day and 42 at Cliviger Fishponds, Burnley on the 14th; 24 were feeding on rowan berries near Liverpool University on the 21st. No double‐figure counts were reported in December, but males were in full song in St Annes centre on 9 Dec and at Seaforth and Bootle on the 14th.

CETTI’S WARBLER* Cettia cetti Vagrant. One was at Fazakerley Reedbed from at least 11 February to 3 March (MB, AL), the ninth record for Lancashire and the first away from Marton Mere and Leighton Moss.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Uncommon breeding bird and passage migrant. Scarce on autumn passage. The first arrivals came relatively late on 21 April with singles at Stocks and Prescot Reservoirs and Blundellsands dunes. Singles were at Brockholes Quarry, Marshside and Lower Burgh Meadow, Chorley the following day and many more sites had been reached by the end of April, including Heysham, Clowbridge Reservoir, Marl Pits in Rossendale, Champion Moor, Blackpool Airport, Marton Mere, Lytham Moss, Lytham St. Annes NR, Burglar’s Alley, Birkdale, Fazakerley Reedbed, Halsall, Sefton Meadows and the Rimrose Valley. Final spring arrivals were reported in early May from Belmont Reservoir, Longworth Clough, Langden Beck, Twiston Moor, Cuerden Valley, Rivington and Hare Clough. The largest count of spring was five reeling males between Blundellsands and Hightown on the south Sefton Coast but there was no proof of breeding there. Breeding 120 Lancash season records in the south‐west came from three sites in the Speke‐Garston area of south Liverpool, in the Rimrose Valley, Prescot Reservoirs and Sutton Manor in St. Helens, Altcar Rifle Ranges, Birkdale dunes, Sefton Meadows and MMWWT. Three were reeling at Bretherton on 14 July and at least four Fylde sites, two in Rossendale, eight in east Lancashire and four in the Belmont area held singing males during June and July. Breeding was confirmed only at Belmont, Middleton Industrial Estate and the Eric Morecambe complex. Singles were still reeling at Dean Clough Reservoir on 3 Aug, Longworth Clough on the 9th and Clowbridge on the 11th but the only clear‐cut migrant was one south‐east of Cross of Greet on 3 Sept. Missed from last year’s report was a late bird at Downholland Moss on 10 Sept 2004.

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common breeding bird in the west and double passage migrant. There were early arrivals at Marton Mere on 9 April – the earliest ever there – and Leighton Moss the following day. It was more than week before any were seen at other sites, with singles at Marshside on 18 April, MMWWT on the 20th, Heysham and Birkacre on the 22nd, Holden Wood Reservoir on the 24th and Lowerhouse Lodges on the 27th indicating the spread inland. The few multiple spring records received away from the main reedbed breeding sites included five males at Foulridge Reservoir on 1 May, three at Seaforth on the 2nd and eight on Sefton Meadows on the 18th. Eleven males were singing at various sites at Heysham on 1 May with an unknown number of passage birds also present. Breeding was widespread and numbers appeared to be at least stable, although Sedge Warblers remain very scarce breeding birds in St. Helens and Rossendale. No reports were received of breeding numbers at Leighton Moss or MMWWT but 30 were singing at Marton Mere on 1 May and 17 on the 21st, while 18 pairs nested at Marshside (11 in 2004), 13 pairs at Middleton Industrial Estate and 20 pairs at Arkholme (a record 32 in 2004). The only confirmed breeding in east Lancashire was at Grove Lane and Lomeshaye Marshes, Wood End WwTW and Lee Green Reservoir. Other Fylde breeding sites included Lytham Moss (at least 10 pairs) and Fleetwood Nature Park, where 23 birds were ringed in July. Widespread breeding was reported in Merseyside, including seven pairs in oil‐seed rape on one Lydiate farm. Autumn migrants were thin on the ground, with just six at Seaforth, for example, and no major influx at Heysham. The last migrants were singles at Heysham on 6 Sept, Seaforth on the 11th and Marshside on the 18th, but one remained at Leighton Moss on 2 Oct.

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Fairly common breeder in suitable habitat in the west, most numerous at Leighton Moss and Marton Mere. Uncommon passage migrant elsewhere. One at Marton Mere on 7 April equalled the earliest ever in Lancashire while the first at Leighton Moss on the 13th arrived on a more typical date. The next to apear at breeding Lancashire Bird Report 2005 121 sites were singles at Fleetwood Marsh on 23 April, Tagg’s Island, Birkdale on the 24th, Pilling Lane Ends on the 26th, MMWWT on the 29th and Marshside on the 30th. Breeding numbers are very difficult to assess at Leighton Moss but there appears to have been little change in recent years. As usual, ringing was confined to about 20% of the reedbed and a total of 214 adults was caught compared with 248 in 2004 which was a record year. Productivity was rather poor with only 389 young ringed compared with 682 in 2004 with broadly similar effort in both years. Twelve males were singing at Marton Mere on 30 April and 27 seen on 21 May, giving an indication of the likely minimum number of pairs there. Smaller colonies were monitored at Marshside (6 pairs), Crossens pumping station, Fleetwood Marsh (60 birds ringed during July), Pilling Lane Ends (3 pairs), Sand Villa pool (7 pairs), Croston and Fazakerley Reedbeds, Mere Sands Wood (4 pairs), MMWWT, Nuck’s Wood, Downholland Moss irrigation lakes (3 pairs), Garston and Oglet Shores, the Sankey Valley, Bold Moss and possibly Carr Mill Dam in St. Helens, Tagg’s Island Birkdale (8 males & 7 females caught in breeding condition in June), Brockholes Quarry (5 males on 29 May) and Heysham NR (1 pair). One singing in the Cuerden Valley for a fortnight in June may have been a non‐ breeding bird, while one at Altham on 19 June, two singing at Bretherton on 7 July and one at Seaforth from 27 July to 1 Aug were presumably part of the post‐breeding dispersal. One at Lomeshaye Marsh on 15 Aug, single juveniles trapped at Heysham on 3 & 12 Sept and singles at Leighton Moss on 5 Oct and Marshside on the 16th were the only other late autumn records.

ICTERINE WARBLER* Hippolais icterina Vagrant One was on the brambles next to the hut at Heysham NR for four minutes or so from on 5 Sept (PJM, JRo). It then flew into the inaccessible tank farm, which unfortunately for birders contains plenty of suitable habitat for a hungry newly‐arrived migrant. This was the first in Lancashire since singles at Fleetwood on 24 Sept 1998 and Seaforth on 27 Sept 1992.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Common breeding bird and passage migrant; fairly common winter visitor at coastal locations. Numbers of wintering birds reported continue to increase and a minimum of 16 records were received for the first winter period and 52 for the second. Records were more or less evenly divided between males and females. As usual, almost all were confined to the coastal and central plain with none seen in Rossendale and just two in east Lancashire – in Clitheroe from mid‐February to mid‐ March and Wilpshire on 28 Dec. No comprehensive information was received from north Lancashire but at least five were found there during January. There were three in the Chorley area at either end of the year, all in gardens with the exception of one at Birkacre on 20 Feb. Three were reported in the Fylde in January and at least eleven in the second winter period, including three males and two females together at St. Annes. Nine records 122 Lancash came from the south‐west in January to March, all from gardens with the exception of one at MMWWT on 18 Jan. Regular ringing sessions in the Birkdale dunes led to 17 being trapped between mid‐November and the end of December with perhaps an additional half a dozen or more present. This now well‐established congregation feeds on sea‐buckthorn berries before dispersing into nearby gardens. At least another ten were seen elsewhere in the south‐ west, all in Sefton except for singles at Haydock Park from 17 Oct into 2006 and MMWWT on 28 Nov. Given that almost all wintering birds are seen in gardens, it is certain that these totals represent a very large underestimate and the county now seems likely to support a midwinter population of at least 200. Several wintering birds remained in gardens until mid‐March, possibly overlapping with the first returning migrants. One at Stanley Park, Blackpool on 7 March had perhaps wintered nearby. The first singing males at Freshfield Dune Heath on 20 March and Marton Mere on the 24th were followed by singles in Ormskirk and Ewood Bridge, Rossendale and Eccleston Mere on the 27th, then a more widespread arrival in the last days of March and the first week of April. Peak spring counts of ten were registered at both Marton Mere and Stanley Park in April with eleven at Greyfriars, Ingol – but it is not known how many bred at any of these or other Fylde sites. Breeding was confirmed at a large number of sites throughout the county, with locally significant concentrations in the east of eight males between Rawtenstall and Stubbins and three or more pairs at Moor Piece. An above‐average twelve pairs bred on Warton Crag RSPB and six pairs in Cuerden Valley Park. All other reports of large breeding clusters came from the south‐west. At least 66 pairs bred on 36 sites in south Liverpool and Knowsley; nine pairs at Mere Sands Wood and Freshfield Dune Heath (up from four in 2004), while 14 males were singing on Formby Moss on 2 May, eight in the Sankey Valley on 17 April and five at Eccleston Mere on 1 May. Autumn passage was unremarkable with no noticeable falls anywhere and only 25 migrants trapped at Heysham between late August and the first week of November.

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Common breeding bird and double passage migrant. Garden Warblers are exceptionally rare in late autumn and winter in Lancashire and two birds recorded in Southport this year constitute only the third and fourth documented records. The first was ringed on the Birkdale dunes on 23 November and an unringed bird was feeding on apples in an Ainsdale garden from 29 November to 6 December. The first spring arrivals at MMWWT on 21 April and Warton Crag and Thatto Heath, St. Helens on the 24th were followed by one at Mere Sands Wood the next day and singles at Myerscough College, Marton Mere, Lightfoot Green, Leighton Moss and Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir before the end of the month. Many more sites throughout the county were reached during the first fortnight of May but almost all records were of singles, exceptions being four at Stocks Reservoir on 1 May, three at Martholme on the 15th and twos at another handful of sites. One at Seaforth on 9 May was the first ever spring record there. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 123 By mid‐May many pairs had settled to breed. Apart from 16 pairs on Warton Crag RSPB, the largest concentrations reported were three males in Bowland’s Wild Boar Park and four males in the Brock Valley. No specific breeding reports were received from the county’s northern stronghold other than those from Warton Crag, but nesting was reported to remain widespread in the Silverdale/Warton area. A pair at Rawtenstall provided the year’s only records in Rossendale and there were no confirmed breeding records in east Lancashire, although many of the 38 records submitted there presumably referred to breeding birds. One pair bred at Brockholes Quarry. Post‐breeding dispersal began in mid‐ to late July and a typically sparse passage ensued with two at Heysham on 5 Sept the largest day‐total. Very few were seen after mid‐September, Heysham noting no obvious influx of Scandinavian birds, and singles at Marshside on 6 Oct and Fluke Hall on 6 Nov were the last of the year until the two late birds in Southport.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca Fairly common breeding bird and double passage migrant. A singing male at Marton Mere on 13‐22 April was the earliest ever arrival in Lancashire – the previous earliest was at Wray in the Lune Valley on 16 April 1944. Another 15, mostly singing males, were reported from the Fylde before the end of April, but birds appeared slow to arrive elsewhere with singles at Heysham on the 20th, Birkdale and Lowerhouse Lodges on the 27th and Altham on the 28th the only other reports that month. Passage accelerated during in early May but was largely spent by the third week of the month. Most records were of singles but two or three spring males were recorded at eight or more Fylde sites. Four males were at Heysham on 1 May and a very large fall occurred there on the 14th when 14 males were singing. In the species’ north Lancashire and Fylde strongholds nesting was confirmed or regarded as probable at Aldcliffe to Stodday (5 pairs), Warton Crag RSPB (2 pairs), Freehold in Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham/Middleton (6 pairs), the Eric Morecambe complex (2 pairs), Higher Tatham, Blackpool, Ingol, Fleetwood, Todderstaffe and the Conder Estuary. Away from these core breeding areas, breeding or probable breeding was reported at Freshfield Dune Heath, Sefton Meadows, Eccleston and Allsprings (east Lancs). Autumn passage was unexceptional with scattered ones and twos reported throughout the county and final records at Prescot Reservoirs on 15 Sept, Heysham on the 17th, and a bird at Marton Mere on 23 Oct.

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Common breeder, mostly in the west. Common double passage migrant. The first was found at Mere Sands Wood on 14 April, an earlier than usual first arrival date. The next were singles at Prescot Reservoirs on the 17th, Marshside and Marton Mere on the 19th, and by the 24th birds had been seen at Aldcliffe, Lower Burgh Meadow in Chorley, Darwen, Warton Crag, Fleetwood, Heysham, Formby Moss, Downholland Moss and Seaforth. 124 Lancash After this, birds flooded in to occupy the breeding grounds. There were twelve males at Marton Mere on 30 April and 20 birds were seen there on 5 May. At least 35 were at Freshfield Dune Heath on 9 May, many of them newly arrived, while Heysham had twelve singing males and ‘several migrants’ on 1 May. A scatter of migrants was seen on non‐breeding sites. Breeding was widespread but most numerous in the south‐west and the Fylde. Site totals (pairs) included 30 at Marshside (38 in 2004), 29 at Freshfield Dune Heath (24 in 2004), 14 or more at Marton Mere, 18 at Gore House Farm, Great Altcar, 74 at 25 sites in south Liverpool (including 25 in the Oglet area), eight on Croston Moss and five on Warton Crag RSPB. Smaller numbers were reported from very many sites but relatively few bred in the east, especially in Rossendale where there were just three records and only one pair definitely bred. One possibly bred at Wray in the Lune Valley, where Whitethroats are scarce. Dispersal and return passage began at the beginning of August and reached a rather insignificant peak at the end of August and early September, with Heysham reporting no influxes. The last of the year were at Aldcliffe and Rawcliffe Moss on 17 Sept, Eccleston Mere on the 22nd and Cockerham Moss on the 24th.

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER* Phylloscopus inornatus Scarce autumn passage migrant. The record national influx that began on the east coast in the second week of September took nearly four weeks to work its way across the Pennines, but when birds finally arrived in Lancashire they did so in unprecedented numbers. Twelve were recorded, easily outstripping the seven seen in autumn 1988. Most were found at well‐watched coastal sites but there were two records well inland, including east Lancashire’s third. Three were found within hours of each other on the morning of 8 Oct: in Mount Park, Fleetwood (CGB), the ornamental gardens at Crosby Marine Park (ST et al), and New Laithe Farm, Newton‐in‐Bowland (MkB et al). The first two disappeared rapidly but the Bowland bird remained until 12 Oct although proving extremely elusive, being more often heard than seen. The next was seen by a single observer in Freeman’s Wood, Aldcliffe on 10 Oct (D Haywood). It was followed by a first‐winter female that was trapped at Heysham on the 15th (RAC et al). Another, this time a first‐winter male, was trapped at Heysham the next day (AJD et al) and at least one unringed bird was seen there daily from the 18th to 20th (PJM, JRo et al). Further singles were found at Fluke Hall on 17 Oct (RED), at Seaforth on the 19th (CJS, SJW et al), Fleetwood Cemetery on the 23rd (SE) and a new bird in Mount Park, Fleetwood on 29 Oct (IG et al). Finally, a second long‐stayer was in Haslam Park, Preston on 5‐9 Nov (SJ et al).

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 125 WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Uncommon breeder in east and central areas; uncommon passage migrant, mostly in spring. After several years of increasing gloom it would be nice to be able to report an upturn in the fortunes of Lancashire’s Wood Warblers – but, if anything, matters became worse in 2005 and extinction within the next decade seems a distinct possibility. The first arrivals were single males in Bourne Wood, Fleetwood on 22 April, Gisburn Forest the next day, the Langden Valley on the 27th and Stanley Park, Blackpool on the 26‐27th, with two males at Marton Mere on the 29‐30th and another male there on 3 May. The only other passage migrants were singles in a Rishton garden on 1 May, at Ingol on the 5‐7th, Barley on the 8th, Mere Sands Wood on the 16th and Padiham on the 22nd. A survey carried out by the LDBWS located none within their extensive region except for three singing males in Outhwaite Wood, Roeburndale on 12 May. For the second year running, no breeding occurred at Moor Piece with an unmated male throughout May the only record; no breeding was confirmed anywhere in east Lancashire. Two were seen in the Grizedale Valley on 15 May and one was at Rivington on 2 May; two pairs bred in Heather Lea Woods (Wheelton Plantation) Brinscall where the last was seen on 8 June. The final record was of a male singing briefly at Cliviger Fishponds on 27 June – perhaps another bird that had failed to find a mate.

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita Common breeder and passage migrant. Uncommon but increasing in winter. Eight were reported during January – in contrast to wintering Blackcaps just one of these was seen in a garden, in Preston. The remaining records were all singles, at Prescot Reservoirs, Seaforth, Birkdale dunes, Mere Sands Wood, Marton Mere, Carleton (Fylde) and Heysham. The Marton Mere bird remained until 13 March. Birds were reported at just two new sites in February: one at MMWWT on the 26th and seven at Fazakerley Reedbed on the 25th, three of which remained on 13 March. At least 22 were seen during the last week of November and throughout December, several of them being described from field observations as abietinus. Six were seen on 4 Dec in the Birkdale dunes, where four were ringed since mid‐November, two of which were probably of one of the eastern races. Other sites registering winter birds were Childwall Woods, Eccleston Mere, Prescot Reservoirs, Seaforth, Crosby Hall, Marshside (2), MMWWT, Mere Sands Wood, Marton Mere, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Bispham Marsh, Sand Villa, Lancaster, Martholme and Lomeshaye Marsh. In the light of the last dates of the Marton Mere and Fazakerley birds (see above), it is possible that one at Darwen on 13 March was a lingering winterer. The next were singles at MMWWT on the 17‐18th and at Read on the 19th and there was a widespread arrival of migrants throughout the county from the 20th. The few spring migrants reported away from the main breeding sites included seven at Marshside on 21 March with a total of 21 that month and 14 in April with the last on 2 May, 16 trapped at Heysham during April and May and just six birds at Seaforth. 126 Lancash No count of singing birds or breeding pairs ran into double figures with the exception of ten singing in the Rimrose Valley on 3 April, but several sites held reasonable numbers, including Eccleston Mere (7), Freshfield Dune Heath (9), Mere Sands Wood (7), Cuerden Valley Park (7), Beacon Fell (3), Warton Crag RSPB (3) and Moor Piece (3). Chiffchaffs are thought to be increasing in numbers in the Rivington area and in Rossendale, where birds were seen during the breeding season at at least eleven sites. More than 60 pairs bred at 30 sites in the south Liverpool/Knowsley area, notably six at the Halewood Triangle and Mill Wood, Speke, and eight at Cronton Colliery. The first dispersing bird was seen at Cliviger on 7 July and an unremarkable autumn passage got underway at the end of the month. Last dates in the Chorley area and Rossendale were 7 and 16 Oct respectively, but a trickle continued to move through during November with six records in the Fylde and three at Heysham during the first three weeks, and singles at Morecambe on the 3rd and Altham on the 14th, with two in Haslam Park, Preston on the 12th.

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus Abundant breeding bird and double passage migrant. In contrast to last year there was a very widespread arrival in March after the first at Leighton Moss on the 23rd and Marton Mere on the 24th. The passage appears to have peaked in mid‐April and double‐figure counts of singing males came from many areas. Representative records included 15 at Deeply Vale, Rossendale on 17 April; in the east, 20 at Stocks Reservoir on the 13th, 23 at Lowerhouse Lodges and 17 at Moor Piece on 23rd, 13 in the Langden Valley on 25th; on Merseyside, 16 at Bold Moss, St. Helens on the 13th, twelve at Cronton Colliery on the 23rd, 23 in the Birkdale dunes on the 13th and 16 at Marshside on the 3rd and 19th; on the Fylde, 15 at Blackpool’s Stanley Park on the 6th, 18 at Marton Mere on the 12th and 20 at Fleetwood Cemetery on 1 May; and 50+ at Heysham on the 14th. Records of confirmed or probable breeding showed no clear trends. The species was described as ‘thriving’ in Rossendale while several sites in east Lancashire were thought to hold ‘healthy densities’. In south Liverpool and Knowsley, however, Willow Warblers were considerably less widespread and numerous than Chiffchaffs with 26 pairs located on just twelve sites. Elsewhere, 28 pairs bred at Freshfield Dune Heath (22 in 2004), 26 pairs on Warton Crag RSPB (long‐term average of 34 pairs), five pairs around Belmont Reservoir and eight pairs at Cuerden Valley Park. The return passage was very uneventful with 15 at Heysham on 8 Aug the only double‐figure count reported. Other counts of local interest included nine in Taylor Park on 11 Sept (remarkably the latest records in St. Helens by eight days), four in Liverpool’s Sefton Park on 26 July and seven at Marshside on 7 Aug. Relatively few were reported after the first week of September and Heysham had its last of the year on the early date of the 12th, indicating a lack of Scandinavian migrants, with other last dates of 18 Sept at Dilworth Reservoir, Longridge, the 24th at Belmont and the 25th in Rossendale. Just five were seen during October: singles at MMWWT in the first week and Mount Park, Fleetwood on the 12th, and two on Crosby Marine Park on the 8‐ 9th with one there on the 13th.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 127 GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Common breeding bird, especially in the east. Common double passage migrant and winter visitor in variable numbers. Ones and twos were seen at very many sites throughout the county during the first winter period and the Lancaster & District survey located 72 birds in January, but no double‐ figure counts were made until what was, at Heysham at least, an unprecedented spring passage. A total of 208 was ringed at Heysham between 14 March and 3 April with, presumably, many more passing through untrapped. Passage was noted at other coastal watchpoints during this period but not in exceptional numbers, and the only other large counts were around 20 in the Darwen area on 19‐22 March and eleven at Lytham St. Annes NR on the 26th. Little breeding information was received but a flock of twelve at Calf Hey Reservoir on 31 July contained many juveniles and a pair was seen feeding fledged young at Sunnyhurst Woods on 19 July. At least 15 pairs were thought to have bred at twelve parkland sites in south Liverpool, including three pairs in Sefton Park. Dispersing birds were first noted in early August and a post‐breeding flock of 15 was seen at Moor Piece on 17 Sept. Although small numbers were seen on the coast in September, including six at Blackpool North Shore on the 10th, numbers remained low until mid‐October. Twenty were at Brockholes Quarry on 11 Oct and 28 at Formby Point on the 19th, while widespread arrival on the 21st saw double‐figures at Heysham and 30 at Earnsdale Reservoir, with 20 at Fluke Hall and ten at Stanley Park, Blackpool the following day. A total of 101 was ringed at Heysham between 5 Sept and 13 Nov. Other late autumn counts included 30 in the Entwistle plantations on 13 Nov, 14 in the Gisburn Forest on the 16th and 20th, 19 at Eccleston Mere on the 24th and ten at MMWWT on the 30th Winter counts were unexceptional but included 23 at Mere Sands Wood during December, 30 in Longworth Clough on 20 Dec and 15 at Dairy Farm Road, St. Helens on the 24th.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus Uncommon passage migrant, scarce in winter. 2004: One found freshly dead in Maghull on New Year’s Eve had been trapped at Portland Observatory in April 2004. Five were seen during 2005: a 1W male trapped at Pilling Lane Ends on 20 March and singles in the ornamental gardens on Crosby Marine Park on 9 Oct, Williamson’s Park, Lancaster on 16 Oct, Knowsley Safari Park on 22‐23 Dec and at Appley Bridge on 27 Dec.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata Fairly common breeding bird and double passage migrant. The first at Freehold, Lancaster on the typical date of 1 May was followed by singles at Marshside the following day, Stanley Park, Blackpool on the 5th, Mere Sands Wood on the 7th, Heysham on the 9th and Belmont on the 10th. Twos at Marshside on 12 May and 128 Lancash Stanley Park on the 6th with four there on the 19th were the only multiple records on the coast, where just a handful were recorded during either passage period. The breeding picture continues to be mixed. It is several years since breeding was confirmed in North Merseyside except in the Mossborough Hall/Old Coach Road area. None was seen here this year but two records in the Garswood/Carr Mill Dam area of St. Helens in June and July may have related to breeding birds. In the north of the county breeding records came from Arkholme, Tatham, Leighton Moss, Abbeystead, Newton and Whittington, while probably incomplete data from the Chorley area indicated breeding at four or five sites. In contrast, Rossendale reported a good year with probable or confirmed breeding at six or so sites, while the east Lancashire report suggested that ‘the modest recovery from the severe decline is being maintained’ with two pairs breeding at Barley, the Langden Intake, Clitheroe Castle and Wycoller and single pairs at several more. The only confirmed nesting in the Fylde was the usual pair in a garden at Kirkham, both of whose nesting attempts failed, although two at Ellel Grange on 29 May may have been breeding. The first autumn migrant was found at Fluke Hall on 1 Aug and a further seven were seen in the Fylde area, including two at Lightfoot Green on 10 Aug, until the last at Ingol on 25 Sept. Most other autumn records came from eastern sites; they included four in the Langden Valley and two at Marl Hill on 12 Sept with the last at Gawthorpe on the 25th. Elsewhere, there were ones or twos at MMWWT on 7 August, Seaforth on 1 Sept, Crag Bank on the 4th, Formby and Haydock on the 6th and White Coppice on the 11th.

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Uncommon breeding bird and passage migrant. The first was at Stocks Reservoir on 13 April, just a day later than our earliest ever record in 1994. Singles followed at Abbeystead on 17 April, St. Helens Crematorium on the 18th and Lead Mines Clough and the Trough of Bowland on the 21st. The only other passage records were singles at Heysham on 26 April, Leighton Moss on the 27th, Marshside on 2 May and Bispham on the 13th. Four males and a female were back in the Upper Brock Valley on 23 April and the remaining breeding grounds were rapidly reoccupied in early May. Pied Flycatchers are rare visitors to Rossendale, so a male singing by a nest‐box in Rawtenstall on 15 May and another occupying a nest‐box from 25 April to 10 June were interesting records, although no females were seen. Five nest‐boxes were occupied in the Rivington/Anglezarke area with two birds singing elsewhere in the Chorley area. In north Lancashire four pairs successfully raised 20 juveniles in nest‐boxes at Smeer Hall, with nesting also reported from Botton Mill (2 pairs), Aughton Wood, Potts Wood (4 broods with 29 fledged, compared with 12 broods in 2002), Roeburndale, Hindburndale, Whittington (2 pairs) and Abbeystead. In east Lancashire, comprehensive breeding data came from Moor Piece, where 18 pairs bred in nest‐boxes, and the United Utilities estate, where 15 nest‐boxes were occupied and 61 juveniles were fledged. At Bank End Wood, previously a regular breeding site, no females arrived to join the males. No other breeding records were received. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 129 The last to be seen in the east was at Newton‐in‐Bowland on 26 June and just two migrants were found on the coast, at Marshside on 4 Sept and Fleetwood Cemetery the following day.

BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus Resident at Leighton Moss. Rare elsewhere. The breeding population at Leighton Moss increased again from 25 pairs in 2004 to an estimated 32 pairs this year. Ringing revealed a population of 29 adult males and 25 adult females. Productivity, however, was rather poor with only 53 young ringed. Nest boxes were again used successfully, and survival rates of both adults and juveniles returned to pre‐crash levels; survival of young from 2004 was at least 40% while adult survival over the same period was at least 50%. A male and female were present at Fazakerley Reedbed from November 2004 through to March 2005. Again there were no records at Marton Mere.

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Common breeding resident. Some irruptive movement in autumn. There seems to be no reversal of the fortunes of this species which has become very common in parts of the county. The sound of a party of Long‐tailed Tits moving through is certainly a regularly encountered one. This species is now considered to be one of the commonest birds in the St. Helens area; flocks of over 20 birds were recorded at several locations during the first winter period. By 2 March pairs were already breeding at two sites in Rossendale; a nest with nine eggs was found amongst brambles at Ewood Bridge on 2 April but had been predated by the 27th. At least four adults were feeding young at a nest at Martholme on 15 May. Sixteen sites were occupied in the Rivington area with family parties noted from 13 May; more typically, family parties were seen from the end of May onwards. Larger post‐breeding flocks were reported as follows: 20 at Moor Piece on 3 June, 46 at Arkholme on 5 July, while 19 in Burnley on the 25th could have been an early migratory party as they were accompanied by migrant warblers. Autumn passage was not particularly spectacular. Double‐figure counts were widely recorded and larger flocks included 30 at Cottam on 26 Aug, 40 at Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen on 31 Aug and 45 at Moor Piece on 10 Oct. Most birds passed through Heysham in the latter half of October. Flocks of over 30 were seen in the St. Helens area at 130 Lancash the end of the year with the largest being 45 at Eccleston Mere on 21 Nov. Thirty‐eight were counted on 27 Dec at Moor Piece.

BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Abundant breeding bird. Marked autumn passage. After a good year in 2004, poor weather in spring produced a return to poor breeding success this year. In the Pilling‐Preesall area, 63 pairs laid 520 eggs of which 333 hatched and 244 young fledged. (Average per pair = 8.3 eggs, 5.3 hatched and 3.9 young fledged). Occupied nest‐boxes increased to 24 in the woodlands to the north of Stocks Reservoir but the breeding success was poor with an average clutch size of 7.8 and brood size of 5.0. Only three broods fledged at Heysham with an average brood size of 4.3, while 63 nest‐ boxes were occupied but 50% of nests failed at Arkholme and 52 boxes were occupied at Mere Sands Wood, and six pairs nested on Freshfield Dune Heath. Ringing returns at Leighton Moss also suggested poor productivity; of 251 ringed, 39% were adults compared to between 8‐12% in years of good productivity. In stark contrast, a nest‐box scheme near Wray had good success with a 90% fledging rate. Away from the breeding season, things seemed to be generally good. The increased spring passage reported from Heysham and Fairhaven, though nothing to write home about, was clearly a function of the better breeding season of 2004 and a good winter survival rate. In the autumn, larger numbers noted at Marshside were 35 on 4 Sept, 20 on the 21st and 40 on 4 Oct. The numbers ringed during the autumn at Heysham again were very low. The species was recorded in every month of the year At Seaforth for the first time ever but they still have not adapted to using the feeders!

GREAT TIT Parus major Abundant breeding bird, less common on autumn passage than Blue Tit. Like Blue Tits, Great Tits were adversely affected by the poor weather in the breeding season. In the Pilling‐Preesall area 52 pairs laid 347 eggs, of which 221 hatched and 132 young were fledged. Average per pair = 6.7 eggs, 4.3 young and 2.5 young fledged, a 50% decrease in production on last year. The number of nest‐boxes used in the survey area near Stocks Reservoir was similar to last year at 28 but with a poor productivity rate; average clutch size was 7.1 and average brood size 4.7. At Arkholme, 21 pairs were late in nesting and suffered poor productivity. Heysham birds were similarly affected (7 broods producing 36 young) but not as badly as Blue Tits. At Smeer Hall near Wray, the Great Tits fared better with an 85% success rate, while 18 boxes were occupied at MSW. Peak autumn numbers were generally low; ten at Marshside on 28 Aug, ten at Seaforth on 11 Sept (a record for this site), 20 at Moor Piece on the 25th, 16 at Lee Green Reservoir on the 27th and 15 at Marshside on 4 Oct.

COAL TIT Periparus ater Common breeding bird. Some irruptive movements in autumn. This species is pretty evenly spread across the county with very few areas of concentration save for the upland plantations. Reports suggest that Coal Tits are becoming more common in several areas with a large increase in the number of sightings in St. Helens, for Lancashire Bird Report 2005 131 example. Peaks in the first winter period were of 20 at Calf Hey Reservoir on 23 Jan and 20 at Roddlesworth on the 19th. A bird was in song at Reedsholme on 10 March whilst a pair at Whitworth was gathering nesting material early in April; the first fledged juveniles were seen being fed 30 May.

Autumn movements were of little consequence apart from some local site records; ten birds were grounded at Laund Hey, Rossendale on 12 Oct and an exceptional 25 were in a mixed tit flock at Moor Piece on 25 Sept. The Stocks Reservoir feeding stations continued to hold good numbers with over 15 at regularly seen together there.

WILLOW TIT Poecile montanus Scarce breeder in the birch copses of the south‐west. Very rare elsewhere. Though this species’ grip on Lancashire as a breeding bird is becoming rather tenuous, there were perhaps some positive signs from the St. Helens area where there were 32 sightings from nine locations during the year. A family party was seen at Cronton Colliery, Knowsley in August (the first for the site in six years) and one or two pairs were seen in the Old Coach Road area including a juvenile in August. At Eccleston Mere, one regular observer had their first bird there for 16 years. One was seen in Childwall Woods in south Liverpool in May. A pair nested again at White Moss, Skelmersdale; one juvenile was seen later. Slightly further north, it is disappointing to report that there was only one record from the Chorley area, at Hic Bibi on 10 Aug. A juvenile was ringed on Royal Birkdale Golf Course on 5 Sept and a single bird was seen frequently at MMWWT from 22 Jun to 10 Dec. One was on Downholland Moss on 5 Sept. 132 Lancash North of the Ribble, the species is extremely rare. However, one was seen at the Cottam Brickworks site on 16 Dec and again in early 2006, suggesting that it was wintering and presumably the same bird as in 2004.

MARSH TIT Poecile palustris Fairly common breeder in the north of the county. Virtually absent south of the Ribble and in the Fylde. There were regular sightings of small numbers of Marsh Tits throughout the year in the Leighton Moss/Silverdale/Warton area where the species is still well established. Five pairs bred at Warton Crag RSPB reserve – a fairly average showing. Few were reported along the Lune, where just one was seen at Arkholme on 13 May; one was at Freeman’s Wood on 24 Nov. Up to two birds were seen at Warton Bank on the Fylde between 10 and 25 Sept. Survey work in SD67 and the northern woodlands of SD66 suggested a small population which appears to have been under/unrecorded in previous years. In Bowland the few reported sightings were concentrated in an area to the east of Chipping in the Hodder Valley. A party of four was seen at Doeford Bridge on 21 Jan and singles in the vicinity until May. A pair was seen at nearby Loud Mythom on 16 April with singles there at either end of the year. Other records came from Bowland Wild Boar Park on 17 April, Mitton on 6 Feb, Moor Piece on 20 Feb and Siddows Wood on three dates in March. It seems that this east Lancashire population may be far too small to survive for much longer and that this species will retreat to its Silverdale peninsula stronghold where it may also be in decline.

NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Fairly common and increasing breeding resident. It is pleasing to report that Nuthatches seem to be increasing still further. There were an estimated 30 breeding sites in the Rivington/Anglezarke area and around Chorley the species has become well established in Astley Park, Birkacre and Duxbury and has recently colonised Haddock Park, Brindle. At least two pairs bred at Cuerden Valley. In east Lancashire, there were records of up to four from many sites with a peak of six at Spring Wood, Whalley on 6 Feb. A pair bred in a nest box at Bank End Wood raising six young. Two boxes were occupied on the United Utilities Bowland estate. Birds were recorded at three sites in Rossendale including a successful breeding attempt. Nuthatches remain very well established in the Silverdale/Warton area. In south Liverpool, the species was recorded at 19 sites, breeding for the first time at Princes Park and Speke Hall. It remains rare in the Southport area but one was heard calling in the grounds of Meols Hall, Churchtown on 9 April and one was on Hesketh Golf Course on 21 Aug (second site record). On the Fylde, a pair bred in a nest box at Hackensall Wood, laying seven eggs but they failed to hatch as the parent bird died on the nest. Pairs were also present at Stanley Park, Blackpool, Ellel Grange and Greyfriars. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 133 There was some evidence of post‐breeding dispersal with one leaving Cross of Greet Bridge Wood and flying high northwest on 20 Aug and one in the coastal bushes at Glasson on 4 Sep.

TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Common breeding resident. At least 14 sites were occupied in the Rivington area where the species appears to be thriving. Two pairs bred at Cuerden Valley. Four were seen at Spring Wood, Whalley on 20 Feb and the first song was heard at Sunnyhurst Woods on the 14th. Four birds were singing from the woods at Clough Bottom Reservoir on 3 April and two were singing at Clowbridge on 12 May. A pair bred for the first time at MMWWT. The species was recorded throughout the year at a number of suburban sites across south Liverpool, and in a number of woods in the farmland areas around the edge of south Liverpool.

GOLDEN ORIOLE* Oriolus oriolus Vagrant Golden Orioles are very rare in Lancashire at the best of times but a very late bird at Leighton Moss on 16‐19 Nov (EP) drew many admirers. This record, the 23rd for the county, was totally unprecedented and, because it stayed and being an adult male as well, beggared belief. It fed in the canopy of alders along the footpath from the public causeway to the lower hide during its relatively lengthy stay but could be extremely elusive as this species certainly can be!

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Although there were no records from Stocks Reservoir during the second winter period of 2004, one bird was found there on 31 Jan which remained until 10 April. This was probably a bird from previous winters; what was probably the same returning individual was seen from 19 Oct (DP, MP) to the end of the year. Marshside recorded its second site record with one seen by several observers on 15 Oct (BM et al) and the following day one was seen perched on a hedgerow for ten minutes at Fluke Hall, Pilling (DS). It is not inconceivable that these sightings involved the same bird.

JAY Garrulus glandarius Common resident. Occasional irruptions, some winter dispersal. This species can be encountered anywhere in the county nowadays though it can still be elusive in the breeding season. It is becoming more common at bird tables and a few are developing some acrobatic tendencies – one bird taking peanuts from a feeder throughout April in Whitworth was just one example. There was little reported breeding information. Pairs bred at an estimated ten sites in the Rivington area. One pair bred on Freshfield Dune Heath. 134 Lancash An influx of possibly continental birds was in evidence across the county during September and October. At Fairhaven, 43 were counted during this period with peaks of 13 on 4 & 9 Oct; 15 went along Darwen Moor Edge on 21 Sept; 22 flew south over Rimrose Valley on the 24th and Seaforth chalked up a record count of 22 on 9 Oct, while Heysham had a peak count of 13 on 25 Oct which consisted mainly of birds flying straight over. It seems that most of these birds moved on after October as there were generally lower numbers seen during the second winter period.

MAGPIE Pica pica Abundant resident In Rossendale, large flocks were recorded in the early part of the year with twelve at New Line Reservoir on 27 Jan, 20 on 15 Feb and 20 at Clough Bottom Reservoir on 4 April. Large numbers also continued to roost at Rivington High School. Other counts in excess of 20 birds were reported from Norden Valley, Rishton on 25 Jan and Lee Green Reservoir on 11 Feb. By far the largest congregations were of 197 in the roost on the county border at Egerton on 4 Dec and 172 birds roosting in treetops in the Liverpool University precinct on 2 Feb. Eighty‐three were counted in the Rimrose Valley roost on 8 Feb. A movement of eleven east over Fairhaven on 24 March was quite unusual. This species is a widespread breeder and few specific data were reported. Second winter period peaks included 90 in the Rimrose Valley on 27 Oct, rising to 168 by 17 Nov, and 40 at Eccleston Mere on 26 Oct.

CHOUGH* Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Vagrant This species is a real rarity so to have a series of records from up and down the coast probably means that one bird was present for some time in the region. Indeed, there were a number of sightings in Cumbria during the early part of the year which possibly relate to this bird. If it was one bird then it is Lancashire’s sixth record. With four of the records pre‐1985 and the only recent one being a corpse at Formby in 1995, this was a welcome addition to many birders’ Lancashire lists. The first was at Jack Scout, Silverdale on 10 Jan (JW, WJW) when a bird was seen flying out into the bay in a south‐westerly direction. This was followed in the late summer by one flying west along the seawall at Cockers Dyke, Preesall on 12 Aug (CGB, RED) and Lancashire Bird Report 2005 135 at Lytham GC the following day. On the 17th, the bird was found again on Knott End GC and it remained in this vicinity until 3 Oct.

JACKDAW Corvus monedula Common breeding resident, some autumn movement. In the first winter period there were reports of several very large congregations of Jackdaws, the largest these in early January: approximately 1000 at Whitehills, Fylde on the 3rd, 800 at Cuerden Valley on the 7th, 800 at Eagland Hill on the 16th and 600 on Croston Moss on the 30th. In the Pilling‐Preesall area, 34 pairs laid 161 eggs from which 73 hatched and 63 fledged. An estimated 45 pairs bred in the two gritstone quarries on Withnell Moor edge and good numbers also bred in a quarry at Whittle. Unusual summer sightings included 155 at Marshside on 23 June (exceptional for the reserve) and 400 roosting at Baldwin’s Wood, Pilling on 17 Aug. Fifty or more pairs continue to breed in Formby, both in houses and the pinewoods, and 100‐200 were seen feeding throughout the year at RAF Woodvale and Freshfield Dune Heath. As usual, most areas saw large movements of Jackdaws in the autumn. There were 400 at a roost in the Rimrose Valley on the 14th, the same day as 75 flew south high over Heysham and 57 over Seaforth. Fairhaven recorded a passage of 1423 during the autumn with a peak of 400 on 18 Oct. On 16 Oct there was a series of high‐flying flocks over the Garden Festival site in south Liverpool, probably totalling over 400 birds and 561 were counted over the Rimrose Valley. There were 500 at Clitheroe Tip on 1 Oct and Seaforth recorded its peak of 125 on 1 Nov. A roost at Formby Point held good numbers in late autumn with 320 on 22 Sept, 450 on 6 Oct and 350 on the 28th. The roost at Rimrose Valley held 309 birds on 27 Oct, 456 on 10 Nov and 463 on 17 Nov. During November there were also 200 in the Entwistle Plantations roost on the 13th, 480 at Cuerden Valley and 220 at Cabin Hill on the 11th. The peak count for the year came from New Lane, Pilling on 22 Dec where there were around 1500 birds as well as another 500 at nearby Scronkey. Three sizeable flocks were noted in the St. Helens area during December: 500 on Reed’s Moss on the 11th, 600 on the Old Coach Road on the 20th and 500 on Catchdale Moss on the 30th. A pair of birds were seen rather warily taking peanuts from a garden feeder in Whitworth during April, just as the Jays were, and two were on feeders in a Rawtenstall garden in November.

ROOK Corvus frugilegus Abundant resident. A comprehensive survey of the Fylde Bird Club area yielded 2335 nests in 47 rookeries. In the Turton‐Edgworth area three rookeries held 39 nests, down on last year. However, other rookeries further north and east were more populous, including 60 nests at Towneley Park, 103 at Langcliff Cross Wood and two of 46 and 57 in the Briercliffe area. Five rookeries counted in Rossendale had a total of 175 nests – an increasing trend. At eight rookeries in the Clitheroe area there was a total of 143 nests, seven rookeries in the 136 Lancash Arkholme area had 93 nests, and there were between 105 and 115 nests in the Bank Brow rookery at Roby Mill. Very little passage was noted during the autumn. The only significant movements of any sort were recorded in south Liverpool on 25 Sept when 104 flew over Dingle, some landing briefly before continuing in a north‐easterly direction. More birds were later heard flying overhead. At Fairhaven, autumn passage totalled 22 between 16 and 31 Oct. Second‐winter period highlights included 240 over Lathom near Skelmersdale on 12 Nov, at least 200 in the Entwistle Plantations roost in November and December, 150 in the Roddlesworth Plantations roost on 17 Nov rising to over 250 on 21 Dec, over 500 at Scronkey, Pilling on 22 Dec and 300 on Catchdale Moss on the 30th.

CARRION CROW Corvus corone Abundant breeding bird. Some southward movement in October. The peak counts at roost sites in the West Pennine Moors were as follows. • The Entwistle Plantations roost held over 350 on 9 Jan and 250 on 13 Nov. • The Roddlesworth Plantations roost held a peak of 300 on 24 Nov and 21 Dec. • The Upper Rivington roost held 200 on 20 Nov. • The Calf Hey roost held 350 on 27 Dec. • The Delph Plantations roost held over 450 on 23 Jan, with 200 still on 2 Mar, reducing to around 50 by 3 April. The roost here had reformed by October (200+ on the 30th), growing to 300 on 19 Nov and 450 by 31 Dec. Whilst clearly these roosts still hold a vast number of birds, the above totals represent a decline of some 20% (numerically about 400 birds) from the aggregated numbers using these roosts in the second winter period of 2003. There is also some evidence of a decline in breeding numbers in parts of the West Pennine Moors, with, for example, one moorland valley that formerly held four or five pairs annually, now holding only one or two pairs. Other large winter counts included 400 at a roost near Wycoller on 31 Jan, 300 at Clitheroe Tip on 1 Oct and 204 at Carr Mill Dam, St. Helens on 9 Nov. A count of over 100 was noted between Higher Hollinbank and Tor Hill, Helmshore on 11 Jan. On 16 Jan, 26 were on the shore at Formby including two out on an old shipwreck a few hundred metres offshore. A pair bred for the first time in 14 years on Hesketh Golf Course. In the Pilling‐ Preesall area, six monitored pairs laid 26 eggs from which 17 young fledged. There was little passage with peaks of 33 south at Heysham on 2 Oct and 23 at Fairhaven on 13 Oct. Seventy‐eight were seen on the Review Field at Sefton Park on 14 Sept.

HOODED CROW Corvus cornix Scarce winter visitor or early spring passage migrant; has bred with Carrion Crow. One was seen on Lytham Moss on 4 May.

HOODED X CARRION CROW One, a possible hybrid, was seen in Dingle, central Liverpool on 14 July. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 137

RAVEN Corvus corax Scarce breeding bird. Records for this species seem to have stabilised at a level that is much greater than that of five or six years ago. Ravens are a scarce but regular breeder in several parts of the county. In Rossendale a returning pair had rebuilt their nest by 15 Feb and had three young by 24 March, all of which fledged. A pair nested successfully on the United Utilities Bowland Estate, also fledging three young; a further two pairs were seen on the boundaries of the estate but with no evidence of nesting success. A pair present around Belmont all year was seen displaying on 23 Jan and a family party of four was recorded from July to October. Away from the uplands another successful pair raised three young on pylons in Penwortham. One pair nested on the Fylde and a pair nested on the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral again but both were unsuccessful. In the St. Helens area, birds were seen at Prescot Reservoirs and Carr Mill Dam but there were no nesting attempts this year. A pair was regularly encountered throughout the year over Aldcliffe, at least four pairs bred in the Silverdale/Warton area and the species was well distributed throughout the year in North Lancashire. Large counts in the second part of the year all came from Bowland and included five at Catlow Fell on 17 July, eight at Waddington Fell on 31 Aug (performing aerobatics in the updraft), six in the Dunsop Valley on 11 Dec and a flock of ten at Stocks Res on 26 Dec. There was a series of records from around Southport during the second winter period, suggesting wintering in the area, and a bird was seen displaying over Lancaster Castle on 26 Dec.

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Abundant breeding bird, double passage migrant and winter visitor. Monthly peak counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Seaforth 900 200 100 200 80 300 500 2500 1200 5000 5000 3000 The counts in the table above relate to either birds roosting on the docks in winter or feeding on the reserve during the summer. The numbers are typical of a lot of sites across the county with the largest flocks rarely getting above 1‐2,000 birds. The only records far in excess of this were from Marton Mere in late October where the roost reached around 20000 birds. At Heysham there was what was described as a huge winter roost on the wooden jetty, but it needs counting! Breeding data from the Pilling‐Preesall area showed that 29 pairs laid 37 clutches totalling 173 eggs of which 135 hatched and 125 young fledged. The first young were noted in east Lancashire on the rather early dates of 7 May at Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen and 11 May in Burnley. A large post‐breeding flock of 5000 was seen at Clough Bottom Reservoir on 15 June. The roost at Stocks Reservoir only reached 3000 by the end of July. Autumn passage was unexceptional but peaks of 3500 and 1500 birds were noted at Fairhaven and Seaforth respectively on 27 Oct and 2000 flew over LSANR on the 29th. At Marshside, around 8000 were feeding on the marsh on 25 Oct.

138 Lancash HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Abundant but decreasing resident. Flocks in the region of 10‐20 were commonplace during the first winter period. The largest counts came, typically, from the Fylde where there were occasional larger flocks up to 100 strong. In the Pilling‐Preesall area 29 pairs laid 297 eggs in 66 clutches from which 183 hatched and 175 fledged. Averages per clutch were 4.5 eggs, 2.8 hatched and 2.7 young fledged, a slight improvement on last year. An albino bird was seen in an Eccleston garden on 30 June and a leucistic bird was regularly seen at the Ridge Farm, Pilling feeding site during July and August, when numbers peaked there at over 150. The largest counts of the year came at the end of August when flocks of 200 were counted at Myerscough Quarry and Fluke Hall. There were a few reports of flocks in the region of 40 at other mossland locations during September but after that it was back to the 10‐20 maximum.

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Fairly common but declining breeding bird. Flocks in winter also decreasing. The status line says a declining breeding bird, which indeed it has been, but where the species is being actively encouraged through nest‐box provision and supplementary feeding, the signs of recovery continued. Breeding success in the Pilling‐Preesall study area was not particularly promising; however: 155 pairs laid 1602 eggs in 317 clutches of which 1066 hatched and 905 young (all colour‐ringed) fledged. Two pairs had four clutches, 50 had three clutches, 56 had two clutches and 47 had one. Average per clutch was 5.1 eggs, 3.4 hatched and 2.9 young fledged. At Hundred End, 24 pairs bred in nest‐boxes in a large garden compared to 15 in 2004; almost all had second broods in late June. Three pairs were noted along the Leeds‐ Liverpool Canal near Withnell Fold in early May. At Arkholme, five pairs nested and three of them fledged 20 young. In east Lancashire there were seven breeding pairs at Brownsills with another three pairs at nearby Red House Barn. Nesting was reported from Tarbock, south Liverpool but no definite breeding records were received from St. Helens. The species remains widespread in Chorley. Garden‐nesting birds were successful in Halton, Forton. At Leck, in the far north‐eastern corner of the county, this species was recorded for the first time during the post‐breeding dispersal. At Brockholes Quarry, where one pair nested, a feeding station attracted up to 35 birds from July through to late autumn when it was vandalised twice. Feeding stopped and the birds vacated the site. Winter feeding of Tree Sparrows is becoming a favoured pastime across the whole of the county following the lead set on the Fylde. Numbers there were down in the first part of the year, but as the graph below shows, increased dramatically in the second winter period. The feeding station at Moss House Farm had peaks of 145 in January and 119 in December. At the Harwood Bar caravan site feeding station, Great Harwood, numbers peaked at over 30 during December. Numbers in a Forton garden were down slightly on last year, Lancashire Bird Report 2005 139 peaking at 22 in February. In the St. Helens region, the largest flock was one of 40 at Mossborough Hall on 25 Nov and at least 30 were on Catchdale Moss from October to the end of the year. A flock of 50 was recorded at Baxter’s Farm, Banks on 21 Sept, numbers peaked at 30 at MSW during the spring and up to 20 birds were regular at New Bridge Farm, Kirkby.

Tree Sparrows at Wyre Feeding Stations

180

160

140

120

100

0 Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Average: Bradshaw Lane Average: New Lane Average: New Ridge Farm Maximum at any one site

HOUSE X TREE SPARROW One of the hybrids from 2004, showing Tree Sparrow and male House Sparrow plumage characteristics, was seen several times in a Belmont garden from January until 24 Feb.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Abundant breeding bird, passage migrant and winter visitor. Peak numbers in the first winter period were rather similar to last year’s with the only three‐figure counts 250 on the Old Coach Road, St. Helens on 15 Feb, 100 at Whitendale on the 10th and 100 at Abbeystead on the 24th. Around 80 were in a mixed finch flock at Calf Hey Reservoir on 21 Feb and 60 were in fields at Jepson’s Farm, Anglezarke on 27 Jan. Spring passage was the usual quiet affair and there were no great surprises on the breeding front. Twenty‐two pairs bred at the RSPB Warton Crag survey area, slightly fewer than average. At Arkholme, there were 48 singing males on 29 April. Five pairs nested on Freshfield Dune Heath and on the BBS square at Grane, Rossendale. Six pairs at Hesketh Golf Course was an increase over last year. The main event of the year was the large late‐autumn passage. At Heysham, British birds generally move through in September but only 44 were recorded this year. Compare that with October and early November when 1638 were counted arriving from the north‐ east and moving south‐west. This number was put into the shade by counts at Fairhaven 140 Lancash when approximately 12000 birds were seen with peaks of 2221 on 14 Oct and 2004 on the 27th. At Crag Bank, vis‐mig watchers recorded 1351 flying north‐east on 22 Oct. Similar movements were noted at various vis‐mig sites across the county from Caton Moor to Laund Hey in Rossendale, to Formby Point. At Seaforth there were 400 on the 26 Oct, 750 on the 27th, 113 on the 28th, 645 on the 29th, 176 on the 31st, 43 on 1 Nov and 110 on the 5th. Second winter period numbers were again unexceptional with one or two notable exceptions; 500 on Catchdale Moss, St Helens on 27 Dec was by far the largest concentration. A hundred were on the Old Coach Road on 12th Nov. Over 60 roosted in rhododendrons at Belmont on 4 Dec. Numbers at Wyre feeding stations never got much above 40 in either winter period.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Winters in variable numbers. Fairly common double passage migrant, mostly in autumn. The huge roost in rhododendrons at Belmont continued from 2004 with 600 on 3 Jan, 450 on the 23rd, 150 on 6 Feb and 80 on the 27th, but in the second half of the year numbers peaked at only 15 on 20 Nov. In Rossendale and east Lancashire high first winter period counts included 230 at Sunnyhurst Woods on 10 Jan, 100 at Calf Hey Reservoir on 22 Jan, 100 at Browsholme on 3 March, 150 at Stonyhurst College on the 10th, 200 at Shedden Clough on the 13th and 100 at Standen Hall on 13 April. Several flocks in the region of 20‐ 50 were reported from various sites in the east of the county with the last significant ones recorded in mid‐April. Very few were reported on the coastal fringe or mosslands. The tables were turned during a reasonable autumn passage as birds accompanied the large movement of Chaffinches. The first were noted in late September but the first significant movement started on 16 October was noted at several sites in the north and west of the county. Fairhaven had the bulk of the records with 506 between 16 Oct and 19 Nov. Numbers peaked on 27 Oct, with 211 at Fairhaven, 63 at Heysham, 52 at Rimrose Valley and 38 at Seaforth. The passage continued on days immediately following with, for example, 58 south‐east over Lytham St. Annes and 43 at Tatham on the 28th. Few were seen after the middle of November. Second winter period reports were few and far between. Away from the rhododendron roost at Belmont, the numbers in a nearby garden reached 14 by 24 Dec. Two birds came to feeders at Gaghills, Rossendale throughout December and the only record in east Lancashire was of three at Marl Hill on 21 Nov. There were 21 at Moss House Farm, Pilling on 18 Dec, and four at MMWWT on the 2nd otherwise there were just the odd singles reported.

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Abundant breeding bird. Some autumn movement, flocks in winter. There were very few counts of any significance in the first part of the year. Fifty roosting in Leylandi at Reedsholme, Rossendale was the largest and flocks in the region of 30‐40 were noted at Seaforth, Belmont and Croston Hall. Spring passage was also quieter than normal, for example Fairhaven recorded 115 between 20 March and 4 April. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 141 Breeding data were rather scant. An above average seven pairs nested at Warton Crag RSPB, and three pairs at Freshfield Dune Heath. Young birds were seen at feeders in Edenfield from 14 May. The largest post‐breeding flock was one of 200 at MMWWT on 20 August. Autumn numbers were in stark contrast; a good steady passage was recorded and some large flocks assembled at various sites. At Fairhaven 7029 passed between 6 Sept and 19 Nov with a peak of 618 on 29 Oct. There was a peak count of 455 flying north‐east over Crag Bank on 16 Oct. During the second half of October, daily counts in the region of 40‐ 100 were regular at Seaforth and the Rimrose Valley; numbers at the latter site peaked at 353 on 27 Oct. A flock of up to 300 was at Fleetwood Golf Course and 600 at Birkdale Green Beach on 19 Oct. One hundred and fifty passed over Hightown on 26 Oct and 180 were at Marshside on 19 Nov. The largest counts in St. Helens were 300 at Catchdale Moss on 30 Oct. On a sunflower field at Bradshaw Lane, Pilling numbers steadily built up from 37 in early September to 131 by the 22nd and then to over 500 by the 29th. Numbers remained high here throughout October (generally around 200‐300) and into late November when 200 were still present. This flock is probably composed of local birds rather than incoming migrants from farther afield. At least 90 roosted in rhododendrons at Belmont during November. Roosts in the Rimrose Valley numbered 60 on 27 Oct, 74 on the 28th and 45 on 17 Nov. There were several records of flocks of around 30 birds at feeding stations and other roost sites in November and December.

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Common breeding resident and passage migrant. Flocks in winter. Numbers remained high throughout the first winter period at upland sites; a flock of 80 at Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir on 6 Jan was quite exceptional for the area at that time of year. Other flocks of between 20 and 30 were recorded at Whitworth, Bacup, Great Harwood, Skirden Beck and five sites in the Burnley area. Away from these sites, reports from the regular coastal sites were almost non‐existent though, from the few available, it seems birds were present in numbers typical for the time of year. Around St. Helens, this species is reported as rapidly becoming the commonest finch in the borough. Spring passage was nothing spectacular although 108 at Rossall and 111 at Crag Bank on 24 April were noteworthy. At Heysham just 198 were counted flying north in spring, while 35 flew north at Marshside on 23 April. Little breeding information was received but some very good post‐breeding flocks were reported. Five pairs nested on Freshfield Dune Heath. The first young were noted in Preston on 6 June and Whitworth two days later. At Higher Hollinbank there were around 50 on 9 Sept, over 130 on the 10th and over 150 by the 15th. A flock of around 50 birds was feeding on thistles near Lower House car park, Rivington, on 26 Aug and several charms totalling over 200 were around Belmont in early September including one of 100 on the 3rd. There were three flocks of 200 birds in the mosses to the north of St. Helens in September and early October. Flocks of up to 370 in August and 350 in September were feeding on seeding thistles and ragwort at Marshside. At Seaforth, post‐breeding feeding on thistles began to build up at the end of June, rising to 70 in the last week of July, 200 on 142 Lancash 21 Aug and over 250 from the third week of September to early October. The largest flocks reported in east Lancashire were 100 on Pendle Hill on 20 Sept, 75 at Green Banks Quarry on the 11th, 70 in the Slaidburn area and at Cross of Greet Bridge on the 6th and 80 at Siddows on 1 Oct. Flocks of 100 were also reported from Pilling and Out Rawcliffe during this period. Autumn passage was moderate at coastal migration watch‐points. A total of 366 passed through Heysham between 31 Aug and 1 Nov with the vast majority in October, while at Fairhaven 540 were recorded between 13 Sept and 19 Nov with a peak of 75 on 16 Oct. Inland vis‐mig at Laund Hey, Rossendale recorded some impressive numbers in early October with 131 in four hours on the 2nd and 123 on the 5th. Numbers fell away rapidly in November though flocks of 50‐70 were seen in St. Helens and at Higher Hollinbank, Rossendale. Elsewhere, the typical peak flock size was in the region of 20‐30. The one record that bucked this trend was on Plex Moss where a flock of 300 was seen on 25 Dec (with one taken by a Merlin).

SISKIN Carduelis spinus Uncommon recent breeding colonist. Common double passage migrant and winter visitor. Generally, numbers in the first winter period were very low in all parts of the county apart from a flock at Calf Hey Reservoir in January that peaked at 100 birds. There were a few double‐figure counts: 20 at Wycoller on 1 Jan, 32 at Lee Green Reservoir on 26 Jan, 20 in Haslam Park, Preston on 19 Feb, 20 at Prescot Reservoirs on 23 Feb and 23 April and 20 in the Dunsop Valley on 13 March. Only a trickle of spring migrants were recorded at Marshside and Heysham. There were also fewer breeding reports this year. A pair bred at Calf Hey Reservoir fledging four young in July, while the family party of five seen at Black Moss Reservoir on 9 July constituted the first confirmed breeding for this site. A pair was present at Belmont again but no evidence of breeding was obtained. During June and July there were records of birds from six other sites in east Lancashire; a juvenile at Wycoller on 18 June and a family party at Cross of Greet on 11 July provided more evidence of local breeding success. Autumn passage was a little heavier than last year but still below average. Heysham recorded 160 between 10 Sept and 9 Nov and Fairhaven 425 between 21 Sept and 19 Nov with a peak of 76 on 29 Oct. The Laund Hey vis‐mig site recorded regular passage during September and October with peaks of 50 on 2 Oct and 40 on the 4th. A similar watch at Caton Moor had a peak of 25 on 2 Oct. Peak counts from other sites included 30 at Marshside on 16 Oct, 24 at Seaforth on 29 Oct, 21 at Rimrose Valley on the 27th and 34 at Morecambe the same day. Forty were at Foulridge Reservoirs on 25 Sept and 43 were at Lowerhouse Lodges on 11 Oct. Several wintering flocks started to build from late October, the Lowerhouse Lodges flock increased to 70 by 3 Dec before it dispersed. A flock at Haslingden reached 50 on 1 Dec as did one at Whitworth on the 11th. A flock at Stocks Reservoir numbered 40 in October and November whilst 60 were at Rowley Lake, Burnley on 24 Dec. A flock at Eccleston Mere peaked at 60 on 26 Dec.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 143 LINNET Carduelis cannabina Common breeding resident. Double passage migrant, common winter flocks in the west. Most of the largest flocks reported during the first winter period came from the south‐west of the county where numbers were generally down on last year. There were 40 at Rainford on 23 Jan, 89 at Prescot Reservoirs on 17 Feb and 100 on Reed’s Moss on 7 March, while several flocks of 30‐70 were reported from the mosses to the south of Liverpool and 105 were at Halewood on 27 March. A flock of 145 was at Croston Hall on 24 Jan. Eighty at Pilling on 23 Jan was the peak Fylde count in the early part of the year. As usual, there were very few records in upland areas during this period. Visible migration was noted on the Fylde coast from mid‐March: at Starr Gate, there were 28 on 19 March and 30 on 19 April, while Rossall Point recorded 80 on 17 April, 78 on the 23rd and 65 north on the 24th. Larger spring flocks included 140 at Lytham Moss on 21 March, 70 at Ridge Farm, Pilling on 4 April and 120 at Mythop on the 14th. Early spring congregations were also noted in east Lancashire at Shuttleworth Mead on 28 March, increasing to 30 on 25 April. Twenty‐three flew south at Formby on 24 March, while 566 were recorded northbound at Heysham between 19 March and 9 May and 94 flew over Crag Bank on 3 April. Breeding territories were occupied from the first week in April at Rivington and in Rossendale. There were an estimated 15 pairs on Darwen Moor, two pairs at Belmont Reservoir, seven pairs at Marshside, 14 pairs at Freshfield Dune Heath and 15 pairs at Arkholme. These numbers seem to be relatively stable after a period of severe decline. Post‐breeding flocks started to build in mid‐July, when over 80 were on the shore at Garston, Liverpool on the 18th and 53 were at Halewood on the 29th. During August, up to 200 birds were feeding in an oilseed rape field at North Wood’s Farm, Pilling, and up to 69 birds were in a single flock at Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park during this period. Autumn passage in September and October was a drawn out affair. At Fairhaven 312 passed between 21 Aug and 31 Oct with a peak of 35 on 22 Oct, and Heysham recorded 587 south in the same period. At Formby, birds were passing a northerly direction on 6 Oct (48) and the 16th (81). A good passage movement was noted from Laund Hey vis‐mig site during September and early October with peaks of 93 on 21 Sept, 40 on the 24th and 86 on 4 Oct. Larger autumn flocks included 141 at Moss House Farm on 17 Sept, 120 at Brockholes Quarry on the 29th, 175 at Ream Hills, Blackpool and 200 at Eagland Hill on 1 Oct and 130 along Garston Shore on the 4th. Further inland, 40 at Rowley Tip on 13 Sept and 75 at Upper Foulridge on the 25th were very good local counts.. Numbers again dropped off in the second winter period though there were several flocks of up to 60 reported from mossland and coastal locations. The largest concentrations were 200 at Catchdale Moss on 24 Dec and 90 at the appropriately named Finch Farm, Halewood.

144 Lancash TWITE Carduelis flavirostris Scarce and decreasing breeder. Winters on some coasts. The main Lancashire breeding colony on Worsthorne Moor in east Lancashire numbered 25 pairs this year and has continued to be helped by winter feeding. Elsewhere the picture remains depressing though relict populations hang on in the West Pennine Moors. Birds were noted in breeding habitat on Darwen Moor in March and June with a juvenile noted at Belmont on 31 July. Slightly further east, birds were seen at Musbury Tor on 8 March and then at Lee Quarry and Troy Quarry during April and June. Numbers of birds at the Cant Clough feeding site were typically in the region of 30‐ 50 throughout the year though rising to around 100 on 19 Sept before decreasing to just eight by the end of the year. There was a smattering of autumn records at other sites but seven south at Laund Hey on 17 Oct and six over Caton Moor on 2 Nov were the most notable. Wintering flocks were present on the coast in reasonable numbers. Numbers reached 86 at Aldcliffe on 19 Feb, whilst there were 25 at Banks Marsh on 21 Feb and 42 at Bank End on 16 March. It is not known whether the approximately 50 at Knott End in mid‐ January, 80 at Lane Ends, Pilling in mid‐March and 54 at Fluke Hall fields on 17 March referred to just one roving flock or if there were several. The feeding station at New Ridge Farm, Pilling held good numbers throughout February and early March, peaking at 90 on 20 Feb. Numbers were much reduced in the second winter period, with 50 at Lane Ends on 11 Nov, 30 at Knott End on the 19th, 40 at New Ridge Farm on the 26th and up to 30 at Cockersands in December. The first autumn birds were seen in mid‐October at Heysham, where the ringing study captured 37 new birds and 47 retraps. A high proportion of the retrapped birds had been caught previously at Heysham while one of the new birds had been ringed on Sanda Island, (the fourth to be caught from there), one on the Ribble marshes and one in the South Pennines study area in September 2004. The resident winter flock never exceeded 15 individuals in either winter period.

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Fairly common but decreasing breeding bird. Common double passage migrant and winter visitor. Generally, this species was quite scarce this year in most of the county. In the first winter period, the exceptions were at Leighton Moss, where there were up to 25‐45 daily, peaking at 55 on 12 Feb, 70 at Holden Vale, Rossendale on 14 Jan, 100 at Stocks Reservoir in early January and 100 on Longridge Fell on 18 Feb. Reports of flocks of up to 30 birds came from nine other locations on the upland fringe. Small numbers were noted on spring passage with single‐figure counts from Seaforth, Marshside, Starr Gate, Lytham St. Annes and Rossall Point in late April. The peak movement came on 23 April with 20 at Prescot Reservoirs and 19 at Hesketh Golf Course. Most of Heysham’s spring passage were assumed to be Lessers, although the March records were very early; 129 were counted between 19 March and 12 May with a high count of 65 north on 25 April. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 145 The first singing birds were noted on breeding territory on 10 March. Approximately ten pairs bred in the Grane Valley near Haslingden but breeding was confirmed at only four other sites and suspected at a further six. Large numbers were noted around Anglezarke Moor on 9 July and a post‐breeding flock of about 30 was seen at Stocks Reservoir. Autumn passage was minimal with mainly ones and twos reported from a number of sites. Fairhaven managed on eleven and Heysham just 33 in two months. At Rimrose Valley, 34 flew south on 16 Oct and 19 were at Moss House Farm on 2 Oct. Upland sites fared a bit better; Caton Moor recorded 21 on 14 Oct, there was a regular passage over Laund Hey whilst sizable flocks of 35 at Lower Foulridge Reservoir and 8 Oct and 40 at Stocks Reservoir on the 15th stood out. From November onwards there were very few large flocks apart from 65 at Stocks Reservoir on 2 Nov. Flocks of 20‐30 were reported from Prescot Reservoirs, Barrow Lodge, Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir, Rowley Lake and Lomeshaye Marsh

MEALY (COMMON) REDPOLL Carduelis flammea Scarce winter visitor No records this year.

CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Rare breeding bird. Occasional irruptive movements. There were just two records in the first winter period and breeding season – two in the Dunsop Valley on 5 March and two at Stocks Reservoir on 14 April. However, large irruptive movements were noted from May onwards. A flock of 15 was seen at Prescot Reservoirs on the early return date of 12 May but other records there came in late summer with a peak of 38 on 26 Aug. Eight birds appeared at New Laithe Farm, Newton‐in‐Bowland on 18 June and double‐figure flocks were reported from Sefton Park and Childwall Woods in Liverpool, Oakenclough, Calf Hey Reservoir, Gindleton Forest, Cross of Greet Bridge, Towneley Park in Burnley, Upper Foulridge Reservoir and Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir at the end of June and into July. Many of these were fly‐overs heading in a north or north‐easterly direction. There were many other single‐figure records from all over the county in this period. Things went quiet again in August and September with just the odd one reported, but a good passage followed in October and November. Eleven flew south over Heysham on 7 Oct, Fairhaven recorded 23 between 9 Oct and 19 Nov, MMWWT had its first ever record with two on 26 Oct and Seaforth had an unprecedented 20 on the 31st. At least ten birds flew over Childwall Woods on 8 Oct and the same number were reported at Leyland on the 27th and Tatham on the 28th. Thirty were seen at Greaves, Lancaster on 16 Oct and there were 14 at Stocks Reservoir on 20 Oct and Spenbrook on the 25th. Records dropped off again in the last two months of the year with singles at Black Moss Reservoir on 13 Nov and Birkdale dunes on the 19th. At least 20 stayed at Ainsdale NNR, coming to drink in a nearby garden, during December and 13 were in Gisburn Forest on 26 Dec.

146 Lancash BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common breeding resident. Up to ten were present in a garden in Haslingden during January and February and again at the end of the year and other winter groups were recorded at seven sites in Rossendale. In east Lancashire there were plenty of records of Bullfinches which appear to be becoming more regular. Birds were frequently encountered at eight sites in the Chorley area and the species is seen more often in St. Helens. Seven were present in Birkdale on 2 March. A large female giving a trumpeting call at Aldcliffe on 3 Jan was probably a ‘Northern’ bird (JC). Up to four ‘Northern’ birds were seen at Stocks Reservoir up to 3 March at least (JFW, MJ, et al). The species is still most prevalent in the Silverdale/Warton/Leighton Moss area; twelve pairs bred on Warton Crag RSPB reserve, an average showing. A pair bred at Haslingden and young were being fed at a feeder in Rawtenstall on 12 June. A pair were feeding young at a nest in Altham on 14 May. Breeding was also confirmed at Heysham, Aldcliffe, Lancaster, Darwen Moor edge and Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir. Autumnal movements were noted at Heysham where, for the second year in a row, an above‐average number of high‐flying birds comprising ten on six dates between 2 Oct and 2 Nov. A party of six were at Broadclough, Rossendale on 21 Oct, seven at Lee Green Reservoir on 13 Oct (rising to nine on 25 Nov) and ten at Alkincotes Park on 26 Dec.

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Rare and localised breeding resident. Up to three birds were reported at Woodwell in the first part of the year but there were no reports after that. It was a pleasant surprise to find a single bird at Pleasington Old Hall Wood, Blackburn on 29 Jan and 1 Feb, indicating that the species may still be breeding in the area. There were just two other records, one reported at Scorton on 26 March and one at MMWWT on 26 Oct (the first site record , as with Crossbill that same day).

LAPLAND BUNTING* Calcarius lapponicus Uncommon autumn passage migrant and winter visitor to coasts. A female was present at Crosby Marine Park from 29 April to 2 May (TV). Another was in a stubble field behind the lighthouse cottage at Cockersands from 23 Oct to 1 Nov (CGB et al) and one was flushed from a field near Ormskirk on 15 Nov (JRo)

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Fairly common winter visitor to summits and coasts. A much poorer year than 2004 for this species – back to normal in many respects. Three birds remained on the shore at Starr Gate on 4 Jan, one was seen at St. Annes on 17 Feb and two wintered at Hightown to at least mid‐February. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 147 Very few were seen in the hills: six on Red Moss, Rossendale on 16 Jan, two at Cragg Quarry on 13 March and one on the Darwen‐Turton Moors on 6 Feb. Late autumn records consisted of singles at Fairhaven on 14 Oct, Rossall Point on the 16th, Crosby Marine Park on the 26th‐27th, two at Knott End on 6 Nov and two at Cockerham on the 15‐16th with three there on the following day. There was at least one on Bull Hill, Darwen on 16 Oct and three on Darwen Moor on 21 Nov. The best numbers of the year appeared on Pendle Hill, where there were three on 13 Nov, a peak of 25 by 28 Nov with 18 still there on 7 Dec.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella Fairly common but decreasing resident, mostly in the south. Scarce autumn passage migrant. Yellowhammers appear to have had a fairly good year, particularly on Merseyside, where territory‐holding males increased to 22 in the Tarbock area, nine territories were noted around Halewood and five males were on territory in Rainford, although singles at Birkdale on 13 May and 19 July were the only records on the Sefton coast. Two or three birds were singing at Bretherton Eyes on 17 April and several were recorded along the River Yarrow between Eccleston and Croston on 13 July. Two pairs bred along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal north of Burscough, a male was seen at Haskayne and one was singing on Plex Moss. Five or six males were on territory in the Pilling/Eagland Hill area during the summer and three were singing at Lea Town, Preston on 10 Aug.

Yellowhammers at Wyre Feeding Stations 30

0 Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Average: Bradshaw Lane Average: New Lane Maximum at any one site

Feeding sites on the Fylde attracted good numbers of birds, especially at Moss House Farm on Rawcliffe Moss, where numbers reached 80 in January and 74 in March but only 31 during December; numbers at Bradshaw Lane, Pilling were lower than in previous years. 148 Lancash Winter flocks in the St. Helens area included 30 on the Old Coach Road on 17 April and 31 Dec, and 50 in the Sankey Valley on 4 Dec; birds seen at Eccleston Mere in November and December were the first at that site since 1999. Similarly, records at Seaforth in the second half of the year were the first since 2000. Other records away from regular sites included two at Marshside on 22 Jan and singles at Conder on 30 July, Sunderland Point on 18 Sept, Aldcliffe from 26 Nov into 2006 and one at Tatham on 12 Dec. Intriguingly, one was seen in June at Farelton in the Lune Valley, where there is a healthy wintering population just over the border in Cumbria – perhaps there is a chance of recolonisation from the north?

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Common breeding bird and winter visitor. Double passage migrant. The year brought some encouraging signs in upland areas of the county. Reed Buntings rarely form large flocks in winter but single‐figure counts came from all corners of the county. The largest flocks were on the Fylde with 62 at Moss House Farm in January rising to 87 in March and 62 on a set‐aside field on New Lane, Pilling on 12 March. The next largest were 30 at Conder Green during January, 18 in a garden at Belmont on 24 Feb, 14 at Oglet on 14 Feb and twelve at Kings Moss, Rainford on 2 Feb. Flocks of ten were reported at Red Moss in Rossendale, Brownsills, Great Harwood and Cant Clough. No large roosts were reported and spring passage was very light. A record twelve pairs bred around Belmont Reservoir and a pair that bred on Darwen Moor at 395m above sea level was the highest territory ever recorded on the West Pennine Moors. There was an increase in breeding territories at Clowbridge and Holden Wood Reservoirs (four pairs at each) as well as several other sites in Rossendale. Around the United Utilities estate in Bowland, however, the number of pairs dropped from 18 to twelve. More than ten males held territory at Oglet and ten pairs were at Arkholme. Numbers were low at MMWWT, especially compared to last year; six pairs bred at Marshside and 15 males were on territory on Downholland Moss, nearly all of them in oilseed rape fields. Similarly, all but three of 26 territories on a farm in Great Altcar were centred on oilseed rape fields. Eight singing males were at Lower Burgh Meadow, Chorley. Based on the ringing totals at Heysham, breeding success in the area was quite good. Autumn passage was quite heavy; 237 were counted at Fairhaven between August and early November with a peak of 37 on 9 Oct. It seems there was a steady passage throughout the autumn with other sites recording passing birds regularly and peak numbers of 20 at Seaforth on 24 Sept, twelve at Shedden Clough on 2 Oct, eleven at Laund Hey, Rossendale on 3‐4 Oct, 16 at Birkdale on 30 Oct and 18 at Crag Bank on 13 Nov. One hundred and twelve were 112 at Leighton Moss during October. Second winter period roosts included 44 at Downholland Moss Irrigation Lake on 12 Oct with over 70 there by the end of the year, 52 at Belmont Reservoir on 13 Nov, 25 at Darwen Moor Edge on 14 Nov and 20 at Cant Clough Reservoir on 28 Dec..

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 149 CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra Common breeding bird in the south‐west and Fylde. Large numbers were at the New Lane, Eagland Hill feeding site in the first winter period, especially during February when they peaked at 176 on the 16th; flocks of up to 20 were seen elsewhere in the Pilling area up to April. Until recently it was thought was that the St. Helens population had remained relatively stable over the past few years but it is now believed that the species is on the slide even there, though reasonable sized flocks can still be seen and birds can be heard singing across the mosslands. At the start of the year, the largest flocks were 20 at the Mossborough Roundabout on the Rainford by‐pass on 1 Jan and 25 in Blindfoot Lane on Reedʹs Moss on the 3rd. To the south of Liverpool, 13 were in a set‐aside field at Speke on 12 March and 14 in cereal stubble at Halewood on 14 April. There were 35 at Bescar Lane, Scarisbrick on 3 Feb. On 11 April, two males were singing on Croston Moss. At least seven singing males were reported from south Liverpool, 16 from the Pilling‐Preesall area, two from Lytham Moss, eight from Banks, eleven from the St. Helens mosses and singles from a few other mossland sites. Autumn and second winter period flocks were few and far between. Only a small number were reported in St. Helens but, a little further north‐west, a flock of 38 on Downholland Moss on 12 Sept rose to 57 the next day and up to 25 were there to December. Other peak counts included 35 on Plex Moss on 19 Nov, 15 at Tarbock on 23 Oct and ten at MMWWT on 24 Nov. Few were reported from the Fylde although there were 40 on a stubble field at Bradshaw Lane, Pilling on 27 Dec. Typically, six were in the dunes at Crosby Marine Park during December.

ESCAPES & FERAL BIRDS

BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus One was at Southport Marine Lake on and off throughout the year with two there from 27 Nov to 7 Dec. One at MMWWT in late January and the last week of September to the end of November seems likely to have been one these. One appears to have moved between various Fylde sites – Fairhaven Lake, Cleveleys and Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park – between at least 31 July and 13 Oct. In the east singles were at Stocks Reservoir on 6 Feb, Belmont Reservoir on 16‐17 Nov and Rishton on 18 Dec.

LESSER WHITE‐FRONTED GOOSE Anser erythropus An adult was with Canada Geese on the Leeds‐Liverpool Canal by the Eldonian Village, Liverpool on 15 June and another was near Staynall and on gravel pits at Preesall from 27 Sept to 8 Oct.

BAR‐HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus Singles were on Belmont Reservoir on 10 Feb and Southport Marine Lake on 1 June. 150 Lancash RED‐BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis The usual bird was at MMWWT until at least 15 Feb; it returned with 48 feral Barnacles on 3 Sept and was present on and off to at least early December. In the meantime it was back at Knowsley Park from at least March. It was seen on Eccleston Mere with Barnacles on 7 Sept and was with Pinkfeet in the Rainford area at the end of the month and into October; so it appears to have been commuting to and from MMWWT during the second winter period. Singles flying north over Starr Gate, Blackpool, on 9 Jan and south over Seaforth the following day seem almost certain to have been one individual – and possibly the Knowsley/MMWWT bird on one of its periodic wanderings.

CAPE SHELDUCK Tadorna cana One, possibly a hybrid with Shelduck, was at Seaforth on 18 March and a female was at MMWWT on at least 9 & 30 November.

RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea One was at Cowm Reservoir on 16 Jan and again on 22 Nov. An adult with a yellow leg ring and pink legs was seen at Marton Mere on 23 March and at Mythop on 24 & 29 March. Five juveniles were on the Ribble Estuary at Warton Marsh on 3 Aug moving to the Wyre Estuary at Skippool Creek and Barnaby’s Sands the following day, perhaps one of these flew west over Marton Mere on 16 Aug. Two were at Leighton Moss on 10 Aug.

RUDDY SHELDUCK x SHELDUCK One was at Seaforth on 15 April.

SHELDUCK HYBRIDS Singles were at various Blackpool sites from 23 March to 3 April (colour‐ringed) and Seaforth on 15 April, and two were at MMWWT on 11 March.

FULVOUS WHISTLING‐DUCK Dendrocygna bicolor A full‐winged adult was at Hundred End on 20 June.

WHISTLING DUCK Sp. A bird was seen Mere Sands Wood on 4 April – perhaps it was the Hundred End bird?

MANDARIN Aix galericulata Records continue to increase but there is still no evidence that a feral population has become established; once again there was no indication that any bred. Four males and a female were at Cliviger during February and records of up to four at several sites in the same general area in all months except June and July probably involved the same birds. Up to three males and three females were at Moor Park, Preston on 11 Jan and at Lightfoot Green, Preston, where they were joined by an additional male in October and November. One was at the latter site in May, when two males and a female were on the Lancaster Canal at Swillbrook – all these records relate to seven that escaped from Woodplumpton. Lancashire Bird Report 2005 151 Two were at Mere Sands Wood during the first winter period with one regular later in year and four there in the last week of December. The remaining records were of singles: females at Birkacre on 26 Feb, Seaforth on 22 Sept, Stanley Park, Blackpool on 23 Oct and Marshside on the 29th – the latter presumed to be the full‐winged resident at Hesketh Park, Southport.

WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa Single males were at Stubbylee Park, Bacup on 30 Jan and Delph Reservoir on 18 April, and two at Mere Sands Wood in May with three there in late January and early February.

MUSCOVY DUCK Cairina moshata One remained resident on the Leeds‐Liverpool Canal in Burnley. Two were at Stanhill, Oswaldtwistle on 10 May and a pair on Dilworth Reservoir, Longridge from summer onwards.

RINGED TEAL Callonetta leucophrys Singles were at Stanley Park, Blackpool from 1 Jan to 12 Nov and at MMWWT on 5 Nov.

CAPE TEAL Anas capensis One was on Fairhaven Lake on 2 Aug and several days to the 22nd.

RED‐CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina A hybrid Red‐crested Pochard x Mallard was on the Ribble at Preston in at least January and from September to the end of the year. A pure‐bred male was at Marton Mere on 25 Sept, moving to Stanley Park on 16‐22 Oct, and it or another was on Fairhaven Lake briefly on 25 Nov.

REEVES PHEASANT Syrmaticus reevesii Up to nine were present in the Belmont area from September onwards.

LADY AMHERST’S PHEASANT Chrysolophus amherstiae A male and female were on Rawcliffe Moss on 8 Oct and, presumably the same female, at nearby Bradshaw Lane on the 24th.

GOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus pictus Two males and three females were on Parbold Hill on 28 April.

HELMETED GUINEAFOWL Numida meleagris Two were seen at Delph Reservoir intermittently from June until the end of the year.

TRAGOPAN sp. A female was photographed in a Chorley garden during the first week of July – a male of any species would surely be welcomed anywhere.

HARRIS’S HAWK Parabuteo unicinctus One in the Belmont area during late March and early April seems likely to have been the same as one in Darwen in late April. Similarly, one at Lytham from 2004 until at least 11 May was possibly the same bird seen on Winmarleigh Moss on 3 July. 152 Lancash SAKER Falco cherrug The usual bird in the Liverpool Docks was last seen at Seaforth on 2 May.

YELLOW ROSELLA Platycercus flaveolus One was at Southport Marine Lake on 4 June.

WHITE‐EYED PARAKEET Aratinga leucophthalmus One was at Warton, Fylde all year.

RING‐NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri At least six were seen regularly in a garden in Skelmersdale all year but there was no evidence of breeding. There were only a handful of records elsewhere: singles in the Whitworth area on 2 & 10 June, in Mellor on 29 Aug, Knott End on 12 Sept, Blackburn on 19 Sept and over Fairhaven 22 Sept.

BUDGERIGAR Singles were at Marton Mere on 13 Jan and at Seaforth on 5 Aug.

EAGLE OWL Bubo bubo One was at Sollom, near Tarleton on the banks of the River Douglas near the Red Bridge on 31 Aug. It turned out to have been an escaped bird from Turbary House Bird of Prey Centre, Whitestake, near Preston, which the owner had loaned to Garth Prison, Leyland, as a deterrent to other birds! One wearing jesses in the Dunsop Valley on 27 Oct may have been the same bird.

HILL MYNA Gracula sp. The bird seen at Delph Reservoir on various dates in 2004 was seen again in May.

STREAKY‐HEADED SEED‐EATER Serinus gularis One was on garden feeders in Hundred End in the last week of March.

VILLAGE WEAVER Ploceus cucullatus A male was with a small flock of Greenfinches on Marshside outer on 4 Oct before flying north over the saltmarsh with the flock. Almost certainly the same bird had been reported a few days earlier at Red Rocks, Hoylake on Wirral.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 153 LANCASHIRE RINGING REPORT 2005 P.J Marsh Lots of recoveries have materialised since the last report for the usual time period of about June 2005 to the end of May 2006. Some of these are two to three years old and this mainly reflects the time taken by some countries to report details or indeed for details to be sent in by members of the public. The last report contained a high proportion of ‘read in field’ recoveries from birdwatchers covering gulls, wildfowl and waders. Space constraints suggest that this issue concentrates more on metal‐ring recoveries. Please, however, do continue to post/email colour combinations read in the field. Don’t forget that digital photos of metal ringed birds can often be blown up and deciphered. For a rarely‐ringed species, or actually individually specifying a bird which is also colour‐ringed, the minimum requirements are the first two and last two characters and a few letters which will identify the address – and try and age the bird in question. So if you DO come across (especially) a ringed scarce migrant, please try and take a number of photographs of the metal ring using the ‘join’ as a guideline for different angles Thanks to South‐West Lancashire Ringing Group, Fylde Ringing Group, North Lancashire Ringing Group, Merseyside Ringing Group, Bob Danson, Dave Sowter, Steve White and reporters of ringed birds for the large number of publishable metal‐ringed birds this year. Thanks to John Wood, Chris Batty, Mark Prestwood, Peter Crooks, Tony Disley, Bill Aspin, Keith Kellett, and many others for reports of colour combinations. Please send any ringing recoveries, or colour combinations you wish to trace to: [email protected] or Pete Marsh, Leck View Cottage, Ashley’s Farm, High Tatham, LA2 8PH

Abbreviations 3J = juvenile 2 = not aged (prior to 31/12) 3 = 1st winter (to 31/12) M = male 5 = 2nd calendar year F = female 4 = adult (to 31/12), not aged (after 31/12)

Shelduck GF22731 Banks Marsh, River Ribble 5F 9.4.94 Shot Thorne, Doncaster, S Yorks 129km 7.10.94 Returning from moult?

Manx Shearwater ET00866 Copeland Bird Observatory, Co Down Pullus 30.8.96 Dead on shore Formby Point 1.6.04

154 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Full details received of this previously mentioned recovery.

Gannet 1118560 Scares Is, Luce Bay, Dumfries & Galloway Pullus 5.7.97 Freshly dead Hightown Shore, Merseyside 168km 10.4.04 CF29773 Ile Rouzic, Les Sept‐Isles, Perros‐Guirec, Cotes‐du‐Nord, France. 48 54N 3 26W Pullus 6.7.88 Found dead Formby Point 518km 7.10.00 From one of Europe’s most southerly breeding colonies.

Red Kite Red wing tags Released ‘Central Scotland’ Juv 2003 Read in field Caton Moor, Lancs 14.8.05

Coot GN26234 Ainsdale, Southport 3 18.11.00 Read in field Filey Brigg CP, N Yorks 194km 5.3.00 A wintering bird returning to the continent?

Oystercatcher FA44659 Ogwen Estuary, Gwynedd Adult 24.1.93 Found dead Birkdale 31.3.06

Ringed Plover NV68221 Carnforth Marsh Pullus 27.7.03 Controlled Newbiggin, Cumbria 20km 21.10.05 As has also been seen with Kevin Briggs’s Lune Valley colour‐ringed birds over the years, a lot of local Ringed Plovers form part of the small wintering population in Morecambe Bay.

Mediterranean Gull Some excellent returns, mainly due to birders using good quality telescopes on the Fylde.

FN16023 (P98) Skoki Duze gravel pits, Poland Ad F 21.5.03 Seen Seaforth July 2003 Seen Seaforth 26.10.03 Seen Skippool Creek, Wyre Estuary 23.9.05

E907199 (3TP5) Jablines, Seine et Marne, France Pullus 7.6.04 Seen Marais d’Olonne, Vendee, France 20 & 28.4.05 Seen Knott End, Fylde 17.8.05

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 155 E905038 (3JH7) Berendrecht, Antwerp, Belgium 2nd S 14.6.04 Seen Stanley Park, Fylde 6, 10 & 15.3.05 Seen Seaforth 13.6.05

FS57130 (M81) Jablines, Seine et Marne, France Pullus 21.6.05 Seen Fairhaven Lake, Lytham 25.7.05

EX78711 Chomoutov, Olomoucky, Czech Rep. Pullus 3.6.03 Seen Heysham Harbour & area 24.8.03‐26.3.04 Seen Heysham Harbour & area 22.7.04‐9.3.05 Seen Heysham Harbour & area 20.7.05‐6.3.06 Note the later spring departure when it was a 1W bird.

E905810 (36W) Zandvleitsuis, Antwerp, Belgium Pullus 9.6.02 Seen Heysham Heliport 11.8.02 Seen Skippool Creek, Wyre Estuary 10‐27.9.02 Seen Morecambe Battery‐Lifeboat Station 7.10.02‐27.3.03 Seen Eric Morecambe complex BHG colony 2.4‐13.7.03 Seen North Morecambe seafront 6.8.03‐8.3.04 Seen Mainly north Morecambe seafront 31.7.05 to 2006 Note that this bird was not recorded at Morecambe during winter 2004/05

The long‐staying wintering bird at Morecambe (Polish‐ringed 5HR) was not seen after the October 2005 WeBS count and either changed a routine which had lasted since winter 1995/06 or presumably died. There was no evidence whatsoever of a metal‐ring‐only bird taking its place i.e. darvic had dropped off.

Black‐headed Gull EN77780 Seaforth 5 2.5.88 Read in field Terschelling area, Netherlands. c550km 22.5.01 Read in field Terschelling area, Netherlands 12.10.01 Read in field Terschelling area, Netherlands 19.10.04

Darvic NHU Copenhagen, Denmark 6M 21.3.03 Read in field Marton Mere, Blackpool 15.12.05

Little Tern NV84987 Gronant, Clwyd Pullus 29.6.04 Found dead Kellet TV mast pool 94km 22.6.06

Common Tern CE73969 Ribble Marshes Pullus 11.7.82 Read in field Seaforth 11.9.05

156 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 And still no Zimmer frame!

SV08715 Coquet Island, Northumberland Adult 4.6.98 Read in field Seaforth 1998, 1999, 22.7.05

SV27252 Coquet Island, Northumberland Adult 27.5.99 Read in field Seaforth 2002, 8.9.05

SV27311 Coquet Island, Northumberland Adult M 2.6.99 Read in field Seaforth 1999, 2000, 2001 & 27.8.05

SV27314 Coquet Island, Northumberland Adult M 2.6.99 Read in field Seaforth 2000, 27.8.05

SV67116 Teesport, Cleveland Pullus 14.7.02 Read in field Seaforth 2004, 24.6.05

SV67118 Teesport, Cleveland Pullus 14.7.02 Read in field Seaforth 10.7.05

SV67189 Teesport, Cleveland Pullus 26.6.03 Read in field Seaforth 8.9.05

SV67443 Seal Sands, Cleveland Pullus 26.6.03 Read in field Seaforth 8.9.05 A typical showing of autumn immigrants from the east coast to Liverpool Bay.

SX88132 Rockabill, Co. Dublin Pullus 18.7.95 Read in field Seaforth 1998, 2004, 12.5.05

SX77609 Baston Fen Pullus 23.6.96 Read in field Seaforth Breeding 1998‐2005

XR88806 Washington WWT, Tyne & Wear Pullus 29.6.94 Read in field Seaforth Breeding 1997‐2005

Barn Owl GN50234 Mere Brow, Lancs Pullus 15.6.05 In building Preston, Lancs 17km 14.12.05 The longest movement reported in the period.

Sand Martin Seven Icklesham‐ringed birds controlled at Lune colonies in 2005. Three Lune colony birds ringed in 2005 controlled at Icklesham in autumn.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 157 T251580 Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire 3J 26.7.04 Controlled Whittington, Lune 287km 7.7.05

T075721 Arkholme, Lune 3J 21.6.04 Controlled Harcott, Gloucs. 278km 13.7.04

4848096 Charente Maritime, France 3 5.9.04 Controlled Arkholme 973km 27.6.04

T710637 Castle Stuart, Balloch, Scotland 3 14.8.05 Controlled Gressingham roost 388km 6.9.05 The last was a late migrant of unknown but presumed far northern origin…..unless it had ‘reversed’ and reorientated like some of the Swallows documented below

Swallow T076780 Gressingham roost, Lune 3J 21.8.04 Found dead Bride, Isle of Man 115km 1.10.05 Birds ringed in 2005 as pulli at Dalbeattie (Dumfries and Galloway) and Hawkshead (Cumbria) as well as one from nearby Wray were controlled at the Gressingham roost. Routine autum n passage recoveries were provided by a bird ringed at Shotley, Suffolk 31.8.04 controlled at Gressingham 16.8.05 (388km), and ringed at Gressingham on 6.9.05 and controlled at Ely, Cambs on 17.9.05 (269km). The following controls, however, were of birds ringed some considerable distance to the south in 2005, therefore exhibiting reverse migration/dispersal.

T584228 Banwen, Glamorgan 3 26.7.05 Controlled Gressingham 271km 16.8.05

T623392 Iverley, Staffs Pullus 10.6.05 Controlled Gressingham 191km 29.8.05

Meadow Pipit R783011 Kilnsea, Spurn (Humberside) 3 08.10.03 Controlled Caton Moor 190km 10.10.04

Waxwing NW25019 Westhill, Aberdeen ? 7.11.04 Seen Westhill 15.12.04 Seen Aberdeen 25.12.04 Seen Stocks Road, Preston, Fylde 21.1.05 This was a very late movement from NE Scotland in the context o f the 2004/05 Waxwing influx (see 2004 ringing report plus species text 2004 & 2005).

158 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Blackbird CF24666 Moss House Farm., Out Rawcliffe 3M 20.11.04 Dead Galten, Aarhus, Denmark 852km 19.3.05

CL56363 Hoddy Cows, Buckton, E Yorks 3F 15.10.03 Dead Knott End 16.3.05 As suggested by the dates, was it ringed just after arrival from Scandinavia? Much more speculatively, was it killed having just crossed the sea overnight from Ireland on return passage?

Blackcap R462347 Malham Tarn, N Yorks 5M 13.6.04 Controlled Heysham Obs 50km 17.9.05 Presumably breeding at Malham. This follows a previous record involving nearby upper Teesdale origin controll ed at Heysham Observatory in (the same) autumn.

Sedge Warbler T366093 Heysham Obs 3J 4.7.05 Controlled Icklesham, Sussex 425km 9.8.05

T366130 Heysham Obs 3J 9.8.05 Controlled Slapton Ley, Devon 420km 21.8.05

T369158 Leighton Moss 4 6.8.05 Controlled Kenfig Pool, Glamorgan 302km 8.8.05

Show migration timing during autumn 2005.

Reed Warb ler P259860 Chew Valley Lake, B & NE Somerset 3 10.9.00 Controlled Mere Sands Wood 22.6.03 Controlled Mere Sands Wood 258km 24/5 & 13.6.04

P647676 Leighton Moss 4 16.7.01 Controlled Presa del Rey, Madrid, Spain 1540km 23.4.05

T075208 Leighton Moss 4 13.7.04 Controlled Charente‐Maritime, France 915km 11.6.05 The arrival period for this species is very protracted but surely this is a little late for a bird which was an established breeder at Leighton in 2004? Was it nesting in France?

T369012 Leighton Moss 3 30.7.05 Controlled Reculver, Kent 411km 21.8.05

R411266 Shotton, Clwyd 3 21.9.03

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 159 Controlled Mere Sands Wood, W Lancs 48km 5.7.04 Late departure in autumn is not unusual as ringing at Leighton Moss, for example, has shown.

R973074 Golborn, Wigan, Greater Manchester 3 7.8.04 Controlled Leighton Moss 22.6.05

Chiffchaff Additional data received concerning the bird published in last year’s report: 6Z7902 Heysham Obs 3 27.8.03 Controlled Leighton Moss 26.7.04 Found Tiznit, Morocco 29 43N 9 43W 2758km 23.11.04 The extra details firmly place this individual as a north Lancs breeding bird.

Goldcrest AXD707 Heysham Obs 3M 5.10.05 Dead Appley Bridge, Lancs 54km 27.12.05

Firecrest ATC280 Portland Bill, Dorset 4F 12.4.04 Found dead Maghull, N Merseyside 334km 31.12.04 Lancashire’s first ringing record.

Pied Flycatcher R878096 Cadeby, Doncaster, S Yorks Pullus 11.6.04 Controlled Sykes, Slaidburn 2.6.05 The longest distance between natal and breeding site reported in the period.

Coal Tit P649470 Torrisholme, Lancaster 3 26.10.03 Controlled Roudsea Wood, Cumbria 25km 31.3.05 Difficult to know what to make of this as both dates could involve passage

Blue Tit T366144 Heysham Obs 3J 17.8.05 Controlled Harenden Fell 26km 31.10.05 August birds at Heysham are invariably of local origin. Why did it go inland and upland? Was it still on passage/dispersal on 31/10?

Magpie ET99278 Low Hauxley, Northumberland Juv 16.6.02

160 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Dead Stalmine, Fylde 10.5.03 Very odd, especially the finding date. Was the ring number confirmed? Published in good faith in Ringing and Migration.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 161

Greenfinch TC30558 Holme Bird Obs., Norfolk 3JF 28.9.04 Controlled Mere Sands Wood 238km 8.2.05

VS32694 Sturton‐le‐Steeple, Notts 3J 27.8.01 Controlled Mere Sands Wood 137km 24.2.04

TE04435 Newton‐in‐Bowland 3M 22.10.05 Controlled Heysham Obs 32km 13.11.05 Birds moving in a direction between NE to SW and SE to NW in autumn and trapped at Heysham during a break from obvious visible migration have originated between Northumberland and Nottinghamshire. This bird was part of an influx of migrants passing through New Laithe Farm. Several birds from this general direction have also been controlled during the winter months in Lancashire, as exemplified by the first two recoveries, with the Norfolk bird extending the scope of origin

NJ23480 Rhos‐on‐Sea, Clwyd 4F 20.12.02 Controlled Mere Sands Wood 69km 9.3.04

VF55266 Over Kellet, Carnforth 5M 16.4.05 Killed by cat Founhope, Hereford and Worcs. 236km 2.11.05

In contrast, a small proportion of presumed Lancashire‐origin birds move south for the winter – a cluster from the Lancaster area has been found over the years in the West Midlands.

Siskin R178463 Mere Sands Wood 5M 28.3.04 Freshly dead Caher, Tipperary, Ireland 367km 27.3.05

P474569 Windlesham, Surrey 6M 8.1.02 Controlled Mere Sands Wood 294km 23.3.04

4623438 Caen, Calvados, France 5F 1.4.02 Controlled Over Kellet, Carnforth 573km 9.4.04 Note the virtually simultaneous spring dates for two of these and the distances of 367km and 573km between the locations!

Twite R547422 Light Hazzles Reservoir, Rochdale 5F 17.4.03 Controlled Ribble Marshes NNR 19.2.05

R548177 Light Hazzles Reservoir, Rochdale 3M 12.10.03 Controlled Ribble Marshes 19.2.05

162 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 CR Light Hazzles Reservoir, Rochdale 4 July‐Dec 2003 Read in field Banks Marsh 10.2.05

R687491 Old Hollows Farm, Ribble 4 24.2.05 Controlled Heysham north harbour 19.10.05 Albeit a small sample, but it appears that a majority of the Twite on the south side of the Ribble are of Pennine origin. However, it is more likely that the Heysham bird is of Scottish origin, wintering just a little further south than usual.

R687318 Light Hazzles Reservoir, Rochdale 3F 24.9.04 Controlled Heysham north harbour 70km 1.11.05

The occasional Pennine bird joins the Scottish birds wintering on the Lancashire coast to the north of the Ribble and in at least SW Cumbria. Individuals have been seen/trapped at Millom, Cumbria and on the Lune Estuary during 2005/06 winter The following reinforce the link between a majority of the Heysham birds and Scottish origins, especially well‐recorded on Sanda. They extend the likely area of origin to mainland Strathclyde and the most north‐easterly to date, just east of Fort William

T091284 Sanda, off Mull of Kintyre 3 21.7.05 Controlled Heysham north harbour 220km 19.10.05

R548878 Heysham north harbour 3M 29.10.04 Killed by cat Carsaig, Tayvallich, Strathcylde NR7387 281km 24.7.05

Col rings Heysham north harbour ?? winter 04/05 Read in field Loch Treig, Scotland NN363763 7.8.05

Reed Bunting Two birds ringed in late summer at Helton Tarn, Winster valley, SE Cumbria were controlled at Leighton Moss in October

R178397 Mere Sands Wood 5F 9.3.04 Controlled Stablefield, Puttenham, Bucks 254km 28.2.05

R203901 Kemerton, Here. & Worcs 3M 6.11.03 Controlled Haskayne Cutting, W. Lancs 183km 27.3.04 These fit in with the established pattern of some local birds moving considerable distances to the south for the winter. What is needed now is more data on the origin of passage birds through this area in October/November.

T161220 Wooston Eyes, Cheshire 3M 6.11.04 Controlled Leighton Moss 89km 4.10.05

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 163 First for Lancashire Caspian Gull at Fishmoor Reservoir, Blackburn 26 – 27 February 2005 John Wright

As I travelled from Blackburn to Preston during the last week of February I noticed a large number of big gulls heading from the coast towards Whinney Hill Tip. I assumed this was in response to the cold snap we had been experiencing and hoped that some white‐winged gulls might also be part of this movement. Entry to Whinney Hill Tip had been difficult and I was aware that the access road was also closed, so decided to concentrate my weekend efforts on Fishmoor Reservoir which is used as a roost site for birds feeding at the tip. I arrived at 16.00 on 26 February and scanned the gulls on the water from the JJB car park on the eastern side of the reservoir. A reasonable number were present but nothing out of the ordinary. Bill Berry arrived and we decided to have a look at the roof of the Corus Steel building, on which the gulls actually roost. We climbed the embankment of Guide Reservoir and checked through the gulls already on the roof. As I scanned I came across a second‐calendar‐year gull that immediately grabbed my attention. It displayed a clean white head, small dark eyes and a long black bill. Additional features included a pale mantle, nape‐streaking and, as Bill Berry noted, broad white fringes to the greater coverts. A large, long‐winged bird (presumably a male) it was also noticeably long‐legged. I said to Bill that it had to be a Caspian Gull – a real ʹyouʹll know it when you see itʹ moment. I thought we would need to see the pale underwing and the black tail band to clinch the record so I started to film the bird with my camcorder. After recording the bird for several minutes I made the mistake of taking off the camera so I could zoom in on the birdʹs legs, to try to judge the colouration accurately. Of course, when I did this the bird flew and was immediately lost to view amongst the mass of gulls. They re‐landed but unfortunately the putative Caspian was now out of view. I reviewed the footage I had taken and was convinced of the identification. It appeared to be a classic bird. Bill Aspin arrived at this point and although we found an adult and a second‐ calendar‐year Mediterranean Gull in the roost there was no further sign of the key bird. Bill put a couple of video grabs on the East Lancashire website the following morning with the caveat of ʹapparentʹ as I knew the importance of making absolutely sure of such a tricky ID challenge. The next day Bill informed me that he had emailed gull expert Dick Newell, who has a lot of field experience of Caspian Gull. Dick had quickly replied with the following comments: ʺLooks pretty good to me. The head and bill shape, small eye, white head, shawl, greater coverts with broad white fringes, pale mantle, and last, a point you may not have

164 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 noticed, the shadow‐line that connects the eyes via the nape are all supportive of first‐ winter (2CY) Caspian. Points missing are the under‐wing (normally white), the legs (length, spindliness and colour ‐ normally very pale pink), tail band (normally broad, black and of even thickness), and tertial pattern (dark with thumb‐nails). It looks a biggish bird, so could be a male, though some males have noticeably longer bills than this bird. I think that it is acceptable. ʺ I was elated, the ʹthumb nailʹ tertial pattern and leg length could be seen in other grabs I had, but I also wanted to secure the additional features, aware that a number of Caspian Gulls had been claimed previously in Lancashire. At this point I notified a number of other East Lancashire birders and kept my fingers crossed that the bird would return to the roost. I arrived at Fishmoor at 14.00 and, as is usual for Sundays, when tipping activity is much reduced, several hundred gulls were already present. I quickly located the adult Med Gull but there was no sign of the Caspian. I left at 15.30hrs but returned at 16.30hrs to find Dave Bickerton and Mark Breaks scanning the reservoir from the JJB car park. We walked around to the southern side to get better light and settled in. Dave soon picked up a second‐calendar‐year Iceland Gull distantly to the south and this bird soon circled away towards the coast. We returned to scanning the reservoir and at 17.00hrs the Caspian Gull appeared on the water. Bill Aspin had settled on the western shore so we could try to capture the plumage details from a variety of angles. Bill and I then filmed the bird, waiting for it to flap or fly, whilst Mark took some still pictures – surely we would catch the remaining features now! The bird behaved perfectly and, after spending 30 minutes on the water, it flapped a few times and then took off and flew towards the roof, flying over Dave, Mark and me on the way. We could clearly see the broad, black tail band and pale underwings. Thankfully both Bill and I caught these feature on our footage. All in all a really excellent and educational bird.

Description. Bill: Long and parallel‐sided (the gonydeal angle was shallow). The bill tip was slightly drooped. The bill colour was black. Head & Neck: The white head and small black eyes were distinctive. When it was stood on the roof the rounded rear crown with a long shallow slope to the forehead gave the bird a characteristic ʹsnoutyʹ look. (It should be noted that when the bird was on the water it displayed a squarer rear crown and steeper forehead). The shawl of streaks at the base of the nape was another noticeable feature. Upperparts: The scapulars were grey, second generation feathers. The upper scapulars were rather plain grey but the lower scapulars displayed a clear anchor pattern. Underparts: White with some brown mottling along the flanks and on the undertail.

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 165 Wings: Very long and broad ‐ appearing bowed in flight. On the upperwing the inner primaries showed a ʹVenetian blindʹ effect, caused by their dark outer and light inner webs. On the upperwing the extensive white tips to the greater coverts formed a distinctive wing‐bar visible at rest and in flight. The tertials were dark with a variable white thumbnail pattern at the tip. This was best seen on the lower tertials as the pattern had become somewhat worn on the upper feathers. The underwings were noticeably pale, particularly the median and greater unde rwing coverts and the axillaries. Tail: The broad black tips to the tail feathers formed a band of even width across the tail. Narrow black bars were noticeable immediat ely above the tail band. The bird also displayed a white rump, uppertail coverts and tail base. Legs: Very leggy, the bird stood tall alongside Herring and Lesser Black‐backed Gulls. Colour was pale pink.

Regional Reports and Other Contributors

Alt WeBS Lancaster & District Bird Watching Arnside Natural History Society Society website Birdguides Leighton Moss database Birdline North West Marshside report Blackburn & District Bird Club report MMWWT logs BTO/RSPB Birdtrack Morecambe Bay WeBS Chorley & District Natural History Rare Bird Alert report Ribble WeBS Countryside Council for Wales Rossendale Ornithologists Club report Cuerden Valley Park report Seaforth Bird Report East Lancashire Ornithol ogists Club St. Helens Bird Report report United Utilities Fylde Bird Club database Heysham NR & Observa tory Report

166 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 Earliest and Latest Migrant Dates

Spring Autumn 2005 Earliest Median Trend 2005 Latest Median Trend Garganey 2/4 24.2.95 29/3 ns 12/11 Osprey 4/3 4.3.05 5/4 E 7/11 7.11.05 LRP 20/3 12.3.95+00 26/3 E 4/9 15.10.79 16/9 ns Dotterel 24/4 29.3.89 25/4 ns 1/10 Whimbrel 10/4 11.3.78 10/4 ns 18/10 6.11.88 Wood Sandpiper 26/4 14.4.83 4/5 ns 11/9 28.10.78 19/9 ns Common Sandpiper 5/4 21.3.66 7/4 ns 5/11 29.10.77 15/10 ns Sandwich Tern 17/3 13.3.90 28/3 ns 2/11 2.12.94 11/10 ns Common Tern 17/4 1.4.91 12/4 ns 1/10 17.11.77 22/10 E Arctic Tern 8/4 1.4.94 16/4 ns 12/11 12.11.05 13/10 ns Little Tern 22/4 13.4.91 24/4 ns 30/9 23.10.03 17/9 ns Black Tern 1/5 11.4.80 29/4 ns 1/10 12.11.00 8/10 ns Turtle Dove 15/5 13.4.80 4/5 ns / 18.10.92 Cuckoo 19/4 23.3.00 18/4 ns 27/7 29.9.75 28/8 E Swift 16/4 1.4.04 20/4 ns 6/11 4.12.63 10/10 ns Sand Martin 8/3 24.2.90 12/3 E 1/10 29.10.72 3/10 ns Swallow 17/3 10.3.97 27/3 E 21/12 31.12.86 14/11 ns House Martin 19/3 17.3.63 3/4 ns 15/10 31.12.81 1/11 E Tree Pipit 23/3 17.3.57 5/4 ns 1/10 18.10.67 Yellow Wagtail 5/4 24.3.96 9/4 ns 20/9 11.11.95 3/10 ns Redstart 3/4 28.3.68 11/4 ns 25/9 10.11.82 9/10 E Whinchat 15/4 20.3.76 20/4 L 30/10 12.11.79 18/10 E Wheatear 9/3 26.2.03 11/3 ns 13/11 20.11.98 & 01 1/11 ns Ring Ouzel 17/3 11.3.99 24/3 E 9/11 11.12.00 31/10 L Grasshopper Warbler 21/4 9.4.75 17/4 ns 3/9 4.10.81 Sedge Warbler 9/4 27.3.03 14/4 E 2/10 14.11.96 30/9 ns Reed Warbler 7/4 7.4.02+05 18/4 E 16/10 14.11.93 9/10 ns Garden Warbler 21/4 14.4.93 21/4 E 12/10 13.11.95 23/10 ns Lesser Whitethroat 13/4 16.4.44 23/4 E 23/10 23.11.99 19/9 L Whitethroat 14/4 6.4.65 20/4 E 24/9 23.10.90 29/9 ns Wood Warbler 22/4 14.4.79 22/4 ns / 26.9.67 Willow Warbler 23/3 19.3.90 31/3 ns 17/10 18.11.89 13/10 ns Spotted Flycatcher 1/5 20.4.85 1/5 ns 25/9 15.11.79 4/10 ns Pied Flycatcher 13/4 12.4.94 17/4 ns 5/9 3.11.01 23/9 ns

See notes overleaf

Lancashire Bird Report 2005 167 The table of first and last dates is a regular feature of the bird report giving an ‘at a glance’ view of actual and expected first arrival and last departure dates. The table summarises the following information: • The earliest spring arrival and latest autumn records in 2005. • The earliest recorded spring and latest recorded autumn records. • The average (median) earliest arrival and latest departure dates. • The trends for Earlier or Later arrival or departure wh ere these are statistically significant between 1971 and 2005. Records of presumed over‐wintering and sickly birds have been omitted.

CONTRIBUTOR S

CP Adams LG Blacow GR Clarkson AS Duckels D Gifford MJ Ainscough P Boardman J Clift S Dunstan A Gouldstone D Allen J Bolton AJ Conway B Dwire J Gramauskas R Allen R Bones DL Cook B Dyson P Green JA Almond S Booth AA Cooper S Eaves ME R Ashworth D Bowker C Coupe M Edmondson Greenhalgh WC Aspin A Bradley B Crookes H Elliot M Greenman L Bailey I Brady P Crooks P Ellis C Gregson T Baker B Breaks L Cross M Fanshawe P Grice R Banks Ma Breaks S Cross HF Fearn S Grimshaw JK Bannon Mk Breaks RE Danson C Felton P Guy J Barker N Breaks J Darbyshire A Fenton J Hallsworth M Baron KB Briggs T Darbyshire J Fenton B Hancock JW Bateman M Brown J Davie J Fishwick D Hardaker CG Batty A Bunting T Davie JD Fletcher D Harmer A Baxter J Burgoine C Davies WD Forshaw IM Harper D Beattie N Burke P Davies KG Foster RJ Harris J Beattie CI Bushell A Dawe J Frankland B Harrison K Beaver J Butcher J Dempsey R Fraser P Harrison R Bedford RA Cadman B Derbyshire B Frodsham IR Hartley S Bedford J Calder C Derri P Fyldes S Hawtin D Beevers R Calder AS Disley C Galeski SJ Hayhow S Benge I Cameron J Donnelly C Galvin D Haywood W Berry JS Capstick M Downham I Gardner M Higgin DA Bickerton D Carman D Downing M Garner G Higgins F Bird J Carter J Dransfield N Gates Z Hinchcliffe W Bitters R Carter AJ Draper D Gaunt DJ Hindle

168 Lancashire Bird Report 2005 RM Hobbs P Loydall D Pitman CJ Sharratt B Townson B Holding M Lucas J Plackett K Sharrock J Turner J Holding B Makinson D Potter J Shepherd CJ Tynan A Holmes PJ Marsh M Potter K Singleton T Vaughan PJ Hornby DS Martin A Powell A Skinner G Waddington R Horner SJ Martin G Powell P Slade H Walker R Hothersall D McAdam ME Prestwood PG Slade I Waller RE Hoyle B McCarthy E Prince P Slater JF Walsh B Hugo C McEntee R Pyefinch MA Small DAP Ward G Hulme M McGinty Ch Raby I Smith E Ward M Hutton M McGough Cl Raby C Smith J Webb R Ives P McGough C Rae D Smith WJ Webb EE Jackson DJ McGrath A Raine EJ Smith D Wells S Jackson I McKerchar J Reddish J Smith D Wells B James K McLennan P Rhodes MB Smith N West D Jarvis N McNeil RW Rhodes PH Smith T Westhead J Jarvis A McWilliam VG Rhodes NT Southworth EJ Wheeler M Jobling T Meehan DJ Rigby KG Spencer TE Wheeler A Johnson S Menzie J Riley R Spencer SJ White C Johnson R Meredith N Riley A Spottiswood C Whittle K Johnson SM Meredith A Rimmer J Spottiswood I Whittle M Jones D Messenger B Rishton D Stainer G Wilby S Jones J Metcalf P Rishton T Stevens M Wilby K Kellet D Moreton Je Roberts JA Stinger A Wilkinson P Kinsella J Moreton N Roberts R Stinger DR Williams P Kirk G Morgan Ja Robertson C Stones S Williams P Kirkham D Morley M Robinson D Stoney J Wilson K Knowles M Mottram P Ross A Stott P Wilson G Lamb A Myerscough B Rostron C Stracey D Windle B Lavery D Nadin J Rostron J Sumerfield J Wood A Leach MJ Naylor DW Rothwell M Sutcliffe P Woodruff FI Lee S Naylor S Rush J Taylor K Woods N Leeming R Neville D Satterthwaite JE Taylor JF Wright J Lees D Nuttall P Scholes Ga Thomas D Yates A Leigh J Ormerod R Scholes Gr Thomas B Yorke A Lewis D Owen M Shakeshaft P Thomas S Young C Liggett SG Palmer P Shakeshaft PC Thomason G Lilley G Patefield G Sharples B Tollitt K Lister N Pennington P Sharples CG Tomlinson J Lomax SG Piner T Sharples S Tomlinson

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