Bird Records For Thorne Moors 1992

 

Compiled by Peter C. Roworth and Janet M. Roworth

 

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 
Single birds were seen and heard calling from late March until October at Bell’s Pond, Inkle Moor Pond and the Paraffin Works Cuttings. There was a maximum three on 11th September at the Paraffin Works Cuttings.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
One was flying S over Will Pits on 1st March.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Sightings, usually of single birds flying over moors or flushed from the main water courses such as, Thorne Waste Drain, Elmhirst Pump Drain and at Bell’s Pond. Nine were flushed from Thorne Waste Drain on 16th July.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Five were flying W over NNR on 31 May. Two were flying S over Will Pits on 3rd September. Eleven were flying S over Bell’s Wood on 14th December.

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus 
Around 200 flying SW over the western edge of the moors on 13th January. About 150 flying NW towards the northern part of the moors on 20th February. 117 flying E over moors on 8th November.

Greylag Goose A. anser 
Two disturbed off Mill Drain on 17th March. Two feral birds flushed from the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 5th April and four birds seen there on 19th April. Two adults with three young were seen there on 23th May.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Six were flying SW over Southern Boundary Drain on 6th June. Sixty were flying NW over Moorends on 14th June and eight flying NW over the Shoulder of Mutton on 18th October.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 
Two were flying NW over Will Pits on 15th March. Three were flying W over Inkle Moor on 13th May. One flying E over Bell’s Pond on 9th June and two on 28th September.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 
One male was at Bell’s Pond on 3rd March. Six at Paraffin Works Cutting on 27th September and one female or juvenile Seen there on 5th November.

Common Teal A. crecca 
Observed throughout the year. During the breeding season individual birds or pairs were flushed from most of the drains in the southern part of the moors. Adult birds with young were seen in June and July on the Southern Boundary Drain and the Paraffin Works Cuttings. From September until the end of the year larger groups of birds were observed peaking at 70 at the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 2nd October. There were 40 at Bell’s Pond on 9th October, then 50 flushed from the drain around Elmhirst Wood on 4th October and 70 flushed from the new flooded area S of New Mill Drain on 15th December.

Mallard A. platyrhynchos
Observed throughout the year. Individual birds, pairs or small groups were seen in the drains on the southern parts of the moors throughout the breeding season. Adult birds with young were seen at the Paraffin Works Cutting, at Paraffin Cuttings and on the Thorne Waste Drain. Autumn/winter numbers were higher with 120 at Paraffin Cuttings on 30th August, 60 at the Paraffin Works Cutting on 13th November and 200 on the flooded area S of the New Mill Drain on 15th December.

Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 
Two birds seen at the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 3rd September and 27th September. Two females were seen there on 5th November.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 

One immature male observed over Bell’s Pond on 10th and 11th May. One male seen hunting over ‘Middle Moor’ on 19th August. One female was seen to the E of the NNR on 5th September. One immature male was flying high over ‘Middle Moor’ on 12th October.

 

Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
Birds, usually singles, were observed during the winter months. 
09th January 3, 2 males were seen mobbing each other over Pony Bridge and the area S
of the NNR, 1 female was observed in the same area on the same day 
10th January 1 male 
02nd February 2, 1 male was seen in the Pony Bridge area on and 1 female flying over ‘Middle Moor’ on the same day. 
09th February 1 male was over Bell’s Pond and NNR
10th February 1 male was over Bell’s Pond and NNR
01st March 1 female quartering over ‘Middle Moor’
26th March 1 female seen on and over Bell’s Wood, Elmhirst and Casson’s Garden's
27th March 1 female seen on and over Bell’s Wood, Elmhirst and Casson’s Gardens
09th September  1 female near Woodpecker Corner on
16th November  1 male flying from Pony Bridge Wood towards ‘Middle Moor’ 
02nd December  1 female hunting S of Cottage Dyke 
03rd December  1 female NNR
27th December 1 female over Will Pits

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
One adult bird seen flying over moors on 30th March (WHP).

 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk A. nisus
Birds observed throughout the year. Most sightings were of single birds soaring over the moors, but three birds were seen on 23rd April displaying over Will Pits and three females were seen at Bell’s Pond on 10th January and 14th May. Breeding suspected near Woodpecker Corner-Elmhirst Tram area.

Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
One bird seen on 10th February flying from Nightjar Corner towards Will Pits (CF). One immature bird disturbed from the peat to the N of the Limestone Road on 31st August. It flew N towards Goole Fields (PCR/JR).

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 
Observed throughout the year, generally hunting over the abandoned peat cuttings. Breeds in woodland on the edge of the moors. One adult was seen carrying a lizard in its beak over Pony Bridge Marsh on 12th July.

Merlin F. columbarius 
11th January 1 female flying over NNR
26th January 1 flying fast over Pony Bridge Marsh
02nd February 1 flew over Will Pits and 1 flying along Thorne Waste Drain
03rd February  1 male hunting over Long Meadow
09th February  1 female over fields near Bell’s Pond
10th February 1 female over fields near Bell’s Pond
28th February 1 male flying N over Bell’s Pond
03rd March 1 female hunting over Pony Bridge
15th March 1 male stooped with wings folded then flew fast and low over Bell’s Wood
04th April 1 male, possibly roosting, over Bell’s Wood
28th August 1 juvenile female chasing finches over Inkle Moor
03rd September  1 juvenile female over NNR
09th September  1 juvenile female chasing finches over Bell’s Pond
04th October  1 flew N across Pony Bridge Marsh on.
12th October  1 over NNR 
18th October  1 flying across field from Brick Bridge towards Paraffin Cuttings 
30th October  1 male hunting low over Canals
01st November 1 male flying SW of Shoulder of Mutton
19th November  1 male in Bell’s Wood area 

Hobby F. subbuteo
A summer visitor first observed on 
25th May a juvenile was seen perched near Canal 5 on NNR.
31st May 1 adult flying fast across Elmhirst Wood
06th June 1 hunting S of NNR 
09th June 1 hunting over ‘Middle Moor’
16th June 1 hunting over ‘Middle Moor’
10th July 1 over NNR
12th July 2 adults seen hawking dragonflies, E end of Shoulder of Mutton and 2 
adults seen later over Pony Bridge Marsh 
16th July 2 hunting over ‘Middle Moor’ 
15th July 3, 1 adult and 2 immature birds seen over NNR 
19th July 2 adults flying S along E boundary of NNR 
22nd July2 adults over Pony Bridge Marsh 
29th July 2 adults and 1 second-year bird over Pony Bridge Marsh 
14th August 1 over NNR 
15th August 2 second-year birds seen flying W and calling over Paraffin Works Cuttings 
31st August 2 adults flying over open moorland W of Pony Bridge Wood 
07th September 1 adult near Elmhirst Tram 

Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus
11th February 1 immature female seen over NNR flying towards Goole Fields

01st March 1 immature female flushed from bushes near the colliery spoil heap
05th March 1 adult male hunting to W of NNR 
29th July 1 immature bird disturbed from ‘Middle Moor’ 
12th October 1 immature bird disturbed from ‘Middle Moor’ 
17th October 1 immature bird disturbed from ‘Middle Moor’
23rd December 1 birds seen carrying food over Pony Bridge Marsh 

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa
Observed throughout the year, mainly along the disused tramways and tracks. An estimate of 10 breeding pairs.

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix 
Observed throughout the year, mainly along the disused tramways and tracks. An estimate of five breeding pairs. 

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Observed throughout the year. Numbers are kept artificially high because of stock released on the moors and in the surrounding area.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 
One seen at Bell’s Pond on 19th May.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  
Seen throughout the year at the Paraffin Works Cuttings and Bell’s Pond where birds with young were observed in June and July and a total of 10 birds were seen on 3rd September. Sightings also made from the Swinefleet Warping Drain, Elmhirst Pump Drain, Angle Drain and the New Cut.

Common Coot Fulica atra
Birds were observed at the Paraffin Works Cuttings where six were seen on 22nd April and one adult with two young and one with five young were seen on 23rd May. One adult with three young was also seen on Elmhirst Pump Drain on 21st June.

Great Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 
First sightings were made on 28th February when four birds were seen displaying on the disused Thorne colliery spoil heap. Breeding proven with the sighting of an adult and one young on 15th July.

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 
Birds heard calling near the Paraffin Works on 17th June. Nineteen were seen flying over the moors on 27th September.

Grey Plover P. squatarola 
One seen flying W and calling on 8th October near Inkle Moor.

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Records from most months on birds on the fields to the W of the moors and flocks seen flying over the moors. Maximum count was of 1000 seen on 19th October on the fields and the edge of the moors in the Paraffin Works area.

Dunlin Calidris alpina 
One flushed from the flooded area S of New Mill Drain on 17th November.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus 
One flushed from the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 28th March. One flushed from edge of Bell’s Pond on 31st August.

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 
Most sightings occur in the vicinity of the NNR. Single birds were heard drumming over the reserve in April and May. Two pairs bred on the NNR.

 

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 
Occasional sightings of single birds flushed from peat baulks during the winter months. One seen flying over Will Pits on the evening of 6th June and one heard roding near Elmhirst Pump on 13th June.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 
Six flying N over the worked area from the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 23rd May.

Eurasian Curlew N. arquata 
A pair bred at the W end of Mill Drain. Other sightings include seven flying W over the moors on 31st August and one flying overhead on 27th September. 

Common Redshank Tringa totanus 
One flushed from the flooded area S of new Mill Drain on 5th November.

Greenshank T. nebularia 
One seen searching for food on mud at Bell’s Pond on 20th May.

Green Sandpiper T. ochropus
Two were seen at the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 11th July and one seen there on 12th July. Two seen at Bell’s Pond and flying from there towards the Paraffin Works on 14th, 15th and 16th August. One was seen on the New Cut on 16th August. Two were at Bell’s Pond on 12th October. Two were flying N from Bell’s Pond on 14th December.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Occasionally seen flying over the moors. Four pairs bred at the Paraffin Works Cuttings.

Common Gull L. canus 
Occasionally seen during the winter months flying over the moors. Sightings include 16 flying W over Crowle Moor and Will Pits on 15th March and 33 seen flying over the moors on 13th December.

Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus 
Occasionally seen as singles or in small groups flying over the moors from late summer onwards. An unusually large group of approximately 150 was seen flying W on 10th August.

Herring Gull L. argentatus
Infrequently observed throughout the year. A maximum of 30 flew E of 9th February.

Great Black-backed Gull L. marinus
Generally seen flying over the moors in the winter months. An unusually high number of 50 were seen flying E on 10th January.

Stock Dove Columba oenas 
Seen in small numbers throughout the year on the western and southern edges of the moors.

Wood Pigeon C. palumbus 
Observed throughout the year. Small groups regularly seen scattered over the moors, particularly in the wooded areas. Larger numbers, maximum 1000, occur round the southern and western edges of the moors and in the neighbouring fields.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
This is an uncommon species. One was seen at Will Pits on 15th March. Two were seen on Rawcliffe Moors on 12th July.

Turtle Dove S. turtur
A summer visitor, seen regularly at Bell’s Pond and Inkle Moor areas. Breeding also suspected in Pony Bridge Wood.

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 
First recorded on 20th April over NNR. Regularly seen and heard over the moors throughout the summer. Maximum of nine birds seen on 17th May. An estimated 13 pairs bred on the moors. Last recorded on 7th September over NNR.

Barn Owl Tyto alba 
One seen flying from old farm buildings at Top Moor Farm on the edge of the moors on 18th June. Breeding was proven (pers. comms. owner of site).

Little Owl Athene noctua
Two heard calling at Bell’s Pond on 27th June.

Tawny Owl Strix aluco
One heard calling in Will Pits on 7th and 17th May. One adult with young heard calling in Pony Bridge Wood on 13th June.

Long-eared Owl Asio otus
One adult heard calling from Pony Bridge Wood on 23rd April. Two juveniles heard calling from Crowle Moors on 13th and 27th June during evening. Young birds also heard on 27th June at Bell’s Pond and Pony Bridge Wood. Young birds again heard calling from dense scrub near Bell’s Pond on 10th July. One heard calling from Pony Bridge Marsh on 19th July and one calling and being mobbed by a Wren and Robins in Limberlost Wood on 7th August.

Short-eared Owl A. flammeus 
There were occasional sightings during the winter months. One was seen hunting W of Pony Bridge Wood on 9th January. One disturbed near Southern Boundary Drain on 29th January. One flew from Bell’s Pond on 25th May. Two hunting over Pony Bridge Marsh on 1st November and three were seen there on 15th November. One very pale bird seen over Pony Bridge Marsh on 23rd December and one disturbed from the Northern Boundary path on 29th December. 

European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 
First heard churring over Pony Bridge Marsh on 14th May. A total of 42 churring males were recorded on the moors during June. Last records were of juvenile birds seen at Crowle on three September and near Will Pits on 4th September.

Common Swift Apus apus
First recorded on 7th May when one was seen flying W from Bell’s Pond. Regularly observed, with a maximum number of 300 plus feeding over the moors on 19th July. Last record for a single bird flying over Bell’s Pond on 10th September.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 
Uncommon though, one was seen at Bell’s Pond on 14th and 23rd August. One was seen at the Paraffin Works Cuttings and one on the Warping Drain on 11 September. One was seen on the Warping Drain on 21st October. One was seen at the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 13th November and one on Boundary Dyke S of the Cuttings on 22nd November.

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 
Regularly seen and heard throughout the year from the wooded areas tot he S and W of the moors particularly from Bell’s Pond, Elmhirst Wood and Woodpecker Corner on 20th June.

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
Regularly seen and heard throughout the year, mainly in the wooded areas of the moors around Bell’s Pond, Woodpecker Corner and Will Pits. Breeding proven at Woodpecker Corner.

Sky Lark Alauda arvensis 
Seen most months around the southern and western edges of the moors and in the open areas of the old peat workings on Middle Moor. Two in song over ‘Middle Moor’ on 17th March, and four seen there on 12th April and 17th May. Twenty-two were seen flying E in small groups over a period of half-an-hour on 16th October and 12th flying W over NNR on 19th October. One also was in song over ‘Middle Moor’ on 19th October. 

Sand Martin Riparia riparia 
There were occasional sightings of singles or small groups of birds flying over the moors. First record of four seen flying W on 31st August.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 
First sighting on 22 April of six birds flying over Inkle Moor. Small groups seen flying and feeding over the moors throughout the summer. At Bell’s Pond 120 were seen flying S on 15 August. Last record for a single bird seen flying over Bell’s Pond on 6th October.

House Martin Delichon urbica
Occasional sightings were made of singles or small groups of birds flying over the western edges of the moors during the summer months.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Two birds in song in the open area W of Pony Bridge Wood on 25th April. Birds seen during the summer on the old peat cuttings S and E of the NNR. An estimated seven pairs bred on the moors.

Meadow Pipit A. pratensis
Seen most months in the open areas of the moors around ‘Middle Moor’ and Pony Bridge Marsh. Several pairs were in song in this southern area of the moors in April. Breeds in small numbers. Forty-six birds were seen over the moors in 27th September and approximately 40 seen in the ‘Middle Moor’ area in October.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
One female was seen at Angle Drain on 20th June. One seen flying at Rawcliffe Moors on 12th July. One was seen over ‘Middle Moor’ on 28th July. One was seen at the Paraffin Works Cuttings and three at Bell’s Pond on 18th August.

Grey Wagtail M. cinerea
One was seen near Bell’s Pond on 28th September and one at Inkle Moor on 14th and 17th October.

Pied Wagtail M. alba
There were occasional sightings of birds on the western edge of the moors. Also seen flying over the NNR on 10th February and 26th March. One seen near the Swinefleet Warping Drain on 17th March and one pair seen near Mill Drain on 20th April. One juvenile birds seen at Inkle Moor on 12th July.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Observed throughout the year. Well scattered over the southern area of the moors. There was a maximum count of 23 over the moors on 13th December. Breeding numbers of an estimated 10 pairs are still well below the figure of 25 pairs in 1990.

Hedge Accentor Prunella modularis 
Observed throughout the year from the woodland areas of the moors, particularly Will Pits and Pony Bridge Wood. Also seen in the tall scrub areas around Bell’s Pond and along the Northern Boundary path. Three were heard singing in Will Pits on 1st March. 

Robin Erithacus rubecula
A resident species observed throughout the year from the areas of scrub and woodland in the southern half of the moors. Approximately 20 pairs bred. There was a maximum of 30 birds seen on the moors on the 27th September.

Rufous Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos 
First heard in song from Will Pits and Pony Bridge Wood on 23rd April. Singing males also heard from Inkle Moor, the area near Bell’s Pond and Crowle Moors. An estimated 13 males held territories.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
A summer visitor first recorded on 28th April on the NNR. Seveteen pairs bred on the moors with 11 pairs recorded on the NNR indicating that this area is a stronghold for the species.

Common Stonechat S. torquata 
This is an uncommon winter visitor. One female was seen in the Pony Bridge Marsh area on one and 15th November. A pair was seen there on 6th, 14th and 20th December. One further sighting was a pair seen on the rhododendron path on 8th November. 

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Birds usually seen in spring and late summer on passage. A pair remained for two weeks in May in the ‘Middle Moor’ area, but then moved on. Single birds also seen on ‘Middle Moor’ on 3rd April and 5th May. Three females were seen in Goole Fields on 18th August and three at Shoulder of Mutton on 30th August.

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 
One was flying E near Thorne colliery on 25th March.

Blackbird T. merula 
Seen throughout the year in woodland and areas of tall scrub. This species in not common and only an estimated four pairs bred on the moors.

 

Fieldfare T. pilaris 
Observed during the winter months flying over the moors or at roost. A total of 150 were seen roosting on the NNR on 3rd December. 

Song Thrush T. philomelos 
This is an uncommon species. Singles seen or heard from Bell’s Pond area, Will Pits, Pony Bridge Wood, NNR and Inkle Moor. 

Redwing T. iliacus 
Groups seen chiefly between October and December, over the wooded areas of the moors. A total of 170 were seen from Bell’s Pond on 8th October and 56 were there on 1st November. Then 30 were seen over Pony Bridge Wood on 16th November and 50 were at Bell’s Pond on 28th November.

Mistle Thrush T. viscivorus 
One heard in song at Woodpecker Corner on 12th January. Six seen at Bell’s Pond on 1st October and six at Inkle Moor on 26 November.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia 
First recorded on 19th April. Two birds heard calling at Inkle Moor and the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 22nd April. Two seen at Bell’s Pond area on 4th May and one heard calling to the E of the Warping Drain on 7th May. An adult with young was seen at Bell’s Pond on 9th June.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 
First recorded on 2nd May. A total of 16 birds were seen on 23rd May on the western edge of the moors from Bell’s Pond, Inkle Moor and the Paraffin Works Cuttings. An adult with four young was seen at Inkle Moor on 18th July.

Reed Warbler A. scirpaceus 
First recorded on the NNR on 5th May. One pair bred in one of the disused Canals on the NNR. A total of 10 birds were seen on 23rd May from Bell’s Pond, Inkle Moor and the Paraffin Works Cuttings.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
First recorded on 23rd April calling from the rhododendron path. An adult with three young was seen at Bell’s Pond on 26th June.

Common Whitethroat S. communis 
First recorded from Inkle Moor on 22nd April. Regularly seen over a wide area of the southern part of the moors during the summer months. A total of 26 seen on the moors on 17th May and 25 were seen at various sites along the western edge of the moors and the NNR on 23rd May.

Garden Warbler S. borin
First recorded on 2nd May from Inkle Moor where four were seen on 13th May. Also recorded from the Bell’s Pond area, Will Pits and Pony Bridge Wood. A total of nine birds were recorded on the moors on 17th May.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 
First recorded on 19th April from Bell’s Pond and Will Pits. Also recorded from Pony Bridge Wood, Woodpecker Corner, Inkle Moor and the Elmhirst area. Twelve birds were recorded from these areas on the western edge of the moors on 23rd May.

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
First recorded from Inkle Moor on 5th March, the earliest ever. On 23rd April one was recorded at Bell’s Pond, one on the rhododendron path, three in Will Pits and three on the eastern edge of Pony Bridge Wood. The last sighting was a single bird at Bell’s Pond on 23rd October. 

Willow Warbler P. trochilus
First recorded on 19th April. By 23rd April birds had been recorded from Bell’s Pond, Inkle Moor, Crowle Moors, Will Pits, Pony Bridge Wood, the NNR and the rhododendron path. On 23rd May 65 were seen or heard in the areas on the western side of the moors. The species is widespread over the vegetated areas of the moors.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus
This is an uncommon species with most sightings occurring during the winter months. However, one was recorded at Woodpecker Corner on 29th March and again on 31st May. Winter sightings are usually of one or two birds seen in a mixed flock of Tits. On 7th November a total of nine birds was seen, one at the Paraffin Works Cuttings, one in Will Pits, three on Crowle Moors, two in Pony Bridge Wood and two at Woodpecker Corner.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 
One seen in Pony Bridge Wood on 17th May. One was seen at alder thickets near Paraffin Cuttings on 12th July. Two were seen on Inkle Moor on 15th August. One was seen at Bell’s Pond on three and 17th September. Two were seen at Bell’s Pond and one at Will Pits on 31st August.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 
Generally seen in flocks, sometimes with other Tits, during the winter months. Twenty-three were seen with one Coal Tit flying from Pony Bridge Marsh to Crowle Moor on 26th January. A total of 34 birds were in three groups seen on 20th December; 14 were in a flock near Angle Drain, eight near Elmhirst Pump and 12 at Woodpecker Corner. Thirty-two were seen in a mixed flock on the northern boundary of the NNR on 27th December. Adults with young were seen during the breeding season at Bell’s Pond, Pony Bridge Wood and Limberlost Tram.

Willow Tit Parus montanus 
Observed in small numbers throughout the year. In the winter months they are often seen in mixed tit flocks in the woodland and tall scrub areas. A family group of four birds was seen at the Green Belt area N of Cottage Dyke on 31st May. One adult and two juveniles were seen n Pony Bridge Wood on 7th June and a family group was seen at the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 17th June and on the NNR on 21st June and 18th July.

 

Coal Tit P. ater
Occasionally seen with other Tits during the winter months. One seen in a mixed flock on the NNR on 14th January on one with long-tailed Tits on Pony Bridge Marsh on 26th January. Two seen in Will Pits on 1st March. One was seen with other tits in Will Pits on 1st November and one in a mixed flock at Woodpecker Corner on 29th November.

Blue Tit P. caeruleus 
Observed throughout the year from the scrub/woodland areas in the southern half of the moors. Breeds in small numbers. Adults and juveniles seen on the NNR on 31 May and 18th August and in Pony Bridge Wood on 21st June and 7th July. Seen in small groups or as part of mixed flocks during the winter months.

Great Tit P. major
Seen as singles or small groups throughout the year from the scrub/woodland areas of the moors. A total of 11 birds were seen on 20th December. Breeds in small numbers. A family party was seen at Bell’s Pond on 18th July.

Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
One was seen at Bell’s Pond on 9th January and one was in Will Pits on 27th December. 

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
Observed most months of the year in the Bell’s Pond area. Also seen in Will Pits, Elmhirst Wood and Pony Bridge Wood. Most sightings are of single birds, but four were seen near Swinefleet Drain on 23rd August and four at Bell’s Pond and three at the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 8th October.

Magpie Pica pica
There were sightings throughout the year particularly from the western and southern edges of the moors. A family party was seen in the Bell’s Pond area on 11th July and another group of two adults and three juveniles was seen on the NNR on 7th August. A maximum count of 25 birds was seen in the Bell’s Pond area on 12th October. 

Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Four seen flying SE from Bell’s Pond on 3 March and two flying over Broadbentgate Moor on 5th April.

Rook C.  frugilegus
Approximately 60 flying over ‘Middle Moor’ on 12th October. 

Carrion Crow C. corone 
Observed throughout the year as singles or small groups. Larger groups seen on the open peatland areas and around the western edge of the moors. Seventy were seen flying over the NNR on 4th January. Fifty-plus were seen on Mill Drain Marsh on 3rd March. Sixty were seen in scattered groups over the moors on 27th March.

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Occasional sightings include a possible nesting pair in Will Pits on 12th May and two juveniles at Bell’s Pond on 21st June. Winter sightings include 40 flying over Bell’s Pond on 9th October and 100 at Inkle Moor on 1st November. 

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
One heard Calling at Bell’s Pond and then seen to fly W on 9th October.

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Seen in small numbers throughout the year from the wooded areas around the southern and western edges of the moors. Breeds in most of these areas. Two were seen in song on the NNR on 28th April. Eight seen in Pony Bridge Wood on 10th May. Ten were seen at Bell’s Pond on 3rd September, 1st October and 3rd December. Nine were seen at Woodpecker Corner on 29th November.

Brambling F. montifringilla 
One heard calling at Bell’s Pond on 4th January. One female was seen with Greenfinches at Elmhirst Pump on 10th February. One female was seen at Bell’s Pond on 17th February. One was heard calling at Bell’s Pond area on 1st October and two seen with Chaffinches at Will Pits on 18th October. One heard calling at Woodpecker Corner on 28th October and one calling at the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 13th November.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
A large flock of 100+ roosted in the Bell’s pond area from January until March, and equal numbers were seen again roosting there on 3rd December. During the breeding season birds were seen at Inkle Moor and Bell’s Pond. Other sightings include 20 at Elmhirst Pump on 10th February and 30 at Cassons Gardens on 6th December. 

Goldfinch C. carduelis 
There were occasional sightings of singles or small groups, mainly during the winter months. A flock of nine birds was seen in the SE corner of the moors on 19th January and 12 near Swinefleet Drain on 16th February. A flock of 25 was seen feeding at Will Pits on 5th April. Four were seen at Alders on 24th December. 

Siskin C. spinus
There were occasional winter sightings. Twenty-six were flying SE near NNR on 2nd February. Two juveniles were seen on 31st August and two were seen flying over Bell’s Pond on 28th September. Six were seen flying over Bell’s Pond on 1st October. Two over Bell’s Pond and three over Paraffin Works Cuttings on 8th October. One was seen at Bell’s Pond on 21st October. Fourteen were flying W over Bell’s Pond on 5th November and 5 were flying near the W boundary on 9th November. Ten were flying E then N from Bell’s Pond on 28th November and seven flying S on 3rd December. 

Linnet C. cannabina 
Winter flocks seen over the moors include 50+ finches, mostly Linnets, seen near NNR on two February, 30 seen at Bell’s Pond on 17th February, 60 at Will Pits on 15th March. Breeding pairs were seen on the NNR, Inkle Moor and Pony Bridge Marsh. Autumn/winter flocks included 19 at Woodpecker Corner on 27th September and a mixed flock of 37 finches including Linnets near the NNR on 6th December. 

Common Redpoll C. flammea
There were occasional sightings including five flying over Pony Bridge Wood on 4th April, three at Woodpecker Corner on 23rd April, five were near the rhododendron path on 21st June. A flock of 30 was seen gathering to roost on Inkle Moor on 27th September.

Common Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula 
Observed in small numbers throughout the year, mainly from the Bell’s Pond area, Pony Bridge Wood and Will Pits. Breeding pairs were seen in Pony Bridge Wood and on Inkle Moor. A family group of two adults and three juveniles were seen near Bell’s Pond on 7th August. 

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
A flock of 30+ were seen flying NE towards the moors on 15th November.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
Regularly seen throughout the year scattered over a wide area of the moors. Breeds on the dry peat baulks that occur in this southern half of the moors. Maximum winter counts include 12 seen over the moors on 27th September, 10 at Bell’s Pond on 5th November and eight at the Paraffin Works Cuttings on 22nd November.

Reed Bunting E. schoeniclus
Observed throughout the year with maximum counts of 10 seen over the moors on 19th April and 10 seen at Bell’s Pond and the Paraffin Works on 23rd May. Juvenile birds were seen near ‘Middle Moor’ on 21st June and near Bell’s Pond on 30th August. Five birds were on the NNR during the winter bird survey on 17th October and five were seen near the Swinefleet Warping Drain on 24th December.

 

 

List of Observers
Simon Bates, Ian Edwards, Clive Featherstone, Steve Hiner, Martin Limbert, Bill H. Priestley, Janet M. Roworth, Peter C. Roworth, Bryan P. Wainwright, John Walker, Andy Warren.