RSPB Walsall Local Group

a million voices for nature

7 April 2002

This spring visit to Lancashire started with the group's members meeting at the main car park at Stocks Reservoir at 10am. We were greeted by the welcome sound of both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler song. A walk down to the nearby bird hide produced good views of male Red-breasted Mergansers and Goldeneyes on the water, with Redshanks, Lapwings and Oystercatchers on the shoreline. Small numbers of Sand Martins flew overhead.

After a walk around the adjacent woodland we had lunch in the picnic area. We then travelled via the village of Slaidburn to drive up towards the Trough of Bowland. We stopped for a short stroll up Langden Brook, with Grey Wagtails on the stream next to the road. A Buzzard soaring overhead was shortly joined by a Peregrine. After walking as far as a small reservoir, a Dipper was spotted.

Continuing by car we stopped at the top of the pass and after looking around for a few moments spotted a pair of Red Grouse (the male pictured below) amongst the heather.

Our final stop on the way down the other side of the Trough resulted in a brief view of a low flying Merlin.

Andy Thomas

About the Forest of Bowland*.

Other birds seen included:

• Little Grebe
• Great Crested Grebe
• Cormorant
• Canada Goose
• Teal
• Mallard
• Sparrowhawk
• Kestrel
• Pheasant
• Moorhen
• Coot
• Black-headed Gull
• Lesser Black-backed Gull
• Woodpigeon
• Meadow Pipit
• Pied Wagtail
• Wren
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Mistle Thrush
• Coal Tit
• Blue Tit
• Great Tit
• Magpie
• Jackdaw
• Crow
• Starling
• House Sparrow
• Chaffinch
• Reed Bunting

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