Download tops for twitchers! - Marketing Lancashire

Lancashire – tops for twitchers!
Hen Harrier © Andy Hay rspb-images.com
From the rugged moorlands of Bowland to the dramatic sands of Morecambe Bay, Lancashire is renowned for its
birds and wildlife. The county’s varied countryside is home to world-famous breeding grounds and attracts
birdwatchers from across the globe eager for a sight of its rare species. From the hen harrier in its hillside home
to the red throated diver on the shores of the Irish Sea, Lancashire is a mecca for bird lovers throughout the year.
Whatever part of the Red Rose county you are exploring, take your binoculars and prepare to be rewarded for
your patience by a real wildlife show. This is a part of England rich in nature as well as heritage and be prepared to
be dazzled (if you’re lucky you will see one of the country’s rarest plants too – the Lady’s Slipper Orchid –
Cypripedium Calceolus).
Page 1 of 5
The Forest of Bowland and Arnside & Silverdale Areas of Outsanding Natural Beauty are nationally
protected landscapes and have an international importance for their moorland, blanket bog and the rare birds that
make their home there.
The Forest of Bowland is also the only regular breeding place in England for the enigmatic Hen Harrier, which is
the proud symbol of the area.
Bowland’s ecological features make it nationally important for nature conservation and 13% of the landscape has
been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Bowland Fells are the largest area of continuous
heather moorland in Lancashire, providing an important breeding ground cover and a vital food source for many
bird species.
Traditionally, hedges of hawthorn, blackthorn and other shrubs have formed working field boundaries. Dividing
low-lying fields and farmland, they rise up to a network of dry stone walls on the higher fells.
The Bowland Fells are dominated by blanket bog and heather moorland with areas of upland pasture, especially on
lower slopes below the fell wall. They are incised by rapid flowing rivers giving rise to steep cloughs with
occasional trees and lush wooded valleys on lower slopes, with marshes and streams at lower levels.
The surrounding Bowland Fringe has a diverse landscape of undulating herb-rich hay meadows and lush pastures,
broad-leaved woodlands, parkland and water bodies, such as Stocks Reservoir, set against the dramatic backdrop
of the Bowland Fells.
The moors are a major breeding ground for upland birds and the major part of the Bowland Fells has been
designated as a Special Protection Area under the European Birds Directive. The lowlands contain important
ancient woodland habitat.
The birds of the Forest of Bowland include the fabulous Hen Harrier: This bird of prey is most often seen flying
slowly over the ground, on its hunt for small birds and mammals.
The Merlin, Bowland’s smallest bird of prey and the Peregrine Falcon, the largest breeding falcon in the area,
can also be seen on the move hunting for food. Other birds to watch out for on your Bowland travels include:
Curlew, Golden Plover, Ring Ouzel, Snipe, Short-eared Owl, Oystercatcher and Red Grouse.
Page 2 of 5
Arnside and Silverdale AONB
Heading down from Lancashire’s rugged hills to its dramatic coast, the picture is the same – important colonies of
seabirds can be found along the shore and in the county’s dramatic river estuaries.
The Wyre Estuary and the surrounding saltmarshes offer a unique and rich habitat for breeding birds.
Morecambe Bay and the Ribble Estuary are two of the most important sites in the whole of the UK for the
wintering and passage of waders and wildfowl.
The River Wyre marks the southern boundary of Morecambe Bay, the third most important site for wildfowl and
waders in the country. This is an area teeming with birdlife. An average of 32,000 wildfowl and 187,000 wading
birds spend winter in Morecambe Bay, with 12 species occurring in internationally important numbers.
The dramatic landscape of the Bay is part of an important chain of estuaries that provide valuable feeding grounds
for thousands of waders migrating between West Africa and the far north - Canada, Greenland, Iceland and
northern Scandinavia.
Gannet, Fulmar, Artic Skua, Kittiwake and Terns can be seen in Autumn and Spring, whilst smaller birds
such as Swallows, Finches, Pipits and Wagtails are spotted migrating along the coast.
During the winter small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Great Created Grebe, Goldeneye and Redbreasted Merganser can be viewed off shore.
The salt marshes along the estuary provide good winter feeding grounds for large numbers of small birds. Linnet,
Chaffinch and Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon are all fairly common to the area.
Page 3 of 5
GET SPOTTING:
Leighton Moss, RSPB reserve: Near to Morecambe Bay, this is the largest remaining reed bed in the North
West of England, noted for its rare, yet accessible birds, including Bitterns, Bearded Tits and Marsh
Harriers and Avocets. This RSPB reserve also has a wonderful landscape that includes shallow meres and salt
marsh. The reserve and its visitor centre are open all year round, except for Christmas Day. For more information
log on to www.rspb.org.uk
Wildlife and Wetland Trust Martin Mere Wetland Centre, near Ormskirk: A 50-acre site that is
home to 100 species of rare birds, including varieties of ducks, geese and swans, you’ll also see flamingos at this
all year round wildlife attraction. Tour the seasonally flooded wetlands through carefully laid pathways or use one
of the 10 hides to view the wildfowl. You can also feed some of its birds by hand. This is an internationally
important area and has been designated both a Site of Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area. There are
also exhibitions and a children’s adventure playground to enjoy. For more information log on to www.wwt.org.uk
Wyre Estuary Country Park, near Thornton: This beautiful site, on the banks of the Wyre, is a real haven
for wildlife and birds and is a great place to explore. The river and the salt marshes here support internationally
important numbers of birds. Species that can be spotted here include Pink Footed Geese, Oystercatchers and
Shell duck. For more information log on to www.visitlancashire.com
The Wildlife Trust’s Mere Sands Wood, near Ormskirk: A 105-acre wildlife haven in the heart of West
Lancashire’s agricultural landscape. Here you will find lakes, woodlands and grasslands rich in bird and wildlife. The
reserve’s varied habitats host nationally important species. An amazing total of 170 breeds of bird have been seen
here and 60 are known to have bred. There are nationally important numbers of Gadwall and Teal and you
might also see Tufted Duck and Goldeneye along with Wigeon and Pintail. The reserve’s birches are home
to the Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. There are also Kingfishers and Woodpeckers to be found. Mere
Sands also has 17 species of mammal, including the Water Vole and butterflies and dragonflies abound.
Nature in all its glory is all around. For more information log on to www.lancswt.org.uk
Page 4 of 5
Bleasdale Cottages, Lower Fairsnape Farm, Bleasdale: This family run business in the peaceful Forest of
Bowland is an ideal spot for bird watching, offering B&B and self-catering accommodation in converted farm
buildings. It has also won awards for its efforts in Lapwing conservation and is a popular haunt for wild birds,
including waders, because it is managed for wildlife. The farm’s meadows rate a patchwork of short grass, ideal for
nesting, and tussocks, which provide cover for chicks. Several scrapes, shallow depressions which collect water in
the winter and slowly dry out during the spring and summer, have also been created. They are vital for providing
food for breeding waders and their chicks. In 2004, the farm became the Northern England Lapwing Champion
under a scheme run by the RSPB. Birds spotted here include the rare Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Curlew, Reed
Bunting, Meadow Pipit and Snipe. The area is also home to the Brown Hare. There are events throughout
the year, including bird watching walks around the farm. To get more information log on to
www.bleasdalecottages.co.uk.
The Bowland Festival: Held every June, this is a celebration of the birds, wildlife and culture of the Forest of
Bowland. To discover more about the area’s rich nature and to explore its heritage and exceptional beauty visit
www.bowlandfestival.co.uk
Page 5 of 5