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The Hay Bridge & Rusland Valley Bird Race was organised by the Hay Bridge Nature Reserve Society with four aims: 1 To promote public knowledge of Hay Bridge 2 To raise money towards the Reserve‘s funds 3 To provide an accurate 'snapshot‘ of the birds of Hay Bridge and the surrounding area 4 To provide birders with a good day‘s birding. We are pleased to say that all our objectives were achieved. Following Saturday‘s torrential rain and high winds, Sunday was sunny and calm with just a couple of heavy showers in late afternoon. The event area comprised the catchment area of the Rusland Valley and extended from Grizedale Forest in the North to the Leven Estuary at Greenodd in the South (approx 12km). It included areas of forestry, farmland, ancient woodland, open fell, mountain and lowland river, tarns and tidal estuary. The Hay Bridge Nature Reserve comprises just 220 acres set in the heart of the valley. Points were awarded at one per species plus one bonus point for each species recorded within Hay Bridge Reserve. Between 7.00am and 7.00pm a total of 64 species were recorded in the event area with 43 of those species being recorded within Hay Bridge Reserve itself. The winning team of Harry Ashcroft and Robert Pocklington from Grange-over-Sands recorded a total of 53 species with 42 from Hay Bridge and scored 95 points. The runners up, Val Rushworth and Jim Sheldon from Blackpool recorded 45 species (21 at Hay Bridge) scored 66 points. (See opposite for the full list.) There were no surprises about birds recorded, but some surprising omissions including Curlew and Oystercatcher. Species marked * on the species list were recorded within Hay Bridge Reserve. We hope to hold another race in May 2001 in conjunction with a ?Birders Weekend‘ which will include Lectures, Demonstrations, a Dawn Chorus walk, and Art & Trade exhibitors. There is lots of local accommodation from campsites & bunkhouses to B&Bs and Hotels. There are also some of the best pubs in South Lakeland. Why not make a weekend of it? Watch this space for further details. Full details of numbers of species and precise locations are available from Harry Ashcroft: tel 015395 35910, e-mail harryashcroft@aol.com Details about Hay Bridge Reserve are available from the warden Mrs. Dee Doe: tel 01229 861727, e-mail haybridge@supanet.com Harry Ashcroft Full list of species recorded (* = observed within Hay Bridge reserve) |
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| Cormorant * Grey Heron * Mute Swan * Greylag Goose * Canada Goose Shelduck Mandarin Duck Common Teal * Mallard * Red-breasted Merganser Goosander Sparrowhawk Common Buzzard * Kestrel Pheasant * Moorhen * Coot * Lapwing Black-headed Gull * Common Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Great Black-backed Gull |
Woodpigeon * Collared Dove Barn Owl Tawny Owl * Green Woodpecker * Great Spotted Woodpecker * Swallow * Meadow Pipit Grey Wagtail * Pied Wagtail * Wren * Dunnock Robin * Blackbird * Fieldfare * Song Thrush Mistle Thrush * Chiffchaff Goldcrest * Long-tailed Tit Willow Tit *
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Coal Tit * Blue Tit * Great Tit * Nuthatch * Jay * Magpie * Jackdaw * Rook * Carrion Crow * Raven * Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch * Greenfinch * Goldfinch * Siskin * Mealy Redpoll * Bullfinch * Hawfinch * Yellowhammer Reed Bunting * |