RSPB Bowland News Spring 2005

RSPB Monitoring Work on the United Utilities Forest of Bowland Estate 2004 - Harriers Galore!

The spring and summer of 2004 was extremely memorable on whole variety fronts, but the undoubted highlight was the outstanding success of the hen harriers. This success, however, was tempered by the fact that The Forest of Bowland was the only location in England where hen harriers attempted to breed in 2004.

A minimum of 31 individual harriers were present for the whole, or just part, of the breeding season. In fact the total could well have been much higher, perhaps nearer the 40 mark. A total of eight nests were located on the UU estate, and with large clutch sizes, it looked good for a bumper year. In fact, 25 young hen harriers fledged during June and July, this being the largest number for at least two decades. In addition productivity was excellent, with an average 3.13 young fledged per nesting attempt. This compares to the long-term average of just 1.7. This success was probably down to a number of factors: a vole explosion, good weather at critical times and no evidence of persecution. A further two harrier nests were monitored by Stephen Murphy of English Nature on the neighbouring Abbeystead and Bleasdale estates; fledging a further three young between them.

After two disastrous years (mainly due to heavy rain when the chicks were newly hatched) peregines also had an excellent year, with almost certainly 13 chicks fledged from seven nesting attempts. This compares to just three chicks form eight nests in 2003. In fact, two family parties of peregrines put on the most remarkable bird spectacle for a guided walk in July. For over an hour, whilst we watched, the adult birds would shepherd pigeons into their respective valleys, allowing the youngsters numerous opportunities to practice their develop hunting skills. Fortunately (for the pigeons), the young peregrines still had some serious learning to do! Merlins, unfortunately, had a slightly less productive year. Whilst the number of nesting attempts increased to nine (with just six in 2003), exactly the same numberof chicks fledged as in 2003 - 21. This is due to the later timing of merlin nesting attempts compared to hen harriers and peregrines, and a period of heavy rain when the majority of clutches were hatching. This led to the widespread death of the smallest chicks.

As already mentioned, 2004 was definitely a vole year. The single biggest indicator of this was the huge number of proved and probable nesting attempts by short-eared owls - 21 in all! Whitendale, during June, must have held one of the highest concentrations of short-eared owls anywhere in the country. Scarce songbirds are also monitored, on a bi-annual basis, revealing the following changes in the number of occupied territories:

2002, 2004

Stonechat 39 39
Whinchat 27 22
Wheatear 27 16
Reed Bunting 14 18

No change for the stonechat, but still a remarkable number given that there were none in 1997! Whinchat shows a slight decline from what was a peak in 2002, whilst the wheatear population has decreased by a slightly worrying 40%. On the other hand, reed buntings have increased by 28%.

I may be biased, but the uplands are definitley the place to be during spring!

Pete Wilson RSPB Bowland Officer