Spring birds flock to North West nature reserves
12 March 2010
Following the coldest winter in over 30 years, North West National Nature Reserves are starting to see the first signs of warmer weather in the region as migrating birds flock to the area and herald the start of spring.
Spring is the time when the natural world is on the move. Millions of migrating birds provide one of the most exhilarating signs of lighter days ahead as new species start arriving for the summer and winter residents return to their traditional breeding grounds. Natural England’s National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are a great place to see some of this astonishing seasonal movement in action.
On NNRs up and down the country, spring sees the return of migratory waders, such as golden plover and curlew; while whinchat and ring ouzel start to appear on our upland heaths and moors. From late-March to mid-May, swallows pass through in their thousands; yellow wagtails and whitethroats return from their African wintering grounds to breed on England’s lowland farmland; and redwings and fieldfares return to Scandinavia to breed.
There are 31 National Nature Reserves across four counties in the North West of England and they offer ideal opportunities for observing birds and wildlife. Nearly all have hides, trails and viewing areas and spring is an especially good time to visit, with birds arriving daily for the summer and winter visitors preparing to depart.
“The arrival of our migrant breeding birds is a treat for wildlife watchers,” said Poul Christensen, Chair of Natural England, “and National Nature Reserves provide some of the best safe havens for both these long-distance travellers and for our resident species. It reminds us what an important resource these reserves are and how important they are to the future of our wildlife.”
With spring around the corner, here’s Natural England’s guide to the best bird migration hotspots on North West National Nature Reserves:
North-West England
Finglandrigg Woods National Nature Reserve, Cumbria
Departing redwings and fieldfares fly overhead and the first chiffchaff arrives. The nuthatch is a recent colonist here and can usually be heard calling whilst warblers such as blackcap, garden warbler and willow warbler arrive. On early mornings and evenings the skulking grasshopper warbler can be heard ‘reeling’ from patches of rush pasture and scrub.
North Walney National Nature Reserve, Cumbria
Flocks of waders gather at the high tide roosts before beginning their spring migration northwards. Off the coast migrating sea ducks such as common scoter and eider can be seen, whilst resident waterfowl start to nest on the pools – look out for mute swans, dabchicks, teal and tufted ducks. The reed fringes are full of reed buntings, and by late eApril are joined by sedge warblers. On sunny days wheatears move up the coast towards their breeding grounds in the Cumbria Fells, whilst rarer passage migrants can include hoopoe and dotterel. On the dune heath there are stonechats and meadow pipits and the air is full of the trilling songs of skylarks.
The Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve, Merseyside
Most wildfowl have departed for their breeding grounds by spring, geese remain into May. Passage waders stop off here to ‘refuel’ before continuing their long flights northwards. High tides push the birds close inshore where they can be seen in breeding plumage. The calls and displays of breeding lapwing and redshank can be heard and seen on the saltmarsh.
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Notes to Editors:
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
About National Nature Reserves
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were initially established to protect sensitive features and to provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research. Their purpose has widened since those early days. As well as managing some of our most pristine habitats, our rarest species and our most significant geology, most NNRs now offer great opportunities to the public as well as schools and specialist audiences to experience England’s natural heritage.
Natural England is the body empowered to declare NNRs in England, the Reserves being a selection of the very best parts of England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It is this underlying designation which gives NNRs their strong legal protection. The majority also have European nature conservation designations.
There are now 224 NNRs in England (and one Marine Nature Reserve, Lundy) with a total area of over 92,000 hectares, which is approximately 0.6% of the country’s land surface. The largest is The Wash NNR, covering almost 8,800 hectares, whilst Horn Park Quarry in Dorset, at 0.32 hectares, is the smallest.
For more information on NNRs please visit the NNR section on the Natural England website.
