Hi Judith
I remember the large rookeries in Whiefield, they are sadly missed I think a spring rookery is a great place to start the year.

At the last BTO Rookeries Census in 1996, I recorded the following totals:
43 rookeries = 956 nests
In 1975, there were 45 rookeries with 1418 nests - a decline of about a third. I suspect many more have gone or declined since. Rookeries which I know have gone since 1996 are Golborne Hollows, 2 in Ashton in Makerfield, Brandlesholme Hall (Bury), HIndley at Atherton Rd, Rose Hill Ramsbottom, 2 in Summerseat, 2 in Whitefield. Many of the others have decreased considerably. Urbanisation and the treatment of agricultural land with pesticides are/were reasons for GM to go against the national trend. The dosage of cows with drugs which affect the colonisation of cowpats with various larvae is also a factor.

Hi, I am curious about rook numbers as, unlike their pals the jackdaws who have increased over past few years, they have declined noticeably. I live over the border in W Yorkshire and have noticed a substantial decline in Rooks in last few years. The number of nests at my nearest rookery has halved in last two years. Thought a few more would have started nesting but no sign. I know the Alkrigton one disappeared a few years ago and those in Heywood and Castleton also, although Birch appears to have gone from strenth to strength.

I

Now's the ideal time to count Rookeries, before the leaves come on the trees. I've a suspicion they are in decline in Greater Manchester, so any counts will be very welcome...