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.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
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.
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...
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
