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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GREATER MANCHESTER BIRD SIGHTINGS -> Rookeries in Greater Manchester
Post Info TOPIC: Rookeries in Greater Manchester
Judith Smith


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RE: Rookeries in Greater Manchester 2009
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The last BTO survey was in 1996 when a sample census was carried out. There were 10 tetrads in GMC. However, I did attempt to find all rookeries (see article in the 1996 report) and 43 were located with a total of 956 nests (45 with 1418 nests in 1975).
I know there has been a considerable decrease since then with no nests now at (eg) Golborne Dale (57 in 1996), Brandlesholme Hall, and much reduced at most other sites. Therefore I think it's really important we find as many as we can for the new atlas. Rooks (like Feral Pigeons and Mute Swans) are often ignored by birdwatchers, sadly.

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Judith Smith __________________________________ Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
Steve Suttill


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Yes Bill,

you make a good point about missing colonies when doing TTVs. I'm not sure about the methodology that was used for the last full Rookeries Survey but I'm sure that wasn't foolproof either!

There's probably not a lot of point in just checking the sites that were found in the last survey as old sites are abandoned and new ones founded on a yearly basis.

I write up the Rook bit of the County Report and, believe me, it's not easy. Everyone seems to use different names for the same sites. It confuses me no end confuse.gif and Judith has to correct my text every year!

Steve

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Bill Myerscough


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Henry - I fully take your point but surely it is best to have too much info rather than too little (which is more often the case)? If we did a comparison against the last full survey then that would seem to be a fair reflection of what is actually happening.

Steve - with regard to colonial species being picked up on TTV's for the Atlas project. One of my reasons for doing TTV's is to visit areas that I am not totally familiar with and the exciting prospect of what you might find! Because some people do not know the areas they are surveying and given that a breeding survey TTV might only cover 2 one hour visits, I would guess there is some chance that colonies might well be missed! I know from my own experience that I wasn't aware of colonial nesting birds near to an area where I regularly walk and birdwatch ashamed.gif until I was told about them!. redface.gif Plus counting colonial nesting birds does take some time and from my limited experience the only way to count them accurately.... is to wait and watch!

The other reasons I suggested it, was to try and encourage more records being put towards the atlas project, at the same time as birders are able to enjoy all of the sights and sounds and the spectacle of good numbers of commoner species which are on our "doorstep"and which we often overlook - I know I have!! redface.gifnod.gif

Cheers,

Bill.

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Tony Coatsworth


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A 'good number' in Dunham Forest Golf Course - last time I visited there were 40+ Rooks hanging around the old nests but not yet building. I'll do a proper count when I start Atlasing again in April

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Steve Suttill


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If, as part of the Bird Atlas project, we do counts in every tetrad in the county (and that is our intention) we should get a reasonably accurate figure of Rookeries and nests. These should be entered in the Colony Counts section of the TTV forms.
I can't remember the date of the last comprehensive BTO survey of Rookeries (probably 15 years or so ago) but Judith will have the figures on the county database and a pretty accurate comparison can be made.

Steve

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Henry Cook


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Wouldn't a hugely increased observer coverage produce higher results than historically though Bill, which could mask the magnitude of any decline?
Henry.

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Bill Myerscough


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I attempted to count the "rookery" at Kiln Lane, Milnrow yesterday afternoon (18/3). Sadly, I could only find one nest (with a bird sitting). The 2006 county bird report indicates 6 nests here in that year and also the preceding year and 18 in 2004. Unfortunately, it looks like this particular rookery might be on its "last legs"? cry.gif

Wouldn't it be great if as users of the forum we could count all of the rookeries in GM in the 2009 breeding season? I see from the statistics from the forum that there are now 384 registered members! happy.gif I am sure between us teamwork.gif over the next few weeks or so we could make an extra effort to count the rookeries - all will help towards the 2007-2011 BTO atlas project records.

Keep atlasing! (breeding records required Apr- Jul) xd.gif

Cheers,

Bill.


-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Thursday 19th of March 2009 08:06:50 AM

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Paul Heaton


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14 nests on the River mersey Sale.

1 Nest outside my house first time ever they have nested here, have been watching them building nest from scratch, one of the wonders of the world, nesting building.

keep birding.

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Bill Myerscough


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I'll add my min. of 64 nests counted at Birch on 14th March '09. Will make a further visit in April and may need to revise total slightly.

Bill.

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Judith Smith


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Rookeries in Greater Manchester
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19 nests in trees near to the centre of Hollingworth as I passed along the A628 today. Also Jackdaws nesting in the chimney of the Junction Inn.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 7th of February 2011 09:04:44 AM

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