Wild Web viewUse a shortened three visit version of the British Trust for Ornithology’s...

River Liza braided river system – Peter Ullrich May 2015.

Bird Monitoring 2015Valley Bottom Grazing Survey

A report by Peter Ullrich commissioned by The Wild Ennerdale Partnership 2016 Forestry Commission, National Trust, United Utilities and Natural England.

Peter Ullrich Ornithological Consultant

25 Arlecdon Parks RoadArlecdon, Frizington

Cumbria CA26 3XGTel: 01946 861376

email: [email protected]

Bird Monitoring 2015Valley Bottom Fields

Contents

Contents..................................................................................................................... 2Introduction and Objectives.......................................................................................4Description of Survey Areas.......................................................................................5

Char Dub.................................................................................................................6Gillerthwaite Fields.................................................................................................7River Liza................................................................................................................ 8

Methodology.............................................................................................................11Aims and Objectives.............................................................................................11Methodology.........................................................................................................11

Survey Visit Details.................................................................................................13Valley Bottom survey No1 22/04/15.....................................................................13Valley Bottom survey No2 22/05/15 & 23/05/15...................................................13Valley Bottom survey No3 09/06/15 & 10/06/15...................................................13

Survey Results..........................................................................................................15Summary for all Three Areas................................................................................15Analysis by Area...................................................................................................15

Comparison with the 2008 survey............................................................................17Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC)..................................................................17Key Highlights.......................................................................................................18The whole survey area..........................................................................................18Char Dub...............................................................................................................19Gillerthwaite Fields...............................................................................................19River Liza..............................................................................................................19

Discussion................................................................................................................ 19Species Gains 2015...............................................................................................20Species Losses 2015.............................................................................................27

Further comment......................................................................................................32Survey methodology.............................................................................................32Abundance of species...........................................................................................32

Recommendations....................................................................................................34Tables....................................................................................................................... 35

Table 1 Species Present........................................................................................35Table 2 Species Seen Flying Over.........................................................................38

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Table 3 Species Holding Territories.......................................................................39Table 4 Territories For Each Species.....................................................................40

Appendix A - Summary 2008 survey........................................................................41Abbreviations...........................................................................................................44Bibliography and further reading:............................................................................45Acknowledgements..................................................................................................46Appeal for Records...................................................................................................47Survey Maps.............................................................................................................48



Introduction and ObjectivesThe first breeding bird survey of the “valley bottom” was undertaken by the author in 2008 to establish baseline data, prior to the implementation of significant changes to the conservation management in the study area (see map below). The 2015 survey is the second of the “valley bottom” surveys and is part of a long term strategy of bird monitoring in the valley which will assess and document changes in the local avifauna.

This report should be read in conjunction with the base line 2008 Valley Bottom Bird Survey Report which can be found on the Wild Ennerdale website on the Monitoring page http://www.wildennerdale.co.uk/managing/monitoring/ under the “Birds“ section.



Description of Survey Areas The “Valley Bottom Grazing’ Study Area is divided in to 3 distinct sub plots, each of which is subject to different management techniques. They are referred to as:

1. Char Dub2. Gillerthwaite Fields3. River Liza

For detailed vegetation and habitat classifications of the study area refer to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys and maps by R. Jerram, available at http://www.wildennerdale.co.uk/managing/monitoring/ under “vegetation”

Each of these areas is described on the following pages.


http://www.wildennerdale.co.uk/managing/monitoring/


Char Dub

Mainly semi-improved grassland. The grazing management of this area in 2015 is relatively unchanged since 2008. It is an important area for lambing and sheep grazing. Cattle are occasionally grazed in this area.

Char Dub – Lambing fields, little change since 2008 – May 2015



Gillerthwaite Fields

In 2008 this area was essentially semi-improved grassland with areas of wet meadow at the east end – it had been an important area for lambing and sheep grazing. Sheep and lambs were present during the survey period in 2008 but sheep were removed by August 2008.

The land was allowed to lay fallow through 2008 to 2010, with no grazing taking place. This allowed the vegetation to rough up and the grass sward to become more dense.

Former boundary after fence removal, Gillerthwaite Fields left – River Liza sub-plot right – May 2015

The boundary fence separating Gillerthwaite Fields and the River Liza study areas was removed in Autumn 2010 allowing the cattle grazing the River Liza to access the Gillerthwaite Fields.



River Liza

The area to the east of “Gillerthwaite Fields” was formerly a young spruce plantation. The final part of this was clear-felled in 2007. This area is regenerating rapidly and birch scrub was a notable feature here during the 2015 survey.

Eastern section River Liza sub-plot - Clear-felled in 2007, now regenerating Birch scrub – May 2015 The remaining area, in the vicinity of the braided river system to the south of the “Gillerthwaite Field” system, is made up of a complex mosaic of habitats including gorse scrub, dry heath, wet heath, herb-rich mire and a mix of deciduous and self-sown conifers.

The Liza is prone to large fluctuations in water levels and at this point in the valley is constantly shifting course. It is not surprising, in times of drought, that areas of river bed are exposed, leaving gravel beds and shingle which can be exposed for several weeks with substantial areas remain free of vegetation. This riparian habitat is highly dynamic with new areas of deposition and erosion constantly in flux. In 2015 it soon became apparent that features on the ground were radically different to those shown on even the most up to date maps!



Black Galloway in dense impenetrable gorse, River Liza sub-plot - August 2008

In 2008 The “River Liza” was still fenced off from the sheep grazed Gillerthwaite fields but with the removal of the fence in 2010 the black Galloway first introduced to the Liza section in 2008 now had access to both areas. The “River Liza”study area has never been stocked in living memory although adhoc discussions suggest that extensive cattle grazing across the valley including the young forest may have been a feature of the early 20th century just after the forest was planted. The only grazing recently has been by deer and occasional escaping sheep.

One of the defining strategies in terms of conservation management for the “Wild Ennerdale” project is to: “Introduce extensive year round naturalistic grazing by large herbivores (cattle) to create and maintain structural diversity and open areas within the valley.”

The most notable change here is that much of the impenetrable gorse scrub which was present in 2008 has been extensively trampled by cattle, creating a much more open structure and allowing much better access. So already the presence of cattle is modifying the plant communities present in the study area. As a direct result, it is expected that the makeup of the bird species present in the study area will over time also be modified. The establishment of baseline bird data and long term monitoring at the inception of such an innovative scheme which undertakes a long-term conservation strategy is not only essential in order to assess and quantify changes in the future, but is also totally reflective and supportive of the philosophy of the Wild Ennerdale project which recognizes the “growing interest amongst farmers and conservation bodies of the role cattle can play in benefiting the local landscape and habitats. Cattle are less selective grazers than sheep and can favour certain vegetation special to this site.



The heavier weight of cattle can have a positive impact on bracken and low scrub, breaking up mats of dead litter and creating pathways through tall, dense vegetation. The cattle can also create more ground disturbance and benefit tree seedlings by 'burying' them into the ground. Cattle are considered to be a missing 'natural process' in Ennerdale.”

Impact of several years of cattle trampling on Gorse scrub, River Liza sub-plot – April 2015



Methodology

Aims and Objectives

To record and map all territorial bird species present in the Char Dub, Gillerthwaite Fields and River Liza study area (See map “Bird Monitoring 2008 – Valley Bottom grazing”). To carry this out as closely as possible as in the 2008 survey, following exactly the same route as provided by the 2008 GPS tracklogs.

Compare, assess and quantify the findings from the 2008 survey with those of the 2015 surveys.

Methodology

Use a shortened three visit version of the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Common Bird Census (CBC) methodology, with a single visit each month in April, May and June.

The original method can involve between eight and ten visits. However, to make this a cost-effective approach to gathering data, only three visits are used with at least three weeks between visits.

The CBC method is essentially a walkover survey with birds detected by listening, scanning by eye and with binoculars. A route is chosen to ensure that all parts of the study area are covered to within 100m. The same route is used for all three visits and is plotted onto the survey map as it is carried out. A GPS is used to record the route and also to plot bird records as accurately as possible. Standard BTO codes and recording conventions are used to map birds. All bird species are recorded, although birds flying/commuting over the site are not regarded as territorial, and accordingly these non-territorial birds are not transferred on to species maps. The surveys are carried out between 08:00 and 18:00hours, avoiding strong winds, heavy rain, fog and low cloud.

The CBC has been running since 1962 and was instigated to provide sound information on farmland bird populations in the face of rapid changes in agricultural practice. The same observers survey the same plots using the same methods year after year.

A territory-mapping approach is used to estimate the number and positions of territories of each species present on each survey plot during the breeding season. All contacts with birds, either by sight or sound, are plotted on large-scale maps. Codes are used to identify the birds' species, sex and age where possible, and also to record activity such as song or nest-building. The registrations are then transferred to species maps.

The pattern of registrations reveals the numbers of territories for each species. By applying rigorous rules while analysing the species maps, one can be sure that there is consistency between estimates from year to year. Comparison of territory totals with those for the same plots in previous years gives estimates of change



between years. As the “Wild Ennerdale” project has detailed habitat maps and information for the study area, this makes it possible to match the distribution of bird territories with habitat features, providing the potential for detailed studies of bird-habitat relationships. Records from the three survey visits are combined and presented on separate maps for each species. These species maps are analysed, identifying clusters or groups of registrations that represent one male and one female (or two adults). These clusters will be used to determine the number and location of breeding territories present within the study area. The breeding status is shown in Table 1. Attention will be paid to species of conservation concern, particularly red and amber Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) species.

Key to species maps:

Species recorded during visit 1 (April) are indicated by the letter “A”.Species recorded during visit 2 (May) are indicated by the letter “B”.Species recorded during visit 3 (June) are indicated by the letter “C”.(The species maps can be located on the “Wild Ennerdale” website as a PDF.)

Black Galloway at Gillerthwaite Fields sub-plot - April 2015



Survey Visit Details

Valley Bottom survey No1 22/04/15

Duration of surveys - all times are BST:Char Dub 08:05 – 09:37 hrsGillerthwaite Fields 10:23 – 12:30hrsRiver Liza 12:40 – 15:31hrs Note: the survey was suspended from 08:45 to 09:10hrs to talk with farmer.

Weather ConditionsSunny, no cloud, no wind for Char Dub survey but wind south west force 1 to 2 for Gillerthwaite Field and River Liza survey, visibility very good, ground dry after prolonged dry spell.

River Liza – water levelsLow water levels - well below normal water levels after prolonged dry spell, enabling the surveyor to criss-cross the river with ease.

Valley Bottom survey No2 22/05/15 & 23/05/15

Duration of surveys, all times are BST:Char Dub (22/05/15) 08:30 – 09:30hrsGillerthwaite Fields (22/05/15) 09:50 – 11:45hrsRiver Liza (23/05/2015) 09:40 – 13:00hrs

Weather Conditions 22/05/15100% high cloud, no sun, cloud base 300-400m, wind south west force 2 to 3, reasonable visibility c10km.

Weather Conditions 23/05/15No cloud, sunny, very good visibility 20km+, no wind.

River Liza – water levelsNormal.

Valley Bottom survey No3 09/06/15 & 10/06/15

Duration of surveys, all times are BST:Char Dub (09/06/15) 11:45 – 12:34hrsGillerthwaite Fields (09/06/15) 09:30 – 11:21hrsRiver Liza (10/06/15) 08:00 – 11:45hrs Note: Liza survey was suspended for 15 minutes to talk to butterfly surveyor.

Weather Conditions 09/06/15 Char Dub: 100% very high cloud, cloud base above fells, no sun, no wind, good visibility >20km.



Gillerthwaite Fields: Sunny, 40% very high cloud, cool, wind north west force 1 to 2, very good visibility >20km.

Weather Conditions 10/06/15Sunny, no wind, no cloud, good visibility >20kmRiver Liza – water levelsVery low water levels – lowest water levels of all three surveys



Survey ResultsPlease refer to Tables 1 and 2 – Pp for the whole study area in 2015 (all 3 sub-plots)

Summary for all Three Areas

A total of 34 species were recorded during the 2015 survey (includes 4 species classified as F = Flyover).

16 species exhibited “territorial” behaviour on site (breeding status T) –blue tit, great tit, coal tit, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, garden warbler, wren, mistle thrush, robin, grey wagtail, pied wagtail, tree pipit, meadow pipit, chaffinch and reed bunting. These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Red list – mistle thrush, grey wagtail and tree pipit. Amber list – willow warbler, meadow pipit and reed bunting. Green list – blue tit, great tit, coal tit, chiffchaff, blackcap, garden warbler,

wren, robin, pied wagtail and chaffinch.

14 species were “present” on site (breeding status P) – mallard, pheasant, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, magpie, jay, carrion crow, goldcrest, blackbird, song thrush, redstart, dunnock, siskin and lesser redpoll. These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Red list – song thrush and lesser redpoll. Amber list – mallard, common sandpiper, redstart and dunnock. Green list - pheasant, wood pigeon, magpie, jay, carrion crow, goldcrest,

blackbird, and siskin. Note – several of the species recorded in categories P & T are also likely to

have breeding territories adjacent to the study area. Some of these adjacent territories were located from within the study area by pinpointing singing birds. (See Table 1 for territories located adjacent to the three sub-plots.)

Four species were recorded “flying over” the site (breeding status F) – greylag goose, goosander, great spotted woodpecker and swallow. These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Amber – swallow Green – greylag goose, goosander and great spotted woodpecker. Note – it is likely that several pairs of swallow nest just outside the study area

in buildings at Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre and Gillerthwaite YHA.

Analysis by Area

The survey of the valley bottom grazing 2015 was carried out the same as the 2008 survey, that is as three stand alone sub surveys, thus allowing direct comparison with the 2008 survey as well as any future surveys. This allows us to relate changes in habitat to changes in species distribution and densities.



Char Dub A total of 11 species were recorded during the survey (birds over flying the plot in “status F” are not included in the analysis) – wood pigeon, carrion crow, willow warbler, blackcap, wren, robin, redstart, pied wagtail, meadow pipit, chaffinch and reed bunting.

Two species exhibited “territorial” behaviour on site (breeding status T) – pied wagtail and meadow pipit. These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Amber list – meadow pipit. Green list – pied wagtail.

Five species were “present” on site (breeding status P) – wood pigeon, carrion crow, redstart, chaffinch and reed bunting.These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Amber list – redstart and reed bunting. Green list – wood pigeon, carrion crow and chaffinch.

One of the species above was recorded as P;A. As well as being “present” (breeding status P) on site probably had a nest site adjacent to the Char Dub study plot and (breeding status A) – chaffinch.

Additionally, 4 species were recorded as “adjacent” (breeding status A). They were not seen using the site but were recorded as being “adjacent” to the Char Dub study area where they probably have a nest site. - willow warbler, blackcap, wren and robin.

Gillerthwaite FieldsA total of 20 species were recorded during the survey (birds over flying the plot in “status F” are not included in the analysis) – pheasant, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, magpie, jay, carrion crow, blue tit, great tit, willow warbler, blackcap, garden warbler, wren, blackbird, song thrush, robin, redstart, pied wagtail, meadow pipit, chaffinch, reed bunting.

Nine species exhibited “territorial” behaviour on site (breeding status T) – blue tit, great tit, willow warbler, wren, robin, pied wagtail, meadow pipit, chaffinch, reed bunting. These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Amber list – willow warbler, meadow pipit and reed bunting. Green list – blue tit, great tit, wren, robin, pied wagtail and chaffinch.

Seven species were “present” on site (breeding status P) – pheasant, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, magpie, carrion crow, blackbird, song thrush. These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Red list – song thrush. Amber list – common sandpiper Green list – pheasant, wood pigeon, magpie, carrion crow and blackbird.



Although not recorded on site the following species probably had nest sites adjacent to the Gillerthwaite Fields study plot (breeding status A) – jay, blackcap, garden warbler and redstart.

River LizaA total of 23 species were recorded during the survey (birds over flying the plot in “status F” are not included in the analysis) – mallard, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, jay, carrion crow, goldcrest, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, garden warbler, wren, mistle thrush, robin, dunnock, grey wagtail, tree pipit, meadow pipit, chaffinch, siskin and lesser redpoll. Eleven species exhibited “territorial” behaviour on site (breeding status T) – coal tit, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, garden warbler, wren, mistle thrush, robin, grey wagtail, tree pipit and chaffinch. These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Red list – mistle thrush, grey wagtail and tree pipit Amber list – willow warbler. Green list – coal tit, chiffchaff, blackcap, garden warbler, wren, robin, and

chaffinch.

Twelve species were “present” on site (breeding status P) – mallard, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, jay, carrion crow, goldcrest, blue tit, great tit, dunnock, meadow pipit, siskin and lesser redpoll. These have the following BoCC 4 designations:

Red list – lesser redpoll Amber list – mallard, common sandpiper, dunnock and meadow pipit Green list – wood pigeon, jay, carrion crow, goldcrest, blue tit, great tit and

siskin.

For comparative purposes, for a summary of the 2008 survey, refer to Appendix A.

Comparison with the 2008 survey

Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC)

Many bird populations are subject to rapid changes in fortune in the modern era, consequently the conservation status of bird species reflects this state of continuous change and is a constantly evolving process. Some specialist groups are under pressure, amongst these there are conservation concerns for woodland, farmland, upland and long-distance migrants – all of which are represented in the Ennerdale valley.

Birds of conservation concern 4 (BoCC 4) was the fourth review of the status of birds in the UK it was published in 2015. BoCC 4 is the latest review and was used in the 2015 Gillerthwaite survey. Using a standardised criteria species are assigned



to the Red, Amber and Green list of conservation concern. The assessment criteria include conservation status at global and European levels and, within the UK, historical decline, trends in population and range rarity, localized distribution and international importance.

The conservation designations used in the 2008 survey were from Birds of conservation concern 2 (BoCC 2 published 2002). In the intervening period 2002 - 2015 those birds of most conservation concern that is the red list species have steadily grown and this is reflected in the 2015 results with 3 red list species holding territories in the study area compared with only one red list species holding a territory in the 2008 survey.

Key Highlights

Whole Survey Char Dub Gillerthwaite River Liza2008 2015 2008 2015 2008 2015 2008 2015

Species holding territories

13 16 2 2 7 9 9 11

Total territories held

43 70 5 3 10 10 38 57

Red list holding territories

1 3

Amber list species holding territories

3 3

Green list species holding territories

9 10

The whole survey area

13 species were identified as holding territories in the 2008 survey (table 3). 16 species were identified as holding territories in the 2015 survey (table 3).

1 red list species was identified as holding a territory in the 2008 survey (BoCC2) - song thrush

3 red list species were identified as holding territories in 2015 survey (BoCC 4) - mistle thrush, grey wagtail and tree pipit. Note: in BoCC 2 all 3 species would have been amber listed, however in BoCC 4 they have been reassessed and red listed.

3 amber list (BoCC 2) species were identified as holding territories in the 2008 survey – green woodpecker, meadow pipit and willow warbler. Note: In BoCC 4 green woodpecker has been reassessed and is now green listed.

3 amber list (BoCC 4) species were identified as holding territories in the 2015 - survey willow warbler, meadow pipit and reed bunting.



9 green list (BoCC 2) species were identified as holding territories in the 2008 survey - great spotted woodpecker, pied wagtail, wren, robin, garden warbler, coal tit, blue tit, great tit and chaffinch

10 green list (BoCC 4) species were identified as holding territories in the 2015 survey - blue tit, great tit, coal tit, chiffchaff, blackcap, garden warbler, wren, robin, pied wagtail and chaffinch.

Char Dub

Char Dub held 2 different territorial species with a combined total of 5 territories in the 2008 survey.

Char Dub held 2 different territorial species with a combined total of 3 territories in the 2015 survey.


Gillerthwaite Fields had 7 different territorial species with a combined total of 10 territories in the 2008 survey.

Gillerthwaite Fields has 9 different territorial species with a combined total of 10 territories in the 2015 survey.

River Liza

River Liza had 9 different territorial species with a combined total of 38 territories in the 2008 survey.

River Liza has 11 different territorial species with a combined total of 57 territories in the 2015 survey.

Discussion Drawing on comparisons between the 2015 and 2008 surveys the following section explores gains and losses through discussion about individual species.

Combining all 3 sub-plots to form the valley bottom study area the 2015 survey recorded a small increase in species diversity – with 16 species holding territories in 2015 compared with 13 holding territories in 2008.

6 new territorial species gained in 2015: chiffchaff, blackcap, mistle thrush, grey wagtail, tree pipit and reed bunting.

3 territorial species lost in 2015: green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker and song thrush.

To get an insight into these gains and losses, it is worth exploring factors such as population trends at both a local level and at a national level:



Species Gains 2015

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff Green list – Cumbrian status: An abundant summer visitor and passage migrant, breeds in large numbers.

Cumbria: 10 year breeding distribution change at tetrad level (2008-2011 atlas compared with 1997-2001 Cumbrian atlas) Gain 391 Stable 549 Loss 106

10km square NY11: 10 year breeding distribution change at tetrad level (2008-2011 atlas compared with 1997-2001 Cumbrian atlas) Gain 5 Stable 2 Loss 1

A woodland species most commonly found in tall deciduous trees, but can be found in conifers as long as some broadleaves are present, likes a rich ground cover.

Not a surprising addition given that the above description refers to much of the habitat directly adjacent to the study area and that nationally its abundance is still strongly increasing since low population levels through the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows a range gain of 27.2% in tetrad occupation in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atlas. A continued expansion in to the Lake District and further gains in 10km square NY11Birds held territories directly adjacent to both the Gillerthwaite and River Liza study areas in 2008. In 2015 territories were found adjacent to the River Liza as well as being present adjacent to Gillerthwaite Fields.The single 2015 territory in fact spanned the river Liza study area and land south of the study area at Dubs Moss, registrations were from mature woodland. There was a singing bird present at Dubs Moss in 2008.

Blackcap

Blackcap Green list – Cumbrian status: An abundant summer visitor and passage migrant, breeds in large numbers.



Typically found in mature deciduous woodland, mixed woodland, willow scrub and to a lesser extent forestry plantation. An adaptable species the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) BirdTrends has this to say about the species: “Blackcap abundance in the UK has increased consistently since the late 1970s, a trend common to all habitats and evident from both the CBC/BBS and the CES indices. An acceleration of the upward trend over the last five years has been extraordinary. Overall increase has occurred despite a reduction in habitat quality for Blackcap, and other species dependent on the understorey, brought about by deer browsing in young woodland (Holt et al. 2012d)”.



In Cumbria the 2008-11 atlas mirrors the national picture with further gains in Lakeland.

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows a range gain of 13.5% in tetrad occupation in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atlas. Locally 10 km square NY11 shows significant gains since the 1997-2001 atlas with birds present in new tetrads in the Ennerdale valley.

The 2008 survey results show no territories in the study area or adjacent to the study area, however single singing males were recorded in mature woodland north of the river Liza study area in two different locations – one during the May survey and the other in the June survey. So at the very least the 2008 survey indicates a presence fairly close to the study area.Given that this species is currently expanding and increasing in numbers and as the river Liza scrub has further matured since the 2008 survey it is not surprising to see Blackcap move in from mature woodland north of the study area. The single territory recorded spans the river Liza study area and mature woodland north of the main forestry road, the same area where birds were present in 2008. Additionally, a territory was found adjacent to the Gillerthwaite study area, just across the main forest track and north of Gillerthwaite Y.H.A. Another territory was found adjacent to Char Dubs in mature woodland just north of the Irish bridge.

In 2008 across all 3 surveys only 2 registrations were recorded (both adjacent to the site). In 2015 a total of 10 registrations were recorded over the 3 surveys, with records over a much wider area and with 2 of them on site.

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush Red list - Cumbrian status: An abundant resident and passage migrant, breeds in large numbers.



Found in a wide range of wooded areas: deciduous, conifer plantations, gardens, parks and other well-timbered areas.

“Mistle thrush populations have declined significantly since the mid 1970s. (BTO BirdTrends). The species was moved from the green to the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern in 2002 because of its UK population decline, and in the latest review it was added to the red list because its decrease had worsened (Eaton et al. 2015)”.

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows a small loss of 5.1% in tetrad occupation in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atlas. Locally 10 km square NY11 shows



overall gains between atlases, with gains noted in 3 tetrads in the vicinity of the study area.

In 2008 although no mistle thrush were recorded as holding a “territory” within the study area there was a strong presence adjacent to the site – with all 3 plots recording territories adjacent to the site, a bird was seen foraging on the char dub plot and carrying food to a presumed nest in matutre woodland north of the Irish bridge and adjacent to the site.

In 2015 mistle thrush were thought to have nested in the river Liza plot adjoining the Char Dub plot – an adult was seen on the fenceline here during the April visit and seen in exactly the same spot with a recently fledged and very tame juvenile on the May visit.

Grey Wagtail

Grey wagtail Red list - Cumbrian status: A common resident and passage migrant, breeds in large numbers.



Grey Wagtails occur at highest densities along fast-flowing upland streams. (BTO data from BirdTrends) WBS/WBBS shows a fluctuating population size along waterways, with a fall during the late 1970s and early 1980s from an initial high point in 1974, some increase since the late 1990s, and another steep drop around 2010. The BBS trend matches WBS/WBBS closely: there was an initial increase but since 2002 the trend has been steeply downward, especially in Scotland. The species was moved from the green to the amber list in 2002, and subsequently from amber to the UK red list at the latest review in 2015 (Eaton et al. 2015).

Grey wagtails prefer wooded streams where there breeding cycle is synchronized with the phenology of insects of broad-leaved trees, a strategy that buffers them against the effects of acidification (Ormerod & Tyler 1991: Buckton & Ormerod 1997).

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows a small loss of 8.7% in occupied tetrads in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atlas. Locally 10 km square NY11 shows overall gains between atlases.

It was surprising that no birds were seen on the River Liza Study area in 2008. Only a single registration of a bird was recorded, this was a single bird flying over the Char Dub plot in April. This record fell in to the “Flyover” category as it was not seen to utilise the site.

In 2015 the Liza showed a strong grey wagtail presence. 5 registrations were recorded, with birds seen on every visit. Accordingly these registrations were more than adequate to confirm that there was a territory on the Liza. This territory is



located in tetrad NY1412 and is a new tetrad for 10km square NY11 that is it was not recorded in the 1997-2001 atlas and not recorded in the 2008-11 atlas.

River Liza – foraging grey wagtail recorded here in 2015 – April 2015

Tree Pipit

Tree pipit Red list - Cumbrian status: A common summer visitor and passage migrant, breeds in large numbers.



This summer migrant prefers wooded areas with sparse field and shrub layer. Accordingly, heavily grazed upland areas and early and clear-fell stages of conifers are key habitats for the species in Cumbria. Prominent song-posts such as scattered trees are essential for the birds aerial display.

“Since 1994, CBC/BBS data for the species have shown a further severe decrease, especially in England. (BTO data from BirdTrends) Recent atlas data show further losses of range, especially in eastern England (Balmer et al. 2013). The species was moved from the green to the amber list of UK Birds of Conservation Concern in 2002, and in 2009 to red, on the strength of its UK population decline (Eaton et al. 2009). It is among a suite of species that winter in the humid zone of West Africa and correspondingly are showing the strongest population declines among our migrant species (Ockendon et al. 2012, 2014)”.

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows a range loss of 15.56% in occupied terads in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atl.as. Locally 10 km square NY11 also shows overall losses between atlases



No tree pipit were recorded on/or adjacent to the study area in the 2008 valley bottom survey. In 2015 a territory was noted on the river Liza plot, this area east of the Gillerthwaite field plot had been clear-felled in 2007 and has now developed in to ideal habitat for this species – that is with isolated dead conifers and sparse birch scrub providing ideal song-posts and a fairly sparse ground cover as a result of the conifer brash mulching large areas of ground and the introduced cattle grazing suppressing the shrub layer.

Clear-felling and cattle grazing have created good tree pipit habitat – May 2015

Tree pipit can be regarded as a species which has colonised the study area as a direct result of the recent management undertaken, the clear-felling and subsequent introduction of cattle has resulted in significant habitat modification, creating a welcome new niche for this declining species.

Also in 2015 a singing male was heard adjacent to Char Dub plot in the Silver Cove “Scots Pine plantation”. This area suffered significant tree loss due to a severe storm in 2009, and as a result of this natural thinning, more open conditions suiting tree pipit have been created.

Reed Bunting

Reed bunting Amber list – Cumbrian status: A common resident; breeds in moderate numbers.





“Both CBC/BBS and WBS/WBBS indices declined rapidly during the 1970s, after an earlier increase, but Reed Bunting abundance has fluctuated without a clear trend since the 1980s. Since 1994, results from BBS indicate significant population increase, though with a downturn in the last few seasons. The early increase in the CBC index was associated with a gradual spread into drier habitats, especially farmland, and it is likely that the subsequent decline was related to agricultural intensification. The initial decline placed Reed Bunting on the red list but in 2009, with evidence from BBS of some recovery in numbers, the species was moved from red to amber (Data from BTO BirdTrends)”.

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows a gain of 21.7% in occupied terads in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atlas. There is some evidence to suggest that this species is currently expanding its range in Lakeland.

Survey work carried out by the author (2007-11 Bird Atlas) in 10km square NY11 recorded reed bunting in 10 tetrads compared with reed bunting being found in only 3 tetrads in the previous survey carried out in the 1997-2001 (Cumbrian) breeding bird atlas.

No reed bunting registrations were recorded on/or adjacent to the study area in the 2008 valley bottom survey.

Traditionally associated with wet areas such as reed-beds, rushy pastures and rank vegetation next to water, this species also extended its range in the 1960’s by expanding in to drier habitat such as bracken beds. The author has found them associated with bracken beds during survey work on the Bird atlas 2007-11.

Wetting up at Gillerthwaite Fields sub-plot - creating good reed bunting habitat – April 2015

The single territory located in the Gillerthwaite Fields study plot in 2015 represents a further expansion of this species in the valley. Tetrad NY1412 is a new location for reed bunting and is typical of a traditional breeding haunt, with dense juncus, standing water-logged ground and scattered Willow. Changes in habitat management at this location since 2008 have included re-directing small streams to create significant areas of permanently waterlogged grassland. The wetting up here has clearly improved the quality of habitat for reed bunting.



Redirection of small stream at Gillerthwaite Fields to create permanently waterlogged grassland – April 2015

A single singing male was also recorded on the April 2015 survey at the Char Dub study area. It was present in the wet field at the extreme north west of the plot, this field is best described as dense old growth rushy pasture and is unlike the rest of the plot which is typical sheep grazed grassland.

Species Losses 2015

Green Woodpecker

Green woodpecker Green list Cumbrian status: A fairly common resident; breeds in moderate numbers.



BTO BirdTrends has this to say about this species. “Green Woodpecker populations have risen steadily in Britain since 1966, except for a period of stability or shallow decline centred around 1980. There was considerable



range expansion in central and eastern Scotland between the 1968-72 and 1988-91 atlas periods. Recent atlas results indicate that expansion is continuing across England and Scotland, but not in Wales, where major retraction from some western regions was detected in 2008-11 (Balmer et al. 2013). Similarly, the BBS map of change in relative density between 1994-96 and 2007-09 indicates that there has been strong contrast between decreases in southwestern England and South Wales and increase elsewhere, especially in southeastern England. There has been widespread moderate increase across Europe since 1980 (PECBMS: PECBMS 2015a). Following a review of its status in Europe, the species was moved from amber to the UK green list in 2015 (Eaton et al. 2015)”.

Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC 2 2002 & BoCC 3 2009) had this species listed as of amber concern which was its status in the 2008 survey, but this species was not of conservation concern in the UK and the designation was due to concerns in Europe. As its fortunes have improved in Europe its conservation status (BoCC 4 2015) has been downgraded to a green list species.

No records of green woodpecker were noted during the 2015 on or adjacent to the study area. There was considerable activity recorded in the 2008 survey with a territory at Gillerthwaite fields and another territory attributed to the River Liza study area.

In the 2008 report this species was singled out as a case study species, the reason for this was to see whether the recently introduced cattle grazing would be beneficial or detrimental to the Gillerthwaite green woodpecker population.

“During the course of this survey (2008) important “open glade” feeding areas containing substantial concentrations of ant hills were located in amongst the dense scrub in the River Liza sub-plot. This area was previously ungrazed and is now grazed by the small herd of Galloway cattle. Only careful monitoring will determine whether these beasts will prove beneficial or detrimental for foraging green woodpecker. Whether or not cattle grazing results in opening up and breaking down the scrub and thus letting in more sun to create optimal conditions for further colonization by ant species is balanced out by the impact of the trampling cattle and destruction of these delicate structures remains to be seen”.

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows an overall small range expansion with a gain of 4.7% in occupied terads in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atlas. However there were significant losses in range particularly in the north of the county and the Eden valley.

The Breeding Birds of Cumbria - A tetrad atlas 1997-2001 (Stott et al) recorded no green woodpecker at all in the Gillerthwaite 10km sq (NY11). This was somewhat surprising given forty years of occupancy in the valley. It is unclear whether green woodpeckers did truly disappear, or whether they occurred at very low density and were missed. 2008-11 atlas data shows a remarkable gain of 10 tetrads in 10 km square NY11 between atlases. 7 of these gains were in tetrads in the Ennerdale valley.

No green woodpecker were recorded in the 2015 valley bottom survey, which was also surprising given the good showing in this area as shown in the 2008-11 atlas.


Green woodpecker Nest site 2008


Is there an explanation to these rapidly fluctuating population levels in the Ennerdale valley? A significant factor could be that after a run of mild winters there were two exceptionally hard winters in 2009/10 and 2010/11 both with very low temperatures and with snow lying for an extended period. As green woodpecker is a sedentary species with no evidence of any seasonal movement and is reliant on ants and their pupae it would be a logical deduction to assume that two very hard winters in a row could impact on such a relatively isolated population, as foraging would have been severely impacted on during the prolonged adverse weather with anthills frozen and covered in snow for long periods.

The hard winters of 1946/47 and 1962/63 were also noted as causing high mortality amongst green woodpecker throughout England.

Interestingly as the author carried out all the survey work for 10 km square NY11 for the 2008-2011 atlas it is known that the majority of survey work in the Ennerdale valley bottoms was carried out in the summers of 2008 and 2009 and pre-the two hard winters.

The author lives locally and keeps a record of all green woodpecker sightings for Ennerdale. In 2009 there were many records of green woodpecker in the valley: Anglers car park, southern slopes Bowness Knott, Side Wood, Silvercove Scots pine plantation, Low Gillerthwaite and High Gillerthwaite.In the intervening years green woodpecker records in the valley were few and far between. By 2015 despite the author carrying out multiple surveys in the valley as well as the usual casual observations only a single green woodpecker record was obtained:A green woodpecker was heard yaffling on 23/10/2015 at the back of Bowness Knott at c280m at NY115154 which was an atypical location in young conifers/scrub and not in the valley bottom which is the more usual preferred location.

My own observations conclude that there has been a crash in the Gillerthwaite population between the 2008 and 2015 valley bottom surveys, due to mortality as a result of the severe winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11. Although no counts of anthills were made in 2008 or 2015, many anthills were noted particularly on the River Liza sub-plot in 2015 so shortages of yellow meadow ants, the green woodpeckers primary food resource would appear not to be a contributory factor in the species demise.

A significant reduction in records elsewhere in the valley since 2009 would also indicate that losses are widespread and not just confined to the Gillerthwaite study area, which precludes changes in management at the “Valley Bottom Grazing” study area as a causal factor.


Ant hills still present at the River Liza sub-plot - April 2015


Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great spotted woodpecker Green list Cumbrian status: A common resident; breeds in large numbers.



BTO has this to say about great spotted woodpecker. “This species increased rapidly in the 1970s and began a further increase in the mid 1990s. The BBS map of change in relative density between 1994-96 and 2007-09 indicates that increase has been fairly uniform across the British range”.

In 2008 a nest was found in a mature deciduous tree right on the boundary of Gillerthwaite fields study area at NY140141. In 2015 this particular tree was not searched specifically to see if birds were nesting here. Birds were not seen using the site although one was seen to flyover Gillerthwaite fields and another was seen adjacent to Gillerthwaite fields.

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows a gain of 27.1% in occupied terads in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atlas.

Survey work carried out by the author (2007-11 Bird Atlas) in 10km square NY11 recorded great spotted woodpecker in 9 tetrads compared with only 6 being found in the previous survey carried out in the 1997-2001 (Cumbrian) breeding bird atlas.

Birds and wildlife in Cumbria - 2013 (Cumbria Naturalists Union – D.Shackleton et al) hint at a recent decline in Cumbria with BBS data showing only 0.51 birds/km2, the lowest since 1999 with records from just 15 of 53 squares surveyed, hinting at a continued recent decline.

As great spotted woodpecker rely greatly on dead or decaying trees as nest sites for nesting and foraging then it is likely to be a marginal species to the study area for some time, as mature/old trees although present on site are not a key feature. Clearly birds are present adjacent to the site where dead and decaying timber is more readily available. It is likely that if the site was the subject of further investigation (more visits) then adjacent birds would occasionally be seen to forage on site.

Song Thrush Song thrush Red list Cumbrian status: An abundant resident and passage migrant; breeds in very large numbers.





BirdTrends BTO has this to say about song thrush “CBC/BBS shows a rapid decline in Song Thrush abundance that began in the mid 1970s. The latter part of this decline can also be seen in the CES index. BBS data from all UK countries show increase from 1994 to 2008, followed by a sharp downturn, but population levels remained relatively low throughout. The BBS map of change in relative density between 1994-96 and 2007-09 indicates that increase has been strongest in Wales and northern England”.

Data from the 2008-11 atlas shows a gain of 1% in occupied terads in Cumbria compared with the 1997-2001 atlas.

Survey work carried out by the author (2007-11 Bird Atlas) in 10km square NY11 recorded song thrush in 13 tetrads compared with only 3 being found in the previous survey carried out in the 1997-2001 (Cumbrian) breeding bird atlas.

IN 2008 1 territory was recorded at River Liza study plot with 1 seen carrying food to a probable nest.

In 2015 a bird flew from Gillerthwaite YHA to forage in Gillerthwaite fields and as such is recorded as “present.” Additionally singing birds were recorded adjacent to the study area at Dubs Moss, plantation near Woundell Beck footbridge and Latterbarrow adjacent to the forest track. All this activity shows that the mature conifers surrounding the study area provide good habitat for song thrush.



Further comment

Survey methodology

The 8 to 10 visit approach as used in the original BTO Common Bird Census (CBC) is spread over a longer time period (end of March to mid July) and is likely to identify more “territorial clusters” than the “amended” 3 visit version used in the Wild Ennerdale survey, which has fewer visits and is spread over a shorter time period (end April to mid June). Carrying out 3 breeding bird surveys was the standard system used in 2008 for assessing site suitability for proposed wind farms. In recent years a 6 visit system has been adopted by Natural England for these proposals, as a 3 visit system had the potential to miss important species.

Clearly more visits would firm up territorial clusters as well as the likelihood of finding more “adjacent” species using the site.

Abundance of species

River Liza

River Liza is the largest of the study plots in the study area. with a mosaic of habitat types. The introduction of cattle has also seen the greatest modification of habitat, with bracken trampling particularly notable. The River Liza sub-plot not only has the most species diversity with 11 different species recorded it also has the greatest species abundance this has increased from 39 territories in 2008 to 57 territories in 2015 an increase of 18.8%, containing more than four times as many pairs of birds than the other two plots put together.

For 2015 the River Liza Study Plot saw an increase in abundance (territories) for all species that held more than a single territory in the 2008 survey:

o Willow warbler – 16 territories to 20 territories an increase of 4 territories.

o Garden warbler – 2 territories to 4 territories an increase of 2 territories.

o Wren – 8 territories to 9 territories an increase of 1 territory.o Robin – 4 territories to 7 territories an increase of 3 territories.o Chaffinch – 5 territories to 11 territories an increase in 6 territories.

Coal tit held 1 territory in both the 2008 and 2015 survey at River Liza study plot.

Green woodpecker, song thrush and meadow pipit were not recorded as holding territories at the River Liza sub-plot in 2015, but meadow pipit was present and singing song thrush were recorded from various locations just south of the plot.



Gillerthwaite

Combining all species territories together, there was no overall change in abundance with 10 territories in 2008 and 2015

A slight fall for pied wagtail - down from 3 territories in 2008 to 2 territories in 2015 and blue tit – down from 2 territories to 1 in 2015.

River Liza

Combining all species territories together , a small fall in numbers from 5 territories in 2008 to 3 territories in 2015

Pied wagtail – down from 2 territories in 2008 to 1 territory in 2015.

Meadow pipit – down from 3 territories in 2008 to 2 territories in 2015.

General observations

Willow warbler was the most abundant territorial species on both the 2008 survey with 16* territories and the 2015 survey with 21 territories.

Meadow pipit was the only species which held breeding territories across all 3 sub plots in 2008. In 2015 meadow pipit had territories at 2 sub-plots – CharDub and Gillerthwaite Fields.

*the 2008 assessment of 15 willow warbler surveys in the original report was an error and should have read 16 territories.



RecommendationsRepeat the bird survey every 5 to 10 years.Repeat survey will show changes in breeding bird usage of the survey area. This can be correlated with the management of the area and changes in vegetation composition and structure during the past survey period.



TablesTable 1 Species Present

Table 1: Wild Ennerdale valley bottom grazing study. Comparison 2008 & 2015 Bird Species present or territorial in sub plots Char Dub, Gillerthwaite Fields and River Liza in the 2015 breeding season.

Species Conservation status Char Dub Gillerthwaite Fields

River Liza

BoCC 2*2008

BoCC 4*2015

2008 2015 2008 2015 2008 2015

Greylag Goose

naturalised

naturalised P P

Mallard Green Amber P PGoosander Green Green PPheasant Green Green P PGrey Heron Green Green PCommon Sandpiper

Amber Amber P P P

Wood Pigeon Green Green P P P P PGreen Woodpecker

Amber Green T T


Green GreenT P

Magpie Green Green P P PJay Green Green A P PCarrion Crow Green Green P P P P P PGoldcrest Amber Green P PBlue Tit Green Green T T PGreat Tit Green Green T T p PCoal Tit Green Green T TLong –tailed Tit

Green Green P

Chiffchaff Green Green A A TSpecies Conservation status Char Dub Gillerthwaite

FieldsRiver Liza

BoCC 2*2008

BoCC 4*2015

2008 2015 2008 2015 2008 2015

Willow Warbler

Amber Amber A P;A T T T

Blackcap Green Green A A TSpecies Conservation status Char Dub Gillerthwaite

FieldsRiver Liza

Garden Green Green A A T T



WarblerWren Green Green A T T TBlackbird Green Green P;A P PSong Thrush Red Red P P TMistle Thrush Amber Red P;A A A TRobin Green Green P;A A P;A T T TRedstart Amber Amber P AWhinchat Green Red PDunnock Amber Amber P PGrey Wagtail Amber Red TPied Wagtail Green Green T T T TTree Pipit Amber Red TMeadow Pipit Amber Amber T T T T T PChaffinch Green Green P;A T T T TSiskin Green Green P PLesser Redpoll

Amber Red P

Reed Bunting

Red Amber P T

Totals 7 11 20 20 25 23Total P;T 7 7 17 16 23 23T= 2 2 7 9 9 11P= 5 5 10 7 14 12A= 3 5 5 4 2 0P;A 3 1 2 0Green 23 18 Total P/T 2008 = 30

Total P/T 2015 = 30Total species P/T 2008 and 2015 = 37Amber 6 7

Red 1 5*Birds of Conservation Concern 2 (BoCC 2) was the 2nd review of the status of birds in the UK, covering the period 2002-09*Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (BoCC 4) is the latest review of the status of birds in the UK, published December 2015

Key to table 1

Birds recorded in the course of the survey are placed in to one of three categories:P = Present on site. The species are seen actively utilizing the site, such as foraging on the ground or in shrubs/trees, or perching or roosting on site. As well as the breeding residents/migrants, this can also include migrants moving through the site en-route to another breeding location as long as they are seen actively utilizing the site.

T = Evidence of a breeding territory in the study area.



This is the highest level of “presence”. To qualify as a territory: the species has to be recorded in the same area on at least two of the visits.

This can include a singing male recorded on at least one of the visits with another registration of the species in the same area on another visit, or a pair present in the same location on more than one occasion. These territories are identified as clusters surrounded by a red circle on the species maps.

the species must be seen carrying food or its nest located, or recently fledged young located.

A = Nest site probably adjacent to the study area

The study area is surrounded by extensive mixed woodland. Several species forage in the study area and nest in the adjacent woodland. Others are not recorded on site but nest directly adjacent to the study area. Where there is evidence of breeding behaviour adjacent to the site such as a singing male recorded in the same location adjacent to the study area on more than one visit then the A status is used. If the species is recorded utilizing the site and there is sufficient evidence to infer a nesting territory adjacent to the site then the P status is supplemented with the A status.

Species = Present(P) or Territory(T) in 2008 survey, but not Present(P) or Territory(T) in 2015 survey.

Species = Present(P) or Territory(T) in 2015 survey, but not Present(P) or Territory(T) in 2008 survey.

Species not shaded in = Present(P) or Territory(T) in both 2008 & 2015 survey



Table 2 Species Seen Flying Over

Table 2: Wild Ennerdale valley bottom grazing study. Comparison 2008 & 2015Additional species seen flying over sub plots Char Dub, Gillerthwaite Fields and River Liza in the 2008 breeding season.Species Conservation status Char Dub Gillerthwait

e FieldsRiver Liza

BoCC2*2008

BoCC 4*2015

2008

2015

2008 2015 2008

2015

Greylag Goose

naturalised

naturalised

F

Goosander Green Green F FSparrowhawk Green Green F FLesser Black-backed Gull

Amber Amber F


Green Green F

Swallow Amber Green F F F F FGrey Wagtail Amber Red FTotal = 4 Green = 1

Amber = 3Green = 3 2 3 3 3 2 0

*Birds of Conservation Concern 2 (BoCC 2) was the 2nd review of the status of birds in the UK, covering the period 2002-09*Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (BoCC 4) is the latest review of the status of birds in the UK, published December 2015

Key to table 2

F = Additional species seen flying over the site. These are additional species to those recorded in the P, T or A categories. These species are not seen to land or take off from the study area. Included are “aerial” foragers hawking for insects or pursuing avian prey or birds merely commuting over the site. Flight activity over the site does not infer any behaviour relating to a nesting territory in the study area. To avoid confusion these birds are not mapped on to the species maps. They are recorded in Table 2 so as to give a complete species list of all the bird species recorded in or over the survey envelope during the course of the survey.

Species = Flyover(F) in 2008 survey, but note species were not Flyover(F), Present(P) or Territory(T) in 2015 survey.Species = Flyover(F) in 2015 survey, but note species were Present(P) or Territory(T) in 2008 survey. Species = Flyover(F) in 2008 survey, but were Present(P) in 2015 survey.Species not shaded in = Flyover(F) in both 2008 & 2015 survey.



Table 3 Species Holding Territories

Table 3: Wild Ennerdale valley bottom grazing study. Comparison 2008 & 2015Species identified as holding territories in sub plots Char Dub, Gillerthwaite Fields and River Liza in the 2008 & 2015 breeding season.Key to observed behaviour: T = TerritorialSpecies Conservation

Designation*Char Dub Gillerthwaite

FieldsRiver Liza

2008 2015 2008 2015 2008 2015 2008 2015Green Woodpecker

Amber Green T T


Green Green T

Blue Tit Green Green T TGreat Tit Green Green T TCoal Tit Green Green T TChiffchaff Green Green TWillow Warbler Amber Amber T T TBlackcap Green Green TGarden Warbler

Green Green T T

Wren Green Green T T TSong Thrush Red Red TMistle Thrush Amber Red TRobin Green Green T T TGrey Wagtail Amber Red TPied Wagtail Green Green T T T TTree Pipit Amber Red TMeadow Pipit Amber Amber T T T T TChaffinch Green Green T T T TReed Bunting Green Amber TTOTAL 2008 = 13TOTAL 2015 = 16TOTAL 2008&2015 = 19

931

933

2 2 7 9 9 11

Key to table 3Species = holding territory in study area in 2008, but not holding territory in 2015.Species = holding territory in study area in 2015, but not holding territory in 2008.Species not highlighted = holding territory in both 2008 and 2015.



Table 4 Territories For Each Species

Table 4: Wild Ennerdale valley bottom grazing study. Comparison 2008 & 2015Total number of territories for each species as identified by species maps in sub plots Char Dub, Gillerthwaite Fields and River Liza in the 2008 & 2015 breeding season.Key to observed behaviour: T = TerritorialSpecies Conservation

Designation*Char Dub Gillerthwaite

FieldsRiver Liza

2008 2015 2008 2015 2008 2015 2008 2015Green Woodpecker

Amber Green 1 1


Green Green 1

Blue Tit Green Green 2 1Great Tit Green Green 1 1Coal Tit Green Green 1 1Chiffchaff Green Green 1Willow Warbler Amber Amber 1 16 20Blackcap Green Green 1Garden Warbler

Green Green 2 4

Wren Green Green 1 8 9Song Thrush Red Red 1Mistle Thrush Amber Red 1Robin Green Green 1 4 7Grey Wagtail Amber Red 1Pied Wagtail Green Green 2 1 3 2Tree Pipit Amber Red 1Meadow Pipit Amber Amber 3 2 1 1 1Chaffinch Green Green 1 1 5 11Reed Bunting Green Amber 1TOTAL territories

5 3 10 10 39 57

Appendix A - Summary 2008 surveyResults shown from Tables 1 and 2 for the whole study area (all 3 sub-plots)



Summary for all Three Areas

A total of 30 species were recorded during the 2008 survey (Additionally 1 species was recorded adjacent and 4 recorded as flyovers).13 species exhibited “territorial” behaviour on site (breeding status T) - green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, wren, robin, song thrush, garden warbler, willow warbler, coal tit, blue tit, great tit and chaffinch. These had the following BoCC 2 designations in 2008:

Red list – song thrush. Amber list – green woodpecker, meadow pipit, and willow warbler. Green list – great spotted woodpecker, pied wagtail, wren, robin, garden

warbler, coal tit, blue tit, great tit, and chaffinch.

17 species were “present” on site (breeding status P) – greylag goose, mallard, goosander, pheasant, grey heron, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, dunnock, whinchat, blackbird, mistle thrush, goldcrest, long-tailed tit, jay magpie, carrion crow and siskin. These had the following BoCC 2 designations in 2008:

Amber list – dunnock, mistle thrush and goldcrest. Green list – greylag goose, mallard, goosander, pheasant, grey heron,

common sandpiper, wood pigeon, whinchat, blackbird, long-tailed tit, jay magpie, carrion crow and siskin.

One species had a probable “nest site adjacent” to the site (breeding status A) but was not recorded using the site – chiffchaff. This species had the following BoCC 2 designation in 2008:

Green list – chiffchaff.

Note – several of the species recorded in categories P & T are also likely to have breeding territories adjacent to the study area. Some of these adjacent territories were located from within the study area by pinpointing singing birds. (See Table 1 for territories located adjacent to the three sub-plots.)

Four species were recorded “flying over” the site (breeding status F) – sparrowhawk, lesser black-backed gull, swallow and grey wagtail.This had the following BoCC 2 designations:

Amber list – lesser black-backed gull and swallow. Green list – sparrowhawk and grey wagtail.

Note – it is known that several pairs of swallow nest just outside the study area in the barn at Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre.

Analysis By Area

Analysis of data for sub-plots 1. Char Dub, 2. Gillerthwaite Fields, 3. River Liza.

The survey of the valley bottom grazing 2008 was carried out as three stand alone sub surveys, thus allowing future surveys to relate changes in habitat to changes in species distribution and densities.

Char Dub



A total of 7 species were recorded during the 2008 survey (birds over flying the plot in “status F” are not included in the analysis) – meadow pipit, pied wagtail, robin, blackbird, mistle thrush, magpie and carrion crow2 species exhibited “territorial” behaviour on site (breeding status T) - meadow pipit and pied wagtail. These had the following BoCC 2 designations in 2008:

Amber list – meadow pipit. Green list – pied wagtail.

5 species were “present” on site (breeding status P) – robin, blackbird, mistle thrush, magpie and carrion crow. These had the following BoCC 2 designations:

Amber list – mistle thrush. Green list – robin, blackbird, magpie and carrion crow

Three of the above species as well as being “present” on site probably had nest sites adjacent to the Char Dub study plot (breeding status A) – mistle thrush, robin, blackbird.


A total of 20 species were recorded during the 2008 survey (birds over flying the plot in “status F” are not included in the analysis) – greylag goose, mallard, wood pigeon, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, robin, whinchat, blackbird, song thrush, mistle thrush, garden warbler, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blue tit, great tit, magpie, carrion crow and chaffinch.

Seven species exhibited “territorial” behaviour on site (breeding status T) - green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, blue tit, great tit and chaffinch. These had the following BoCC 2 designations in 2008:

Amber list – green woodpecker and meadow pipit. Green list – great spotted woodpecker, pied wagtail, blue tit, great tit and

chaffinch.

Ten species were “present” on site (breeding status P) – greylag goose, mallard, wood pigeon, robin, whinchat, blackbird, song thrush, willow warbler, magpie and carrion crow. These had the following BoCC 2 designations in 2008:

Red list – song thrush. Green list – greylag goose (naturalized population), mallard, wood pigeon,

robin, whinchat, blackbird, magpie and carrion crow.

Two of the above species as well as being “present” on site probably has a nest site adjacent to the Gillerthwaite study plot (breeding status A) – willow warbler and robin.

Although not recorded on site the following species probably had nest sites adjacent to the Gillerthwaite Fields study plot (breeding status A) – mistle thrush, garden warbler, and chiffchaff.

River Liza



A total of 25 species were recorded during the survey (birds over flying the plot in “status F” are not included in the analysis) – greylag goose, goosander, pheasant, grey heron, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, meadow pipit, wren, dunnock, robin, song thrush, mistle thrush, garden warbler, chiffchaff, willow warbler, goldcrest, long-tailed tit, coal tit, great tit, jay, carrion crow, chaffinch and siskin.

Nine species exhibited “territorial” behaviour on site (breeding status T) - green woodpecker, meadow pipit, wren, robin, song thrush, garden warbler, willow warbler, coal tit and chaffinch.

The species listed above had the following BoCC 2 designations in 2008: Red list – song thrush Amber list – green woodpecker, meadow pipit and willow warbler. Green list – wren, robin, garden warbler, coal tit and chaffinch.

14 species were “present” on site (breeding status P) – greylag goose, goosander, pheasant, grey heron, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, great spotted woodpecker, dunnock, goldcrest, long-tailed tit, great tit, jay, carrion crow and siskin. The species listed above had the following BoCC 2 designations in 2008:

Amber list – dunnock and goldcrest. Green list – greylag goose (naturalized population), goosander, pheasant,

grey heron, common sandpiper, wood pigeon, great spotted woodpecker, long-tailed tit, great tit, jay, carrion crow and siskin.

Although not recorded on site the following species probably had nest sites adjacent to the Gillerthwaite Fields study plot (breeding status A) – mistle thrush and chiffchaff.



AbbreviationsCBC – Common Bird Census – BTO scheme 1962-1994, calculates number of territories in the breeding season.

BBS – Breeding Bird Survey – BTO scheme running since 1994, BBS is an index of the number of individuals encountered along a line transect.

CBC/BBS – this links findings from the above two surveys to establish long term population trends that feed in to the Birds of Conservation Concern initiative (BoCC). Joint CBC/BBS trends are published annually in the BirdTrends Report.

CES – Constant Effort Sites – BTO ringing scheme, uses comparisons of the number of birds caught each year to provide indices of change for 24 species.

WBS – Waterways Bird Survey - The Waterways Bird Survey (WBS) monitored the population trends of up to 24 riparian bird species on canals and rivers throughout the UK during the period 1974–2007. WBS used a territory-mapping method like that of its parent scheme, the Common Birds Census, to estimate the breeding population of waterbirds on each of a number of observer-selected survey plots.

WBBS - Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (WBBS), which ran in parallel with WBS from 1998 to 2007 and is ongoing. WBBS uses BBS-style transect methods along random waterways, and includes all species of birds (and mammals, too).

WBS/WBBS - In a similar development to joint CBC/BBS indices, it has proved possible to link the two waterways schemes to provide joint WBS/WBBS indices, some dating back to 1974, for the species previously covered by WBS.

PECBMS – Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme - The main goal of the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS) is to use common birds as indicators of the general state of nature using large-scale and long-term monitoring data on changes in breeding populations across Europe.



Bibliography and further reading:Atkins and Callion – Cumbria Bird Club - Woodpecker and Nuthatch Survey 1994-95

Balmer, Gillings,Caffrey,Swann,Downie& Fuller (2013) Bird Atlas 2007-11 The breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland, BTO

Birds and Wildlife in Cumbria 2013 – A county natural History report (Cumbria Naturalists Union 2015) – Birds section D.Shackleton

BirdTrends www.bto.org

Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre http://www.cbdc.org.uk/bird-atlas-maps -Detailed maps from Bird Atlas 2007-11 The breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland, BTO records collected by Cumbria Bird Club, BTO and other dedicated lovers of Cumbrian birds.

Cramp (Chief Editor) – Oxford University Press 1985 - Handbook of the Birds of Europe the Middle East and North Africa – The Birds of the Western Palearctic

Stokoe – Carlisle Natural History Society 1962 - The Birds Of The Lake Counties

Stott et al (Eds.) – Cumbria Bird Club 2002 – The Breeding Birds of Cumbria – A tetrad atlas 1997-2001

“The Population Status of Birds in the UK – Birds of conservation concern 4: (Eaton et al 2015)

www.bto.org

“Common birds Census” (CBC)

www.bto.org


http://www.bto.org/

http://www.bto.org/

http://www.cbdc.org.uk/bird-atlas-maps

http://www.bto.org/


AcknowledgementsMany thanks to the help and support provided by Gareth Browning (Forestry Commission), Rachel Oakley (National Trust), Dave Shackleton (Cumbria Bird Club) and Simon Webb (Natural England).



Appeal for RecordsTo improve our knowledge of birdlife in Ennerdale, The Wild Ennerdale project would appreciate any records of key target species: red grouse, dipper, ring ouzel and green woodpecker. Please provide a six figure grid reference and date of sighting. Any photographs would be gratefully received. Details can be e-mailed directly to the author at [email protected] or directly to The Wild Ennerdale project.



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