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Where to spot birds of prey on our nature reserves

Kestrel by Steve Waterhouse

As we drift into autumn so many wildlife spectacles await us, none more so than amazing birds of prey soaring above our nature reserves in Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside.

Deadly hunters with razor sharp talons and beaks, yet also graceful and hauntingly beautiful, birds of prey are a favourite sight cutting through the air above our nature reserves and across our region. As we enter autumn and the leaves tumble from the trees, spotting birds of prey becomes a favourite pastime of our reserve officers, who have shared some of the very best places to spot birds of prey in Lancashire and across our wonderful region. 

Brockholes 

A true birders’ paradise, a visit to Brockholes nature reserve at any time of year could treat you to the sight of buzzards soaring over Boilton Wood, barn owls hunting over the marshes and car park as the nights draw in, and don’t miss the chance to spot our resident kestrel, Kevin.  

Barn owl at Brockholes (https://youtu.be/EfQuGLp6-FY?si=cfCNz4DbxjRnFUz7)

Barn owl at Brockholes - Simon Owen

Late autumn, normally during a six week period in November and December at around 4:15pm to be exact, sees amazing starling murmurations over the lakes at Brockholes. If these true wonders of nature weren’t enough you could also spot a sparrowhawk picking off individual birds from the twisting and swooshing flock. 

And if you can wait that long, summer often brings a gorgeous osprey to the lakes at Brockholes and the neighbouring River Ribble, hunting for a fish supper. Hobby’s can also be spotted hunting for dragonflies over the marshes and No. 1 Pit Lake, and sometimes even from the comfort of the café on our famous floating visitor village. 

Grey peregrine falcon perching on mossy rocks

Peregrine falcon at Warton Crag - Darin Smith

Warton Crag 

This stunning limestone cliff at Warton Crag in North Lancashire is worth a visit at any time of the year. Summer sees the skies awash with butterflies, including the rare pearl-bordered fritillary and small pearl-bordered fritillary. But look upwards to spot peregrines, who nest on the high quarry walls around the car park, although blink and you’ll miss them as they ‘stoop’ downwards at speeds of up to 200 mph to catch their prey. 

These amazing birds of prey are not only the fastest animals on earth, but they are also amazingly adaptable and now many pairs have taken up residence in our cities, nesting atop buildings including Rochdale Town Hall and in MediaCity in Salford.

Darwen Moor 

Nestled in the heart of the West Pennine Moors, Darwen Moor is home to an increasing amount of wonderful wildlife, partly in thanks to our efforts to restore some of the precious peatlands. Curlew and golden plover are just some of the species making a comeback to this boggy wonderland. 

Find out more about restoring Darwen Moor 

Kestrel by Dave Steel

Kestrel by Dave Steel

But when it comes to birds of prey, a walk along any of the paths around Darwen Moor could grace you with a sighting of a kestrel, one of our smaller birds of prey, and if you are lucky the occasional peregrine can be spotted too. 

Another treat that the colder months offer us on Darwen Moor is the potential sighting of an over-wintering male hen harrier that has come over from the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. Years of persecution from gamekeepers and farmers pushed hen harriers almost to extinction, but thanks to conservation efforts these gorgeous birds are slowly making a comeback. 

A hobby perching on a fencepost

Hobby - Dave Steel

Little Woolden Moss 

Sticking on the theme of peatlands, but this time on our lowland peat nature reserves, Little Woolden Moss in Greater Manchester is now home to bountiful wildlife. Take a stroll along the path running around three sides of Little Woolden Moss and you could spot a marsh harrier, buzzard, hobby, kestrel, peregrine or sparrowhawk. Not bad when you think that just a few years ago Little Woolden Moss was all but destroyed by peat extraction. 

Lunt Meadows 

Head to Merseyside and a visit to Lunt Meadows nature reserve and you will be visiting an owl paradise.

Short eared owl in flight looking directly at the camera

Short eared owl at Lunt Meadows - Gary Clarke

Short-eared owls, little owls and barn owls can often be spotted hunting over the wet grasslands, using their acute sense of hearing to locate small mammals before swooping down, talons outstretched to deliver the fatal grasp. Dusk is often a great time to see them, but over winter the short-eared owls can often be spotted hunting during the day too. 

Marsh harriers and hen harriers can also be viewed searching for prey in the abundant meadows and grasslands of Lunt Meadows. A red kite has also be spotted soaring on the thermals above Lunt, providing hope that the species is moving further northwards and the population increases. Look out for their distinctive forked tail silhouetted against the sky. 

A stern-looking little owl standing on a fence post

Little owl by Luke Massey/2020VISION

Seaforth 

Staying in Merseyside, apply for a day permit to visit Seaforth nature reserve and you won’t be disappointed. Hidden within the industry of the Port of Liverpool, Seaforth provides a home, food or shelter to literally thousands of birds including seabirds, waders, ducks and songbirds. Don’t miss a visit in summer to see the colony of common terns (although you’ll be sure to hear them before you see them!). If you are lucky your visit might also allow you to catch a glimpse of a little owl perching on a lookout spot scanning the banks for prey. 

Buzzard

Buzzard by Jon Hawkins, Surrey Hills Photography

Mere Sands Wood 

After enjoying a visit to the café at Mere Sands Wood, venture outside and see what you can spot. The most common raptor at Mere Sands Wood is probably the sparrowhawk which, if you’re lucky, can be spotted swooping through the dense woodland in order to ambush small woodland birds. They can sometimes also be seen being mobbed by crows and jackdaws above the canopy.  

The occasional kestrel can be watched hovering over the meadow and heathland in summer in search of small mammals. Buzzards also enjoy the combination of open spaces and tall trees for perching. A dusk visit could treat you to the sight of a tawny owl hunting for small mammals in the dense woodland using their keen vision and excellent hearing.

 

Longworth Clough 

Visit the woodland at Longworth Clough and whilst ambling quietly alongside the river you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a sparrowhawk hunting in amongst the trees. But don’t worry if you miss them this time, simply look down and see if you can spot a trout sheltering in a calm spot in the lee of a boulder in the river instead. 

A sparrowhawk eating prey on the grass in an urban garden

Sparrowhawk - Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION

Could you help to support our birds of prey?

Birds of prey are a simply wonderful sight, one we hope you will experience on a visit to one of our precious nature reserves. These finely honed hunters are perfectly adapted to their environment and prey. You can help us to care for the wild places they rely on by supporting us today. 

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