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Spotlight On: Heysham Nature Reserve's Birds

Reed beds on the wetlands at Heysham Nature Reserve by Alan Wright

In his final blog from Heysham Nature Reserve, Alan Wright sees a wildlife spectacle and seeks some of the many birds recorded on the reserve.

The day before my visit to Heysham Nature Reserve, there had a been a bird ringing session and the results can be found on the excellent Heysham Observatory Blog.

The blog reported ringing for 21 greenfinch, nine blue tit, 24 chiffchaff, seven goldfinch, six goldcrest, six chaffinch, four robin, three great tit, three dunnock, two wren, two coal tit, two long-tailed tit and one great spotted woodpecker. We will now be able to follow the movements of these birds, to see if they spend all their time at Heysham or fly around to other habitats nearby.

Long-tailed tits clustering on a hanging bird feeder

Long-tailed tits clustering on a hanging bird feeder
Photo by Dave Steel

The report also noticed skeins totalling 280 pink-footed geese overhead, heading north to Morecambe Bay. It is a warmer place to spend winter than Iceland or Northern Europe.

It noted a “raven and peregrine were slugging it out over one of the pylons. The raven only appeared in last few days and is encroaching on the eastern edge of the peregrine’s territory, so the latter was very vocal. The pylon in question is also carrion crow territory so they were cawing loudly as well.”

This same bunch of crows looked to be practising for other unwelcome visitors when I was on site. Sure enough a buzzard soared into view and was instantly mobbed by five crows. The poor bird of prey was just minding its own business when it was bullied by the corvids.

Buzzard at the seaside

Buzzard
Photo by Chris Lawrence

After a bit of flapping to keep the botherers at bay, the buzzard chose the easy life and flew away. It was amazing, as this battle managed to avoid the power lines that cross Heysham Nature Reserve. It’s also amazing that a buzzard, so large and powerful, can be mobbed by much smaller crows, but I have seen it many times. I just think buzzards like to keep their own space and want a bit of solitude. I saw a buzzard sitting on a fence, with a crow on each side regarding this magnificent bird.

Maybe they were just taking a rest before the second half of their match up began.

Large heath butterfly resting on a flower head at Heysham

Large heath butterfly (Manchester Argus) spotted resting on a flower head at Heysham

The important scrub areas of the reserve were getting busier later in the afternoon and flocks of greenfinch and chaffinch were flying from bush to bush. A couple of long-tailed tits also appeared, looking for pals so they can snuggle together for warmth in winter.

While the birders had a busy time, this year, Heysham Nature Reserve has also been popular with young people. It always is because of the lovely nature activities and events organised by Emma and her team.

By October we had seen more that 1,600 children from six different schools. They had attended some of the 16 events held at the reserve – with sessions about dragonflies, the oak tree, seed planting and growing, many art sessions with local artists around printing, dyeing, and weaving. Wildlife Watch groups so far have learnt about mammals, moths and butterflies, water canning, wings and adaptation, seed growing, and slugs. 

Heysham EDF power station

Heysham EDF power station

Heysham Nature Reserve is a hidden gem but it’s a place that wildlife knows well. Whether its resident creatures who know it as home, regular visitors from other nearby reserves or migrants attracted by the lighthouse effect of the EDF Energy power station, the reserve offers a wide range of habitats for them to enjoy.

I love the idea of birds hitching a lift on a boat and then spotting the lush green habitats of Heysham Nature Reserve and popping in to say hello.

You can find all of our nature reserves on our website, many are open to visitors so it is better to check first. If you enjoyed visiting any of our reserves, remember our members and supporters provide the support we need to make these perfect habitats for much-loved and important wildlife in Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.

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