10th February 2024, 10 members attended
Thursden Valley circular walk incorporating Thursden, Extwistle, Lee Green Reservoir, Swinden Reservoir and Extistle Moor.
After several days of persistent rain and snow the day of the trip found a still morning with clouds covering the valley from Widdop road down towards Burnley. All very scenic from a distance but not so much when the meeting point was in cloud.
We met at 8.00 am with most people having recorded Barn Owl enroute. In all a minimum of three individuals were recorded between us.
We walked into the valley from the car park. With visibility improving and rare still conditions, viewing of the tit flocks and Treecreeper was very pleasant. Negotiating the boggy path along the river at the bottom of the valley proved fruitful with fly over Woodcock and two Dipper. A very vocal and mobile Green Woodpecker was heard but ultimately proved to be elusive. Continuing over the bridge and up through the edge of the woodland towards Burnley we were rewarded with blue sky along with close views of Buzzard, male Sparrowhawk, Nuthatch, Stock Dove and three Greater Spotted Woodpeckers drumming and squabbling as they establish territories. At least seven Roe Deer were also in the wood and surrounding fields with the males sporting their velvet antlers.
Near the top of the wooded hillside a Skylark flew over in subsong reminding us spring is not too far away and the weather continued to become very pleasant. We then travelled towards Monks Farm enroute to Extwistle Hall. On leaving the farm area we heard Partridge which were later seen flying across a nearby field. Despite being present in this area throughout the year Grey Partridge are not seen regularly so it was pleasing to locate a third bird feeding near Lee Green Farm not far from a Hare. A further notable sighting was eight Greenfinch wheezing and displaying on the bend of Todmorden road where the track began to Extwistle Hall.
Having checked out the sorry ruins that are Extwistle Hall and Barn we dropped down to Lee Green reservoir. Here signs of spring were again evident with a returning pair of Coot and two Little Grebes back in residence. The local wintering Teal numbers had reduced to a male and two females. Highlights here though was of the Grey Wagtail on the overflow and a male Kingfisher perched on the overhanging branches near the reedbed. Whilst watching the latter this bird coughed up a pellet whilst a further Roe Deer walked close by.
Rising up the valley past Swinden Reservoir we were unsuccessful in catching up with Little Owls in their regular spots. However, this was possibly not helped by one location being almost covered by a snow drift! The marsh above Swinden had a meager two Snipe and a single Meadow Pipit. This detour through the boggy was rewarded though with a male Stonechat in its transition to its stunning summer plumage. Four Oystercatchers also flew noisily overhead as they continue to fill the valley with noise.
Rising further we rounded the top quarry at Swinden towards Entwistle Moor before dropping back into Thursden Valley. Here we saw two Red Grouse calling on mounds and a quick movement of heads bobbling through tussocks alerted us to five Golden Plover. A final reminder of Spring is round the corner.
Overall, a good local 6.5-mile circular walk with fantastic scenery and some good East Lancashire birds recorded.
Species seen:
- Canada Goose
- Greylag Goose
- Pink-footed Goose
- Mallard
- Teal
- Grey Partridge
- Pheasant
- Stock Dove
- Collared Dove
- Moorhen
- Coot
- Little Grebe
- Oystercatcher
- Lapwing
- Golden Plover
- Woodcock
- Snipe
- Black-headed Gull
- Common Gull
- Herring Gull
- Sparrowhawk
- Buzzard
- Barn Owl
- Kingfisher
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Green Woodpecker
- Kestrel
- Jay
- Magpie
- Jackdaw
- Carrion Crow
- Raven
- Coal Tit
- Blue Tit
- Great Tit
- Skylark
- Long-tailed Tit
- Wren
- Treecreeper
- Starling
- Mistle Thrush
- Blackbird
- Fieldfare
- Robin
- Stonechat
- Dipper
- House Sparrow
- Grey Wagtail
- Pied Wagtail
- Meadow Pipit
- Chaffinch
- Greenfinch
- Goldfinch
- Siskin
Thanks to Nigel and Glenn for the trip information.