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 Brian
Chambers,
01909 770816
www.sk58.freeserve.co.uk
Brian Chambers of SK58 Birders reports on the diversity of bird-life
on the Rotherham section.
Where the Cuckoo Way footpath crosses Pennyholme Marsh and rejoins
the canal by the eastern portal of Norwood Tunnel, not only do you
enter one of the most attractive parts of the whole Way but you
also enter SK58 Birders territory. We are an enthusiastic group,
currently with a membership of 61, principally focusing on the birds
in the Ordnance Survey SK58 region. This is a 10 Kilometre square
through which the Chesterfield Canal passes in the south for a distance
of about 8 Kilometres, between Norwood Tunnel and Rhodesia. If you
walk from Hard Lane at Kiveton to Rhodesia you will pass through
some very interesting bird habitat, altogether some 70 - 80 species
have been recorded, the following are some you should spot without
too much difficulty.
Pennyholme Marsh, or Tommy Flockton's as it is known locally,
is extensively flooded in the winter and spring. The water gradually
evaporates in summer before again starting to fill with the autumn
rains. The habitat is mainly grazed grassland, with hawthorn, bramble,
and where the canal feeder from Harthill passes through, a few reeds.
Mallard, Coot and Moorhen are present all year and breed here. Gadwall
and Teal are present from October to April but generally breed elsewhere
due to the disturbance from walkers. However, with the restrictions
on access caused by the Foot and Mouth epidemic in 2001/02, Gadwall
did breed and raised a family of six chicks. Wigeon have often been
sighted during 2003, with eight birds present one day. Greylag and
Canada Geese and Mute Swans can often be seen between autumn and
spring. This is one of the most reliable spots to see the elegant
Heron patiently waiting for a meal. Two adults and two young, were
recorded in June 2000, probably having spread from their breeding
sites near Welbeck.
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| A
pair of gooseanders near Victoria Farm, New Brimington
on March 25th 2004. Photo - |
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Areas of water always attract birds, so this particular spot is
popular with our members as anything can turn up. Wading birds regularly
feeding here include Lapwing, Redshank and Little Ringed Plover.
The attractive Little Ringed Plover with its black and white collar
and head pattern, of which there are only about 200 pairs inland
in the UK, and it's larger cousin the Ringed Plover, will be feeding
at some time on the Marsh during the Summer months. Greenshank is
another infrequent visitor to the Marsh.
The Green Woodpecker, which is the largest of our native species,
can often be seen either perched on the telegraph poles or feeding
on the insects in the short grass. It can often best be located
from its laughing like call ringing out as it flies from the woodland
and over the Marsh. In the summer there will be plenty of Swifts,
Swallows and House Martins taking insects from over the water. In
2001, they were joined by a few Sand Martins, recognized by their
light brown plumage, having used a temporary bank of soil in the
Kiveton Quarry in which to build their nests.
A concern of our group is that, if the Norwood Tunnel is reopened,
it will result in the draining of Tommy Flockton's Marsh. Although
this is not likely in the foreseeable future we hope provision will
be made to keep the present habitat.
The stretch of canal from the Norwood Tunnel to Dog Kennel Bridge
passes through a beautiful cutting lined with some mature trees,
a dense shrub layer with a mass of wild flowers lining the banks.
This section is one of the best places to see that most brightly
coloured of our finches, the male Bullfinch with its salmon pink
breast, black crown and the distinctive white rump, easily visible
as it flies away. Also listen for the melancholy quiet "peeu, peeu"
call which can carry surprisingly far. There will generally be two
pairs nesting along here, and, in the winter, flocks of about ten
birds are often present.
Another colourful regular on this bit of the canal is the Yellowhammer.
In 2000 the farmer left a wide margin along the field edge to the
south, with the result that a flock of at least 70 birds gathered.
It just demonstrates how resilient birds can be if the habitat is
there for them.
That other, even more colourful bird, the Kingfisher with its
shining blue back and even more vivid blue rump has been present
along this section. Despite its bright colour it can be difficult
to see as it perches over the water and then flies off as soon as
you're within about 30 metres. Look out for a bird flying low, just
a little above the water, and then perching on a branch overhanging
the water. If you carry binoculars then the orange breast, long
dagger like bill and blue back are unmistakable. If you're lucky
you'll see it dive into the water and catch a small fish. One way
to locate it is to listen out for the plop as it dives in. Kingfishers
are one species to have benefited from the clearing of the canal,
increasing the amount of clear water in which to fish. Now, 2003,
they are also regularly seen on the restored section of canal at
Cinderhill.
The cascade, as the Harthill feeder joins the canal, is a favourite
spot for the Grey Wagtail to search for its insects. The Grey refers
to the colour of its back, although the yellow on the breast and
under the tail is probably more striking. The young, and the adults
too, can quite often be seen waiting nearby or on a bit of mud recently
exposed by the drop in the water level, the bobbing tail action
being typical of the Wagtails.
The next section takes you to Thorpe Bridge and then alongside
Hawks Wood to the Thorpe Locks. Along here, as well as on the previous
section, will be members of the Tit family. Blue and Great Tits
are common, as too are Long-tailed Tits which may be in flocks of
over 20 birds. They are an amusing sight as they play follow-the-leader
and flit in procession from one side of the canal to the other,
all the time giving the zee-zee-zee contact calls. Marsh and Willow
Tits with their black caps, most readily separated by their different
songs and the smallest of the family, Coal Tits, which have a white
nape patch, are all ever present in the trees along here.
There are many Alder trees along the canal, the seeds of which
are favourites of Siskin and the less common Redpoll. Both species
together with Goldfinch can be quite difficult to see as they hang
acrobatically, like Tits, in the upper branches. A passing train
can disturb them, when a flock of perhaps 50 birds may take flight.
Other birds common on this section of the canal are Nuthatch,
Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Wren, Thrushes and Finches. During the winter
months the Scandanavian thrush migrants, Fieldfare and Redwing,
feed on the berries.
Hawks Wood, which contains a number of dead trees, is a stronghold
for Woodpeckers. Great Spotted are the common species, with at least
3-4 pairs nesting in the wood, and often visible from the towpath.
Knowing their call, as with all birds, is a big help. The sharp
and repeated "chik" together with their drumming are sounds to listen
for in the spring. If you're lucky you may see the sparrow-sized
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, which feeds more in the woodland canopy.
Spring, before the leaves form, is the best time to catch sight
of this bird.
The Thorpe Locks area supported a Dipper in 2000, the bird staying
until at least January. This species is usually to be found on upland
streams. The shallow water present in the locks awaiting restoration
must have reproduced this type of habitat, as the bird was certainly
at home, staying for about 5 months.
Another species present around here is the Sedge Warbler. Listen
for a series of harsh grating and chattering sounds coming from
reeds or tall grasses or indeed a rape-seed field. The bird has
a heavily streaked black and brown back and a distinctive creamy
stripe above the eye, often seen as it perches in the open and also
while taking brief song flights.
Mute Swan often breed near Turnerwood , four cygnets were present
in June 2001. Hopefully, now the restoration work is complete, they
will continue to breed on the bank side, providing great enjoyment
to everybody walking along this section. The bird feeder stations
in the gardens behind the cottages of Turnerwood are always worth
a look, with generally a lot of Tits, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and
often a Woodpecker on the nuts, also possibly some Tree Sparrows.
These are slightly smaller than the House Sparrow and have a brown
as opposed to a grey (female buffy-brown) crown, this species has
declined dramatically during the last decade.
The section between the Brancliffe Feeder and the River Ryton
has usually held some Treecreepers in the woodland on the northern
bank. Although they are a brown-backed bird and creep up the trunks
which are more or less brown, they are usually quite easy to see,
either flying between tree trunks or silhouetted against them.
The last area of interest is the recently opened Shireoaks Marina,
adjacent to this is an area of rough ground and then a grassed old
spoil heap. This can be accessed from just beyond the Marina entrance.
The rough ground is covered with a variety of wild flowers producing
an abundance of seed, hence a good spot for finches, especially
Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch. The grassed area is home to a
number of Skylark and Meadow Pipit, often over twenty of each species
present.
This length of canal through SK58 is a bird watchers delight,
but don't forget to keep an eye on the surrounding skies. Raptors
such as the hovering Kestrel, the fast flying Sparrowhawk and the
larger Buzzard are all quite common, even Red Kite and Osprey have
been seen on a few rare occasions.
SK58 Birders are a very active group, meeting at the Loyal Trooper
Inn, South Anston each month, and having regular outings both locally
and further afield. An annual illustrated report is produced of
the birds in our area. If you would like more details please contact
Brian Chambers, 01909 770816 or visit our website at www.sk58.freeserve.co.uk
Brian Chambers,
01909 770816
www.sk58.freeserve.co.uk
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