Bird watching

Bleasdale recently featured in BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Lower Fairsnape Farm Bird Hide

Lapwing and other waders

The farm is a popular haunt for wild birds because it is managed for wildlife, and so making it the ideal habitat for a bird watching holiday in Lancashire and The Forest of Bowland.

Much of the farm is managed for lapwings and waders, the meadows are managed to create a patchwork of short grass interspersed with tussocks. The short grass areas are ideal for nesting and feeding the tussocks provide cover for chicks. In addition we have created several scrapes, which are shallow depressions which collect water in the winter and slowly dry out during the spring and summer. These scrapes are vital for providing food for breeding waders and their chicks. In 2004, the farm became the Northern England Lapwing Champion under a scheme run by the RSPB.

RSPB Bowland Project (Web Site)

Lapwing © Andy Hay rspb-images.com

One of our scrapes

Bowland's farmland and moorland attracts over 6,000 pairs of wading birds such as lapwings, snipe, curlews, oystercatchers, and redshanks and holds 6 - 8% of the UK's breeding curlew population.

Oystercatchers © B P Tyrer

Hen harriers

Hen harriers are England’s most endangered bird of prey, the Bowland Fells, are home to 50 per cent of the successful nests, found in England. As monitored by an English Nature and RSPB team.

Hen harriers arrive back on their breeding grounds in March and April. They indulge in spectacular, aerobatic displays to attract females. The hen harrier has a strong association with heather in England and nests are almost always sited so that the surrounding heather bushes provide cover and protection. A clutch of up to 6 eggs is laid, in April or May, and incubated by the female for about 30 days. The chicks spend a further 30-40 days in the nest before making their first flight.

Crossbills

Common Crossbills can be seen at Beacon Fell Country Park.

Location of Beacon Fell Country Park SD 566418

Other Places to visit include

Nicky Nook and Grizedale Valley.

A firm favourite with birdwatchers looking for summer visitors such as Wood Warbler and Redstart.

Location of Nicky Nook and Grizedale SD 503489

Littledale

Home to a variety of special birds, including the rare hen harrier, the symbol of the Forest of Bowland AONB.

Littledale Walk (PDF 549kb)

Location of Littledale SD 527646

Martin Mere for waders and occasional visitor Bill Oddie SD 436108

Leighton Moss also for waders SD 477749