Goosander, female. Sadly evidence of the illegal targeting of these terrific sawbills in the Ribble Valley (i.e. shooting them without a license) has come to light this week. CLICK THE IMAGES FOR LIGHTBOX
A LONE SWALLOW AT BOAT HOUSE, RIBCHESTER ON 27 MARCH was fairly early and our first of the year. Sand Martins continue to build in numbers and made double figures for the last couple of days. The only other true summer migrant so far has been chiffchaff and following one at Boat House on 24 March a couple has been heard singing (at Red Bank and the vicarage garden). Other notable encounters have included a redshank at Boat House on 27 March, up to seven Common Buzzards in the air at a time in the valley (probaby just local birds getting up in the fine weather) and more regular sparrowhawk, kestrel and kingfisher sightings have been a feature. Lapwings, oystercatchers and curlews are still singing around the village but despite increased signs of spring there are still a few Fieldfares around, the last of the winter visitors. An osprey at Elston on 27 March was a near miss but sadly it carried on north and did not enter Rib airspace. The next few days will be our best chance for one of these over the village itself!
Curlew over the Ribble at Ribchester (collage)
The first chiffchaff of the year, at Boat House on 24 March.
Rain clouds over Clitheroe from earlier in March. If can see Pendle you are not lost in the Ribble Valley.