Chris Johnston’s spring report.
Summary
This report covers bird species recorded at the reserve between 21 March and 20 June 2026. Thirteen visits were made to the reserve between 6 April and 14 June, all of them in the morning between the hours of 7am and 10am. Each visit consisted of a circuit of the reserve beginning at the entrance on Aldcliffe Road and ending at the Cromwell Road entrance. The section of the canal between the triangle and the Aldcliffe Road entrance was walked on each occasion and then a second lap of Pony Wood was undertaken, returning to the canal via the footpath to the south of the reserve.
This report is not intended to replace the more detailed breeding bird surveys that have been carried out in previous years. However, it does provide some useful information on the likely breeding numbers of several species in the absence of a more formal survey.
The timing of the visits undoubtedly had an impact on the sightings that were recorded, especially where raptors are concerned (it was no surprise that a first late evening visit to the reserve on 21 June yielded Tawny Owl). Similarly, Grasshopper Warbler was not recorded, another species more commonly heard singing either at dawn or dusk. No access was gained to any of the individual fields this spring which also probably impacted on sightings of Reed and Sedge Warblers, and also Reed Bunting.
In total, 52 species were recorded on the reserve and a further 6 species were seen along the short stretch of canal directly adjacent to the reserve. The latter are included in this report as an addendum since many people visiting Fairfield Nature Reserve do a full lap of the area including the same stretch of canal.
Spring Migrants
| Species | First Sighting |
|---|---|
| Swift | 2 May |
| Swallow | 12 April |
| House Martin | 25 April |
| Cetti’s Warbler | 26 April |
| Sedge Warbler | 2 May |
| Reed Warbler | 23 May |
| Lesser Whitethroat | 19 April |
| Whitethroat | 2 May |
| Blackcap | 12 April |
| Chiffchaff | 6 April* |
| Willow Warbler | 19 April |
* Note: it is likely that Chiffchaff was present from mid to late March onwards.
Water Birds
Single Grey Herons were seen on the majority of visits, either aerially or on School Pond or the pond in West Field. 2 were seen flying south-west over Flora Field on 25 May.
Two skeins of 11 Greylag Geese were seen on 25 and 30 May flying west over Big Meadow.
Shelduck were seen on four occasions over West Field with 6 recorded on 10 May. None were seen to land on the reserve.
A female Teal was on the pool in West Field on 12 and 19 April.
Mallards were recorded regularly in singles or pairs in Flora Field and on Alder Pond. A female with three ducklings was on one of the small pools on Flora Field on 19 April.
Moorhens were recorded in Flora Field, West Field, Alder Pond, School Pond and in Hay Meadow throughout the period.
Raptors
A Buzzard perched in Pony Wood on 6 April was the sole sighting of a raptor this spring.
Partridges and Pheasants
A maximum of 12 Pheasants were seen in Flora Field in the early part of the spring in addition to healthy numbers elsewhere on the reserve in Lower Sower Holme and in Big Meadow.
Waders
Oystercatchers were seen on seven occasions in Flora Field between 19 April and 30 May, the latter disturbed by a tractor crop spraying. 4 were present on 26 April.
Single Curlews were seen overhead on 25 April and 14 June.
Sadly, no Lapwings were recorded during any of the visits.
Gulls
Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls were recorded throughout. 9 Black-headed Gulls were in Flora Field on 26 April.
Woodland Species
Stock Doves were present in Pony Wood throughout with 1-2 pairs presumed to be breeding. 5 were seen in Flora Field on 2 May.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers were present in Pony Wood during most visits with a lot of activity in late May suggesting that young were being fed. Drumming was heard on 6 April but not subsequently.
Nuthatches were either heard or seen occasionally in Pony Wood, the orchard area and around the Cromwell Road entrance, although the suspicion is that these birds nested just outside the reserve boundaries.
Hirundines & Swifts
Swift, Swallow and House Martin were seen over the reserve regularly after their respective arrival dates (see above).
Robins and Thrushes
Robin, Blackbird and Song Thrush all nested on the reserve this spring with fledged Robins and Blackbirds being a regular sight towards the end of the season. 2 Mistle Thrushes on Flora Field on 25 April was the only record.
Warblers
A singing Cetti’s Warbler took up residence in the hedgerows around Upper Sower Holme and Big Meadow from 26 April onwards and was one of the highlights of the spring on the reserve. At its loudest it could be heard from the opposite end of the reserve.
A single Sedge Warbler was heard in Upper Sower Holme on 2 May but not subsequently, suggesting that this bird moved on.
A single Reed Warbler was heard in Upper Sower Holme from 23 May onwards (although a second male was subsequently heard from 21 June onwards).
A male Lesser Whitethroat was singing in the hedgerow between Pony Wood and Aldcliffe Road from 19 April to 2 May. It was not heard subsequently, however an adult was seen foraging in the same area on 14 June suggesting that a pair may have nested in this vicinity.
A male Whitethroat took up residence along the Long Pads hedgerow from 2 May onwards, giving great views and often performing its song flight. A second male was heard in the hedgerows around Hay Meadow between 25 May and 7 June and a third was recorded singing on the edges of Flora Field near to Aldcliffe Road from 7 June onwards.
Up to five singing Blackcaps were recorded: 2 in Pony Wood, 1 in the orchard, 1 in trees near the Paddock and one near the Cromwell Road entrance. Pairs of Blackcap were active in both Pony Wood and the orchard in late May and early June.
Three singing Chiffchaffs were recorded in Pony Wood, the orchard and near the Cromwell Road entrance. All three were heard regularly throughout the spring.
A single Willow Warbler was heard singing on three occasions between 19 April and 25 May, twice near School Pond and once near the orchard. However, the lack of subsequent sightings suggests that the species has not nested on the reserve this year.
Tits
Long-tailed Tits were recorded on several occasions in the area of the orchard and in Pony Wood. 8 were seen in the hedgerow to the east of Big Meadow on 16 May, with groups of 4 (Pony Wood) and 3 (orchard) being seen in June.
A Coal Tit in the orchard on 25 April was the only record on the reserve.
Crows
Flora Field attracted good numbers of crows in the early part of the spring with 17 Jackdaws (12 April),10 Rooks and 20 Carrion Crows (both 19 April). Jackdaws nested in Pony Wood where they were very active throughout the season.
Finches & Buntings
No Chaffinches were recorded within the reserve boundaries although a singing male could be heard from Pony Wood from late May onwards (coming from the direction of Aldcliffe Hall Drive).
Both Greenfinch and Goldfinch were present in small numbers throughout the period.
A male Linnet was seen in the corner of West Field on 19 April.
The solitary sighting of a male Reed Bunting was on 14 June close to School Pond although it is my suspicion that a pair may have nested on the far side of Big Meadow, rather too far away from the path to allow the song to be easily heard.
Canal Sightings
Two pairs of Mute Swan were seen occasionally in May and June, one with 2 cygnets and the other with 8 cygnets.
Single Canada Goose sightings were made on 19 April and 16 May,
A male Gadwall was present on Ripley Field between 6 April and 25 May.
A male Goosander was in the same location on 19 and 25 April and 7 May.
A White Wagtail was present on Ripley Field on 26 April, handily in the company of a Pied Wagtail.
A Goldcrest was singing near Aldcliffe Bridge on 30 May.