Rishton Reservoir, Lancashire, UK.

Site Guide.

by Bill Aspin.

Rishton Reservoir  was built in 1828 in order to solve water shortages in the adj Leeds-Liverpool Canal. It is 37 acres in size.

Directions:

The Reservoir is located 2 miles to the east of Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. 

The grid reference is SD715300.

From the large roundabout adjacent to junction 6 of the M65, take the A678 towards Rishton. After approx 1.7miles, turn left and park on 'Cut Lane', in the vicinity of the phone box. Take the path through 'Cut Wood', down past the football pitch to view the reservoir from the small promenade on the eastern shoreline.

Click on the thumbnail map to view larger image.

A brief ornithological history of the site.

Rishton Reservoir has been well watched during two periods over the years; in the 1970's, by the now long defunct 'Rishton Ornithologists Club' and from 1991 - 1995, mainly by myself and also by a few other local birders. At other times, the reservoir has been rather criminally under-watched. Indeed, this applies to the present day, with the reservoir begging for daily coverage by a dedicated observer.

A few tips for any future Rishton Res regulars.

Unfortunately, due to the development of a large housing estate in the past decade, coupled with the fact that it is a popular fishing venue and is also the home of the East Lancashire Sailing Club, Rishton Reservoir is prone to being heavily disturbed by 'the non-birding fraternity'. Therefore, from my own experience, I cannot stress enough the fact that any birders considering covering the site on a regular basis in the future, must be prepared to 'beat the disturbance' by checking the reservoir during the first few hours of light, before any potentially interesting birds, i.e. waders, may be flushed by the Fishermen. Also, make the most of any 'non-birding fraternity' weather, i.e. wet and windy weather at any time of year that is good for keeping non-birders indoors, is often the type of weather that may produce a good bird on the local patch! And finally by checking the reservoir a few times during the course of the day, particularly during  weather conditions that are considered good for the possible appearance of an interesting 'local-patch' bird; e.g. during periods of SE winds during early May, for Black Terns, or,  when it is apparent from the bird information services that there has been an influx of, for example, Little Gulls, or, passage waders, during good autumns for species such as Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper etc.

The birding year at the Reservoir.

One good feature of the reservoir, is that it is not the 'concrete-bowl' type of water that is totally unappealing to Waders when the water levels are high. The western shoreline of the main reservoir has a gently sloping field, which runs down to the waters edge. This gives the birder some hope, that in years when water levels are high generally, there is always the chance that there may be something of interest on the 'field-side' of 'big-Rishton' - providing no recent disturbance has taken place  - see under the 'a few tips..' section of this article.

The eastern side of the reservoir, is quite well vegetated, which is where the migrant warblers etc are seen. It is also the side which suffers the most disturbance.

The main features of both winter periods are the Gulls. Rishton has a regular field-feeding flock of Black-headed Gulls which are well worth scrutinizing for scarcer species. The same applies for the larger Gull species, as from early afternoon, variable numbers of both larger and smaller  Gulls drop in for a pre-roost wash + preen whilst commuting between Whinney Hill Tip and Fishmoor Reservoir.

From February, the first Oystercatcher, Curlew and perhaps the first Ringed Plover, begin to appear on the western shoreline of the main reservoir, as they begin the return migration to breeding sites inland.

Mid-march sees the chance of a Little-ringed Plover, Sand Martin or Chiffchaff occurring.

From mid-April - the end of May, there is always the chance of any of 5 species of Tern occurring. Small numbers of Dunlin, with perhaps a scarcer wader such as a Turnstone or Sanderling. Swallow and House Martin should be present in reasonable numbers by the end of April, with Common Swifts by the first week of May. Days with low murky cloud can see large numbers of mixed Hirundine and Swift feeding low over the water.

 Autumn migration begins as early as the middle of June (continuing right through until the mid-end of November) with the first failed breeding Lapwing beginning to appear in small flocks. Interesting Waders and Terns can, and do occasionally occur, from the last week of June-early October, particularly on days of wet and windy weather, and from my experience, particularly when the wind is from the westerly sector. Shelduck begin their overland migration to the German bight at this time (See Shelduck section below). During August-October, the bushes around the edge of the reservoir and Cut Wood are always worth checking for passerine migrants with species such as Spotted Flycatcher and a few species of Warbler likely to be seen.

From the end of August-November, a few species of Wildfowl pass through in small numbers including Teal and Wigeon, with perhaps a few Shoveler and Pintail, as well as a few Pochard, Tufted Duck and from October Goldeneye, with always with the chance of something more unexpected such as a Ruddy Duck or Greater Scaup. There is also usually a fairly strong passage of Mute Swan through the site in Sept-Oct.

The following list of records of rare/scarce birds, plus selected migrants, are drawn from my own observations, between Nov 1991-1995 and also from the following documents/publications; 'The birds of the Hyndburn district' (Jackson, 1989), ELOC bird reports and the Lancashire Bird reports. I welcome any additonal records not included, from any readers of this article.

I have also included a few historical records for added interest.

It is hoped that this list will act as a spur to any future local birders looking for a local patch to regularly cover!

Key to observers where initials are used: Bill Aspin (WCA), John Metcalfe (JM), Tony Disley (ASD), John Wright (JW), David Jackson (DJ), Dave Bickerton (DB)

Great Northern Diver; An historical record, extracted from the Accrington Naturalists Souvenir, 1905, by D.J. Jackson, as mentioned in his 1989 document 'The birds of the Hyndburn district', which reads; "James Hatcroft of Rishton is said to have procured a specimen, at Rishton Reservoir, some time around 1865."

Black-throated Diver; A juv/1stw arrived during easterlies and associated murky weather, and present from 1st-6th November 1993 (WCA). Click here to view a poor record photo of the bird.

Slavonian Grebe; One in partial summer plumage from 14-20th March 1979 (D Jackson).

Little Egret; An adult present from 13-16th August 2000 (DB). The bird often gave excellent views on the smaller reservoir, close to the road, during it's stay. Click here to view a photo.

Bewick Swan; Just one documented record; an adult briefly on 05.03.95 (WCA).

Whooper Swan; I did not record any during the period Nov 1991-1995. Two adults on 29.03.98 (JM), is the only documented record that I am aware of.

Common Shelduck; This species over flies East Lancs in an easterly direction on moult migration, from the Ribble Estuary, en-route to mudflats off the German coast in Late June/July. Rishton Reservoir is well situated to watch and count these birds as they move over the area. Optimum conditions are a clear evening, with good visibility and a light westerly breeze. The best method to maximize your chances of seeing any flocks is to sit at the eastern side of the reservoir and scan the sky to the West, remembering to also check the sky to the South and North. Flocks move over the area at a range of distances and heights, and not necessarily directly over the reservoir. Numbers do vary however from year to year, and seemingly perfect evenings often disappoint. During evenings when conditions were not considered perfect, i.e. hazy conditions, the occasional flocks could be seen tracking back to the Lancashire coast, having presumably decided to abort an overland crossing, after seeing less than favourable conditions ahead, as they approach the Pennines.  

The highest number that I recorded over the Reservoir in a single evening was 528 in 11 flocks, ranging in size from 11-119, between 20.45-22.05hrs on 19.07.92. It was a truly spectacular sight. This prompted both myself and John Metcalfe, to regularly look for the birds during July, in subsequent years during the period 1993-95 (I also recorded 200 flying East over the site, quite by chance, whilst fishing, one evening in July 1988). 

1993; the only sightings were 48 in 3 flocks on 28.07 and 20 in 2 flocks on 02.08.

1994; 29.06 - 55 east in 2 flocks, 05.07 - 50 east in 3 flocks, 13.07 - 217 east in 10 flocks, 15.07 -  69 east in 3 flocks, and, 22.07 - 200 east in 10 flocks.

1995; 03.07 - 29 in 1 flock flying east, 14.07 -  212 east in 10 flocks (20, 35, 16, 5, 11, 20, 29, 41, 14 and 21) between 20.53-21.50hrs, with single flocks of 12 and 16 returning west at dusk, 21.07 - 215 east in 6 flocks, between 20.25-20.55hrs, 22.07 - 136 east in 6 flocks. 

At other times of year, a few birds pass through in Spring and Autumn, with the occasional record in late autumn/2nd winter period winter, presumably relating to birds returning from moult migration.

Gadwall, Shoveler and Pintail; Scarce birds at the site, with perhaps 1 or 2 records in most years. Most Shoveler records have occurred in Autumn, the peak count being 6 on 15.08.01. John Metcalfe comments that 4 out of 5 Shoveler records in the period 1997-2002 have been in October - when Wildfowl migration is in full swing. An example of what represents a very good year for Gadwall records at the site is 1992;  4 on 9th Jan, with 1 female remaining to 09.02; a pair on 27.02, a pair on 20.04 and a drake on 20.12.

Ring-necked Duck; the regular East Lancashire drake which visited various waters in the area from 1984-1995, graced the reservoir for just one day, 27th Feb 1994 (WCA).

Greater Scaup; 2 females on 28.11.93 (WCA). A 1stw drake on 18.01.94 (JM) and a female on 18-30.10.96 (JM).

Long-tailed Duck; One said to have been shot in the winter of 1855, by W. Naylor (Mitchell p.176 per Jackson, 1989)

Eider; A fem/imm was actually seen to fly in from the NE, whilst Tony Disley, John Metcalfe and Myself  were watching the Black-throated Diver on 01.11.1993 -  one of my favourite personal memories from my time covering the reservoir. The bird was still present next morning, but had departed by mid-day. It was interesting to see how quickly the Eider adapted to it's new surroundings, as after only 10 minutes, it was happily feeding on freshwater Mussels. Later the same evening, we discovered that the Eider was just one of an unprecedented influx of the species on inland waters to northern/midland counties of England.

Common Scoter; 1993; 4 drakes on 04.07 (WCA), 1 drake on 29.07 (WCA, JM). 1997; 9 on 16.10 (A.S.D). 2001; 1 drake on 29-30.07 (JM).

Smew; An adult female present from 12-14th December 1995 (WCA).

Red-breasted Merganser; Just one documented record; a female which alternated between Rishton and Parsonage Res, 8-12th March 1993 (WCA).

Goosander; A regular visitor in the winter months, usually in single figures.

Ruddy Duck; 1992; 1 drake on 02.10. (WCA). 1994; 1 fem/imm on 02.10. (WCA). 1996; 1 on 30.09. (per Lancs bird report). It is interesting to note that all three records in the nineties fell with a four day period in the calendar.

Marsh Harrier; Just to the south of the site, a female was seen by A. Wilson, being mobbed by Lapwings at Cowhill, Rishton on 26.05.1975.

Common Buzzard; 1995; One, which flew east-west on 05.09, was the only record during the period Nov 1991-1995 (WCA). 2000; 1 seen on 13.08 (JW, DB).

Osprey; 1 flew SW at 09.00hrs on 23.09.92 (WCA).

Merlin; Several records in the period 1991-1995, mainly in Autumn.

Hobby; Several records for the site between 1992-2002. All have been seen  between July-Sept. Observers include WCA, ASD and JM.

Peregrine; A fairly frequent visitor to the reservoir. The pylons on the western side of the reservoir are worthy of checking for any perched birds.

Grey Partridge; Although not a migrant, this declining species is worthy of mention. During the period 1991-1995, This species could be occasionally encountered in Nordern Valley, adj to the reservoir, with coveys of up to 14 seen in autumn. I am unsure of the current status of the bird in the immediate vicinity, as of 2002.

Quail; 1 in a field along Cut Lane, just over the canal bridge, in Nordern Valley on 25.05.1992 (ASD, JW). 

Water Rail; One seen in flight over the A678 by the upper reservoir (DB), is the only record for the site that I am aware of.

Little-ringed Plover; Jackson (1989) commented that "singles have been recorded at Rishton Reservoir" - an indication of how uncommon this species was in the seventies. Indeed, the first proven breeding record for Hyndburn occurred in 1978. How things have changed! From my time (Nov 1991-95) to the present day (2002), the species is a guaranteed double passage migrant through the site, numbers peaking in July, with counts of up to 14 recorded. Breeding attempts can be expected to occur during years when the water level is low. Earliest Spring record; 16th March 1993. Latest date; 15th Sept. 1993.

Ringed Plover; A double passage migrant, usually in single figures.

Golden Plover; Usually only seen occasionally, in low single figures at the reservoir, though the occasional larger flock sometimes occurred i.e. 67 on 5th Nov 1995.

Grey Plover; A juvenile seen briefly at 08.05hrs on 2nd October 1995, was the sole record during the period Nov '91-'95 (WCA).

Knot; 1973; 2 on 22.09.73 (E. Kwater). 1993; 1 on 25-28.07.93 (JM, WCA). 1994; 1 on 29.03. and 1 on 18.08. (WCA).

Sanderling; 1972; 1 on 27.05. 1975; 1 on 04.10. 1993; A single on 15.05. was the only  record during the period  '92 -'95 (WCA). No subsequent records.

Little Stint; 1972; 2 on 17.08 (N. McNeil). 1978; 1 on 12-13.09 (DJ).  1993 - 1 juv on 25th August (WCA), 1 juv on 10th Sept. (JW). 1995 - 2 juvs 12-14.09. (JM).

Pectoral Sandpiper; A fabulous discovery by John Metcalfe, was East Lancs 2nd record of this species, a juvenile, present on the west shoreline of the main reservoir on the afternoon of 18th Sept. 1999. The bird showed well for up to a dozen East Lancs birders until dusk.

Curlew sandpiper; 3 confiding juveniles present from 12-15.09.95 (JM). On the latter date, I was able photograph the birds whilst walking alongside them at a distance of no more than 20ft (WCA).

Dunlin; The 'bread and butter' Calidrid for inland patch birders. A double passage migrant through the site, usually in single figures. Autumn 1993 produced a total of 51 birds thru the site.

Ruff; Jackson (1989), does not mention any records for the site. 1993; Up to 5 present in Sept.  1994 - 1 on 19-21.08., 5 flew west on 25.08. and singles on 12th and 21st Sept. (JM, WCA). 1999; 1 on 31.08 (JM). 2000; 2 on 13-16th August (ELOC report).

Jack Snipe; During 1996, low water levels promoted the growth of vegetation along the western edge of the main reservoir and the overflow. Up to 5 birds were present between 19-28th October of that year (JM, WCA).

Common Snipe; Occasional flocks are seen on the western shoreline of the main reservoir, sometimes a reasonable number, e.g. 40 on 22.09.95 (WCA). Otherwise, it is possible to flush a few birds from the marshy field at the NW end of the dam wall.

Black-tailed Godwit; 1993 - 9 flew west on 03.07 (JM). 1994 - 3 on 29.06 and 4 on 15.07. 2000; 1 on 23.08 (ELOC).

Bar-tailed Godwit; 1973; 2 on 03.09 (D. Jackson). 1994; A stunning male in full summer plumage present on 05.07. (WCA). 1995; 1 on 06.01. (WCA).

Whimbrel; Recorded occasionally in both passage periods, usually in low single figures over flying the reservoir, often located by call. A flock of 30 that flew NE on 11.05.93 was by far the largest flock recorded (WCA).

Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper; To the best of my knowledge, there are no documented records of either of these species for the site.

Greenshank; "Recorded almost annually on Autumn passage" (The Birds of Hyndburn District, Jackson, 1989). Under 10 individuals recorded during the period 1991-95, but this did include 2 spring records (WCA). 4 were seen in July 2001 (JM).

Green Sandpiper; several records, all in Autumn, during the period Nov '91-'95, max count; 3 on 23.08.94

Turnstone; 1972; 1 on 27.05. (DJ). Two-three records (in May and August) of 3 birds in the early-mid nineties, but dates not currently available (WCA).

Arctic Skua; A tame juvenile was watched at close range, by several observers, on the bank of the main reservoir, before flying west, on 02.09.1973 (D. Jackson, N. McNeil et al). 

Glaucous Gull; A 1stw on 20.12.2000. (WCA). Also, one or two sightings on dates in the mid-nineties.  

Iceland Gull; An adult was seen on 28.12.94 (WCA, ASD). There have also been at least 2 sightings of this species subsequently, but no dates to currently to hand.

Mediterranean Gull; The first documented record for the site was a 1stw on 14-15.01.95 and again on 05.02.95 (JW, WCA). I have seen this species on at least 4 occasions subsequently, between 1995-2002. Given the upsurge of records in East Lancs of this species since 1995, and the number of B.H. Gulls, 100+ regular flock, using the site in the autumn/winter months, this species is surely annual at the site.

Little Gull; 1972; 1 on 30.05. 1973; An immature on 05-06.10 (Jackson, 1989). 1993; A 1stw on 31.01 (JM). 1995; 6 adults in summer plumage arrived from the east at 21.25hrs on 21.07, dropping low over the reservoir briefly, before flying SW (WCA, JM). 2000; An adult summer seen on 31.07 (ASD). 2002; A 1st summer bird from 30.04-05.05 (WCA).

Black-legged Kittiwake; 2 adults on 06.04.94 and single adults on 23.02.95 and 08.03.95 (WCA).

Terns; An excellent track record for Terns, probably for 2 reasons; 1) The reservoir lies in a good location within the Blackburn-Burnley syncline and 2) The Leed-Liverpool canal runs adj to the reservoir. The 5 species of Tern which one could realistically hope to record all occurring during my time (1992 -'95). Both passage periods usually produce Terns of some description at the site. A strong SW-West wind in both seasons proved to be the best conditions for Terns occurring at the reservoir, in my experience. Also, East/SE winds always make the reservoir worth checking for Black Tern in late April-May. 

Common Tern; As one would expect, the most frequently recorded Tern species at the site. Common Tern is the only species that one can usually guarantee at some point during both passage periods, usually in single figures. The max day count however was 34 on 11.09.92, an excellent count, particularly in Autumn.

 Arctic Tern; 1991; 14 on 18th Sept. (per Lancs Bird report). 1992; During the Autumn, at least 28 birds were recorded, max. day count being 6 on 21.08. (WCA). 1993; Adult on 19.06 (WCA), singles on 19th and 31.07 (JM), 3 on 09.08 and 1, 12-13.09 (WCA). 1998; 1 adult on 2907 (JM). 2002; 1 on 29.04 (JM). 

Black Tern; 1973; 8 on 17.09. 1974; 14 on 16.05. (DJ). 1992;  8 on 22.08. (WCA). 1995; 1 on 17.05. was the sole record for the year in East Lancs (WCA). 2001; A juvenile on 12-13.10. (DB). 

Little Tern; 1972; 1 on 27.05. and 1 on 04.09 (DJ, N.McNeil). 1974; 1 adult "watched at very close quarters" on the west shoreline of the main reservoir, on 25.06 (DJ). 1993; 1 on 21.04. (WCA). 1996; 1 on 20.04 (JW), 1 on 03.06 (JM). 

Sandwich Tern; 1972; 2 on 31.05 (DJ). 1977; 1 "watched at very close quarters" on 29.04. (DJ). 1994; 2, an adult and juvenile spent 50 minutes at the reservoir before flying west on the evening of 15.09.94. The juvenile was seen begging for food from the adult on the west shoreline of the main reservoir (WCA). 2001; A single was present for 10 minutes only on 10.07. (JM).

Turtle Dove; Two records, both in Cut Wood; the first seen "on a date in the early 1970's" (G.G. per Jackson, 1989), and, 1 present with the local Collared Doves, around the children's playground area from 04-11.09.1993 (JM). Poor record photographs of this latter record were obtained by Bill Aspin.

Tree Pipit; 1 on 12.08.94 appears to be the only documented site record (WCA).

Rock Pipit; John Metcalfe has recorded birds as follows; 1 on 03.10.95; 2 on 20.10.96; 1 on 17.10.97; 1 on 17.10.99; 2 on 21.10.99 and 1 on 04.11.01. - Surely I therefore overlooked this species during the period Nov '91-'95! (WCA).

Yellow Wagtail; Jackson (1989) in 'The birds of Hyndburn District' referred to this species as being "Tolerably common in damp pastures, especially in fields alongside the Leeds-Liverpool canal." My personal experience of this species during the period 1992-1995, was of a double passage migrant in small numbers. I did suspect that breeding occurred nearby in 1993. Since the mid-nineties however, the continued decline of this species both within the county and nationally as a whole, would suggest that this species is now possibly nothing more than a scarce, but still annual, passage migrant through the site. I would love to be proven wrong! A 'Flava' wagtail considered by the observer to be a female 'Blue-headed' was seen on 10.05.1993 (ASD).

White Wagtail; 1 on 21.04.94. is the only documented record that I could find. (WCA).

Waxwing; 1972; 1 present in a garden opposite the upper reservoir (overflow) on 09.12 (D. Rawcliffe, D. Jackson) 1992; 5 seen in trees between the football pitch and the Sailing Club driveway on 06.03.92, with 1 seen next day (WCA).

Nightingale; Jackson (1989) includes a record as follows; "A few years before the publication of the 1905 journal, a Nightingale was reported singing in Cut Wood, Rishton. The story goes that the wood was rung by small lights, in order to catch a view, and seating was even hired from Blackburn for people to sit and hear the "Rishton Nightingale". - A very nice story, and, if authentic, the only record."

Whinchat and Stonechat; The line of fencing, below the farm buildings in the NE corner of the reservoir, which runs along the sluice from Cut Lane towards the Dam wall is a good place to look for either species during Autumn, with, on occasion, double figure counts of Whinchat. Stonechat only usually occur as singles or a pair and occasionally remain faithful to the area in mild winters.

Northern Wheatear; A double passage migrant through the site in the period 1992-1995. The highest counts occasionally reach double figures in Spring. The favoured areas being the Dam Wall and fields to the west of the reservoir, in my experience (WCA). Jackson (1989) cites "Breeding also recorded on a few occasions nr Rishton Reservoir in the last 10 years".

Sedge Warbler; Does not breed on-site, but this species is annual, in my experience, mainly in Autumn, in bank-side vegetation around both the upper and main reservoirs.

Reed Warbler; One record; 25.08.94, in vegetation adj to the promenade (WCA).

Lesser Whitethroat; Towards the end of my time covering the reservoir religiously, I recorded this species with some regularity in both Autumn 1994 and '95. There is no reason to suppose that this species is not an annual migrant through the site, mainly in autumn. Just the one Spring record (Nov '91-'95), of a singing male in May 1993.

Common Whitethroat; Only a handful of records during the period 1992-1995, involving autumn migrants in bank-side vegetation and in the nettle banking below the farm buildings in the NE corner of the reservoir.

Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff; These three species are usually encountered in both passage periods.

Pied Flycatcher - During the nineties, just 2 records. One briefly in bank-side vegetation on 17.08.95 (WCA), and a male in Cut Wood on an April date in the late nineties (JW).

Spotted Flycatcher; Has previously bred in Cut Wood. During my time (1991-1995), occurred only as an autumn migrant, when one could sometimes see up to 4 birds in Cut Wood.

Great-Grey Shrike; One was at the "Rishton Reservoir Plantation" on 06.03.1977 (D. Jackson).

Wood Warbler; A very occasional migrant with only 2 records to my knowledge, both in May, involving singing males in Cut Wood. The first of the two records occurring on 08.05.88 (D.Bickerton).

Brambling; occasionally, in good influx years, this species can be seen in Cut Wood, eg. 25 on 30.10.95.

Siskin; An annual passage migrant, mainly in autumn. The earliest autumn record was of 1 on 1st July 1994.  A flock of 100 flew SW on a date in October 1993 (WCA).

Twite; A flock of c.30 on 12.12.95, with 17 remaining to the year end (WCA, JM). The birds frequented the western shoreline of the main reservoir during their stay.

Redpoll species; Lesser Redpoll; A handful of records each year, during the period Nov 1991-1995, usually involving singles on visible migration, with  occasionally a small double-figure flock. Common (Meally) Redpoll; A flock of c.20 Redpoll, feeding in trees adj to the promenade in January 1996, contained several individuals of this recently split species.

Common Crossbill; One record of a party of 4 birds seen on 17th Sept. 1997, which circled the promenade, calling repeatedly, before flying north over the Beech trees at the Dam end (WCA). 1997 was one of three outstanding irruption years for this species in the UK in the past 12 years. 1990 and 2002 being the other two years.

During the period Nov 1991-1995, I personally recorded 146 species - not a bad total for a small reservoir on the outskirts of Blackburn.

Bill Aspin (8th December 2002).