126 SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF BLACKPOOL AND DISTRICT 



The Swallow usually arrives about the middle of April (there is a record 

 of one near Pilling on the 5th March, 1918), and the Martin often a week 

 later. Both species, as well as the Sand Martin, are common. 



All three British Woodpeckers have bred in the area, the commonest being 

 the Great Spotted, which has nested periodically for many years at Ribbleton 

 and Claughton. The Green and Lesser Spotted are very limited both in num- 

 bers and distribution. The Wryneck has long ceased to be ' a common summer 

 visitor ' to the district ; the last recorded specimens were caught at Heysham 

 in 1908. 



The Cuckoo is everywhere common, the bird usually reaching the Fylde 

 during the last week of April. 



A Roller was shot at Blackpool in 1 868 and there are some five or six records 

 of the Hoopoe. The Kingfisher is tolerably common throughout the district, 

 and frequently visits the coast. 



The Swift is a common summer visitor, arriving in May and departing 

 during August. A specimen of the rare Alpine Swift was killed at Preston 

 in 1879. 



The Nightjar, one of the latest to arrive of the summer visitors, breeds on 

 the more secluded mosses, and in the sylvan tracts of country fringing the fells. 



Five Owls occur, the commonest being the Tawny, which is undoubtedly 

 on the increase. The Short-eared Owl breeds intermittently on one of the 

 mosses and its numbers in autumn are increased considerably by arrivals 

 from aboard. The Little Owl, which has been steadily extending its range 

 since its introduction, has of late years established itself in the area. Among 

 the 13 diurnal raptorial birds noted in the district are the Marsh and Hen 

 Harriers, the Rough-legged Buzzard, White-tailed Eagle, Goshawk, Kite, 

 Hobby and Osprey — nowadays all mere stragglers. The commonest of the 

 Falconidae is the Kestrel which breeds wherever there are suitable nesting 

 sites. The Buzzard is not infrequent in the hill country and the Peregrine pays 

 occasional visits. (An immature bird was unfortunately shot at Bleasdale in 

 February last). The Merlin breeds on the moors and visits the lower ground 

 in winter. Persecution has failed to banish the Sparrow Hawk. 



The Cormorant, Shag and Gannet are often seen off shore. 



Large numbers of Grey Geese visit the coast in winter. They usually arrive 

 in September and leave again in March or April. Although recent years have 

 seen a marked increase in the number of Grey-lag and White-fronted Geese, 

 the Pink-footed Goose is still the common goose of the district. Visits of the 

 Bean Goose are few and far between ; it may, however, pass over occasionally 

 unnoticed, for the identification of grey geese on the wing is not the easiest of 

 ornithological problems. The Bemicle Goose puts in a casual appearance in 

 Morecambe Bay and isolated Brents (light-breasted form) have been killed on 

 the coast. Both Wild Swans occur, Bewick's predominating ; the Mute Swan 

 is found on many of the larger pools and ornamental waters. The Sheld-duck 

 is plentiful and an example of the Ruddy Sheld-duck (probably an ' escape ') 

 was shot at Bamsfold reservoir, near Preston, in 1909. Twenty species of 

 duck are known, some of the surface-feeders like the Mallard, Wigeon and 

 Teal being especially common. The Pintail and Shoveler are also regular and 



