Bishop Middleham wetlands
The Bird Club has now been involved in the area for 4 years, 2006 will be its fourth year of data collation and liaison work. Important wetlands and farmland habitats exist around the village and within the two year period, most of the farmers have either joined the countryside stewardship scheme or are about to. With the club researching the area for birds, this has allowed a database to develop as with the Mid Wear Wetlands, thus advising DEFRA and the farmers on key species and habitat creation to help birds.

Survey area
The survey area covers all wetlands and farmland around the village. It comprises of five key wetlands the River Skerne and its tributaries and a portion of the old mineral railway line.


Little Grebe (© M Newsome) and Black-tailed Godwits (© S Fryer)
 

Sites and Survey workers

Stoney Beck Lake

John Olley/Alan Jones/Mike Leakey

Castle Lake

John Olley/Alan Jones/Mike Leakey

A1 Flashes

John Olley/Alan Jones

Allans Pool

John Olley/Alan Jones

Fishburn Lake

John Olley
 
Site update with key bird species
Stoney Beck Lake - This lake has gradually developed through subsidence and has an open feature with little emergent vegetation at present, but does provide substantial muddy margins during the autumn. There is periodic flooding with excess water from the surrounding farmland. The farmer will take up the countryside stewardship scheme from 2004 creating an adjoining wetland, field margins and meadow management. A hide will be established with a car park and feeding station for winter birds has been established through the DBAB. Important birds seen at the site are Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Lapwing, Skylark and Grey Partridge. Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, Redshank, Little and Great Crested Grebe and Shoveler are all regular, with rarities over the past few years including Lesser Scaup, Hobby and Little Egret.

Castle Lake - Situated close to the old castle site, this is one of the largest natural wetlands away from Teesmouth. Again, it is of an open aspect surrounded by pasture and has excellent muddy margins throughout the autumn. The farmer will take up the countryside stewardship scheme during 2004 with meadow management, a new reedbed, field margins, island creation and hedgerows. A hide will also be erected on the site. Species attracted to the site are similar to Stoney Beck with good numbers of wildfowl such as Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Shoveler and geese species. Wader numbers can be high with Redshank, Lapwing and Golden Plover. The rarity list is again excellent with Common Crane, Common Scoter, Smew, Mediterranean Gull, Black Necked Grebe, Pectoral Sandpiper and Black Tern.

A1 Flashes - These flashes are very much in a developing state. Situated close to the Skerne, a sluice and ditch system occurs but water levels are very much reliant on winter precipitation. Some areas do hold water all year but most of the water can be quite transient especially during the summer months. The farmer has shooting rights over the area but disturbance seems minimal, and he has undertaken the countryside stewardship scheme creating new woodland, hedges and meadow management. February 2004 saw the area severely flooded, reminding us of the Ouse and Nene washes in winter. Amazingly this area can bring huge numbers of wildfowl up to 1000 Teal have been counted, with 550 Mallard max, up to 40 Shoveler, 60 Shelduck and 1000s of Gulls. Waders have been seen in exceptional numbers with up to 40 Ruff, 30 Greenshank, over 100 Redshank and 1000s of Golden Plover and Lapwing. Rare birds can also feature at this site with Common Crane, Pectoral Sandpiper, Garganey, Ring Billed Gull and Hobby all recorded.


Allans Pool - Situated close to the River Skerne, this small wetland has been allowed to develop, with the farmer leaving the area uncut from 2004. This will hopefully create wet grassland and allow birds to breed. Waders are a specialty here, with Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers, Lapwing and Greenshank. Shoveler, Mallard and Teal are regular with good numbers of Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting, Kingfisher can be seen along the Skerne. A Lesser Yellowlegs was seen in 2001.

Fishburn Lake - This lake was formed by the local authority along the old mineral railway line. Now well established with Typha Reed and sedge spp. It's main attraction is the wildfowl - Tufted Duck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Goldeneye and Little Grebe are all common. The surrounding woodland, hedgerows and scrub attract Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Linnet and thrushes. Osprey has visited the site, with Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel also noted regularly.