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Description
Lower Hartshay and the Cromford Canal support a wide range of birds throughout the year. Sparrhaukur are often seen hunting over the village and surrounding fields, while Músvákur soar overhead and the occasional Svölugleða drifts through. Gráhegri regularly feed along the reedbeds and canal edges, with Straumerla picking insects from the water margins. Skottmeisa move through the trees in busy family parties, and Blæsöngvari are frequently heard calling from dense reedbeds.
Autumn and winter bring an increase in wildfowl and passage birds, with Kanadagæs , Grágæs , Stokkönd , Urtönd and Rauðhöfðaönd using the canal and nearby waters. Vepja , Hrossagaukur and Keldusvín may appear in wetter areas, while Hettumáfur , Silfurmáfur and Sílamáfur gather on open water and fields. Thrushes are a highlight at this time of year, with Skógarþröstur and Gráþröstur arriving from the continent alongside resident Söngþröstur and Mistilþröstur. Mixed tit flocks, Glókollur , Þistilfinka , Barrfinka and Auðnutittlingur are regular, and corvids including Dvergkráka , Bláhrafn , Skjór and Skrækskaði are ever-present.
Spring and summer see the area come alive with breeding birds and migrants. Múrsvölungur , Landsvala and Bæjasvala feed low over the canal and reedbeds, often joined by hunting Gunnfálki in warm weather. Reedbeds hold Sefsöngvari , Síkjasöngvari and Blæsöngvari , while Netlusöngvari and Gransöngvari sing from scrub and hedgerows. Straumerla , Sefhæna , Bleshæna , Blámeisa and Flotmeisa regularly breed along the canal, and Sönglævirki can be heard over nearby fields. Occasional highlights include Birkifinka Engisöngvari , Fjöruspói and Turnfálki.
Overall, this short walk offers excellent habitat diversity and rewarding birding in all seasons, with something new to see throughout the year.
Details
Access
Cromford Canal and Lower Hartshay are located just west of Ripley. There’s no official parking, but on-road parking is possible. Please be mindful of local houses and park considerately. Press P on the map for directions.