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Description
Lower Hartshay and the Cromford Canal support a wide range of birds throughout the year. Spurvehauk are often seen hunting over the village and surrounding fields, while Musvåk soar overhead and the occasional Glente drifts through. Gråhegre regularly feed along the reedbeds and canal edges, with Vintererle picking insects from the water margins. Stjertmeis move through the trees in busy family parties, and Cettisanger are frequently heard calling from dense reedbeds.
Autumn and winter bring an increase in wildfowl and passage birds, with Kanadagås , Grågås , Stokkand , Krikkand and Brunnakke using the canal and nearby waters. Vipe , Enkeltbekkasin and Vannrikse may appear in wetter areas, while Hettemåke , Gråmåke and Sildemåke gather on open water and fields. Thrushes are a highlight at this time of year, with Rødvingetrost and Gråtrost arriving from the continent alongside resident Måltrost and Duetrost. Mixed tit flocks, Fuglekonge , Stillits , Grønnsisik and Gråsisik are regular, and corvids including Kaie , Kornkråke , Skjære and Nøtteskrike are ever-present.
Spring and summer see the area come alive with breeding birds and migrants. Tårnseiler , Låvesvale and Taksvale feed low over the canal and reedbeds, often joined by hunting Lerkefalk in warm weather. Reedbeds hold Rørsanger , Sivsanger and Cettisanger , while Møller and Gransanger sing from scrub and hedgerows. Vintererle , Sivhøne , Sothøne , Blåmeis and Kjøttmeis regularly breed along the canal, and Sanglerke can be heard over nearby fields. Occasional highlights include Brunsisik Gresshoppesanger , Storspove and Tårnfalk.
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.