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Description
Lower Hartshay and the Cromford Canal support a wide range of birds throughout the year. Uliu păsărar are often seen hunting over the village and surrounding fields, while Șorecar comun soar overhead and the occasional Gaie roșie drifts through. Stârc cenușiu regularly feed along the reedbeds and canal edges, with Codobatură de munte picking insects from the water margins. Pițigoi codat move through the trees in busy family parties, and Stufărică are frequently heard calling from dense reedbeds.
Autumn and winter bring an increase in wildfowl and passage birds, with Gâscă canadiană , Gâscă de vară , Rață mare , Rață mică and Rață fluierătoare using the canal and nearby waters. Nagâț , Becațină comună and Cârstel de baltă may appear in wetter areas, while Pescăruș râzător , Pescăruș argintiu and Pescăruș negricios gather on open water and fields. Thrushes are a highlight at this time of year, with Sturzul viilor and Cocoșar arriving from the continent alongside resident Sturz cântător and Sturz de vâsc. Mixed tit flocks, Aușel cu cap galben , Sticlete , Scatiu and Inăriță are regular, and corvids including Stăncuță , Cioară de semănătură , Coțofană and Gaiță are ever-present.
Spring and summer see the area come alive with breeding birds and migrants. Drepnea neagră , Rândunică and Lăstun de casă feed low over the canal and reedbeds, often joined by hunting Șoimul rândunelelor in warm weather. Reedbeds hold Lăcar de stuf , Lăcar mic and Stufărică , while Silvie mică and Pitulice mică sing from scrub and hedgerows. Codobatură de munte , Găinușă de baltă , Lișiță , Pițigoi albastru and Pițigoi mare regularly breed along the canal, and Ciocârlie can be heard over nearby fields. Occasional highlights include Inăriță mică Grelușel pătat , Culic mare and Vânturel roșu.
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.