) to insert bird names in your own language. The birdnames will automatically be translated for other users!
Upload images
Allowed image types are jpeg,png,gif
Max file size is 20MB
Description
Lower Hartshay and the Cromford Canal support a wide range of birds throughout the year. Kobac are often seen hunting over the village and surrounding fields, while Mišar soar overhead and the occasional Riđa lunja drifts through. Siva čaplja regularly feed along the reedbeds and canal edges, with Potočna pliska picking insects from the water margins. Dugorepa senica move through the trees in busy family parties, and Svilorepi cvrčić are frequently heard calling from dense reedbeds.
Autumn and winter bring an increase in wildfowl and passage birds, with Kanadska guska , Divlja guska , Gluvara , Krdža and Zviždara using the canal and nearby waters. Vivak , Barska šljuka and Barski petlovan may appear in wetter areas, while Obični galeb , Srebrnasti galeb and Mrki galeb gather on open water and fields. Thrushes are a highlight at this time of year, with Mali drozd and Drozd borovnjak arriving from the continent alongside resident Drozd pevač and Drozd imelaš. Mixed tit flocks, Kraljić , Češljugar , Čižak and Brezova juričica are regular, and corvids including Čavka , Gačac , Svraka and Sojka are ever-present.
Spring and summer see the area come alive with breeding birds and migrants. Crna čiopa , Seoska lasta and Gradska lasta feed low over the canal and reedbeds, often joined by hunting Lastavičar in warm weather. Reedbeds hold Trstenjak crvrkutić , Trstenjak rogožar and Svilorepi cvrčić , while Grmuša čavrljanka and Obični zviždak sing from scrub and hedgerows. Potočna pliska , Barska kokica , Liska , Plava senica and Velika senica regularly breed along the canal, and Poljska ševa can be heard over nearby fields. Occasional highlights include Mala brezova juričica Cvrčić tršćar , Velika carska šljuka and Vetruška.
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.