Area covered
The area surveyed covers the reclaimed land between the mouth of the River Esk and Prestonpans, and between the race course and the sea (see detailed map). Before 1960, most of this area was intertidal foreshore, although the Morrison's Haven area had been reclaimed prior to this. The survey area covers an area of 148 ha or 1.48 kmē (0.57 square miles).
1999 Results
The survey was carried out using the principles established by the BTO's Common Bird Census. A total of 22 visits was made by the three observers during the period from 8 April to 29 June 1999; supplementary records from other visits are also incorporated. The table below summarises the results:
|
Species |
Total number of territories (or nests) |
Lagoons only (132 ha) |
Morrison's Haven only (16 ha) |
Comments |
|
Mute Swan |
2 nests |
2* |
0 |
Nests on the scrape and river mouth sand bar both failed |
|
Shelduck |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 territorial prs, but no young seen |
|
Mallard |
8 (-?11) broods |
8 (-?11) |
0 |
A total of 56 young were counted (DA) |
|
Tufted Duck |
1 |
1* |
0 |
Nest on reservoir, 6 young reared |
|
Partridge |
7 (-?9) |
7* |
0 |
2 broods seen (b10, b2) |
|
Moorhen |
1 |
1* |
0 |
3 nests on reservoir, but only 1 pr thought to be involved. 1st nest c/5, failed. 2nd nest c/7 and 4+ young fledged. 3rd nest built. (all DA) |
|
Feral Pigeon |
5 nests |
0 |
5* |
All in mine vent |
|
Woodpigeon |
11+ |
10* |
1* |
An estimated number of territories is given. 5 nests found. |
|
Collared Dove |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Part territory, extending across road |
|
Skylark |
30 |
25* |
5* |
10 nests found (CND) |
|
Swallow |
5 nests |
4* |
1* |
3 nests in sluices, one in a container and one in mine vent |
|
Meadow Pipit |
20 (-?25) |
17 (?20) |
3 (?5) |
3 nests found (CND) |
|
Pied Wagtail |
1 |
0 |
1 |
A part territory, nest was probably on S side of road. [An extra pair also probably nested at the river mouth, maybe in pumping station building - LLJV] |
|
Wren |
7 |
6 |
1 |
|
|
Dunnock |
4 |
0 |
4* |
All territories at Morrison's Haven. 1 nest found (CND) |
|
Robin |
9 |
9 |
0 |
|
|
Blackbird |
10 |
8* |
2* |
4 nests found (CND) |
|
Song Thrush |
2 |
1* |
1 |
*1 nest found (CND) |
|
Mistle Thrush |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Part territory, extending across road |
|
Sedge Warbler |
3 |
1 |
2* |
*1 nest found (CND) |
|
Whitethroat |
6 |
3 |
3* |
*1 nest found (CND) |
|
Garden Warbler |
1 |
0 |
1* |
*Nest found in Cast Woods (CND) |
|
Blackcap |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
|
Willow Warbler |
18 |
17* |
1 |
*1 nest found (CND) |
|
Long-tailed Tit |
1 |
1* |
0 |
Nest found in broom by pumping station (CND) |
|
Blue Tit |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
|
Great Tit |
2 |
2* |
0 |
including 1 nest found in wall just outside the study area (CND) |
|
Magpie |
9 nests |
8* |
1* |
|
|
Carrion Crow |
4 |
4* |
0 |
3 nests found |
|
Starling |
2 nests |
2* |
0 |
Nests in ATC hut and pumping station roofs (CND) |
|
Chaffinch |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
Greenfinch |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 was a part territory, which extended across the road |
|
Goldfinch |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Linnet |
15 |
10* |
5* |
9 nests were found (CND) |
|
Reed Bunting |
10 |
9* |
1 |
1 nest found (CND) |
|
35 species |
31 species |
17 species |
KEY: * = at least one nest found
Other species recorded as "present in possible breeding habitat" during the survey period, but for which a territory was not recorded:
Red-necked Grebe (pair displayed on boating pond on one date), Greylag Goose (possibly prospecting), Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Garganey, Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Coot, Ringed Plover (alarming, but only on one date), Lapwing, Dunlin (sang on one date), Herring Gull (mating pair), Stock Dove, Short-eared Owl (displaying over scrape in April), Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler (sang on 2 widely separate dates), Lesser Whitethroat (sang on one date), Chiffchaff (sang on one date), Coal Tit, Bullfinch and House Sparrow.
Mammals recorded during the survey period:
Roe Deer, Hare, Stoat and Fox.
Ian J. Andrews, 39 Clayknowes Drive, Musselburgh, Midlothian EH21 6UW
22 March 2000