CBC 2002 Summary
The survey was undertaken between 30/3/02 and 30/6/02, and comprised eight visits in total.  The area covered by the survey, and the path walked on each visit, were the same as for the 2000 survey.  The estimated number of breeding territories by species are shown below.  The raw data (by visit) are available from David J Buttle on request. The results (below) are compared with those from CBC 2000 and 1999, the latter conducted by Paul Medforth.

Other species recorded during the survey during 2002:
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Green woodpecker, Cuckoo, Tawny owl, Swift, Pheasant, Curlew, Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Raven, Crow, Blackbird, Mistle thrush, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, Siskin, Goldfinch.

Conclusions
The CBC was not carried out in 2001 due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Habitat had changed quite markedly between 2000 and 2002, largely due to birch spraying on the northern heath, and birch cutting (with sheep grazing) on the southern heath, which led overall to a reduction in scrub. There was a reduction in number of territories between 2000 and 2002, which could be partly explained (at least in terms of Pheasant, Dunnock, Robin, Blackcap and Chaffinch territories) by the reduction in scrub habitat.  With the exception of Linnet, there was no counterbalancing upturn in heathland specialists, but of course this can be due to factors other than the quantity and quality of breeding habitat.  17 Hebridean sheep grazed the southern heath during the entire time of this survey.  Tree pipits appeared to avoid the sheep, 4 of the 5 territories being outside the enclosure.  By contrast, Linnet territories (with a colonial nesting habit) were entirely within the enclosure, on areas of relatively short heather cover.  Likewise, the single Dunnock territory was within the enclosure, as was the solitary Yellowhammer territory.  The siting of breeding territories of Wren, Robin, and Willow warbler did not indicate any preference.

CBC 2000 Summary

The survey was undertaken between 25/3/00 and 18/6/00, and comprised eight visits in total.  The area covered by the survey, and the path walked on each visit, are shown in MAP 1.  The combined results by species, together with the surmised breeding territories, are shown on the subsequent three maps.  The raw data (by visit) are available from DJ Buttle on request.

The results are shown below, where they are compared with those from CBC 1999 conducted by Paul Medforth.

Other species recorded during the survey during 1999 and 2000:
Woodcock, Sparrowhawk, Crow, Green woodpecker, Cuckoo, Wood pigeon, Nightjar (male flushed on 28/5), Magpie, Jay, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Great tit.

Conclusions
The numbers of territories remained fairly constant from 1999 to 2000, the only change being a 33% reduction in Willow warbler territories.  The consistency is surprising in view of the differences between the two years in terms of disturbance to the heath.  In 1999 20 Hebridean sheep grazed the enclosure from May until August.  In 2000 2 Highland cattle grazed the enclosure in May and June, and 33 Hebridean sheep from June to August.  In addition the unenclosed northern part of the heath was subject in 2000 to birch spraying disturbance during the period of this survey.  It was assumed from casual observation that increased disturbance had affected nightjar breeding, with good numbers of birds (at least two males and one female, probably more) arriving but with a very early departure, the last siting being on 12/7.  It can be concluded that any reduction in breeding success due to grazing and disturbance was limited to two species, Nightjar and Willow warbler.  The positioning of the Yellowhammer territories, along the western and northern edge of the enclosure, may suggest that animal disturbance also discouraged this species from entering the relatively mature heather stands found within the enclosure.

Information and photographs re/of Wharncliffe Heath | Wharncliffe Heath Data Page

Words by Dave Buttle, photographs courtesy of Sheffield Wildlife Action Partnership [SWAP].

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