Breeding Bird Survey

Upland river systems in Northern England are characterised by bird species such as Dipper, Common sandpiper, Grey wagtail, and Goosander, and where conditions are favourable Kingfisher, and Oystercatcher may also occur. Click here to find out which birds have recently been seen in the area.

A baseline ornithological survey was undertaken, as part of the River Swale Regeneration project. The survey concentrated on the six target or indicator species mentioned above. Five of the six target species were found to be moderately common to abundant on sections surveyed, while Kingfisher was scarce.
The value of the river to the target species declined going downstream, as did the value to all species recorded in the riparian zone. However the river as a whole is of considerable ornithological value.

A number of the habitat restoration schemes being undertaken as part of the Swale Regeneration Project, including bankside tree planting and fencing, will help to improve the diversity of river side birds and it has been recommended that the survey is repeated at two year intervals to assess the effectiveness of these schemes.