
Birdlife
The River Ribble floodplain at Long Preston is of national importance because the flat valley bottom and river features support unique wetland flora and fauna.
Birdlife
The project area is of national importance for nature conservation and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for breeding wading bird populations, aquatic flora and the rare northern spike rush. It is a haven for birds and other wildlife.
Breeding Wading Birds
The floodplain is important for several species of breeding wading bird of conservation concern. These birds come to the floodplain in spring every year to nest and raise their young before leaving the floodplain, usually by late July, after their chicks have fledged. It is known that there are at least sixty pairs of breeding wading birds on the floodplain.
Each of the species has its own unique courtship displays. Snipe display-dive and spread their tail feathers to make an unmistakable drumming sound. Lapwing can be seen twisting and turning in the sky and plunging down to the ground with their distinctive Ôpee-weetÕ call. Curlew with long curved bills, have a drawn out mournful song. Redshank are less obvious birds but can be spotted by their long red legs and sharp alarm call. Oystercatcher are brightly coloured birds with an orange bill and black and white body.
Their voice is very loud especially as they wheel around overhead.
Each species has slightly different habitat requirements to breed successfully. However, they all require access to soft ground, small shallow pools, a variety of grassland heights and structure, low cattle stocking and late cutting of meadows.

More Information
Wintering Birds
Other species of birds are found here mainly in winter. The wetlands and the river provide them with ideal feeding grounds and sites for roosting. More than 2500 individual waders and wildfowl have been counted in recent winters.
The main wildfowl to be seen here in winter include pintail, wigeon, teal and shoveler. Wintering waders include lapwing and snipe.
Passage Migrants
Some species of birds do not breed or winter here but stop off as they migrate across the country. The floodplain is thought to be on an east-west flyway which explains why it attracts so many bird species.
Such passage migrant species include ruff and black-tailed godwit.
Other Special Birds
In some places on the outsides of meanders the Ribble has high sandy cliffs as its banks. These provide nesting sites for other special bird species. Colonies of sand martins nest in holes that they tunnel into the soft sand. Kingfishers also nest in tunnels in the sand cliffs in summer. Goosander lay their eggs in holes in the banks or among rocks on the river edge.
Near Cow Bridge there is a small breeding population (only 5 or 6 pairs) of tree sparrows that lay their eggs in natural nest holes in trees or buildings or in specially provided nest boxes.
Birds of Prey
Birds of prey, such as buzzard, peregrine falcon and occasionally hen harrier, can be seen.
Download
Full Interpretation Board
Useful Links
Record your bird sightings in
our area
www.eastlancsornithologists.org.uk
For information about the Long Preston area and community
RSPB Bird ID
Bird Identifier
Settle Community Website
Rathmell Community Website
Settle Tourist Information Centre
Natural England
Ribble River Trust
North Craven Historical
Research Group
North Craven Historical Website
Long Preston Gallery
Click here to view the gallery of the Long Preston Area.
Please click here to send us your photos of the Long Preston Area.
RSPB & BTO Bird Track
Help us to help the birds in our area, please visit Bird Track survey and get Long Preston on the birding map.
Project Audio
Full of lots of information to make your visit to Long Preston Floodplain Project fun and informative.
