Grey Wagtail pair on the 400 yard 'out in the open' stretch of the river at Shorey Bank just north of the town centre. Chiffchaff singing nearby and Green veined White butterfly also noted.
Two streams flow into the old/now drained Jack Key's Reservoir and effectively become the River Darwen upon flowing out northwards towards the town centre. A mid morning walk around the old reservoir didn't throw up too much other than usual woodland birds plus a couple of Whitethroat, several Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. I used to live adjacent to the reservoir and a few years ago Sedge Warbler were present, passage Grasshopper Warbler and Siskin & Brambling could be seen in the plantation in winter.
Most of the flow of the river through Darwen is underground unfortunately, although it does surface occasionally. A Grey Wagtail was present on the tiny stretch behind Sainsbury's. The best local stretch of the river is from Lower Darwen to just beyond Ewood Park in Blackburn which forms the 55 hectare site River Darwen Parkway with some decent and diverse habitat. You certianly wouldn't think you were sandwiched between the tough Manxman Estate and the busy A666 Blackburn to Bolton road. An early afternoon walk produced Willow Warbler (c.8), Chiffchaff (c.5), Blackcap (c.10), Whitethroat (2), House Martin (c.20), Kestrel (1), Mallard (9 plus a pair with 5 young) and other more common woodland birds. Speckled Wood and Green veined White butterflies were also seen.
