Fly Flats

Just got there in  time to view BS's Turnstone which appears to have arrived in the mist up there this morning along with Ringed Plover and a Redshank. Managed to scope the bird from the top road. It was associating with a single Ringed Plover far out on the mud - then I lost it just as AC arrived. Tried hard to re-find it but there are masses of shoreline and had to give it up after another hours search. 

In the meantime another wader turned up - so distant that AC legged it down to the north track and managed to get a photo clear enough to confirm a Golden Plover - a scarce bird up here nowadays.

Turnstone only my third record for Calderdale in the last 10 years, all singles at Fly Flats  7/5/15 and 12/8/19.

This afternoon at Ogden the best bird was a Kingfisher down in the sluice looking for fish in the pond.

Ogden Water and golf course.

Found very little this morning around the res'r  -  went to check for waders given the very low water levels and exposed shoreline. No waders but the gathering of gulls continues with c100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 8 adult Herring Gulls, 4 adult Common Gulls and 20+ Black-headed Gulls. Woodland very quiet. 

A Spotted Flycatcher was good to see in one of the golf course gully's catching fly's from the tops of rowans. Another Spotted Flycatcher was in Carrs Beck along with a striking male Common Redstart. A family group of 5 Whitethroat were enjoying the feast in blackberry bushes. Willow Warblers and Blackcap were flitting about in the hawthorn bushes with a few Linnets and Goldfinch nearby. Plenty Swallows about but no sign of any Swifts today.

A drake Common Scoter was at Fly Flats - thanks to BS.

Scammonden area

 

A few hours this morning with JB  produced , 2 Spot Fly , 1 Redstart , 9 Stonechat , Blackcap 7 , Whitethroat 9 , Willow Warbler 11 , Chiffchaff 17 + , Whimbrel calling heading s/w , + Green + GS Woodpecker , Nuthatch , Bullfinch 5 , Sprwk etc..

Blackstone Edge

Ringed Plover 1 juvenile. Head and breast markings brown

Dunlin 1 juvenile. The plain head is striking

Ringed Plover 6 adults

Wheatear 1

Kestrel female

Withens Head - 7th August.

 Just a check for Black Redstart but drew a blank there at this occasional, yet traditional migrant stop !

2 each of Wheatear, Stonechats, Kestrels, Swallows and Pied Wagtails late afternoon.

Shibden Valley

50 House Martins, (plus 5 Swallows - 3 ad, 2 juv). The outstretched wing in the close-up is brown, ageing the bird as juvenile.

Blackstone Edge

Little Egret 2. Flew west at 1045

Shibden Park

2 adult Little Grebes

Ogden Water - 5th Aug.

  This afternoon - not a lot that I wouldn't expect.

1 Great Crested Grebe - looked from a distance like an adult in winter plumage

c110 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 85% adults with lots to and fro to bathe, rest and preen.

3 adult Herring Gulls, 2 adult Common Gulls and around 30+ Black-headed Gulls.

2 Cormorants, pair Bullfinch, 3 Willow Warblers and 1 Sparrowhawk hunting low along the perimeter footpaths.

Beacon Hill

Little Owl: 2 juveniles

Blackstone Edge

Stonechat juvenile

Hebden Water

2 Dippers, 200m apart