Friday, May 08, 2015

Hardcastle Crags

We did both sides of the valley from the crags Midgehole car park to Blake Dean and back. A perfect day with rain forecast early afternoon. The woodland was fairly quiet with the highlight being a pair of Redstart but after finding them they became elusive but the male was heard singing from a distance at times.
1 very nice Tawny Owl at roost in a tall pine but given away by a scolding Jay
1 pair of Blackcap
A few Willow Warblers
2 pairs Goldcrest
1 pair Treecreeper
Green and Gt spotted Woodpeckers heard
Plenty Nuthatch
1 Dipper
2 Grey Wagtails
Plenty Song Thrush's singing
Other usual sp....but no Swifts, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher or Tree Pipit yet, though traditional sites were checked.

2 comments:

Vicki J said...

Hello Dave, we were at Hardcastle Craggs at the weekend. At the end of the wood we turned right towards the little village (Shackleton I think its called). As we were walking I noticed dead corvids in some of the fields, think I counted 4 in all. Last time we went there was a dead duck in one of the same fields. If the landowner is shooting birds is this allowed?

Nigel G said...

On Bank Holiday Monday May 4th saw a live crow in a cage at the edge of a field (on the left about half way as you walk from the Shackleton turnoff above NT car park Hardcastle Craggs to Walshaw )
The cage looks new and had a tray for water in it so looks designed to keep the crow alive.
It's on the far edge of the field ie furthest edge away from the road.