Mediterranean Gull - photos from Nick Dawtrey
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Med Gulls Jay House lane
This afternoon there were up to 4 Med Gulls showing,2 full Adults ,1 adult showing 3 black spots on primarys and 1 first winter type showing black mask and black primarys.Hope someone gets some photos as they are showing from the road by the broken down barn,also 100+ Lapwing,13 Greenfinch,LBB Gull,Common Gull BH Gull ,Stock Dove,Goldfinch and Tree Sparrow.
Halifax Peregrines?
Press release from Calderdale Council - I assume it is accurate though I haven't seen them myself.
http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/news/pressreleases/detail.jsp?id=16884&ref=index
Peregrine falcon chicks are taking their very first flights around the Piece Hall in Halifax.
The stunning birds of prey became local celebrities in May, when a breeding pair joined the growing number opting for urban living and nested in the Square Church spire next to the Piece Hall, central Halifax.
The proud parents hatched chicks, which have now fledged and can be spotted swooping down to the Piece Hall as they learn to fly and hunt for food.
Some fantastic aerial displays could be in store for Piece Hall visitors over the next few days as these magnificent birds teach their young the awesome hunting and flying skills that peregrines are renowned for.
The birds are easily identifiable by their striking black hood, black 'moustache' and flying speed of over 100 miles an hour - making them the fastest creatures on the planet.
Michael Devereux, Piece Hall Operations Manager, said:-
"The birds are a magnificent sight and now the chicks have fledged, we expect them to be gone in a week or so, once they learn to fend for themselves. The best time to spot them is in the early mornings or evenings in the Piece Hall, when they swoop over on the hunt for food."
Until recently, peregrines were purely associated with wild crags or sea cliff faces, but changing landscapes and a general increase in numbers mean they have adapted to living in more unlikely places and have broadened their options. To a peregrine, a tall building has the same benefits as a cliff face - its high, safe and has plenty of food in the surrounding area.
The RSPB will be keeping an eye on the falcons and is running a campaign to raise awareness about illegal killing of birds of prey like peregrines.
The RSPB's Matthew Capper said:
"It's fantastic news that peregrine falcons are rearing their chicks in Halifax. Not that long ago these awesome birds were very rare but the fact that they are now successfully nesting in towns is a great sign their numbers are recovering. It's just totally unacceptable that in some part of the UK these birds are still illegally killed."
Peregrine populations hit an all-time low in the 1950s due to pesticides in farming but they are increasingly thriving in urban areas. Breeding pairs dropped to just 360 pairs in the UK but the RSPB believes there are now 1500, making their appearance in towns and cities even better news. For more information on how to help birds of prey like the peregrine falcon visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey
http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/news/pressreleases/detail.jsp?id=16884&ref=index
Peregrine falcon chicks are taking their very first flights around the Piece Hall in Halifax.
The stunning birds of prey became local celebrities in May, when a breeding pair joined the growing number opting for urban living and nested in the Square Church spire next to the Piece Hall, central Halifax.
The proud parents hatched chicks, which have now fledged and can be spotted swooping down to the Piece Hall as they learn to fly and hunt for food.
Some fantastic aerial displays could be in store for Piece Hall visitors over the next few days as these magnificent birds teach their young the awesome hunting and flying skills that peregrines are renowned for.
The birds are easily identifiable by their striking black hood, black 'moustache' and flying speed of over 100 miles an hour - making them the fastest creatures on the planet.
Michael Devereux, Piece Hall Operations Manager, said:-
"The birds are a magnificent sight and now the chicks have fledged, we expect them to be gone in a week or so, once they learn to fend for themselves. The best time to spot them is in the early mornings or evenings in the Piece Hall, when they swoop over on the hunt for food."
Until recently, peregrines were purely associated with wild crags or sea cliff faces, but changing landscapes and a general increase in numbers mean they have adapted to living in more unlikely places and have broadened their options. To a peregrine, a tall building has the same benefits as a cliff face - its high, safe and has plenty of food in the surrounding area.
The RSPB will be keeping an eye on the falcons and is running a campaign to raise awareness about illegal killing of birds of prey like peregrines.
The RSPB's Matthew Capper said:
"It's fantastic news that peregrine falcons are rearing their chicks in Halifax. Not that long ago these awesome birds were very rare but the fact that they are now successfully nesting in towns is a great sign their numbers are recovering. It's just totally unacceptable that in some part of the UK these birds are still illegally killed."
Peregrine populations hit an all-time low in the 1950s due to pesticides in farming but they are increasingly thriving in urban areas. Breeding pairs dropped to just 360 pairs in the UK but the RSPB believes there are now 1500, making their appearance in towns and cities even better news. For more information on how to help birds of prey like the peregrine falcon visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey
Monday, July 14, 2008
Undisclosed site
The crossbill seen the other week were probably two different groups as I had a flockof 12 last night,male,female and juv present. Also LEO, SEO, merlin, plenty of siskin. Little Owl at two other sites.
Gamekeepers were fairly active yesterday, quite a bit of shooting when there wasn't anything really to shoot at.
Gamekeepers were fairly active yesterday, quite a bit of shooting when there wasn't anything really to shoot at.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Jay House Lane, Clifton
A short evening stroll along the lane produced some 'goodies' in the nearby fields and especially by the 'muck stack'.
A flock of 75 Lapwings together in the field
14 Tree Sparrows around the old farm and the small muck stack
30 Swallows on the wires
6 Linnets on the wall
7/8 Goldfinch in the bushes and trees
8/9 Long Tailed Tits in the trees
2 juv Pied Wagtails by the small pools
and what looked like the back end of 2 weasels diving into the grass by the stack !
A flock of 75 Lapwings together in the field
14 Tree Sparrows around the old farm and the small muck stack
30 Swallows on the wires
6 Linnets on the wall
7/8 Goldfinch in the bushes and trees
8/9 Long Tailed Tits in the trees
2 juv Pied Wagtails by the small pools
and what looked like the back end of 2 weasels diving into the grass by the stack !
Saturday, July 12, 2008
EGP - Saturday morning
It's been a while so I had a quick trip to EGP this morning.
Nothing on the ski lake.
Large flock of long tailed tits.
Willow warbler.
Chiffchaff.
Blackcaps, including a pair that seemed to be feeding young.
Reed bunting.
Reed warbler.
Whitethroat singing.
Lots of small toads so watch your step on the path across the lagoon.
Nothing on the ski lake.
Large flock of long tailed tits.
Willow warbler.
Chiffchaff.
Blackcaps, including a pair that seemed to be feeding young.
Reed bunting.
Reed warbler.
Whitethroat singing.
Lots of small toads so watch your step on the path across the lagoon.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Malta Raptor Camp
Yes, I know I'm on about it again but if anyone is interested in taking part in this years Raptor Camp please go to http://www.birdlifemalta.org/conservation/raptorcamp/ for full details. Several local birders have taken part in recent Spring and Autumn camps and can supply full details of what to expect plus photos etc. This is an excellent opportunity to take part in front line conservation work, strongly recommended.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Crimsworth Dean
2+ Treecreepers and usual woodland species.
3 Redstarts together at top end of woodland today - at least 2 of them were young birds! 1 Spotted Flycatcher also there along with c6 Siskin and 5 young Kestrels being fed by parents.
3 Redstarts together at top end of woodland today - at least 2 of them were young birds! 1 Spotted Flycatcher also there along with c6 Siskin and 5 young Kestrels being fed by parents.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Undisclosed Location
A great night out last night, SEO out early at 1720. Also seen; two groups of crossbill, one 5 birds the other 6, could have been the same group though. Merlin, LEO, LRP, lots of stonechat, spotted flycatcher, Roe deer, melanistic rabbit.
Watched SEO do a food drop into the heather then later take another catch to a close but different location, could mean chicks are fledging?
Prob -Yellow -legged Gull
Last night about 7.10,I noticed a group of 14 LBBGull heading west,as I was watching/scoping a kestrel at the time I decided to have a closer look at the gulls immediately one stood out to be a grey backed gull, similar in shape to the LBBGull's,as it banked sideways the yellow legs could be seen.All though I am not 100% on this it is well worth looking at all groups of LBBGulls at this time of year for a Yellow Legged.!!!!Good luck
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Ogden
Golf Course area
Grassshopper Warbler singing in a boggy area at the side of the course today
Also a pair of Reed Buntings
1 Great Crested Grebe still on Ogden Res'r along with 19 B H Gulls
Grassshopper Warbler singing in a boggy area at the side of the course today
Also a pair of Reed Buntings
1 Great Crested Grebe still on Ogden Res'r along with 19 B H Gulls
Monday, July 07, 2008
Missing Parrot
I have been requested (via Sean Gray) to post an appeal for any sightings of a recently lost African Grey Parrot to be passed on to Jo via 07815 095 818
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Redstart
Last week after careful checking there was no sign of a second brood we checked the box the Redstarts bred in to see if any birds had died in the nest. None - all gone just an odd slug and woodlice left in and that was it.
We cleaned the box out and also the box next to it where the front was dropping off -there was an old nest in that one similar to the succesful box so maybe the Redstarts bred in that last year?
Friday, July 04, 2008
Undisclosed site
Friday 7pm - 10:30pm
Checked 3 new sites for LEOs with Nick D. Nothing at the first 2 but we had success at the third. This makes confirmed breeding at 7 sites so far this year with probably 16 or 17 young in total.
At the third site we picked up the calls of 3 young followed immediately by a stange barking sound. An adult owl came out of the wood and flew towards us before perching in the tree above. It continued to make the strange call, presumably trying to distract us from the young further up the track. We moved back a bit and after a minute or 2 the owl disappeared off into the wood.
Also seen little owl, redpoll, linnets, meadow pipits, skylark, 1 snipe, 1 hare, 2 bats and approximately 5000 midges!
Checked 3 new sites for LEOs with Nick D. Nothing at the first 2 but we had success at the third. This makes confirmed breeding at 7 sites so far this year with probably 16 or 17 young in total.
At the third site we picked up the calls of 3 young followed immediately by a stange barking sound. An adult owl came out of the wood and flew towards us before perching in the tree above. It continued to make the strange call, presumably trying to distract us from the young further up the track. We moved back a bit and after a minute or 2 the owl disappeared off into the wood.
Also seen little owl, redpoll, linnets, meadow pipits, skylark, 1 snipe, 1 hare, 2 bats and approximately 5000 midges!
Buzzard = Kite ?
Hi all
A quick question. Whilst speaking with a local here in Wales this morning, we spotted a Buzzard wheeling overhead and pointed it out to him. Oh you mean the Kite ? We were somewhat surprised that a local could mistake a Buzzard for Kite, until he explained that it was a Big Kite due to its wide wings and "fingers" at the end of the wing, Red Kites were the small Kite and had forked tails so were easy to distinguish from Big Kites. As anyone else come across this name for Buzzards ?
A quick question. Whilst speaking with a local here in Wales this morning, we spotted a Buzzard wheeling overhead and pointed it out to him. Oh you mean the Kite ? We were somewhat surprised that a local could mistake a Buzzard for Kite, until he explained that it was a Big Kite due to its wide wings and "fingers" at the end of the wing, Red Kites were the small Kite and had forked tails so were easy to distinguish from Big Kites. As anyone else come across this name for Buzzards ?
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Undisclosed site
Went out looking and listening for long eared owl with Andy H at a new site with huge potential. However, got no LEO's possibly due to fairly constant disturbance from motorbikes zooming randomly across the moorland habitat.
- 100+ swifts feeding
- 1 male reed bunting, looking as though he was defending a nest
- 12+ meadow pipits
- skylark calling
- 1 tawny owl calling
- 1 fox
- 1 short eared owl spotted from the car on the way over. Caught a small rodent, then sat on a fence post eating it (Andy - any pics worth posting?)
- 100+ swifts feeding
- 1 male reed bunting, looking as though he was defending a nest
- 12+ meadow pipits
- skylark calling
- 1 tawny owl calling
- 1 fox
- 1 short eared owl spotted from the car on the way over. Caught a small rodent, then sat on a fence post eating it (Andy - any pics worth posting?)
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Jumble Hole area
Woodcock still roding on an evening (2 yesterday)
Nuthatch calling from the garden yesterday, which is unusual for summer in this area. A first for the garden as well.
Tern sp. over 2 days ago, but I wasn't quick enough to the bin's.
Blackcap, chiffchaff and garden warbler still singing from scrub on Underbank
Nuthatch calling from the garden yesterday, which is unusual for summer in this area. A first for the garden as well.
Tern sp. over 2 days ago, but I wasn't quick enough to the bin's.
Blackcap, chiffchaff and garden warbler still singing from scrub on Underbank
last night
up on warley moor and res last night with david sutcliffe
2 twite (or one come round twice)
1 juvenile stonechat
a family of 6 juvenile kestrels plus 2 adults
1 sand martin at dean head
2 twite (or one come round twice)
1 juvenile stonechat
a family of 6 juvenile kestrels plus 2 adults
1 sand martin at dean head
