Monday, October 31, 2005
Shroggs Park
Several Bramblings at various locations in the park last 4 days but mobile. Also occasional Siskin passsing over in last few days.
Cold Edge 31st October
1 Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Greylag Geese, 2 Snipe, Red Grouse, 4 Stonechats, Song Thrush, 20+ Redwing and 20+ Fieldfare. Stonechat at Withens Hotel and Sparrowhawk hunting at Wainstalls.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
28th October Norton Tower - Roils Head
Wheatear(greenland?) and Stonechat at Norton Tower, another Stonechat at Roils Head.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Ringstone Feeder Station 181005
Your probably all looking at the Greenfinch ( and with good cause ) however the reason I've put this picture on is to see if anyone is aware that the peanut feeder is missing!! Picture taken on the 18th however feeder missing tonight at 18:00
Southerly over SH
As expected with such a wind on a sunny day, nothing much doing. 4 Mipit, 3 Skylark, 4 Mallard, pr Kestrel, grounded Song Thrush. A plus point however, the diggers have removed the old cars, freezers and wotsits by the Radio Mast.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Soil Hill
Calderdale Birds
taken from the bradford ornithological groups website tonight..
Soil Hill
raven, 80 pinkfeet east and jack snipe
taken from the bradford ornithological groups website tonight..
Soil Hill
raven, 80 pinkfeet east and jack snipe
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Cold edge vis
08.00 - 10. 30
heavy showers and clear spells
254 Fieldfare s/w
162 Redwing s/w
2 Blackbirds s/w
42 Meadow Pipit s/w
6 Golden Plover south
27 Chaffinch s/w
2 Greenfinch s/w
1 Reed Bunting south
54 Starling south
Other birds present
2 Stonechat
4 goldfinch
4 Greylags
1 Raven
1 moorhen
14 mallard
17 Canada Geese
Cheers
heavy showers and clear spells
254 Fieldfare s/w
162 Redwing s/w
2 Blackbirds s/w
42 Meadow Pipit s/w
6 Golden Plover south
27 Chaffinch s/w
2 Greenfinch s/w
1 Reed Bunting south
54 Starling south
Other birds present
2 Stonechat
4 goldfinch
4 Greylags
1 Raven
1 moorhen
14 mallard
17 Canada Geese
Cheers
Monday, October 24, 2005
Survey help wanted!
Below is an E mail I received today from Steve Atkins of the BTO with regard to pilot survey work for the BTO National Atlas. Several of us discussed this survey at one of our meetings but it would appear from Steve's E mail that perhaps there isn't quite the commitment required we first thought, anyone interested or wanting more info please contact me and I'll pass on Steve's details. perhaps a few of us could co-ordinate something between us?
Dear Nick,
Would you please circulate the following to any members of the Halifax Birdwatcher’s Club who might be interested in helping out with this pilot survey. At present we are looking for volunteers to do timed counts in the following tetrads: Blackstone Edge Reservoir, Soyland Moor, Green Withens Reservoir, Moss Moor and White Hill. If it will be of help I can provide you with a list of the 1km squares that fall within these tetrads, which are all either wholly or partly within the HBC’s recording area. We are also keen to find people willing to take on the roving recorder role anywhere within the 10 km square.
In the winter of 2005/2006 we will be undertaking pilot work for the forthcoming National Bird Atlas. The atlas will cover both breeding and wintering birds and between 1st November and the end of February this winter we will be testing two different methods for counting wintering species. Trials will take place in the 10km square SD91 which is the area East of Rochdale town centre, from Denshaw in the South to Light Hazzles/White Holme Reservoir in the North. This area contains a wide variety of habitats, from urban through to moorland, and will test our ability to survey the more remote parts of our region. Whilst there are some popular birdwatching sites here (Watergrove Reservoir, Hollingworth Lake and the Piethorne Valley) it is equally important to survey less attractive urban areas.
The two survey methods, "Roving Recorders" and "Timed Counts", will be trialled in the same area by two different groups of observers and Steve Atkins has agreed to assist with the co-ordination of this work, which will be more intensive than the actual survey work for the atlas. If you would like to help with these survey trials, you need to choose which one you would rather do - you can't do both! The survey period for both types is 1st Nov - 28th Feb.
"Timed Visits" involve making 2 visits to a chosen tetrad (2km by 2km square) and counting all the birds you see or hear using the area (not ones which just fly over). Each visit will take at least 1 hour 20 minutes and no more than 3 hours (depending on the number of birds there are - so moorland visits will probably be shorter).
The second type is called "Roving Recorder" where you can make as many visits as you like anywhere within the whole 10km by 10km square (SD91) and record all the species that you see or hear using the square. You don't need to count the birds but note down which tetrads they were in. I will provide maps for you as well as instructions and the recording forms.
Would anyone who is interested in taking part please contact either of us indicating which survey method they would prefer to help with. If Timed Visits, please indicate which tetrad (s) you would be willing to survey. If you would like any more information please get back to me or Steve Atkins.
Thanks
Steve Suttill
Steve Atkins
on behalf of the British Trust for Ornithology (Manchester Region)
Dear Nick,
Would you please circulate the following to any members of the Halifax Birdwatcher’s Club who might be interested in helping out with this pilot survey. At present we are looking for volunteers to do timed counts in the following tetrads: Blackstone Edge Reservoir, Soyland Moor, Green Withens Reservoir, Moss Moor and White Hill. If it will be of help I can provide you with a list of the 1km squares that fall within these tetrads, which are all either wholly or partly within the HBC’s recording area. We are also keen to find people willing to take on the roving recorder role anywhere within the 10 km square.
In the winter of 2005/2006 we will be undertaking pilot work for the forthcoming National Bird Atlas. The atlas will cover both breeding and wintering birds and between 1st November and the end of February this winter we will be testing two different methods for counting wintering species. Trials will take place in the 10km square SD91 which is the area East of Rochdale town centre, from Denshaw in the South to Light Hazzles/White Holme Reservoir in the North. This area contains a wide variety of habitats, from urban through to moorland, and will test our ability to survey the more remote parts of our region. Whilst there are some popular birdwatching sites here (Watergrove Reservoir, Hollingworth Lake and the Piethorne Valley) it is equally important to survey less attractive urban areas.
The two survey methods, "Roving Recorders" and "Timed Counts", will be trialled in the same area by two different groups of observers and Steve Atkins has agreed to assist with the co-ordination of this work, which will be more intensive than the actual survey work for the atlas. If you would like to help with these survey trials, you need to choose which one you would rather do - you can't do both! The survey period for both types is 1st Nov - 28th Feb.
"Timed Visits" involve making 2 visits to a chosen tetrad (2km by 2km square) and counting all the birds you see or hear using the area (not ones which just fly over). Each visit will take at least 1 hour 20 minutes and no more than 3 hours (depending on the number of birds there are - so moorland visits will probably be shorter).
The second type is called "Roving Recorder" where you can make as many visits as you like anywhere within the whole 10km by 10km square (SD91) and record all the species that you see or hear using the square. You don't need to count the birds but note down which tetrads they were in. I will provide maps for you as well as instructions and the recording forms.
Would anyone who is interested in taking part please contact either of us indicating which survey method they would prefer to help with. If Timed Visits, please indicate which tetrad (s) you would be willing to survey. If you would like any more information please get back to me or Steve Atkins.
Thanks
Steve Suttill
Steve Atkins
on behalf of the British Trust for Ornithology (Manchester Region)
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Pellon area 23rd October
Reed Bunting at Roils Head, Siskin at Silverwood and a Merlin over Moor End Road followed by an injured blackbird.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Cold Edge Vis Mig
Just to say that I will have to stop the vis mig watch at CED due to my wife being taken to hospital after a stroke which looks like it could be a long job.If anyone wants to carry it on for the remaining few weekends it would be good. Brian.
Twite sighting
Of interest, a Twite ringed in Midgley in 2004 (as a pulli) and reported later that year at Lighthazzles (03/10/04) has been seen again, this time at Cant Clough (Burnley area) on 14/10/05. Colour combination is dark blue/bw orange/bto
1/2 PLACES LEFT
STILL 1 COMFORTABLE SPACE AND 2 @ A SQUEEZE FOR TOMORROWS TRIP TO SPURN, BIRDS IN THE AREA TODAY INCLUDE FIRECREST, YELLOW BROWED WARBLER AND NORTHERN LONG TAILED TIT. I'LL ALSO HAVE BIRDGUIDES TEXT ALERT SWITCHED ON IN CASE ANYTHING REALLY EXCITING TURNS UP. ANYONE WISHING TO JOIN ME AND IAIN G PLEASE LEAVE CONTACT NUMBER ON MY EMAIL ANDREWHUYTON@HOTMAIL.COM, THOSE OF YOU NOT COMING ALONG HAVE A GREAT DAY ON YOUR LOCAL PATCH.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Lower Gorple & Widdop - pm
Very little about today. 4 red grouse, goldcrest and tawny owl calling in plantation. Probable ring ouzel flushed from moor. Absolutely nothing on, or at the edge of, either res' despite loads of mud.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Cold Edge 19th October
5 Wigeon, Adult male Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, 2 Red Grouse, Kestrel and 6 Goldfinch.
TRIP TO SPURN
Does anyone fancy joining me for a day at Spurn this coming Saturday, sorry it's short notice but thats my life I'm afraid. I'm happy to drive and have room for 3 comfortably, 4 at a squeeze.
Leave your names and numbers to arrange, early start suggested; open to ideas on exact time. I've not checked high tides, weather reports etc as yet.
Leave your names and numbers to arrange, early start suggested; open to ideas on exact time. I've not checked high tides, weather reports etc as yet.
Ringstone 11.00 - 12.00
220 Lapwing
21 Golden Plover
1 Dunlin
19 Widgeon(18 female types 1 male)
3 Skylark
2 Cormorant
30 Meadow pipit
21 Golden Plover
1 Dunlin
19 Widgeon(18 female types 1 male)
3 Skylark
2 Cormorant
30 Meadow pipit
