Soil Hill

   Last night there were a few reports of Common Scoter migrating over Lancashire, with reports indicating it was quite the movement of birds. Most of the reports came at around 20:00 but I was not aware of them until already 21:30 by which time those flocks would have had ample time to reach Calderdale and continue towards the North Sea.

  However, from Bradshaw, I did some listening and at 21:40 a clear flock of Scoter was heard passing over. Buoyed by this I grabbed my thermal imager, jumped in the car and set off for Soil Hill. There was not much activity however, and during the hour I stayed on the Hill I only recorded one clear flock of six Common Scoter flying over, with just a few calls heard. A very distant large flock of birds flying in formation were probably also Scoter but without calls it's impossible to be sure. A few solitary birds I picked up in the thermal could have been anything! 

  This morning was once again very pleasant, but with little in the way of standout species. I managed to locate two Jack Snipe this morning but sadly one of these was deceased. A Jay was a nice surprise, initially in the North Slope Tree-Line before flying north. It, or another individual, was spotted flying SW a little time later. A late Common Gull flew north. 

-Common Scoter

-Living Jack Snipe

-Expired Jack Snipe

In total managed 42 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S312292864

Soil Hill

   No standout species from recent visits to Soil Hill, but a steady trickle of interesting birds. This mornings highlight was a pair of Grey Partridge on Perseverance Road, my first sighting of these reclusive birds in 2026. It was nice to find a Jack Snipe in the thermal, before it was unfortunately flushed by another Jack Snipe taking off next to it, which I had not seen. A flock of 35+ Fieldfare continues to enjoy the delights of the fields along Taylor Lane, although presumably they will soon be on their way. A scattering of finch movement recently as well, with four Siskin this morning and a single Lesser Redpoll.

  Yesterday I could only find a single Jack Snipe, but had a nice bonus snipe when I flushed a Woodcock from the North Slope Tree-Line. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew SW, briefly stopping on the North Slope and two Greylag Geese flew NE. The day before that my visit was during the early afternoon once the morning fog had cleared. A Redwing at the bottom of the North Slope was the highlight. 

-Jack Snipe

-Grey Partridge

-Meadow Pipit

In total managed 46 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S311775466

Around and about

 Three nice shots thanks to Paul B today at Cold Edge.

2 Pink-footed Geese - Cold Edge this afternoon

Male Sparrowhawk

Also nearby - 1 Wheatear and 2 Grey Partridge along Castle Carr Road. (PB)

We also had a walk along the road in the afternoon. Failed to find the Wheatear though amongst the usual species were 4 Stonechats showing, along with a distant Little Owl, c40 Meadow Pipits, Skylarks singing and 3 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls passed over >N.

3 Whooper Swans were also reported on Fly Flats res'r this afternoon (Mark B)

A day for some Whooper Swans

Thanks to some early warnings from BS and MM, Whooper Swans on local reservoirs first thing. 

March is usually a good time for them as they start their return to Iceland

I headed up to Mixenden Res'r 23 there, at the far end - they stayed till at least 15:30.

Next stop Ogden with 18, again distant, being enjoyed by several people doing the circuit

Later in the day JM found 19 at Withens Clough res'r off Cragg Vale 

They sometimes stay a day or two though being a clear night they may well move off overnight ?

Cunnery Wood

Mallard female. 

Also 2 males

Soil Hill & Ogden

  I’m back home for the week so wasted no time heading up to Soil Hill this morning hoping for some Whooper Swan migration. I didn’t manage to pick up any flocks flying past, but from the vantage point of Soil Hill I was able to distantly spot a group on Mixenden Reservoir. From the photos I have I was able to count 22, but being so distant it could easily be more.

  However this Whooper Swan action was thoroughly trumped when I reached the bottom of the North Slope. I was just scanning the area of The Shay for Wheater (no joy there) when I turned around to see the bright white crescent of a male Ring Ouzel looking back at me! This is my first March record here, and caught me completely off guard. I was able to approach the bird but it was then flushed by a patrolling police helicopter. It remained in the area after, but was quite mobile. Sadly JJL was not able to re-find the bird late morning, so it may have moved off.

  In addition to these two highlights, there was a nice supporting cast. A single Raven flew over heading SE. Lots of wader activity with two Oystercatchers on The Shay and another three flying north, plus at least two Snipe in full display. Two male Stonechats were at the bottom of the North Slope and a female Bullfinch was on Ned Hill Track. A mobile flock of 30+ Fieldfare was still present on Taylor Lane.

  Late morning I made a short trip to Ogden to see the flock of 18 Whooper Swans that had landed there. In very peaceful conditions it was great to watch the birds taking a break on their journey home. The only other birds of note were four Tufted Ducks and a flyover Lesser Redpoll. 

-Ring Ouzel

-Whooper Swans on Mixenden

In total managed 43 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S310528580

Whiteholme

Carrion Crow

Raven

Round and about !

 A very good find this morning for BS, thanks for the call Bri, with a drake Common Scoter on Fly Flats so I made a move for it. Can be quite scarce now on Calderdale reservoirs but from a distant it was showing well. A couple of Redshank were skulking along the shoreline along with Oystercatchers and Lapwings.

Also had a check at a few spots just in case an early Wheatear might be about. PB was on the same mission but we failed on that score. Maybe just a little patience needed before we spot one but they will be on their way anytime!

On the way back I called at Mixenden to check for any other Scoters or Whoopers but there was nothing doing. Good to see NK doing the rounds too. A couple of Siskin in the bushes by the top gate took flight into the pines.

Whiteholme

Oystercatcher 2

Blackstone Edge

Stonechat male. Female also present.

Lighthazzles

Mallard pair: first sightings here this year.

Also, Raven 2 NW

Fog bound this morning !

The fog took an age to clear today though it did lift enough to have a look at Stodfold, Carrs Beck and lower end of Hunter Hill this afternoon.

1 Dipper in the stream at Stodfold and on the edge of the fields adjacent the Calderdale Way a pair of Pied Wagtails and c 22 Fieldfares were wary to and from the safety of the tree line. One Curlew calling as was a Green Woodpecker on the slopes of Hunter Hill where a single Buzzard was sitting it out on a fence post. 20 or so Meadow Pipits went overhead, not for stopping. One Grey Wagtail on the edge of Mixenden Res'r.

Blackstone Edge

Blackbird 1 male.  (Also, a Peacock butterfly)

Shibden Park

Coot nestbuilding