Shibden Park

There are still 5 Mute Swans here. One adult has ring 628Y, as noted on 4 June. It looks as if she has been joined by a male and 3 one year old offspring.

 Ringstone Sunday 19th June 2022.

Yellow Legged Gull found in the morning by JB. In moult with P5 missing.

Very distant on the north shore. Heavily cropped images.

Beacon Hill

Whitethroat 2 singing,  Willow Warbler 1 singing

Soil Hill

Two Grasshopper Warblers were seen on Soil Hill this morning, flushed from long grass as I was passing, an adult and juvenile. Adult perched briefly before dropping back into the vegetation. Sedge Warbler is also still present and singing almost constantly. In total five species of warbler were present on the site this morning.

-Grasshopper Warbler

https://ebird.org/checklist/S113332544

Shibden Park

 5 Mute Swans here today: 2 adult + 3 in 2nd calendar year

Also 3 Tufted Ducks: 1 pair (which was being chased by a Coot), and a single male

Soil Hill

 I was beginning to worry that the Sedge Warbler territory from the last couple of years might not be returning to the site this year, so it was a very pleasant surprise to find this individual in fine song this morning; throwing in some excellent Oystercatcher and Reed Bunting into its usual repertoire of clicks and scratchy song notes. Also first Willow Warbler fledglings out this morning, and a fledgling Wheatear, the first time I have recorded one in June here. 

-Sedge Warbler

https://ebird.org/checklist/S113099886

Sunny Vale

 Kingfisher. Photos taken from public footpath.

Beacon Hill

 2 Whitethroats singing

Shibden Park

This 'threesome' is interesting. It looks as if one gosling is a hybrid Greylag albino x Canada, while the other is pure Canada. The hybrid has a pale bill (Canada's is dark), and white patches on its back.

Also, there is just one Mute Swan, with red ring 628Y on its left leg.

Mixenden Reservoir etc....

Heavy showers today - maybe something would drop in ! Not to be but it was interesting to see a few hirundines and Swifts feeding in the south-west corner. After watching them for a while I noticed May Flies emerging from the water - as soon as they took flight they were immediately 'scoffed'. So interesting to watch the Swifts zooming in on them - and they were gone - a very short adult life indeed !! Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch and House Sparrow also joined in the fly-catching feast.

Sparrowhawk and Grey Heron also about there and I also found a Coal Tit nesting in the wall right next to the main road.

Also scoped Fly Flatts from the top road for a while as the heavy showers came in. Usual species at a distance but a male Wheatear was nice to see close by.

Peregrine Falcon

      A few pics of the Piece Hall Peregrines

Soil Hill; Updates from the week

Soil Hill

-1 Shelduck flew north on the 19th, distantly over Thornton Moor Reservoir. This is a patch tick for me, number 116

-On the 16th, in the evening, a Cuckoo was mobile around the North Slope area

-On the 16th and 17th a pair of Grey Partridge was observed on Taylor Lane

Migrant numbers seem to be up to their usual contingent, with at least 5 Whitethroat and 8 Willow Warblers holding territory, although still no sign of any Sedge Warblers. A Grasshopper Warbler has been reeling on and off below Taylor Lane. A few Swifts have been around but not as many as would be hoped for. House Martins have been seen on two dates during the week, both flybys.

An impressive performance from the local Snipe population, with at least 5 birds displaying and no doubt numerous others tucked away in the sedges. Quite the spectacle. 

-Common Shelduck

-Grey Partridge

-Common Cuckoo