31st December Roils Head

Reed Bunting and 1 Goldcrest present, Little Owl and c 80 Common Gulls at Heath Hill Road, 4 Bullfinch at Ovenden Wood.
The Shorelark is still showing well at Swales Moor, and DJP reported 6 Mandarin at Ryburn yesterday.

Grapevine funds have run dry so could all members of the text survice please forward your fivers to me or Dave Sutcliffe as soon as possible. TW, AH, NC, BS, PJWS and DJS have already paid so they can ignore this notice.
Interesting picture of Golden Plover by sg, was it taken at Swales Moor.

Calderdale Birds

Happy new year to you all.
anybody know the link to the new Huddersfield Bird Watcher's website?

Swales Moor

Shore Lark still present on site this morning again with Skylarks and reported by Sean Gray.

27th December Swales Moor

 
 
The best I could do in very poor conditions. Iain Greenwoods Shore Lark showed well at Swales Moor this PM.This is the 5th record for Calderdale and the 7th bird. Previous records came in Dec 1971, Nov 1997, Nov 2002 and Nov 2003 when 3 birds were seen together. 

Shorelark

Nick D has asked me to post the grid ref for the shore lark found today off the Queensbury Road:
SE088281
It was found by Iain late afternoon associating with a small flock of skylarks.

25th December Roils Head

2 Stonechats, Bullfinch and a Goldcrest.

Xmas Greetings from Kathmandu!

Just returned to Kathmandu after completing the Langtang Trek (brilliant birding) and since today is Xmas day thought it appropriate to post a Xmas greeting to Calderdale birders, hope you all have a great festive season and a bird filled 2007. See you in mid February!

Nick

PS Could someone ask Dave Sutcliffe to take me off the grapevine please, I have managed to lose my mobile whilst over here (prat) and have had to put a block on my number.

24th December Elland GP pm

Having trouble posting pictures again.
Elland GP, 30+ Goosanders, 7 Cormorants, 2 GC Grebes, 1 Liitle Grebe, 1 Pink footed Goose flew in and joined the Canada flock at dusk. 1 Goldeneye, 3 Teal, 1 Pochard, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Herons, Kestrel, 2 GSWPeckers, Long-tailed Tits, 3 Jays, 2 Siskin, 2 Redpoll and 2 Bullfinch. 5 Coots and 4 Moorhens. Also a fox made several attempts trying to catch Canada Geese without succsess.

23rd December

Roils Head
2 Stonechats still present. Another one at Heath Hill Road and a Little Owl also there.

My advice to Andy is to leave the cat alone. Its my view that humans have a much more negative effect on wildlife than moggies do.

NEW Location

Well actually it's not that new because it's only a couple of fields down from Matt Bells house, however during this festive season I have relocated to the Jumble hole area whilst we house sit for the father in law. So up went the feeders and a garden list begins already we have:-

Goldcrest
Longtailed Tit
Great tit
Blue tit
Robin
Chaffinch
Dunnock
Jackdaw

now I've just got to make sure the resident cat behaves it's self.

Short of adding more bells to it's collar or shooting it anybody got any ideas to ensure the only bird it has this xmas is turkey?

Pink-feet

Also 30 Pinkfeet passed over Halifax town centre this afternoon going west just after 3 pm.

21st December

Usual afternoon walk produced a Sparrowhawk and c30 Common Gulls followed by c200 Pink feet flying west at 3.25pm. Less than 10 minutes later another 150+ flew west in the company of a single Barnacle Goose.A Mistle Thrush was in full song at dusk at Pellon.

Pinkfeet

I got Nick D's grapevine text about pinkfeet, and popped outside for a look just as the first group passed over, followed by the second about 5-10 mins later. Approx 240 in the first group, and 205 in the second.

Making a difference

At the risk of sounding like a vicar, I heard this story the other day and loved it:

Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the water's edge and and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.
The man was stuck by the the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.

As he came up to the person he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one!"

FLY FLATTS and SOIL HILL

Fly Flatts
0800-0915hrs Cool >W 2-3 Sunshine
1pr Mallard
1 Goldeneye
1 pr Stonechat
No Twite

Soil Hill
0930-1015hrs W > 3-4 Sunny
Another flying visit to SH proved fruitful when 4WHOOPER SWANS came over at head height as I got to the brow of the hill.It looked as if the birds had just taken off and they left >SW flying away in the distance over Wainhouse Tower.
also 1 Stonechat
6 Linnet
2 Goldies
The morale of the story is; keep your camera in your hand, not zipped up in your bag. BS

Polite Reminder re - Lease at Ringstone.

During a recent visit to Ringstone Edge I noticed that the east wall had partially collapsed, in accordance with the terms of the lease I have email Geoff Lomas to inform him of the damage.

I would ask that if anyone notices further damage to any sections of the wall boarding the area covered by the lease that they inform myself in order that I can then let YW know. If you have contact details for YW yourself then please feel free to email them directly, although I would appreciate it if you could CC me in just so that I am aware.

If you are in any doubt as to where the boundary lies please let me know and we shall air on the side of caution and inform YW regardless.

Many thanks for your help in this matter.

Not just Duck weather

These starlings were making use of the puddles to bathe in despite more water falling from the sky than even Noah knew what to do with.
The Fieldfares are part of a flock of approx 40 seen along Widdop Rd today which were being harrassed by a pair of Mistle Thrush who were not just intent of protecting their berry bush but also the field it stood in.

14th December

Elland GP- 2 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Cormorants, 7 Goosanders, Grey Heron, 7 Goosander, 6 or 7 Tufties, 3 Moorhen, 7 Coot, lbbg, 3 Redwings, Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tits, 3 Goldfinch 1Reed Bunting.

Baitings - c2000 Black-headed Gulls at roost, 4 Grey Partridge nearby.

Ogden

Visit again today in wind and driving rain! Great Crested Grebe and Little Grebe present, along with a Dipper still on the top pond. No Goldeneye today but 25 Common Gulls and 60 Woodpigeon. 6 Goldcrests were feeding together on the west side of the res'r in the low scrub and I managed to get a photo of one about 2 mtrs away but I havn't discovered yet how to put photos on the blog!

Brockholes Quarry Appeal

Anyone still wishing to assist the Lancashire Wildlife Trust in its efforts to buy this site near Preston, please note that the deadline is Friday 15th December. Details at http://www.lancswt.org.uk

Pintail on Garden List

When i was getting the milk in this morning i noticed a duck fling towards the House.As it got closer I realised it was a Pintail ,flying low over the house and off in a north westerly direction.Great stuff

Ogden etc

Visit there late morning in a howling gale and pouring rain! Thought about the possibility of Leach's Storm Petrel as several have been reported inland in the last week or so after the bad wether and there have been plenty on the coast - no luck! It's time we found a decent seabird locally!

1 f Goldeneye on the res'r but couldn't find the Little Grebe today. The Dipper is still on the top pond and showing well.

Mistle Thrushes have been singing this week 1 in Shroggs Park and another in full song between Sainsbury's and Wickes at the bottom end of town.

Of interest to all bird feeders

CJ WildBird food are currently selling the traditional style plastic seed feeders, thats the ones with the peg perches rather than the new style ring perches for £1.99.

Photo's from today at Nutclough

Not only where the Mallard displaying all be it half heartedly but this flower had come through (can anyone identify - if so when do they normally flower?) there were bulbs pushing shoots through either Snowdrop or Crocus and some of the trees were budding. Has anyone else noticed similar spring time signs/events.

Nutclough wood Hebden Bridge

My first visit to Nutclough wood today in search of the reported Kingfisher, it didn't put in an appearence but several other species did, 9 pairs of Mallard (displaying - although not whole heartedly), pair Dipper, pair Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, Robin, Wren, several Blue and Great tits, single Coal tit. Surprisingly no Chaffinch.

I run up on the local moors produced no more than several pheasant.

1Oth December rain rain rain

 

Ogden - Dipper, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Herring Gulls, Little Grebe.
Cold Edge Dams - 2 Goldeneye, 16 Greylag Geese.
Ryburn - 4 Mandarins, 1 Wigeon, 50+ Brambling LBBG,
Baitings - Gull Roost- 900+ BHGs,100+ Common Gulls, 1 black -backed Gull possible lbbg intermeidiate- worth keeping a check here this winter.

DJP has seen 60+ Black-tailed Godwits flying west at Elland GP this pm, the largest flock ever reported in Calderdale. Also a Goldeneye at High Royd (small influx) 1 also at Walshaw Dean yesterday. 

FLY FLATTS

Dean Head from Fly Flatts
A bright start with red sunrise rapidly turning to SW>6-7 with showers then horizontal rain.
0800-0930hrs
1pr Stonechat
4 Golden Plover
3 Twite on seed
and that was it. BS 

Pinkfeet

130 Pinkfeet west
6 Meadow Pipit
Northowram this morning

Jack snipe - 1 December

Just noticed a report on the Wildlife of Rochdale website (http://www.wildlifeofrochdale.co.uk/)of a jack snipe nr. Blackstone Edge res (SD968184).

Ogden

Visit this am but not much about in the strong winds and driving rain! although I would expect some duck like Goldeneye or Tufted etc at this time of year.

Still no sign of the Great Crested Grebe however a Little Grebe was fishing close up to the embankment wall near to a very sick looking Black-headed Gull.

The Dipper is still moving around between the two ponds at the top end of the res'r. That was about it!

By the way has anyone been watching 'Natures Calendar' on BBC2 this week at 6 pm. Some excellent bits about birds and some very knowledgble comment. I'ts on again tomorrow.

Walshaw Dean - 2:30 - 4:30pm

Very little about!

Half a dozen mallard and a dipper on Lower Walshaw, 2 red grouse, 3 pheasant, small flock of goldfinch, flock of possible siskin.

Davey Lane Blackshaw Head

Just a brief addition to the sightings I'm behind on, Pair of Stonechat on the right hand side of Davey lane at Blackshaw head, also several Meadow Pipits and c50 Fieldfare on Saturday Morning.

Also in addition, a report of Kingfisher in Nutclough wood at the pond.

MY SIGHTINGS OVER LAST FEW DAYS

Got a little behind with my blogging so here's a quick update.

Garden - Widdop Rd,

Regular visitors now incl upto 20 Collard Doves, several Jackdaws, House Sparrows,Rooks and Chaffinch's, 4 Blue tits, 2 Great Tits, 2 Reed Buntings, 4 Dunnocks, Wren, 2 Robins, 5 Blackbirds, 2 Pheasants, also occassional Coal tit, Sparrowhawk.

Ringstone briefly yesterday only c 25 BH Gulls on water, 4 Goldfinch at feeding station along with singular Greenfinch, Robin and 2 Dunnocks.

Today Sparrowhawk flew through feeding station just as I was pulling up nothing else.

Krumlin yesterday c 50 Fieldfares, small mixed flock of Blue tit, Great tit and Chaffinch attacked by female Sparrowhawk.

Brearley Fields today c150 BH Gulls with only half dozen Common Gulls, 4 Mistle Thrush in bushes opposite cricket club also 2 Song Thrush and upto 6 Blackbirds along with small numbers of Blue tit, great tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch.

Luddenden St Marys Church Wier 2 Dippers and 2 Grey Wagtails today.

Calderdale Birds

EGPits
36 Gooseander
3 Great Crested Grebe
14 Cormorant
10 Tufted Duck
15 Canada Goose

MEETING

Just a reminder that the next meeting of the conservation group will be this Tuesday 8pm @ Tiffany's, As always all welcome hope to see you there.

3rd Dec Elland GP and Ryburn

 
 
Elland GP 60+ Goosanders, 18 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorants, 2 GC Grebes, Siskins, Kingfisher and GS Woodpecker.
Ryburn 9 Mandarin, 1 Wigeon, 1 tufted Duck, 1 male Sparrowhawk 

Exchange birders at Withens Clough

Interesting how the weather can be so different within a few miles (ref Brian's post). The exchange birders from India (some of you may be unaware of this element of Nick's trip) seem to have had a pretty good day at Withens Clough to judge from this brief video clip. http://www.grapheine.com/bombaytv/play_uk.php?id=1802556

Beware Soil Hill

03/12/06 1500hrs Gale force SW>8 Showers.
Just a warning if you bird Soil Hill.
I went up late pm in a howling gale and showers to get some seed down and see if the weather had blown owt in. After Id put the seed down I went over to check the scrapes but as I stepped onto the banking above the main track I suddenly sank above the knees in the mud. The heavy mud closed in around my legs and there I was, stuck solid. The more I tried to pull my legs out the deeper I went in, which is a bit of a scare when its starting to get dark. Luckily I was wearing Rigger boots so all I could do was pull my feet out leaving my boots deep underground. The only problem now was I was stood on the top of Soil Hill in my socks with half a mile of rough ground between me and the car. I got back after a lot of jumping and a few choice words ,and all this for 1 Skylark and 3 Mipits. At least it cheered Lynda, my wife up, she hasnt stopped laughing yet.
When they dig Soil Hill up in 100yrs time to build houses theyll find a pair of antique rigger boots belonging to a mystery birder. BS 

Jumble Hole, Hebden Bridge

Four ravens over the house all afternoon, cronking away like mad. Seemed to be moving as two pairs. I have seen one here before, but never four!

Fly Flatts

Costa Del Fly Flatts Blue water and sky.
03/12/06 0800-1015hrs gale force SW >7 Heavy showers improving to above but still windy.
1 pr Stonechat
3 Twite on seed
2 Goldeneye on water
4 Red Grouse
1 BH Gull BS 

2nd December

 
 
1 of 2 ringtails seen in Calderdale yesterday. Grey Heron at Blake Dean today, also 2 Ravens, several Brambling and 100+ Fieldfare.