Saturday, November 15, 2008

Gorple and Walshaw Dean etc

Gorple from the track leading up from Blake Dean to lower Gorple this morning



I got a bit of a shock when I came across this juv Goshawk sitting on a fence post at Blake Dean this afternoon. Something odd when it just sat there then flew onto the next post 'with rings on her fingers and bells on her toes' so to speak. Bells and jesses - then the falconer came down to collect it. Buzzard size with some nice plumage details.


Also in the area
1 Peregrine juv on the moor
2 Redpoll over at Walshaw Dean plantation and Chaff's going to roost there
c200 Fieldfares and a few Redwings and c400 Starlings all going >W
Gorple plantation, just below the lower res'r, this morning had a good number of small birds including Blue, Great and Coal Tits. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Reed Buntings and mixed flock of c50 Chaff's/Greenfinch/ Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits nearby

7 Whooper Swans came in from the west to roost at Gorple (lower) last Wednesday evening and flew off on Thursday morning.

1 comment:

Nick Carter said...

After I left you Dave I caught up with the falconer (actually two of them) by the quarry where we park the cars to go up Walshaw Dean. Whilst I was watching them they flushed a Pheasant which the bird quickly dealt with!