Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Hardcastle Crags

We checked a lot of woodland areas today between the crags Midgehole car park and Blake Dean and returning on the other side of the valley to Gibson Mill (pot of tea and Coffee and Walnut cake there - very nice) !
We didn't find a lot, but at least 2 of our targets were met with a male Pied Flycatcher-  and also a single Wood Warbler singing. Both very scarce birds in Calderdale nowadays !
1 Cuckoo calling near Blake Dean but no sign of Tree Pipits at the traditional spot. We had 2 possibilities of singing Redstart but very distant and unseen therefore couldn't confirm their presence.
A good few Song Thrush, Blackbirds and Chaffinch's as well as Blue and Great Tits
1 Dipper feeding young
1 Grey Heron
A few Willow Warblers and Blackcaps
Very few Swifts or Swallows and no House Martins at all - they are usually high over Midgehole car park !

Wood Warbler photos below were the best I could get as it flitted through the canopy. But what a gem to see and hear.
 Wood Warbler



2 comments:

ChrisJB said...

Always a treat to hear and see a wood warbler.

Brian Sumner . said...

You,re picking out these raries lately Dave.