Annual New Year's Day walk and bird count.

We've been doing this for several years now - my annual masochism!
Starting at Clay House, West Vale, the route goes through North Dean Woods, up Norland Clough, round Norland Moor, then back along the top of the woods.

We got 31 species this year ! Notable was a fly-over Peregrine in the woods; it had missing feathers from right inner primaries.

We also found Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. We often get an odd Reed Bunting on the moor, but this time there were several groups around 4 to 8 and up to 15; both sexes.

Previous years totals were  2014 - 18 species, 2015 - 21, 2016 - 26. Interesting how it's going up each year.

We also saw a very relaxed herd of six Roe Deer, all does except one buck with his antlers still in velvet.

Number of walkers - very variable, infections and early rain bringing us down to three today !

Halifax Scientific Society