Calderdale Birds: May 2020

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Ridhworth

The blue tits from our garden birdbox fledged today.

A walk around calderdale yesterday found a few birds
but mainly quiet apart from lots of Curlew which I'm
always happy to see anyway.
LEO, Curlew, Song Thrush, Greenfinch quite a few to be honest,
Nuthatch, Treecreeper, GSW, Pheasant, Kestrel, Chaffinch, Great &
Blue Tit, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, theres a few birds here
but was still a lot quieter than normal and were hard to spot.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Whiteholme

Took a visit yesterday evening to see the Sanderlings found by PS. Could only see one individual but quite confiding. Stunning birds as they moult into their summer finery. Common Scoter also still present yesterday evening.

-Sanderling

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Whiteholme

Record shots of Common scoter, and another pic of Sanderling.

Sanderling

Photo from Pete Smith today at Whiteholme

Belgrave Woods

Went for stroll around Belgrave Wood as I seen a Crossbill
there last year, no Crossbill but its a little gem though a bit
hilly, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler a plenty, Jay, Wren,
Robin, Pied Wagtail, Kestrel, Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit,
House Sparrow and lots of the regulars also a yellowish bird
dived into the bushes but couldn't get a proper view of it,
if you get a chance give it a go you never know.

Sparrowhawk Attack

Sparrowhawk decided to attack birds in my garden and just missed my head by inches,
scared to death, wow unbelievably fast. How Ive still got an ear I'll never know.

Wood Warbler

One showing very well at Ogden today. Audio recording of the bird can be found here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S69742918

Also Crossbill flew over calling. Good numbers of Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff singing.

-Wood Warbler

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Rishworth Woodcock.

A Woodcock just flew over the garden along the wood edge here in Rishworth... A nice record for here I believe.

Blackstone Edge

A Willow warbler was singing behind the White House - at 375m (1230 feet) altitude.

Whiteholme

Ringed plover
Sanderling 2
Also: Dunlin 3
Common sandpiper 2

Cracking Morning Out & About

Out & About yesterday morning lots going on
in the sunshine of Calderdale

Birds seen-:
Barn Owl
Long-Eared Owl
Little Owl
Curlew
Snipe
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
Wood Warbler ? was more yellowish
Kestrel
Meadow Pipit
Skylark
House Martin
Linnet
House Sparrow
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Wren
Starling
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Jacksnipe ? day before.
Pheasant
Song Thrush
Corvids & Gulls and a few Unidentified
Canada Geese
Lapwing

Monday, May 25, 2020

Whiteholme

Record shot of 4 Oystercatchers

Little egret king cross

1 circling high for a few minutes at 1115 appeared to drift off north
Also 1 cuckoo this morning in cragg vale

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Raptor persecution continues.........

We have been made aware of a police investigation now being undertaken. This follows the recovery yesterday of a dead Peregrine Falcon in the center of Brighouse. It appears to have died in suspicious circumstances.

We have been made aware through the RSPB that in recent weeks, since the lock-down due to Covid 19, that birds of prey have suffered ongoing and increased persecution throughout the country. It seems that the opportunity to act illegally due to the lack of visitors to the countryside in recent weeks has led to this deliberate targeting of some of our iconic and protected birds.

How can this happen even in the center of Brighouse ?

If anyone has any information on this crime then please contact the police.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Whiteholme

Dunlin 1
Common sandpiper 1

Thursday, May 21, 2020

On the feeders this afternoon

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Whiteholme

Shoveler 2 males. Record shots taken with Lumix TZ80 pocket camera (30x optical zoom)
Wheatear 1 female
Also: Dunlin 1
Skylark 3 singing

A few recent photos

Hope everyone's keeping well.

Had a bit of a break from photography but started taking me camera again during my moorland walks, a few from the last couple of weeks.

Grey partridge