Soil Hill

 Absolutely amazing scenes on Soil Hill this morning! My most wanted dream bird for the site!

It was a slow morning of VizMig over Soil Hill today, with just a few Meadow Pipits and Woodpigeons heading south from first light. At 08:05 I thought I heard the call of a Yellow-browed Warbler in the North Slope Tree-Line about 20 metres away from my watchpoint, but a search found nothing. However, about 15 minutes later I heard it again and this time the source of the call flew out of the bushes being hotly pursued by a Chiffchaff. I followed it to where it landed and set off to get a closer look, now certain that it was a Yellow-browed Warbler. Helpfully it flew back out of the scrub it had landed in and returned to the North Slope Tree-Line, and I was able to grab some poor flight shots which confirmed my suspicions!

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER!

My 128^th species on Soil Hill!

Over the next two hours the bird showed on and off in the willows and hawthorns at the bottom of the North Slope Tree-Line, sometimes well but usually at the back of the trees where viewing was more difficult. Strangely it only ever called when it was receiving grief from the Chiffchaffs that were present, only on one occasion calling of its own accord. This made it difficult to track, as did its apparent decision to keep to itself, not associating with the small tit flock that was in the area.

An absolutely brilliant bird, incredible to think that this little piece of Siberia has ended up here in Pennine West Yorkshire!

Also of note, I had my first Great-spotted Woodpecker for the year on Soil Hill as well, which is my 100^th species on Soil Hill in 2024! 

-Yellow-browed Warbler

In total managed 40 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S196856766

Trektellen count here; https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/767/20240929

Shibden Park

I remember last winter seeing a Black-headed Gull here with a white ring. It had been ringed in Norway. I'll send details of this bird to the BTO.

 

Shibden Park

Tufted Duck female

Beacon Hill

Little Owl

Soil Hill

 Despite the poor weather of the last few days, the Hill has still hosted a few interesting birds worth reporting here. 

  Today, despite the gales, saw a Red Kite drift over heading SE. The birds progress was slow as it drifted from Thornton Moor Reservoir south, eventually cutting directly over the North Slope. In addition, there was a single Wheatear on Taylor Lane and two Golden Plover flew over heading SE.

  Yesterday there was a break in the weather enough to give the bushes on the Hill a good check, and this produced a immature Whitethroat at the bottom of the North Slope, which is my second latest here after last years October bird. Additionally, there were two Wheatears around, as well as four Chiffchaffs.

-Red Kite

-Whitethroat

-Wheatear

In total managed 29 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S196606561

In total managed 41 species yesterday (26th), the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S196505694

Hunter Hill (am) Castle Carr road (pm)

 A poor morning in the 'claggy' hill fog which was stubborn to move with little wind to move it on.

Very few moving birds observed other than a few gulls, 6 Swallows and 18 Meadow Pipits >S. Around the site a decent mix of species including Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 6 Skylark, 40+ Meadow Pipits, 30 Goldfinch and a single Linnet.

An afternoon stroll along Castle Carr Road didn't turn up much but it's always nice to come across a pair of Stonechats and a single Wheatear with a single Red Grouse calling on the moor.

Cold Edge and Hunter Hill

Some Vismig late morning turned out very well with a few decent birds and a continuous trickle of migrants. Highlight was two cream crown Marsh Harriers coming up from Cold Edge dams, rising all the time until they were really high drifting >NE over Mixenden res'r and beyond. One was slightly larger than the other, probably an adult female with an inner primary gap whilst the other bird was fully winged. Watched until out of sight.

Most of the movers were >SW including 157 Meadow Pipits and 3 Snipe being the best. 3 Swallows went >N.

On my way home and passing the Delvers in Wainstalls, a juvenile Peregrine 'whacked' a Woodpigeon with a flurry of feathers flying. Miracle..... as the Woodpigeon escaped into the trees and the Pere moved off. Don't know what state the Woody was in ?

This afternoon we had a walk around the dams. A lone Pink-footed Goose was in a field but not a sign of any Canadas ! No duck other than a few Mallard and single Moorhen. 1 Sparrowhawk went over. A large flock of 80+ Goldfinch on thistles and 40+ Meadow Pipits in the same field. 

Shibden Park

Little Grebe 2

Soil Hill

 Winds finally switched from east to WNW this morning, so was able to get up to Soil Hill and not have to deal with fog and murky conditions. Although there were no numbers of birds on VizMig there were a few notable species during the three hours I spent on the Hill between 07:30 - 10:30.

• The morning's highlight was a Great Egret that flew north at 09:40, coming up the Ogden valley and continuing northwards towards Keighley. This is a full patch tick for me, my 127th species on Soil Hill. Possibly one of the eight Great Egrets seen at Ringstone by DF on the 22nd.

• A Cream-crowned Marsh Harrier flew southeast at 09:10, tracking from behind Thornton Moor Reservoir, and passing over towards Bradford. It is possible this bird never made it into Halifax airspace, as it must have been very close to the border as it passed over Keelham.

• The only species that passed over in any numbers this morning was Common Snipe, with a record total of 24 birds either going SW or dropping onto The Shay. These were complimented by the first Jack Snipe of the autumn, which flushed from the usual location at the bottom of the North Slope. Three Golden Plover that went south were the only other waders on offer. 

• The migrant species selection was limited to just two Chiffchaffs in the North Slope Tree Line. 

-Great Egret

-Marsh Harrier

-Common Snipe

In total managed 39 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S196311736

Trektellen count here; https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/767/20240924

Ringstone Edge

 Did the rounds of Soil Hill, Whiteholme and then Ringstone today, and it was at this latter site where something interesting finally appeared with this nice White Wagtail that dropped onto the shoreline adjacent to the road in the company of a female Pied Wagtail. Sadly it did not stop all that long, before both birds flew off northwards.

-White Wagtail

Cold Edge

Tufted Duck

Soil Hill

Sadly I had already resigned myself to my first Spotted Flycatcher-less Autumn since 2018. But this morning the easterly winds delivered this very showy individual in the Koi Farm Copse off Taylor Lane. My latest individual at this site. 

Nothing else of note today, greatly hindered by the fog.

-Spotted Flycatcher

In total managed 32 species this morning, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S195653886

Cold Edge

Scaup (right) and Tufted Duck

Scaup (left) and Tufted Duck

Scaup (left) and Tufted Duck

Scaup

Scaup

Also:  Grey Partridge 1

Soil Hill

   A very pleasant few hours on Soil Hill this morning. Not masses of movement, but a few skeins of Pink-footed Geese kept things entertaining with five flocks heading SE between 07:50 and 08:30, and then two more flocks going back NW for some reason between 09:30 and 10:00. In total counted from photos 413 birds SE and 185 birds NW. In tandem with one of these flocks was a group of three Wigeon which is a full patch tick for me, putting me now on 126 for the Hill. 

  Limited other movement, with 195 Meadow Pipits and 55 Swallows making up the bulk of species. It was a Soil Hill record morning for me way Jays today, with eight heading NE, two heading SW and three heading SE, this latter group also dropping into the North Slope Tree-Line for a short while. 

  Pretty steady with grounded birds. A Wheatear was the only migrant of note, with four Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat also present. Two Bullfinch were only my second here this year. 

-Wigeon

-Wigeon & Pink-footed Geese

-Pink-footed Geese

-Jay

In total managed 46 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S195440894

Trektellen sount here; https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/767/20240917

Cold Edge

This slightly out of focus front view of the Scaup shows how broad its bill is.

Cold Edge

Juvenile Scaup

1 of 3 Wheatears

Shroggs recalimed landfill

I managed to find a female Blackcap this morning in the tree belt area - eating elderberries and in and out of blackberry bushes. Also at least 2 Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Buzzard and a Swallow.

Afternoon in Lee Mt - 2 Swallows passed through as well as a Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk with at least one Tawny Owl singing in Shroggs Park at 8 pm.

Ogden golf course (am) - and Withens Clough Res'r (pm)

Ogden. 

One Common Redstart showed briefly then didn't show for another 20 mins. Not a lot else other than a Great Spotted Woodpecker high >NE and 3 Buzzards at a distance.

Withens Clough Res'r circuit

84 Lapwings along the shore and a Dipper  were the only birds on or near the water, though there is plenty of shore-line. Elsewhere, nearby 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 House Martins, 1 Kestrel, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 alba Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail.

The only sign of any passage birds were c20 Swallows high >W.

Cold Edge

Some of 16 Greylags, including 2 partial albinos

More 'pinks'

40 Pink-footed Geese over >SE around 08:00 this morning (WG).

Also a skein heard over Todmorden at 22:30 last night (Bob S) and possibly the same flock over Queensbury at 22:50 (HC).

Ogden

 Didn't find a lot this afternoon in the blustery conditions.

1 adult Little Grebe in the middle of the water, 2 Cormorants and a single Common Sandpiper along the embankment shore-line.

Mixenden Res'r

With a strong westerly gale blowing I thought the res'r might turn something up - but nothing doing other than 12 Canada Geese along the west shore-line that was sheltered from the wind.

In the shelter of the wind I walked the tree belt adjacent to the shore. No disappointment there, coming across a lot of bird activity in the birch,alder and willow. Same situation down the north end with it's well overgrown hawthorn hedge. Plenty birds flitting about and a good number of Swallows and House Martins over the trees. Plenty juveniles with both species was good to see.

Some of these counts estimated, it was so busy ! 1 male Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeeper, Goldcrests, Goldfinch and 4 species of 'tit' dominated by Coal Tits all over the place. 

2 alba Wagtails, 1 LBBG and 1 B H Gull flyovers and 1 Grey Heron very high >S

All made for a pleasant hour or so out of the wind.

NCD messaged a Spotted Flycatcher at Roils Head but elusive in the wind.

Also 2 more skeins of Pink-footed geese reported today (PD)- again in a >W direction over Norland.

Autumn approach !!!

Two reports yesterday of  winter visitors to to the UK passing through Calderdale. Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese (25 and 40 heading >W during the afternoon from SiB and PB). More to come in the coming weeks and months.

I was on Hunter Hill at the time of the reports but failed to pick them out. 

Had a good afternoon anyway with an adult Hobby over Carrs Beck though it failed in a brief attempt at 2 Swallows and headed off high towards Illingworth. Also in that area, thanks to an earlier prompt from NK, were 2 Common Redstarts, 1 Whinchat with 2 Stonechats, 2 Ravens high and a Sparrow Hawk.

Further along the valley to check Hunter Hill for any more migrants I found 2 Chiffchaff,  Green Woodpecker nearby, 1 Jay, 1 Meadow Pipit and c30 Linnets.

Not a bad afternoon after a recent time when it had been hard to find much of interest.

Cold Edge

Juvenile Scaup.  On the bus to Wainstalls this morning I realised that the bird I identified 3 days ago as Tufted Duck could be a Scaup.  I had forgotten that the plumages of young juvenile Tufteds and Scaups are identical, and that they can be told apart only by behaviour and structure. 3 days ago I had decided on my ID and seen what I wanted to see - in particular a something or nothing 'bump' at the rear crown: and I had ignored the obvious steep forehead and hefty bill.  Thankfully the bird is still present, and was not diving while I watched it.

It was diving constantly 3 days ago, staying underwater far longer than I have ever seen Tufted do (I estimate 1-2 minutes), and surfacing for only a few seconds. It took me nearly 30 minutes to get the single photo that I put on the blog.

Its bill is heftier (photo 1) and body broader (photo 2) than those of Tufted Duck.

There are small white patches at the sides of the bill (eg photo 3). And photo 5 shows a black leg.

Then there is the fraught question of the rear crown. Photo 1 shows spiky feathers where the crown meets the nape, and also down the whole nape. Photo 4 shows a rounded rear crown with slightly raised feathers from the front of the crown to the base of the nape. Because wind can cause head feathers to stand up, I think these can only be said to exclude Scaup if one of two things is present: a tuft, or a definite 'bump' that is consistently present in all photos.

All good fun, and better than spending hours looking at tarmac.

Cold Edge

3 Goosander

Sowerby Bridge

Cormorant perched on high chimney

Cold Edge

Goldfinch juvenile

(Tufted Duck juvenile: dark eye, dark grey bill, dark brown back, 'bump' at rear crown.) This was misidentified: it is a Scaup - see above.

Soil Hill

  A delightful day up on Soil Hill. Although I had a few hours bush-bashing this morning, the highlight of the day came during an afternoon visit when at 14:35 an Osprey flew over high southwest, my second here this year, always a brilliant bird to see.

  During the morning there was very little in the way of VizMig but a Yellow Wagtail flew south calling which is my second of the autumn here, and a Tree Pipit went south, which given the forecast could be my last of the autumn after a fantastic August for this species. Two Snipe also flew west, a species I always enjoy seeing on VizMig and is a highlight of early to mid-September when their migration picks up.

  The bushes this morning were quite productive with a few grounded migrants. The highlight were two Sedge Warblers, which were also joined by a Grasshopper Warbler, three Chiffchaff and three Whitethroat. In the reservoir field there were two Wheatears this morning, and during the afternoon three Wheatears flew high southwest, which may have been the same birds. 

  Finally, two days ago after a day of thick fog, a Hobby flew north, which is first here this year.

-Osprey

-Sedge Warbler

-Hobby

In total managed 48 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S193914451