Holmfield Little Owl

Little owl seen once again after 2 years absence.

.

High Royd SF - 6:00pm

A quick visit in passing. I have never seen less water in the old settling beds, and rather mysteriously I have never seen more water in the swampy scrubby area to the west of the area (near the house - see photo). Has the water been diverted there? It's not as though the water can have come from rain! Was hoping for a sedge warbler, but no luck. Birds seen include:
- 2 nuthatch
- 5 coot
- 2 moorhen
- 2 pairs of teal
- 1 juv and 1 adult heron
- a pair of blackcap
- hundreds of carrion crows, two of which were partly leucistic
- chiffchaff and willow warbler heard

Raven

Raven seen and heard cronking loudly over Heptenstall at 10:00am this morning.

Wood Warbler

Pied Fly and Wood Warbler

Wood Warbler still present at Crimsworth Dean this PM, also found a female Pied Flycatcher 500 yards up the track from Gibson Mill on the righthand side in the glade with the silly poetry signs.

Crimsworth Dean

With thanks to Nick D for locating this Wood Warbler in Crimsworth Dean yesterday. We re-located it this morning near yesterdays spot - singing on and off but with quiet spells in between. A tricky one to digi-scope but just about managed to get a couple of half decent shots of it in the canopy.

Wood Warblers over recent years have become very thin on the ground, similar to Redstarts. Both were much more common around Calderdale in the summer months up to around 10 years ago, lets hope the decline starts to reverse very soon.

Plenty of Willow Warblers in the dean along with 1 Chiff-chaff and 2 Treecreepers, Nuthatch and 1 Sparrowhawk over.

Lots of butterflies around today in the lovely weather.

Rishworth Walk

A walk on Saturday produced the very reliable Little Owl (3rd year running).

2 Heron nests, one with a least one young + usual warblers.

Cuckoo

Heard a Cuckoo this afternoon calling for 5 minutes from trees in Hall Wood, Todmorden. This is the first cuckoo I have heard in quite a number of years in Todmorden and the first ever in Hall Wood.

Philip (via Calderdale Wildlife)

Cold Edge

Wheatears seemed to be everywhere today including 25+ around this site.
Just a few Swallows, lots of mipits, several Linnet and 1 Skylark.

Usual waders present together with 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin.

Ringby Lane (Swales Moor)

Thanks to Steve C I managed to get up there this morning to see the Whinchat - a stunning individual together with c10 Wheatear on the stone walls.

Wood Warbler

Out with SC this PM. I walked up Crimsworth Dean and heard a Wood Warbler singing about 200 yards before the turning area on the left hand side of the track. Tried hard to see it but it failed to show, still nice and early, hope there's more to come.

Fly Flats

2 very poor images of the Red Kite over Warley Moor, near Slade.

1 Red Kite over this afternoon at 16.05 spotted by an eagle-eyed Jen. It came low over the moor to the south mobbed by corvids, Curlew and Lapwing then headed off towards The Withens before gaining height and coming back over the res'r embankment - very high at this stage and headed off towards Oxenhope. (Not looked at the photo's yet to see if they are any good) 1 pair Goldeneye. 1 pair Tufted Duck. Waders were 4 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper - all on the far shore, lots of mud but it would be a struggle without a scope! c4 Wheatears, 10 Twite at the feeding station and a few mipits around. Another surprise was a Dunnock singing just down the track from the feeding station! It was good to meet up with Nigel as we were on the way down to Fly and he was heading off to Cold Edge. Unfortunately Nigel was on the way home on the bus when I rang him about the Red Kite hoping it was going in his direction!

Ringby Top and Beyond

After dropping off the car with BS in Queensbury for a quick repair job, I walked back towards Halifax and decided to have a kick around Ringby Top. I ended up walking up to the ski slope, then down towards Ousel Hall and down into the valley towards Shibden Head, finally heading up hill towards Black Dyke Mills and back to Queensbury.

A pair of Swallows greeted me at the Calderdale boundary with 2 more later in the Shibden valley.
Several Skylarks were singing on the top with around 6 Wheatears in the sheep pastures.
Mippits aplenty and the obligatory Carrion Crows, Magpies and Jackdaws with a couple of Linnets passing overhead.
Goldfinches were everywhere along this route and Greenfinches were plentiful around the ski slope.
Green Woodpecker was heard in the valley, as was Great Spotted Woodpecker. The valley had a few Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers singing and I had my first Blackcap for the year. The usual Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Blue Tits and Great Tits were present, and a Sparrow-hawk and a Jay added to the list.
Peacocks, Small tortoishells and Orange Tips were on the wing but no sign of any Green Hairstreaks where the Billberry was the dominant vegetation.
Coming out of the valley and into suburbia, House Sparrow and Starling let me know that I was leaving some nice habitat behind me.

More mundane birds...

After the excitement of the last few days I thought I'd bring everyone back down to earth.

Langfield this morning yielded my first Stonechat of the year (a wonderful male, singing his heart out, but no female came near). Also 2 Twite, a male Reed Bunting, a male Kestrel, a Curlew over towards Gaddings and the usual Mipits and Skylarks.

At Lee Dam there were 3 pairs of Tufted Duck.

Other news

From yesterday a pair of Ring Ouzel migrants were seen at Clifton - Jay House Lane around 9.30 am and headed off in the direction of Bailiff Bridge (M He). Grasshopper Warbler near Scammonden and a Gadwall at Ringstone this morning (J We)

Cold Edge

Very quiet up there this afternoon on a lovely day. Several Linnet about. c10 Wheatears and that was about it!

White Stork over Halifax 12.22pm

A shopping trip this p.m. turned out to be a bonus whilst waiting at the lights in town to turn right up Pellon Lane.
A large bird  soared behind the block of flats which I thought was a Heron but when it re appeared it was seen to be a White Stork. It was very high and soaring round in circles without beating its wings. As the lights changed I had to drive on whilst Lynda alerted the cavalry via the grapevine.
When we got to Asda and was speaking to DJS on the phone I could still see the bird over town in the same position. After 5 minutes in Asda the frustration got too much and I came back out into the car park to see the bird right overhead still soaring, I boast that my camera goes everywhere with me but that doesnt include Asda, it will in future.
After more phone calls the bird lost high somewhat and flew directly over Asda >N parallel to Pellon Lane.
I was sure NCD would pick it up as it was heading maybe to the west of him but it was the size of a barn door so should be easy to see but somehow it slipped through the net of the waiting crew , unless of course it went down somewhere.
The problem with a White Stork is, is it a genuine or a free flyer from Harewood, we,ll never know
Who said shoppings boring
BS

Hooded Crow video

With thanks to Janet for this, sorry I don't know your surname!

Dipper

Dipper on Elphin Brook at Mytholmroyd. Later located its nest, where it is feeding young.

Hooded Crow

Hooded Crow at Cottonstones 6th April. First record since 1975. The bird may still be present so its worth a look. Looks like its in the same area as the Woodchat Shrike was a few years ago.

Castle Lane this morning

A male Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and a female Sparrowhawk at Castle Lane, Todmorden this morning.

Waxwings

21 Waxwings flew north at Mount Tabor at 7PM this evening.

Ravens Ringed

Two Raven chicks were ringed yesterday at a Calderdale site, work carried out by Steve Downing, Tim Walker and James Leonard (RSPB).

Bradley Hall Farm and Elland GP

Bradley Hall Farm this morning; 1 Yellowhammer. 1 Tree Sparrow. 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Wheatear in the field by the farm with 2 Pied Wag's,1 Grey Wag and 2 Swallows. Blackcap, Willow Warblers and Chiff-chaffs also around. Elland GP; No sign of Whitethroat or Garden Warbler etc there yet - just Chiff's, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps. 2 House Martins went through west and 2 Swallows over the ski-lake but no Sand Martins this morning. Good to see Mike H down there doing the rounds.

Crags nest boxes

Jeff Cox and I spent this afternoon checking and doing basic emergency repairs to the nestboxes at the Crags in the hopeful anticipation of the return soon of pied flycatcher and redstart. Many of the problems with the boxes were due to grey squirrel damage. The repairs are only temporary, and will only last this season, but are better than nothing. We also spoke to Drew Marsh from the National Trust there who agreed to be available to make up c.50 new pine boxes, as the 'old' beech ones have basically had it now, and all need replacing. Birds encountered whilst working include goldcrest, nutchatch, treecreeper, and green & gs woodpecker (h). With thanks to Jeff for his help

Fly Flats

11 Twite at the feeding station this morning plus several colour ringed birds. Photo's taken but not been through them yet for further details of ring combinations. 6 Wheatears

Bee-eaters?

Does anybody know anything about the entry today on Bird Guides website reporting four European Bee-eaters in Todmorden last Monday evening?

12th April

Kevin Lewis reports an Osprey over Dean Head Castle Carr at 12.15PM today. See todays Halifax Evening Courier for details on POISON MANIAC, believed to be targeting Peregrines.
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/find_the_poison_maniac_1_3279512

EGP.

Lots of singing Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers and Blackcap. A pair of Tufted are on the reedbed lagoon and this morning a Common Sandpiper flew upstream.and photo of 4 Goosanders,hopefully this years breeding birds.

Colour Ringed Twite

I have received information from Nick Wilkinson (RSPB) David Sowter and Sean Grey on these individuals seen locally this year. Click on the photo's to enlarge! The above male was at Swales Moor from at least 28th Nov 2010 until at least 2nd March 2011 and seen on and off with the Linnet flock. It was ringed/colour ringed at Heysham, Lanc's in 2010.

The above male has been at Fly Flats since 28th March this year and is paired, having been seen feeding an unringed female. Ring number is T938238 and it was ringed at Cant Clough (just over the border towards Burnley) on 25th October 2010.

The above female was seen at Fly flats last week 8th April. I have not been able to see the colour of the ring above the green on the right leg but its BTO ring ends in 8. This makes it one of two birds. It is either a sibling of the bird below OR a Lumbutts bird ringed on 8th June 2010. I will be trying to relocate this bird to get the ring colour above the green on the right leg so we can get a positive id.

The above male has been at Fly Flats since 8th April. It was ringed (X647902) at Fly Flats on 2nd June 2010. I saw this bird at Fly Flats on 18th October 2010 and it was seen at Leverton, Linc's on 14th Feb 2011 before returning to Fly Flats last week.

Many thanks to Nick, Dave and Sean for the information as above.

If anyone locates any colour ringed Twite please let me know. I find the best idea is to get some digital photos of the legs and take a closer look when I get them back onto the computer. With a bit of luck some numbers can also be seen as well on the metal ring and even though it might not be possible to get all six digits even one or two might help to identify the bird.

Cold Edge and Fly Flats

Out with NCD this afternoon but Cold Edge was disappointing in the strong NW wind. Curlew and Lapwing present nearby plus 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Snipe and 2 B H Gulls. No sign of the Little Grebe but it was there earlier (NK). 2 Wheatears and a few mipits around. Fly Flats was worth the visit with a male Ring Ouzel feeding out of the wind in the drainage channel leading down towards the boat-house and a Raven over heading N. No Twite at the feeding station but 3 (maybe 4) Wheatears there. We were unable to find any waders on the extensive mud edge as the NW wind was so strong. Plenty Canadas though! 1 Redpoll was calling from a pine tree near Dean Head.

Holmfield and Mixenden

I had a ride round for a short time early afternoon during the rain, checking on local rookeries - big surprise was 20 nests near Laurel Bank Close in Holmfield in 2009 - none there today! Mixenden Res'r early afternoon - c30 Swallows there but nothing else.

Gorple this afternoon

A walk to Gorple reservoirs this afternoon with Andy H was quite productive. Can't be exact with counts as we walked to the Upper res and back and some birds may have been seen more than once:
Tufted Duck - 2 (male and female)
Goosander - 9 (all female)
Greylag Goose - 3
Curlew - at least 7, very likely many more
Lapwing - c.20
Redshank - 3
Oystercatcher - at least 5
Golden Plover - 10
Grey Partridge - 2
Swallow
Willow Warbler
Wheatear - at least 7 (1 female, 6 male)
Pied Wagtail - 6
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush - 2
LBB Gull flying NW
BH Gull - 2
Skylark and lots of Mipits and Red Grouse

Lee Mount

Decided to sit out in the garden this afternoon with the family together with bins and scope - instead of going out for a walk! Glad I did as they were all watching the skies with a bit of encouragement -as the day looked so good for high moving birds on the thermals. We were not disappointed! First a Raven went over very high NE towards Swales/Queensbury - this was a first for the garden from 1974! Also 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine and 1 unidentified raptor/large gull - hard to tell it was so high and couldn't find it in the scope - always one that gets away. They were all going NE - oh and 2 balloons!

Shibden Valley 10/04/11

Usual walk through the park and around the valley threw up some unusual species.

1 mute swan and 1 coot on the lake. These are the first I've seen here. I also had 3 greylag geese last week in with the canadas. There are also 2 groups of mallard chicks - 20 or so in total. Chiffchaff, green woodpecker and GS woodpecker all calling.

Usual kestrel hunting.

2 skylarks singing on Beacon Hill. 2 willow warblers singing on Dark Lane along with several chiffchaff. Blackcap singing in the valley bottom.

Fly Flats

10 Twite at the feeding station this afternoon with just 2 colour ringed birds. 8+ Sand Martins went through N. 20+ Wheatears. No Common Sandpipers yet.

Swifts/Swallows/House Martins

CBCG are undertaking a Calderdale wide survey in 2011 to locate breeding sites of individuals or colonies of Swifts, Swallows, House Martins - and with luck a few Sand Martins! We are anticipating a press release in the near future asking members of the public to report sightings/locations of nesting birds and we may need help from local birders to check some of the reports. In the meantime can you keep it in mind to make a note of any records and during the summer to check out sites you already know of from previous years. We will need a site location and numbers of nesting birds. Rather than publicise nest sites on the blog we are setting up a system to log the information which we can then analyse later. Details to follow. This survey will provide a good basis of information for Calderdale and something we can build on in future years. Hopefully this will lead on to help us find ways of protecting and encouraging these special summer visitors.

Cold Edge and Mixenden

Cold Edge Very quiet bird wise this morning in the strong SW wind. c6 Swallows around the farms and 4 Sand Martins went through heading NW. Just 2 Oystercatchers there and lapwing and Curlew. 1 Common Buzzard this afternoon at 2.05pm just to the north of Mixenden Res'r came over Lane Head Lane drifting off high towards Soil Hill/Bradshaw. A very distinct individual with a large wedge of 2 or 3 inner primaries and 2/3 outer secondaries missing, all on the right wing. Green Woodpecker also present nearby.

RSPB Twite Recovery Project

Due to Natural England cut backs there will be no RSPB fieldworker in the area this summer although the vital habitat work, land owner liaison etc will continue. Following on from a presentation by Charlotte Weightman (Project Habitat Intervention Officer) at last night's CBCG meeting she has asked if we could send out a request for experienced birders who might be prepared to carry out some voluntary fieldwork on twite this summer. The following has been received from Charlotte

Colony monitoring work

If you or someone you know has excellent bird ID skills and is willing to adopt a colony and monitor it by carrying out three survey visits during the breeding season, please get in touch with Jenny Oldroyd : jenny.oldroyd@rspb.org.uk. Training will be given, but we do want to start with people who already have a very high level of skill in this area. Expenses will be paid.

Mixenden Res'r/Cold Edge/Ringstone

Couldn't find much at all today in the very strong SW wind. Could hardly stand up at Ringstone this afternoon! Mixenden 1 drake Goldeneye. Cold Edge - usual waders on the moor. Ringstone 1 G C Grebe 1 Cormorant 10 Lapwings. Nearly forgot - found another site for Little Owl - will send details on to you Jeff in due course.

Little Owl Sightings in Calderdale - a reminder

In January I posted a plea for help asking people to send in sightings of Little Owls in 2011 ( http://calderbirds.blogspot.com/2011/01/little-owls.html )

Reports from different people have dropped off recently as you can see from the stats by month for the year to date:
Jan - 8 sightings from 7 different people
Feb - 4 sightings from 3 different people
Mar - 12 sightings from 3 different people

Can I please ask again that any Little Owl sightings are reported through the whole of this year so we can compile a representative picture of how they are doing in Calderdale.

Thanks

Ogden

An Osprey heading north towards Thornton Moor this afternoon in the strong westerly wind and rain was a real treat! We were just up by the 'Giant's tooth' when it came over from the res'r area and away at speed over the moor. It's like the weather conditions were not a problem for this strong flyer and guess it will be over the border country come evening at the rate it was flying. 1 drake Tufted Duck on the res'r along with 1 female Goldeneye and Great-spotted Woodpecker nearby.

Mytholmroyd

Two grey wagtails feeding on the shingle in the Calder from the bridge onto New Road

Huddersfield Bird Report 2009

With apologies for this advertising. The Birds in Huddersfield 2009 report is now available priced £6 or £7.50 with p&p.

Details can be found on the HBC web site at http://www.huddersfieldbirdwatchersclub.co.uk/

Cheers,

Alf

CBCG meeting on

Just to confirm that tommorow's CBCG meeting will go ahead as planned, non members welcome. For full details see earlier posts.

Battling Buzzards

At the local Buzzard territory this evening the resident dark male was having a right ding dong with another Buzzard which from size I guess was another male. It definitely wasn't the resident female. A crow was also joining in and it made quite a spectacle. It was lower down the valley than I have seen them before. I lost them and was not sure of the outcome. Also at least 1 Kestrel with a successful hunt and a Sparrowhawk with a fly past within 10ft!

Deanhead/Scam/Ringstone

Deanhead-m.Peregrine on fence post,pr.Goldeneye on res. 1.Wheatear. Ringstone-2 Curlew-2 Oystercatcher -2 L.R.P's-3 Wheatear on res.wall nearest hide.

3rd Osprey through on 2nd April ?

Brian Sumner took this snap shot of a bird as he got out of his car last night at 7.30PM at Queensbury. He was first unsure as to the id because the bird appeared to have brown under parts ? Ive suggested that its an Osprey on wing shape and short tail and can only think that the brown under parts may be due to oil contamination ? I may be wrong on both counts, any thoughts.

2nd Osprey through

Brian Sumner reports an Osprey north somewhere over Rishworth Moor flying towards Stoodley Pike at around 7.10PM.

More Waxwings

Waxwings were present in Luddenden village all day today with up to 22 present, there was forty in a tree outside my house yesterday when I was at work!!!!

Willow Warblers early

It's not the first this year, but just had one in the garden singing and feeding in the trees. A garden first (23 year list!) and my earliest ever in Calderdale. (My previous earliest 4th April.)

Osprey over Brighouse

Kevin Lewis has reported an Osprey flying west over Brighouse between 1.15- 1.30PM heading towards Elland Gravel Pits.

Elland GP

The recent southerly winds produced some early returners this afternoon including 20+ House Martins, 20+ Sand Martins with c6 Swallows with them. All were mainly feeding high over the ski-lake in the strong westerly wind. c 8 Chiff-chaffs singing in the area and 1 Blackcap singing along the canal. 6 Lesser Redpoll also seen but possibly more present on the planted landfill area. Also Green Woodpecker heard nearby. 2 Cormorants, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Goosander, 1 L B B Gull >E 1 Comma and 3+ Peacock butterflies as well. Good to watch the hirundines and hear some warblers after a long cold winter and to meet up with Mike, Ian and Geoff was a bonus.

Cold Edge

Late morning but driving wet drizzle up there! 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Oystercatchers, Snipe 'chipping', 2 Redshank, Curlew and Lapwings nearby. 1 Raven >N. 2 Little Owls nearby. Skylarks not singing and mipits very quiet too. No Wheatears today.

Mixenden Res'r

1 Sand Martin through this morning about 9 am >SW 1 drake Goldeneye 1 female Goosander Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker also present. No gulls at this site now - all gone north and east I guess!

Moorwatch - result?

Just passed the site of the fly tipping I reported on the Moorwatch website yesterday and noted it has gone, like to think that was as a result of the website.

Grey wagtail - North Bridge Leisure Centre!

Hello all, Surprised to first hear then see a grey wagtail in such an urban setting. However, Hebble Brook is nearby. Also report from w/e of 19/20 March of two red kites near Hugh Brown Knoll (Between Crimsworth Dean and Luddenden Dean).

Moorwatch website

Just reported a fly tipping incident on the Moorwatch website, very easy to do and hopefully will result in some action. I would recommend local birders check it out and post if they see damaging activities on our moorland. Check out www.moorwatch.com or follow the link on this blog.

EGP

A nice finish to March with 16 Sand Martins and 4 Swallows over the Ski Lake and not much else around except 4 Redpoll

More Waxwings

Found 30 Waxwings at Broadley Close Pellon this PM.

Other news today

1 Sand Martin over the canal at Copley this afternoon around 14.30 from GD

EGP/Waxwings.

Late post. 29/03/2011.EGP.Willow Warbler singing on the old landfill site and a flock of 40+Siskins and Redpolls.

30/03/2011. 10 Chiffchaffs,2 LBBand 1 BH gulls.4 Little Grebes,pair Tufted Duck, 1 Swallow.

The Waxwings in Brighouse town center were 27no in the Wellington Arcade and they departed towards Rastrick at 1245 so they may be part of the flock seen at Rastrick High School

Ogden - Back Lane

This afternoon in the drizzle! 1 Wheatear and 2 Pied Wagtails in the horse fields. 2 Snipe and 1 Redshank along with a few Lapwings and 4 Curlew. 2 Grey Partridge were flushed down Foreside Lane and a Little Owl was there also. Female Sparrowhawk over Ogden and around 8 Skylarks and 30+ Meadow Pipits.

Swales Moor

This mornings surprise was a Woodcock flushed on the top late morning on the landfill, it flew around twice before going down again further away on the same landfill site. Still around 20 Skylarks there with some singing, others are probably still wintering birds. c30 Meadow Pipits and 18 Linnet but no sign of any Twite. 1 L B B Gull going north. Ploughcroft - 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Little Owl

Next CBCG meeting

Could I ask local birders to let me know if they plan to attend the next meeting on 5th April as those organisations that are sending representatives to give short presentations are going to considerable effort on our behalf and if the turn out is likely to be poor it might be better to cancel/postpone?

Walshaw Dean and Gorple - from Monday

Late posting from Monday afternoon:
4 Meadow Pipit at Walshaw and 4 at Gorple
1 Skylark at Gorple
2 Oycs at Walshaw and 3 at Gorple
3 Redshank at Gorple
2 Kestrel at Walshaw
2 Curlew at Walshaw and 4 at Gorple
5 Lapwing at Walshaw and 6 at Gorple
39 Canada Goose at Walshaw and 61 at Gorple
3 Greylag Goose at Walshaw and 2 at Gorple
7 Goosander at Walshaw (6 f)
1 Grey Wag at Gorple
1 Pied Wag at Walshaw and 1 at Gorple (Upper)
1 Mistle Thrush at Walshaw
1 Wren at Gorple (Upper)
13 Black-headed Gull at Gorple

Wainstalls and Cold Edge/Withens Head

At least 3 Little Owls in the area. 1 L R Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, with Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew also present. 1 Kestrel ,2 Goosander, 5 Grey Herons (and eating frogs!), 2 Moorhen, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Wren! 2 immaculate looking Black-headed Gulls. No Wheatears today but plenty mipits and just 1 Skylark and 1 Reed Bunting

Waxwings in Rastrick

About 40 waxwings this afternoon catching flies over Rastrick High School. Difficult to assess numbers as they were constantly flitting about, great to watch so many actively feeding like this in a relatively small area. Elsewhere 4 Teal on the pond at the bottom of Jay House Lane, at the top 4 Rooks on the feeders eating the tree sparrows millet. Often wondered how they emptied so fast!

Gadwall record 2010?

Im writing the 2010 bird report and ive come across a record of Gadwall at Ringstone on 14th December. Its down twice, once as 1 flying south and again as four. Theres no ones name attached to this record just down as logbook. Can anyone shed light on it cheers.

Fly Flats

Above - 1 of 5 Twite this afternoon (the same bird as the recent posting) today showing the pink rump of a male bird.

Above - the highlight of the afternoon - a distant male Ring Ouzel on the rocky outcrop

3 Wheatear

2 Oystercatchers

2 Redshank

30+ Meadow Pipits

1 Skylark

1 Kestrel

1 Grey Heron

plus usual Canadas and Greylags

Roding woodcock

The woodcock have started roding already at Jumble Hole. 1st appeared on 12 April last year, so much earlier than in 2010

Next CBCG meeting - a reminder

The next meeting of the CBCG will be of a slightly different format to previous meetings in that it will include two short presentations that will hopefully be of interest to all birders (not just CBCG members). The first will be by Giselle Murison of West Yorkshire Ecology who will give a brief resume of the findings of the moorland fringe surveys which were undertaken by WYE in our area last year. The purpose of these surveys was to increase the information they currently have on the distribution of breeding birds in the important, yet largely unprotected, area that borders the moorland SPA, without this info it is difficult to actively challenge planning applications etc in this sensitive habitat. If there is sufficient interest Giselle has also offered to bring colleagues from WYE to explain the way the organisation works and the importance of them holding as much info on local bird populations and distributions as possible. This will be an ideal opportunity for any local birders who have reservations about the sharing of information with WYE to come along and discuss their concerns.
The second presentation will be by Edie Jolley of Pennine Prospects who will be accompanied by Phil Sanderson (West Yorkshire Police), Edie will give full details of the recently set up Moorwatch website (http://www.moorwatch.com/) and the way it can be used to report damaging activities on our moors.
There will also be the opportunity for local birders to discuss the Wildlife Sites Criteria that will be in the consultation period by then, the CBCG has already submitted comments but this will give non members an opportunity to have their say. In addition to this I believe there will be representative/s of the RSPB Twite recovery project also attending.

As the above issues are likely to be of interest to all local birders the meeting will be open to anyone who wishes to attend and will be held at the offices of the Calderdale Council Countryside Unit above the library in Mytholmroyd on Tuesday 5th April and will begin at 1930.

In order to ensure there are enough seats etc would any non CBCG member who will be attending please let me know in advance on midgleybirder@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks

Nick Carter

Woodpecker city

4 GSW's at Coach Road early a.m. And a pair of LSW's as well. Another GS near Bradley Hall Farm Also a pair of Nuthatches at Coach Road, with a Chiffchaff and a Heron. Wellholme Park: pair of Kingfishers, pair of Mistle Thrushes nest-building, pair of Bullfinch and 5/6 Chiffchaffs. Bradley Hall farm area: Kingfisher (possibly 2) calling, Buzzard over, and a single Swallow.

Peregrines, Peregrines, Peregrines

Out for a drive with the family yesterday but still managed to watch a pair of Peregrines yesterday for 1/2 an hour calling constantly and sharing prey. At Tesco car park today at King X, heard it first and then a Peregrine again. Went to see the local Buzzards this aft but I was greeted with another Pergrine patrolling their territory for at least 10 mins. The Buzzards were nowhere to be seen for over an hour. The Buzzards did finally appear when I was back at the car to circle over the valley together. It is superb to see birds of prey thriving in our area and I hope it continues!

Cold Edge

2 Wheatear together on the rubble pile this afternoon. 1 Little Grebe and 2 Moorhen on the top small pond . 1 Goosander female on the top dam caught a large frog but don't think it was impressed as it tossed it about for a while then discarded it ! No sign of the LRP - just 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 2 Snipe 'chipping' and 15 Lapwings on the top dam with 2 Black-headed Gulls and 1 female Kestrel nearby.

Fly Flatts/Cold Edge Dams

A pair of Shoveler flew out of the mist this a.m. at Fly Flatts and headed off >SE. Due to the height of the birds its unlikely that they came off the water.
A single LRP was again at Cold Edge but was flushed by dogs on the shoreline and flew in the direction of Oxenhope.
A cracking male Wheatear showed briefly near the boathouse, probably DJSs from the other day. None present at Fly and just 2 unringed Twite.
BS

Cold Edge

Several waders present this afternoon including 1 LRP, 2 Redshank, 15 Lapwing, 4 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers and 2 Golden Plover

1 Little Grebe still present on the small pond

1 Grey Heron

1 Goldeneye

1 Reed Bunting

60+ Meadow Pipits

6 Skylark

No Wheatears !

1 Little Owl near Wainstalls

1 Fieldfare

Fly Flats

Colour ringed male Twite there this morning (same bird as NK found yesterday) with 5 others unringed.
2 Oystercatchers
2 Redshank
4 Curlew
2 Golden Plover
3 Goldeneye
2 Teal
12+ Red Grouse
1 Raven >S
30+ Meadow Pipits
1 Reed Bunting
6 Skylark
50+ Canadas and 4 Greylag Geese
No Wheatears !

Whiteholme and Gaddings Dam this afternoon

Langfield Edge
Twite (unringed)
4 Mipits

Whiteholme
2 Ringed Plover
Pied Wagtail
A Pink-footed Goose which was hanging around with a pair of Canada Geese. Sorry for the quality of the photo but my camera battery went and I didn't have the spare with me so I had to use the phone camera through the scope!

Gaddings Dam
Pair of Teal
3 Goldeneye (2 f, 1 m)
2 Little Ringed Plover - they didn't hang around very long due to a dog walker coming along the shore line. Alan Nuttall said he'd seen 2 LRP at Whiteholme so perhaps these were the same birds?
9 Skylark
4 Mipits

Withens Clough and Gaddings Dam yesterday

Reed Bunting and 4 Dunnock at Langfield Edge

Gaddings Dam
9 Mipits
6 Skylark
Pair of Teal
Pair of Goldeneye
Withens Clough res
6 Goosander (all female)
3 Goldeneye (2 f, 1 m)
3 Red Grouse
7 Mipits and 2 Skylark further up the hill towards Stoodley Pike
Lots of new fencing going up along the lines of the old dry stone walls. Car park and dam wall still closed for repair work, reopens in Autumn-ish.

25th March

Had a walk over Roils Head this PM and had 5 Waxwings flying west. Also 5 Stock Doves. Having just got the Lap Top up and running again its now developed a problem with the keyboard in that the letter L sticks, you have to press it down hard to get it to register. Does anyone know if this can be easily fixed or is it a big job?

Jumble Hole / Underbank - 8:30

2 chiffchaff calling at Underbank
A pair of nuthatch in Jumble Hole
1 treecreeper
1 green woodpecker
4 mistle thrush
1 song thrush

Nothing of interest at Eastwood Sewage Works

Bird Report 2009 update

I am pleased to say that just over half the number of bird reports printed have now been sold, if anybody still needs one then you can still get one from the sites advertised on this blog.

Chiffchaff

One heard singing somewhere west of Todmorden station at 0630.

Swales Moor

1 Common Snipe flushed on the top this afternoon
2 Twite
15 Linnet
c18 Skylark
c20 Meadow Pipits
4 Stock Dove

SWALLOWS

2 flew over the house this morning at 1130 heading towards Brighouse/EGP,

Wainstalls/Castle Carr Road/Fly Flats/Cold Edge

We did the full round with Nick D - over the moor this afternoon. A brilliant day to be out. A few more mipits about plus c8 Reed Buntings at the far end of Castle Carr Road. Elsewhere a few Red Grouse, Skylarks, Pheasants, Canada Geese, c4 Kestrels and one or two Curlew.
Fly Flats
3 Twite
3 Goldeneye
2 Oystercatchers

Cold Edge produced 2 Oystercatchers and the highlight of the day with a male Wheatear on the rubble between the top dam and the small pool, which also had a Little Grebe, 2 Moorhen and 4 Grey Herons.

The top dam held 1 Goldeneye, 12 Lapwings and 2 Redshank and the lower dam 3 Goosander.

Osprey at Green withens yesterday

Follow link for  photo and account ...http://www.greenwithens.blogspot.com/

Erringden etc. this morning

Went out looking for Wheatear again this morning but still none turned up. Good thing is I can go looking tomorrow now as well :)
Mipit - 15
Skylark - 2
Reed Bunting
Curlew - 2
Fieldfare - over 200 in fields around Rough Head
Starling - c. 35
Snipe
Stock Dove - 3
Green Woodpecker - Burnt Acres Wood
Great Spotted Woodpecker - Shaw Wood

Hooded Crow ?

Spotted this crow when out running on the coast here in North Wales this afternoon. It looks like a Hoodie to me but I have only seen these is Scotland some years ago and was not aware they occured this far south ? The shots are terrible but we had a sea fret blowing in at the time and this is the nearest to the bird I could get before it flew away. OK to record this as a Hoodie ?

I have never seen anything resembling a hoodie on the coast here before and wonder if its perhaps a lost bird from Ireland which is only about 40 miles away as the crow flies ;-) I have left the shots at full size so they can be enlarged.

Fly Flats/Withens Head

Fly Flats
1 Redshank
2 Oystercatchers
4 Curlew
1 Twite back at the feeding station but flighty so not sure if it was a ringed bird - or not.
1 Grey Heron on the res'r edge was unusual for this site
2 Pied Wagtail
c20 Meadow Pipits, some displaying and singing
2 Skylark
Lots of Red Grouse

Withens Head
1 Little Owl
40 Starlings

Cameras

Hi all
I will be needing a decent camera shortly for wildlife photography and would appreciate advice from you clever people.
Mike has suggested interchangeable lenses. What do you use/recommend?

Lee Mount

1 Tree Sparrow still here on and off in the garden throughout the day for it's budgie seed, and a bathe!
1 Sparrowhawk over

Cold Edge

This afternoon
1 Goosander
1 Redshank
1 Golden Plover
5 Lapwings on the mud with 3+ pairs elsewhere
15 Curlew in a field on Cold Edge Road with 5+ pairs elsewhere
85 Canada Geese and 12 Greylags
c20 Meadow Pipits
1 Grey Heron
1 Kestrel with a vole
Mist and drizzle at Withens Head!

EGP

Best long shot of Red Kite this morning,4 Whoopers from Sat and 2 Grey Lags on side of Ski Lake this morning.Apologies for poor quality of Kite shot.

Swans and stuff.

3 Whooper Swans at the Skiing Lake at Elland GPs this morning (nice to meet Mike Henshaw there already viewing them)
1pr of Goosander on the canal at Elland Bridge.
c5 Waxwings on the side of the canal towpath at the bottom of Salterhebble Hill.
3 Chiffchaff singing at various points.

Lee Mount

The single Tree Sparrow dropped in for bathe and feed for half-hour late afternoon. It seems to like budgie seed 'Trill' as do the House Sparrows!
1 Sparrowhawk over >NE

On St George's Road at dusk c30 Redwings dropped in to roost. They perched in a tall sycamore before roosting in the holly bushes and were singing a pre roost song, very rarely heard this before.

Various sites (am)

Target bird was Wheatear today - not a sign of any!

Fly Flats
1 Redshank
2 Oystercatchers
4 Goldeneye
4+ Skylark
c20 mipits moving through >NE
No Twite but plenty of Red Grouse

Crimsworth Dean
Flock of 38 Curlew at the head of the dean plus others on the moor
2 Oystercatchers
6 Lapwings
c20 Stock Doves
2 Little Owls
c50 mipits and similar number of Chaffinch moving through and heading up the dean towards the moors >NE

Castle Carr Road
1 Little Owl

Wainstalls
At least 4 Brambling still there with the Chaffinch flock in the garden behind the 'Delvers'

Elland Park Wood----Elland Gravel Pits

Park wood had the usual suspects,with about 12 very vociferous jay's about.Highlights being Nu

thatch,3 drumming G.S.Pecker's,1pr.plus a single f.L.S.Pecker(s). G.P.highlight 2 singing Chiff Chaff,one of which was showing well on canal side by Cromwell Bridge.

Ogden Garden

A flock of nine waxwings in the same tree this morning. It is the first time the tree has appeared out of the fog since Monday.