Raptor id

Sitting in a friend's Calderdale garden yesterday afternoon (so no bins!!) I heard alarm calls above me then saw a number of hirundines mobbing a raptor so I grabbed my camera. It had gained height very quickly so the photos are more silhouettes than anything I'm afraid, and cropped to make them larger. Goshawk, Sparrowhawk....any ideas please?

Ogden/Fly Flatts

The adult Yellow-legged Gull which has been seen at Ogden over the last few weeks was also there this morning. Probably the same bird was roosting at Fly Flatts tonight along with 81 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (NCD)

Yesterdays reports

Ogden
Adult Yellow-legged Gull still present with the Lesser Black-backs. Also thanks to a call from Bruce I just managed to see the Common Tern that arrived mid-morning and headed off north around 11.40.
4 Tufted Duck also present.

A dark phase Arctic Skua was a great bird passing through our area during the morning at Whiteholme Res'r. Well done to Alan N for such a good find.

Fly Flatts
A late evening visit with Nick D produced 3 Redshank and 58 Lesser black-backs.

At another site we went searching for Nightjar. This is our third night looking for this elusive species without success. It's
mow 19 years since the last confirmed sighting of Nightjar in Calderdale so finding one or more would be a real bonus! In the absence of Nightjar other late evening birds included Oystercatchers, Spotted Flycatcher, Tawny Owl and 2 Long-eared/Short-eared Owls sparring in the dim light but we were unable to confirm which species.

Coppy Nook Lane

Little Owl
Bullfinch
Linnet
Swallows & House Martins
Gold Finch
LTT
Two Brown Hare & a Weasel completed a nice evening

Fly Flats/Hunter Hill/Ogden

Yellow-legged Gull with Lesser Black-backed Gulls this afternoon at Ogden


Ogden looking down over the golf course towards Illingworth and Wheatley Valley

I gave up Fly Flats as a bad job this morning, nothing doing at all, mind you the Fire Service were carrying out an excercise on the water.

Hunter Hill was much more interesting with;
5 Wheatears
40+ Meadow Pipits
c40 Linnets
6 Stock Doves
2 Green Woodpeckers
4 Kestrels

Ogden
1 adult Yellow-legged Gull with 8 LBB Gulls on the reservoir as well as 2 Common Gulls and c40 B H Gulls
c40 Swifts were feeding high above the 'Giant's Tooth' area above the plantation
Lower down on the golf course were 1 Reed Bunting and 2 Whinchats and a Little Owl at a new site

Ringstone

5 sand Martins there this afternoon but soon moved off NW at 3.50
Not much else there other than 1 GCGrebe a few Swallows and 1 Reed Bunting

Fly Flats

No waders today other than 2 Common Sandpipers
6 LBB Gulls
2 Kestrels
2 Twite and 3 wheatears at the feeding station
Several Red Grouse on the moor and distant Peregrine

Cold Edge and Ogden

It seemed very quiet up there yesterday afternoon, the highlight being a swarm of bees which had taken up residence in a thorn bush right next to Moorlands Farm. We were doing a butterfly survey but despite the warm day we found not much else other than Small Tortoiseshells and a few Green viened Whites
Nearby there was a Little Grebe with 2 chicks, a Little Owl and lots of juv Linnets.
In the Ogden area a Whitethroat and a Whinchat and a solitary Grey Partridge.
1 juv Wheatear was opposite the wind farm car park.

Soyland Area

Walk around Soyland area on Sunday produced Little Owl at Greave Head. Lapwings (25+) on the former Flints reservoir, there were quite a few juveniles in amongst. Mipits carrying food. Linnet and Pied Wagtail including juvenile Pied on cut grass. Plenty of Swifts/Swallows/House Martins and Gold Finch around.

Fly Flatts/Withens Head

Fly Flatts
2 Curlew
1 L R Plover
4 Common Sandpipers
11 L B B Gulls
No Twite at the feeding station but lots of mipits around there along with 4 juv Wheatears
1 Willow Warbler in the 2 bushes by the concrete bridge

Withens Head
Little Owl
2 Wheatears
1 female Merlin nearby

Lee Mount

Out in the garden this morning when an Oystercatcher went over calling then a few moments later a Curlew was heard going over high but unable to see it. Then 2 Peregrines were soaring overhead for 5 mins or more. Looked like a juv and a female as the juv kept tracking the female - probably after food!

Link to South Pennines SPA Map

As requested, a new link has been added to a map of the South Pennines SPA around Calderdale. The map is interactive so you can zoom in and out of the area you wish to view. The link is in the list of Links on the right hand side of this blog (just below the Hit Counter). Let me know if you have any problems with it.

Hartshead & Bradley Hall

Hartshead:
2 male Yellowhammers; 100+ Woodpigeons; Whitethroat taking food into hedgerow;
2 Little Owls - hardly any spotting or streaking on head and front - possibly juvs;
Buzzard being mobbed by Crows over woodland.
Bradley Hall area:
2 male and 1 female Yellowhammers; 6 Pheasants; 20+ Swallows and c10 House Martins;
1 Little Owl - much like the Hartshead birds - another juv ?

SEO

After many hours of watching I finally managed to locate this little beauty & two of its siblings last week. I suspect there are more in the undergrowth but will wait until they fledge unless Craig is able to ring them.

House Sparrows

 A real bumper breeding season for House Sparrows at Northowram this year with a massive 55 in the garden on sunday morning.Lesser Black - Backed Gulls and BH Gulls on the move east and west , a first summer Hobby today low over fields chasing Swallows was the highlight of very wet weekend.

Fly Flatts/Withens Head

I had a quick look up at Fly this morning but very little doing.
4 adult L B B G's
2 Common Sandpipers
1 juv Skylark and lots of Mipits along the top road.

Withens Head
1 juv Wheatear
1 juv Curlew flying about with an adult
Lots of Mipits around here as well

Tree Sparrows update

There were still at least four birds at the barn at Woolrow, Brighouse yesterday. One appeared to be bringing a fecal sac out, and one was taking more nesting material in. A few House Sparrows with them as well.
Over 50 Swallows over the fields nearby, along with two hunting Kestrels nearby. at SE 152245, Dave.

A Little Taster....

In case you can't get out this weekend here's a little compilation to cheer you up....

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBaldIbis?feature=mhee

Enjoy.

Cold Edge and Ogden

Very quiet around Cold Edge today. Unfortunately the water level on the top dam is high so no chance of any waders although 1 Curlew was still about. The usual Little Owl was out hunting nearby.

Loads of Linnets around with lots of juvs so looks like it's been a good season for them so far.
Some juv Whinchats were about, as well as 4 juv Wheatears which were in the fields opposite the wind farm car park.
4 Crossbills went over us as we walked past the plantation down the side of the golf course, they landed nearby but we could not find them in the dense canopy.
A pair of Lapwings have large chick in a field near Hunter Hill quarry.

Fly Flatts

This afternoon there were loads of mipits and 2 Linnets along the top road and 3 juv Wheatears at the far end, near Nab Hill.
3 LBBG's
1 L R Plover
c6 Common Sandpipers
300+ Canadas
2+ Juv Wheatears and 2 Twite at the feeding Station and 2 more Twite, by the gate to the boat house track on the top road, feeding on roadside verges
1 Kestrel

House Martin

How about this for innovation! Click on the picture to enlarge it with a chick visible.

I came across this occupied House Martin nest this afternoon with adults feeding young! Looks like the previous nest fell off or perhaps someone opened the window? Some kind person has made a substitute box, wrapped it round with parcel tape and fixed it to the window. The House Martins have subsequently mud balled part of the entrance and carried on feeding young as if everything is normal. Well done (and thank you)for the intervention and to the birds adapting to their new surroundings to look after their chicks.

Hardcastle Crags

Nick D received a report of a female Redstart on Thursday 7th July just above the top car park area at Midgeholme.

Ringstone Res'r

Well done Jane U for picking up the flock of Common Scoters on Ringstone this evening. I took a detour on the way back from Manchester and at 8 pm they were very close to the road - 19 males and 2 females. No scope or camera with me so didn't get any photos. A great site, they pack together in a really tight flock just like the ones at Fly Flatts earlier on in the week.

WATCH OUT FOR LITTLE GULLS ON SUNDAY - massive movement on the Yorkshire coast today with lots looking as if they were heading overland.(Thanks to Trektellen and BirdGuides)

Fly Flats and Cold Edge

Hard work this afternoon in the pouring rain but thought I might pick something up moving through and coming down to Fly Flats in the downpours. c50 Swifts and 2 Swallows were moving through. No gulls - and could just find 4 Common Sandpipers and 1 Dunlin on the res'r as well as the Canadas and 1 Reed Bunting.

Withens Head had 2 juv Wheatears and c40 Meadow Pipits

Cold Edge (scoped from Cold Edge Road)
1 Tufted Duck on the lower dam and not much else about.

Shortie

Images taken yesterday evening in Calderdale area. There were two birds up at one stage but too far away to get a reasonable shot.

Problem Pipit

Young Meadow Pipit taken today at Roils Head Norton Tower end, Compare length and shape of hind claw with bird below. Does this indicate that the bird below is a Tree Pipit ?

Little Grebes

I lied the other day when I said the Little Grebes have 3 chicks - they have 4!

Fly Flatts/Withens Head/Ogden

Juvenile Redshank at Ogden this afternoon

Quiet at Fly there this morning in comparison to recent visits!
2 LRP
3 Dunlin
4 Common Sandpipers
1 Curlew
1 Kestrel
2 juv Wheatears
340+ Canadas!

Withens Head
A large flock of Meadow Pipits gathering here with 40+ along the walls on Cold Edge Road along with 2 juv Wheatears

Ogden (pm)
1 juvenile Redshank
1 LBBG
24 B H Gulls

Problem Pipit

Took these photos of a pipit the other day at Roils Head-Tower Hill area. I rarely take pics of Meadow Pipits but this bird looked odd having a strong bill obvious supercillium mantle streaking an obvious neckless on the coverts. It also appears to have a short hind claw. These features all fit Tree Pipit but is the streaking on the flanks too bold or is there variation between individuals (any thoughts are welcome). The bird also had a rather crouching gate when walking through the grass, thats when I discovered that there were 2 birds.

A Warning

Posted on behalf of Nick Carter:

  

The lower photo shows some of our local raptor workers accessing a Peregrine nest to ring, DNA sample and make secure the chicks. The top photo illustrates that persecution is still not a thing of the past, the chicken carcass shown was placed near a Peregrine site and lab analysis showed it to have been laced with Bendiocarb, a highly toxic material. Whilst there is no proof Peregrines were the target the fact that poisoned carcasses were laid out close to a nest site does tend to suggest this. The Police have been made aware and I believe investigations are ongoing. This post serves to warn birders and others not to handle any carcasses found lying around, especially those near raptor sites, Bendiocarb is a highly toxic material and can be absorbed through the skin. God only knows what might have happened if a child had come across this bait.

I would like to thank our local raptor workers whose efforts are, of neccessity, rarely publicised and who work extremely hard to protect our raptors, thanks also to organisations such as Rishworth School who work equally hard to help support their work."

Ogden Garden

Amongst the usual visitors to the garden today have been a blackcap,a spotted flycatcher and a nuthatch. I can not recall seeing a nuthatch in Ogden before but I have seen them regularly in a friend's garden in the Luddenden valley.

Undisclosed site

Juvenile Peregrine at a distance this afternoon.

Ogden

Just 1 Oystercatcher there late afternoon along with 6 LBB Gulls, c25 B H Gulls and 2 immaculate adult Common Gulls still in full breeding plumage looking really good.

Little Grebes

The nesting Little Grebes now have 3 chicks that hatched in the last couple of days. Email me for location if required.

Fly Flatts

I got a nice surprise this morning up here with this flock of 27 Common Scoters (1 female in the flock and the 26 males were stunning)although they were difficult to count with the choppy water and bobbing up and down in such a tight flock. Strange how these birds often turn up over the Pennines in mid-summer.

2 Yellow-legged Gulls were also present with 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls but they left >SE at 11.30 before I could get some photos. 1 adult and 1 sub-adult - looks like the same birds as Nick D and BS had in the last few days.

Other birds inluded usual sp. + Common Sandpipers, Dunlin, 6 Lapwings, but no Reshank!
8 Twite including one colour ringed bird at the feeding station and 2 juv Wheatears still around by the overflow.
The Great Crested Grebe had gone from yesterday.

Swifts/Swallows/Martins survey (Update maps)

Click on the maps to enlarge them.

These are the latest results from the survey so far. With thanks to Hugh Firman and the assistance of Calderdale Countryside Service for sending in records from the public and to Evie Bell of West Yorkshire Ecology for producing these maps.

Please keep the records coming in as there are lots of gaps to fill in yet and July is a perfect month to check out your local sites. We are grateful for everyones help. Many thanks - Dave

Fly Flatts

Along with Nick D we had the usual wader species there this afternoon but no new migrants.
An adult Great Crested Grebe was unusual for this site.
4 Twite including 1 singing male
2 juv Wheatears also around the Twite feeding station
7 Golden Plover went up off the moor when a Hercules transporter went over

Fly Flatts

Posting for Nick D from an evening visit to the site where I joined him later on.
1 juv Ringed Plover present on the far end mud along with 1 LRP.
Other waders present on the extensive mud including Curlew, Redshanks, Common Sandpipers, Dunlin,.
Early signs of movement with a Commic Tern through at 7pm and 2 very early returning Greenshank which were still on mud at the far end after 9pm.
Several Twite nearby and a juv Wheatear
No gulls roosting tonight but several passes over heading NW.
Not a bad evenings birding Nick! Looking good for return waders. See what BS turns up in the morning!

Swifts/Swallows/Martins survey

Click on the picture to make it readable

With thanks to Evie Bell from West Yorkshire Ecology for producing the above map of these species recorded so far this year. These are not records of breeding.
Other maps are to follow and thanks to Jeff for finding a way of uploading these to the blog.

Thank you to all the records submitted so far but PLEASE SEND IN ALL RECORDS OF BREEDING (or feeding areas)OF THESE BIRDS so we can get a comprehensive picture throughout Calderdale. (even if its just a single pair)
Many thanks
Dave

Yellow Legged Gull, Fly Flatts

1900-2015 hrs
North shore
1 3rd year YL Gull with near full grey mantle apart from a band of brown mottling, legs pale yellow.
1 Herring hybrid type, very pale mantle, Herring gull head but bright yellow legs.
90+ LBBs
All flushed with dog walkers leaving over nab towards TMR.
Also 8 Redshank present and plenty Swifts.
BS

Langfield and Gaddings Dam

Walked up to Langfield and Gaddings for the first time in a couple of months this morning. A juvenile Stonechat was the first find on the way up together with a couple of Reed Buntings. At Langfield Edge - 2 Twite, one of which had rings on its left leg (pink over white) but couldn't make out any other colours before they flew off towards Jail Hole. I'll email Charlotte anyway. A male Kestrel was hunting over the top of the hill and was being harried by 3 Mipits.

Mipits and Skylarks everywhere which was great to hear on a sunny but blustery morning.

At Gaddings, 8 Swifts were feeding low over the water together with a few Swallows. A single Dunlin and a Ringed Plover seemed to keeping close company in that where ever the plover went the Dunlin followed shortly afterwards.

Fly Flatts

Posting for Nick D (Roy and Andy)
This evening there were c300 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the res'r with what was almost certainly 2 Yellow-legged Gulls. If anyone is going in that direction late afternoons or early evening in the next few days please have a careful check as it is likely they may come in to roost here again.
Also loads of Swifts feeding late on over the res'r.

Swifts/Swallows/House Martins

Fly Flatts

3 Dunlin there this afternoon but no Twite at the feeding station and that was about it other than the usual suspects.
Redshank on one of the moors with chicks nearby and 2 Oystercatchers at Withens Head Farm. Swallows are nesting up here at 1,300ft.

Cold Edge

An interesting morning with Jeff, Hugh and Valerie as we looked at the sites bird life and had several very interesting discussion with local people about the wind turbine proposal nearby!
1 red-head Goosander on the lower dam along with a drake Tufted Duck and Common Sandpipers.
2 Oystercatchers came in and several Curlew still around.
Reed Bunting present and Meadow Pipts still feeding young. A few Swallows about and Swifts moving through.
1 Snipe still drumming

Roils Head

From Nick D - juvenile Redstart there this afternoon in the trees along the track from the bus turning circle at the top of Rye Lane towards the playing fields changing rooms.

Swift/Swallow/Martins survey

Thanks to local birders and all the members of the public who have passed on records of nesting birds during this last week. We now have 170 records in the data base.

We have some big gaps from areas that need visiting so please send your records in as you find them. They can be sent to me direct on the above email or to Calderdale Countryside Service Tel 01422 393233 or email countryside@calderdale.gov.uk

Thank you
Dave

I will be posting the up to date information later this week.

Fly Flatts

This evening a report from BOG (Bradford Ornithological Group) about 2 Ruff late afternoon. A good record for Calderdale as this species is not found very often locally.

Swifts

The swifts have been happy these last couple of days , screaming around the house and at work today.  It must be for joy they do scream, celebrating the warmth!

Hardcastle Crags and Crimsworth Dean

Some shots (digiscoped)of a juvenile Swallow recently out of the nest at Walshaw this morning

Lots of juv Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits today along with 3 singing Goldcrests and several Treecreepers near the car park and a family group of Nuthatches in Crimsworth Dean.
3 pairs of Spotted Flycatchers but no Pied!
1 Kestrel was the only raptor
Plenty Swallows including fledged young at several farms near Walshaw and along Shackleton
2 Redpoll and 2 Siskin at Walshaw and 1 Redpoll at Shackleton
Siskin also over Crimsworth Dean

Fly Flats

Only 2 Twite at the feeding station today. As above, I think this is a juvenile at the site today
1 Kestrel
2 Red-legged Partridge
Usual waders but no Dunlin and no migrants
c20 Swifts and 2 Swallows
1 Reed Bunting
260 adult Canada Geese + loads of chicks

Nest Boxes Pay off

Juvenile Redstart.

Adult Male Redstart, sorry for poor quality, digi scoped against bad light.

In 2008 the bird club put up boxes in order to attract this species to a particular valley. We can now confirm that this year a pair has used one and successfully raised at least 2 young. Whilst in this area this PM a Hobby flew over much to our delight.

Breeding Redstarts

At last after a blank year we finaly have breeding Redstarts, thanks to Kevin Lewis. He found an adult male at an undisclosed site this afternoon and kindley passed the info on to me. Dave and Nick C then relocated the male and Jane Utley confirmed a female on site also. Arrived with Steve C at 19.15PM and searched for over an hour, then as the light was failing we found the male and at least 2 fledged young which were feeding themselves. A return in the next few days may confirm at least 4 young present as Steve C saw 4 birds together in poor light but could not be certain they were all Redstarts (lots of Robins about also). We have kept the sight details off the blog in case the pair have a second brood. Once again thanks to Kevin, yet another good find by him, cheers.

Dipper

Great views this morning of dipper feeding a large, very vocal juvenile just under the bridge over the Calder near Morrisons. Because they were under the bridge the sound was magnified and echoing.

No Wood Warbler

Made a brief early evening visit, last night, to check on Jeff & Andy's Wood Warbler. Not a sight nor sound. It may still be around and keeping its head down, but I strongly suspect that it has moved on.
The weather conspired to prevent me checking Ian Scotts site but I hope to re-visit this and perhaps the Crimsworth site soon....weather permitting.
The literature suggests that the males continue to sing whilst breeding, so there's hope yet. It would be a shame if all three sightings turn out to be of a single (or several) un-paired males.
Had a pair of Blackcaps carrying food to nest and one or more Spotted Flycatchers nearby......oh yeah....and lots of midges!

House Martins

We have received a report of lots of House Martins on Portsmouth reservoir just past the Roebuck pub along Burnley Road. Can anyone check this site out and to see if there is a nesting colony nearby?
Thanks. Dave

Swifts/Swallows/Martins survey

Thank you to those who have passed on records of nesting birds during this last week. We now have over 100 records in the data base - and the rest of the summer to go.

We have some big gaps from areas that need visiting so please send your records in as you find them. They can be sent to jane or me direct on the above email or to Calderdale Countryside Service Tel 01422 393233 or email countryside@calderdale.gov.uk

Obvious gaps where we have had very few or no records are
Illingworth
Hebden Bridge
Brighouse
Rastrick
Elland
Halifax (town centre)
Northowram
Southowram
Copley
Mytholmroyd
Todmorden etc....

House Martins are the ones we are struggling to find - in very short supply!

Thank you - Dave

Cold Edge and Fly Flats

Cold Edge
Male Whinchat there this morning.
2 male Tufted Duck on the lower dam
1 Common Sandpiper
2 B H Gulls and 11 L B B Gulls >SW
Several Reed Buntings and lots of juv Linnets (looks like they are having a good breeding season so far)

Fly Flats (from yesterday)
11 L B B gulls there late morning but by mid afternoon there were 62 and still arriving. Mostly adults

Local Wildlife Sites Designation

The CBCG has discussed the new Local Wildlife Sites system at a couple of meetings and via emails and has made recommendations re the criteria to be used to designate important local sites. Following on from this the criteria have now been finalised and there is the opportunity for sites to be put forward.
The guidelines and criteria can be found at
http://www.ecology.wyjs.org.uk/documents/ecology/Wildlife%20Sites%20Selection%20Criteria%20(approved%2022-03-2011).pdf

At first glance these can appear quite daunting. A suggestion is that the best way forward is for people to suggest sites they consider to be of great bird interest and worthy of conservation, these can then be assessed using the criteria. Please note, there is no point suggesting sites that are already LNR, SSSI or SPA as these will automatically qualify.

One way that a site can be judged is by scoring species present using the values given in the guidelines, if the total comes to more than 15 (or >=12 if the community value can be argued) the site will be designated. An example of a site not yet designated is Ringstone.

Tree Sparrows

There were half a dozen Tree Sparrows around a stone barn at Woolrow Farm, near Bailiffe Bridge, yesterday.
This is approx one mile from the site at Jay House Lane, so it's hard to say whether these birds have wandered from that site, or are a new colony: one to watch !
Access is difficult by car as farm is at the end of a narrow track;Birkhouse Road is 'parkable'. then follow the rough track up the hill to the farm.

Fly Flatts

Red Kite over the wind farm at 11.40. Our attention was drawn to it by 2 Curlews alarming and flying up towards it. It was quite high and drifted off north over Nab Hill and lost in the distance still going away from us. No sign of any wing tags on this bird but a couple of inner pramaries missing on the left wing.
Usual waders present including just 2 Dunlin but no sign of Ringed Plovers now.
4 Twite at the feeding station and 2 male Wheatears chasing each other down the track towards Dean Head.

Swifts/Swallows/Martins survey

Thanks to local birders and all the members of the public who have passed on records of nesting birds during this last week. We now have 70 records in the data base.

We have some big gaps from areas that need visiting so please send your records in as you find them. They can be sent to me direct or the above email or to Calderdale Countryside Service Tel 01422 393233 or email countryside@calderdale.gov.uk

Thank you
Dave

Martins and More

Headed up Rishworth way yesterday, hoping to find some Dippers with fledged young. As luck would have it, the nest site used last year appeared un-used, with no birds on territory. On the plus side, I managed to film a pair of Grey Wagtails feeding their two fledged youngsters, and a noisy family of Wrens.
En route to this location, I stumbled upon what may be our largest House Martin colony off Halifax Road opposite Ripponden Infants and Junior School. Most of the houses in Upper Brig Royd/Halifax Rd appear to have nests, some having 3 or 4, although not all are active. Threatening weather prevented me from doing an accurate survey but there are at least 20 active nests, and this is probably an under-estimation. Any chance of somebody doing a count in case I don't get chance to re-visit the site?

No sign of Andy and Jeffs Wood Warbler today but then again, no sign of anything else in the torrential rain.....Worth a repeat visit methinks.

EGP/Brookfoot/Garden

Found another 2 Kingfishers near Ganny Lock and 1 on Reedbed Lagoon. All Goosander young are doing well as are the Little Grebes.Reed Warblers are very busy in the reedbed.Chiffchaff photo taken in garden 09/06 and Sparrowhawk today at 1200 and he was back 2 hours later.

Kingfishers!

After such a lean spell with this species since last winter we have had Nick D's record at Roils Head in the last few days and tonight we have had reports in the lower Calder Valley from 4 separate locations - including one sighting of 4 together. Hopefully things are looking good for some recovery prospects.

Undislclosed site

1 pair of Stonechats, 2 pairs of Whinchats and c5 pairs of Reed Buntings in one area this afternoon along with 2 pairs of Grey Partridge and a Lapwing with 2 chicks. Worth risking the weather forecast!

Barn Owl nest boxes

Many thanks to Chris from Calderdale Countryside Service for storing the nest boxes on a temporary basis whilst we got organised. Thanks too to Niall for giving me a lift with them. These boxes must be 'top of the range' thanks to JohnB and we will need to think carefully about locations before the autumn otherwise Nick D will have a nesting pair in his front room and Tim a pair among the beer barrels!

Fly Flatts

Not a lot of time to spend there this morning but it was well worthwhile with a Hobby coming through from the direction of the wind farm and aross the reservoir at 10:50. It took a pass at c30 Swifts which were feeding low over the southern end but did not take one. It passed over my head near the Twite feeding area showing wonderful plumage detail of an adult and it's characteristic outline. It then shot off down towards Luddenden Dean and left me amazed at seeing such a fantastic bird on the local patch!
5 Twite at the feeding station including one colour ringed bird
1 Ringed Plover
8 Dunlin plus other usual waders
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present and another one flew over carrying what looked like a small wader.
Juvenile Pied Wagtails were also present near the boat house.

It was good to see NK doing his slog round. Dedication, especially as I left, the black clouds came rolling over with Nigel miles away from any shelter! I gather you got a right soaking so hope you have now dried out. Well done.

Copley/Sowerby Development approved by Council

As anticipated, the planning application to develop the valley around Sowerby/Copley was approved at last night's meeting:
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/community/tempers_flare_as_copley_scheme_gets_thumbs_up_1_3457909

Swifts/Swallows/House Martins

Have a look at the article in Calderdale Call if you get one through your letterbox and please send your records in of this seasons breeding records. Many thanks.

Lee Mount and Ogden

Postings from yesterday.

6 Crossbills went over Lee Mount at 10.15 yesterday morning heading towards Pellon. Several reports on BirdGuides also recently, so plantations at Ogden/Mixenden/Walshaw etc could be worth checking out!

Cuckoo still calling at Ogden Clough yesterday morning but we could only find 1 Spotted Flycatcher in the plantation and no sign of the 2 singing Tree Pipits which have been there recently.

Kingfisher Mount Tabor !!!!!!

Walking across High Road Well Moor Mount Tabor this PM I got a big surprise as a Kingfisher flew strait past me flying south west. It landed in a small bush but was chased off by a Carrion Crow before I could get a photo. What it was doing up there at this time of year is a mystery to me ( but fortunatly a local tick).

Gorple

Many thanks to Ian Brady of Rossendale Ornithologists Club for this recent report;
Ian was sound recording last Saturday morning (4-6-11) and a Black Tern flew north over Gorple Reservoir at 05:30. Other birds included Cuckoo calling and Siskin.

As far as I know this is the first report of a Black Tern over Calderdale this year!

Fly Flatts

Birds of the day, Redshank and Dunlin

18 Redshank
16 Dunlin
11 Common Sandpiper
2 Golden Plover
3 Oystercatchers
200+ a.m. 100+ p.m. Swifts >NE
25 LBBs >N
1 Juv Pied Wagtail
215 Canada Geese + c50 young.
Only 1 Ringed Plover this morning and none this evening.
+ usual sp.
BS

Saving the Best till Last

A local wander with Jeff today produced lots of swifts, curlew, mipits, swallows and willow warblers followed by lots of young great tits, blue tits, and a few coal tits. Surprise find of a group of 5 newly fledged Treecreepers and a Nuthatch nest site with adults removing faecal sacs but still the best was yet to come, as we neared the end of our walk Jeff's bionic hearing locked on to the unmistakeable sound of a singing Wood Warbler.

Hobby

Adult Hobby between puzzle hall inn & Highroyd came in over canal from burnley road accross vally & back again at 1:05 pm.

A gentle Stroll to White Holme

In brilliant sunshine and strong winds - but a nice Ringed Plover, couple of Dunlin, Oystercatcher - Skylark and mippits by the dozen!  And just now a buzzard just over the house!  A first for me in Todmorden!

Common Sandpiper

Took this picture in bad light of a Common Sandpiper at Middle Walshaw dean  with a yellow ring on its right leg??

Sowerby Bridge/Copley Development

Posted on behalf of Nick Carter:

The planning application for infrastructure works for the Sowerby Bridge/Copley development will be considered by the Planning Committee of Calderdale Council on 7th June 2011 in the Town Hall Halifax.  The application will not be considered before 6pm.  Anyone wanting to view the application can do so at the Planning website by entering the application no. 11/0200/FUL see
http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/environment/planning/search-applications/index.jsp

Nick

(By the way I see from yesterday's Halifax Courier that the Planning Commitee "are minded" to allow the development. Jeff)

Great Spotted Woodpeckers

Seems to be a good year for 'peckers. Have 3 GSW nests within a short distance of home, one of which emptied last week and the other two have young which look to be near fledging:

Fly Flatts

8 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plover there this afternoon plus other usual waders.
1 Wheatear
4 Black-headed and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
No Twite but grass cutting work on the embankment might have dispersed them elsewhere.
Not windy up there today - most unusual !!!