Photos in the Rain

Mixenden Res'r and Hunter Hill

This morning - in the drizzle again!
Mixenden Res'r
c20 Swifts along the embankment and around the pine trees by Clough Lane
c20 Swallows
2 House Martins
2 Willow Warblers in the plantation but otherwise it was 'dead'

Hunter Hill
I thought I might pick up an od Grasshopper Warbler in the juncus but nothing doing
1 female Wheatear near the quarry and another near Stodfold
an od Swift passing over
1 Kestrel carrying a small vole type
Not much else other than a few mipits feeding young but plenty Jackdaws and Carrion Crows

Location withheld due to sensitive nature

An evening walk in the drizzle results in sightings of Cuckoo, Buzzard and female Redstart.

mytholmroyd sunday

a woodcock over the house on saturday morning with a oystercatcher on sunday morning.
midday we took a walk up daisy bank heading towards hebden highlights were redpoll and stonechat. a raptor sp was over old town but unfortunatley too far to get anything on it

Mytholmroyd today

Peregrine over  at 12.05pm.
5  ravens over c3.45pm.

Garden warblers

Having not been up in couple of weeks, I went to check and see if the garden warblers were here yet. And I was amazed to count 8 separately distinguishable individuals in one relatively small area of the Pennine way / eastern side of Jumble Hole. They were almost certainly 4 pairs, with 4 singing males seemingly accompanied by 4 'chacking' birds close by.
No whitethroat as yet, but I haven't ventured far in truth.

Cuckoo

Cuckoo heard calling this afternoon at the back edge of Norland Moor

Tree Sparrows

Today while feeding the tree sparrows I tried to fix wire cages round the feeders to deter the corvids. Unfortunately it was not highly successful; the corvids were detered but so were the sparrows! I tried 2 sizes of netting thinking the first was too small,despite the holes being larger than the cages in my garden(provided by the RSPB)I waited about an hour and though there were lots of tree sparrows(some begging for food) none of them ventured onto the feeders. I shall go up again in a day or so and see what has happened. If anyone is around perhaps you could report back to me. I do not think they will go hungry as they seem to be happy eating off the floor on the spilt seed.

Cross Border Ramblings

My walk today started on the outskirts of Littleborough taking me up to Whiteholme then down to Withens Clough and onto Mytholmroyd. The early part of my walk produced Green Woodpecker calling from a telegraph pole, Grasshopper warbler reeling near the Animal sanctuary and then a Fox amongst a rocky out crop, closer investigation once I reached the rocks revealed the remains of a Coot.

As I headed up hill towards Whiteholme i paused to look up a gully where a Reed Bunting was calling, turning to see a large raptor hovering, as it soared off heading west it revealed itself as a Common Buzzard. Arrival at Whiteholme produced 3 Ringed Plover on the near shore close to the overflow and a Common Sandpiper. Continuing on round a Pied wag was gathering food whilst in the top left hand corner another Common Sand and another Ringed Plover patrolled the shore whilst 2 female Mallard attended to 11 ducklings between them.

The next stretch onto Withens Clough produced a single adult Redshank in the drainage channel and nothing more other than 2 Mipits.

Withens Clough  returned a Raven, single Common Sand and a flyover of a Spitfire and Hurricane (very unexpected and spectacular to hear and see these iconic planes in flight). Near the new building a Whinchat called giving away its position on wires to the rear of the house, briefly before flying to the trees in front of the building and out of sight.

The rest of the walk was unfortunately uneventful.

NE let us and Buzzards down!

Important stuff from Steve Downing, hard to believe this should be allowed to happen in this country! Despite assurances that they would consult widely with interested parties before doing anything NE have closed down the consultation [needed the money for ash die-back] where Steve represented Calderdale / NERF. So Buzzardgate out of the way they have done it anyway. The story can be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/23/government-licenced-buzzard-egg-destruction Martin Harper's blog on the RSPB website is worth reading and there is a piece on Raptor Persecution Scotland. There are 18 documents acquired by the RSPB under FOI and I haven't had time to read them all yet. The documents are available on Harper's blog. Marco Mcginty sums up the anomalies in the licence applications at the end of the comments section on RPS. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/23/government-licenced-buzzard-egg-destruction

Fly Flatts and Withens Head

Fly Flatts
NE gusting with hail !
2 Redshank
2 Common Sandpipers
3 L B B Gulls trying to take Canada Goose chicks ( and there are many)
4 Greylag Geese with chicks
2 Curlew
2 Lapwing
Just a few mipits

Withens Head
2 Wheatear
1 very short billed Curlew ((not a Whimbrel)
1 Redshank

2 Interesting Birds from Orford Ness

 

All from David Crawshaw - any takers? Lower 2 are of the same bird

Raggalds Flood

Not a place to go and stand this morning - difficult enough from the car with the gusting wind and drizzle. Still rewarding!
1 Ringed Plover
2 Redshank
1 Oystercatcher
5 Lapwings

Mixenden Res'r

Rough sea there this morning!!! Along with a cold temperature of 6c, NE F5 gusting 6 and drizzle making conditions difficult - especially for the hirundines trying to survive.
c60 Swallows and 12+ House Martins feeding over the water in the shelter of the plantation, Swallows were even venturing deep into the woodland pines in search of food.
No Swifts
1 Willow Warbler trying to sing and a single Treecreeper in the plantation along with 2 Great Tits
30+ Jackdaws nearby and 1 Pied Wagtail

Dawn Chorus Walk - Hardcastle Crags - Sunday 26th May

Dawn Chorus Walk




Get up early on Sunday 26th May for an unmissable natural spectacle at Hardcastle Crags. Let our local bird expert lead you on a guided tour through the beautiful dawn chorus, as our feathered friends wake from their slumber and join together for an outstanding orchestral performance. After a four mile walk, enjoy a hot drink and light breakfast in the cafe at Gibson Mill.

Booking essential on 01422 844518. £5 fee includes breakfast. Meet at Midgehole Car Park at 4.30am. For more info go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardcastle-crags/things-to-see-and-do/events/

Same bird tighter crop, any ideas??

Another Mystery Yorkshire Bird for you All

Ringstone

A brief visit this afternoon - lots of shoreline showing perfect for waders but not much doing
1 f Goosander
6 Lapwings
2 Reed Bunting
1 Common Sandpiper
6+ Swallows
7 Mallard
2 Meadow Pipits

Photo comp...

Taken today in Yorkshire....??

Ripponden

Cuckoo heard calling at 6am this morning over on Ripponden Bank area. It is three years since I heard one anywhere near the Ryburn Valley.

Hardcastle Crags

A reasonably good result today from the crags whilst walking to and beyond Gibson Mill and beyond from the Midgehole car park.
2 singing Wood Warblers - 1 at 200 m or so, as previously reported, along the main track before the mill and another one 100 m or so past the mill and singing in the woodland behind the wood stock pile. Great to hear these two singing and watching them feeding in the mid canopy area.
Not a sign of Pied Flycatcher unfortunately but a pair of Spotted Flycatchers was good to see, again along the main track.
1 Great-spotted Woodpecker
2 Green Woodpeckers
4+ Nuthatch
1 Cuckoo heard
20+ Siskin including 2+ singing males in the tops of pine trees
30+ Swifts
20+ Swallows
Several Willow Warblers mainly beyond Gibson Mill and 1 male Blackcap singing was the only other warbler
A pair of Grey Wagtails feeding young
1 Dipper
...and some splendid song from c6 Song Thrushes in the valley drowning everything else out!

Luddenden Dean

Pretty quiet in the dean this afternoon but was rewarded with a male Redstart briefly in the upper dean though it was not singing but moving around in the hawthorn scrub.  Also 1 Cuckoo calling and a few Swifts moving through and a female Wheatear on the big rocks near the 'cati'.

Hardcastle Crags, 19th May 2013

Wood warbler singing its head off (both song types) this afternoon, to the left of the main track to Gibson Mill, about 1/4 mile before.  Also a pair of grey wagtails catching beakfuls of mayflies near the mill.  The woods looked especially lovely today and why they aren't brimming with wood warblers (and pied flycatchers) is a mystery to me.  The habitat looks very similar to the Bolton Abbey woods.

Chris

Other news today

Hardcastle Crags - Wood Warbler still singing near Gibson Mill from PS - wonder if there are any more about?
2 reports of Marsh Harriers moving through today - one cream crown at an undisclosed site (MH) this morning and this afternoon the same or another over Northowram was a nice garden tick for Andy. !

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier from Thursday first summer male in the upper valley.

Other news (yesterday)

Will try and remember it all. !!
1 Sanderling at Green Withens (SL and TM)

1 Ringed Plover at Raggalds Flood (KM) along with a Yellow Wagtail in the evening ( BS)

Wood Warbler along the track to Gibson Mill at Hardcastle Crags (DF) in the afternoon

Red Kite over Northowram (AC) and another or the same in the upper valley (MH)
Not a bad day for starters following on from a Marsh Harrier the day before in the upper valley  )DF)  which went straight through.

Langfield and Gaddings

I walked up to Langfield and Gaddings Dam this morning while the weather was reasonably warm. Not a great deal about as Spring is still lagging behind the calendar. The leaves on the trees are still not fully out, our blossom tree isn't fully in blossom yet and the daffodils are just about in full flower in the back garden. Hoping for the same haul of birds I saw this time last year was a little optimistic then, and it turned out that way too.

Linnet - 5
Reed Bunting - 3 singing males
Mipit - a fair number about but not really on a par with other years
Skylark - just 2 singing at Gaddings
Little Ringed Plover - 1 on the shore at Gaddings
Red Grouse - 1 calling

No Groppers yet (maybe the juncus being flattened by the snow is detering them?). Never mind there's still time for the year to catch up.

Raggalds Flood and Mixenden Res'r

2 Shelduck there this afternoon looking very settled but no waders. (AC and NK et al)

60+ Swifts on Mixenden Res'r this afternoon along with c 20 House Martins

Fly Flatts

This evening with NCD turned out good with 8 waders sp. ..
1 Ringed Plover
1 Dunlin
6 Redshank
6 Common Sandpipers
Golden Plover
1 Oystercatcher
6 Curlew north late on
1 Snipe
Also 1 Red-legged Partridge
1 Kestrel
Lots of Canada's plus a few Mallard
One or two Swifts over
c7 L B B Gulls >w
SEO

Withens Head
2 Wheatear
1 Curlew

Bird Pathology - "The Bird on the Bench"

There will be a talk at Halifax Scientific Society tomorrow at 7.15. All are welcome.

Dr John Mather of the YNU (Yorkshire Naturalists Union) is visiting from Knaresborough to give a talk with slides he calls "The Bird on the Bench". He's an enertaining speaker; I heard him at the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) conference last autumn in Leeds.

John has been a long term ringer, specialising in Starlings, and studying their ectoparasites.

He also wrote "The Birds of Yorkshire", and preserves birds as drawer specimens for plumage studies.
I passed on to him the male Common Scoter that Andy Cockroft found which he has offered to bring back in its preserved form, as well as a Waxwing.

Green Withens

Spent a good hour or so this afternoon watching a Hobby, grounded by the rain - as was everything else!

Birds on the res: Dunlin, Common Sand, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover (photo from earlier in the week).

Jumble Hole bits

A buzzard has been around this weekend. The woodcock is still roding on still evenings. The blackcaps have been here for some weeks, but still no garden warbler or whitethroat. Nuthatch, great spotted and green woodpecker have been very evident.

Whiteholme/Withens Clough

Whiteholme this morning
Redshanks 2, Common Sandpiper 2 Ringed Plover 1



Withens Clough this aft
Ringed Plover 1, Little ringed Plover 2,Dunlin 2,Common Sandpiper 2 Stonechat male/female,Whinchat 1.

Ringstone Res'r

I called early evening but the strong wind made it tricky!
1 G C Grebe
2 B H Gulls
c70 Swallows
4+ Sand Martins
No waders

Dr. John Mather

A reminder that on Tues May 14th Dr. John Mather will give a talk entitled "The Bird on the Bench." at the Halifax Scientific Society at 7:15 pm in the Hx Central Library. All welcome.

Some recent pics from round and about.

One of 3 Wheatear on lower slopes possibly driven off by the recent fires?

Nice to see this Common Toad on the moors close to one of the sites of the recent fires.

Do these things ever have a bad breeding season?

Shrew sp. at Elland recently, I've no idea of the species but think the colours make it look like one of the Wombles lol

Ringed Plover showing signs of nesting though no nest site has been chosen yet!

Only wish I could have shaken the rain off as easily.

Cragg Vale, Withens Clough

Nipped up in the rain this aft', in the folorn hope of finding a whinchat (I didn't and haven't up here for a few years now), however, I did have a female merlin over, heading towards Stoodley Pike and a bonny male stonechat on the wires. 
I was staggered to see the extent of the damage done by recent swaling events on the moors.  All Byron Edge is burnt to a crisp, as is Soyland Moor, to Great Manshed Hill and as far north as Mount Pleasant Cottages.  A large portion of the northern slopes of Rishworth Moor is black too.  I shudder to think of the damage to upland species this must have caused.

Chris

Common Tern

Arrived at Elland Gravel Pits at 14.40hrs to find a Common Tern hawking for insects over the ski-lake, however it very soon departed high to the west shortly after at 14:50hrs. I am afraid that my photos are not of the same quality as Fran 44's Arctic Tern amazing efforts but they are arguably better than nothing at all I suppose.

 

 It is a real shame that the access and viewpoints of this body of water are so limited nowadays.

 

A very quick dash around the 'reserve' north of the river revealed a few other notable sightings, namely 27 adult & 14 juvenile Canada Goose (2 broods), 8 adult & 3 juvenile Mallard (something amiss here), 1 Common Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 1 singing Sedge Warbler & 3 singing Common Whitethroat.

Ogden

This afternoon we checked the plantations etc in the hope of locating Tree Pipit - but not a 'sniff' unfortunately!
We did have a bonus though in the form of c20 Lesser Redpolls with a few Siskin and closely followed by 2 Crossbills high up in the Scots Pines. They flew off nearby and we were treated to a male Crossbill right in the top of a Silver Birch and drinking from a nearby pool.
Several Willow Warblers also present and 2 Goldcrests and that was about it with nothing unusual on the water other than a solitary L B B Gull.

Other news today

Cuckoo's reported today from Ogden (BH), Walshaw Dean (MH), Blackshaw Head (MB) and 1 in Luddenden Dean yesterday (DJS)

Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler on Soil Hill north slope just out of our recording area I think (NK)

Dunlin and Yellow Wagtail briefly on Raggalds Flood above Bradshaw late morning (NK) - again not sure if this is in our recording area but of interest all the same.

Tree Pipit singing in the small plantation near Lower Gorple reservoir keepers cottage. Also a few migrant waders being reported from upland reservoirs now the levels are dropping - long may we have some shoreline for a few more waders!

Lee Mount

Out in the garden today!
This is the first day we have seen Swifts over - with a maximum of 5 at any one time we had around 20+ throughout the day. Always good to see them return. Lets hope there will be plenty around this summer as we don't wish to see any further decline as in recent years! Also a few Swallows moving through today and 1 Willow Warbler mid afternoon.

Also a big surprise this afternoon - 2 Ravens were heard cronking away and heading up and across Wheatley Valley >N around 15.30. Only the second record of these fantastic birds from this location.

Lee Mount

Garden feeder birds

 A pair of Blackcaps on the fat-ball feeder

 Female Blackcap

Dunnock

 

 

I thought these shots might be of interest!

Blackcaps - this pair have been here on and off for over a week now on the fat-balls, less so today with it being much warmer but maybe the cool weather and lack of insects until today led them to supplement their diet (?) We have never had them before on the feeders though we have occasionally had wintering Blackcaps feeding on apples on the lawn.

 

We also find it interesting that Dunnocks regular come to the feeders. In former years we only saw Dunnocks on the ground so maybe they have been changing their habits over the years.(?)

Mytholmroyd

Two oystercatchers heading up the valley at 9.30 pm last night.
Raven over at 10.00am heading towards Midgley.
Three curlews in the fields above the crag at 10.45 am this morning.
Two gs woodpeckers Hathershelf wood 12.05pm.

Speckled wood, small tortoiseshell and  peacock butterflies also.

Soil Hill

From yesterday early morning, a Whimbrel over Soil Hill from Bruce.
Interesting  from Birdguides -  a count of 971 from 6 sites in Lancashire yesterday. We might expect more records from our area but they are few and far between for Calderdale, unfortunately !

Neighbouring birds

Saw on the Bradford blog that at Strid Woods yesterday there was 11 pied flycatcher and 5 redstart. Interestingly, they had no singing wood warbler, so we are not alone.
The Crags or Colden Clough might be worth a look this weekend?

Lee Mount

A Garden Warbler singing this morning at 7.0 am - competing with a Blackcap and chasing each other round. I tried to get a photo but too flighty!

A pair of Blackcaps still on the garden feeder but guess there may be a few more insects about for them in the next few days, hopefully.

Not had a Swift over here yet ( I know there are some about at Cromwell Bottom) - hopefully today!

Bar-Tailed Godwits

2 bar-tailed godwits this afternoon at ringstone,from the roadside,in a howling wind. the 'photo's where taken with a hand held camera at a distance. the birds where initialy bathing & preening,so i had to wait a few minutes for these record shots.hope others saw them.

Mystery Photo !

Identity revealed - easier now!!

Lapland Bunting

 

 

 

With apologies to David Crawshaw for the delay in posting this mystery photo he took from Orford Ness recently.

Any takers ??

Other news today

A Marsh Tit reported today from Stev L near Bowers Mill Barkisland/Stainland - upstream from the pond. This is a real rarity for our area so if anyone gets chance to check the site out and re-locate it that would be a great - and try to get some record shots if you can (photo's)!!.

Several Swifts reported from the ski-lake area at Cromwell Bottom again today

Pair of Blackcaps still feeding on our garden fat-balls again today - they move all other birds on and they even see off the local Nuthatch. I think the Grey Squirrels might be tougher opposition !!

6 Common Sandpipers and LRP reported from Green Withens Res'r as well today. (GS)

Waxwings still about with 21 reported at Valley Grove near Bradshaw this morning before moving off south (PR and BH)

Redstart today in a large garden near the golf course between Midgley and Mount Skip (MH)

Hunter Hill and Mixenden Res'r

Mixenden Res'r
2 Great-crested Grebes this afternoon
1 Grey Heron >SW
1 Goldcrest singing
1 Nuthatch

Hunter Hill (in heavy drizzle)
An obvious 'fall' with 21 Wheatears (19 in one field and 2 near the golf course) together with c40 Meadow Pipits and 4 Pied Wagtails. They were all low down on the east face seeking shelter out of the wind and rain.
2 male Ring Ouzels were a nice surprise feeding in Slaughter Gap, then headed off towards the top fields near Cold Edge Road
1 Green Woodpecker calling
No hirundines

Wheatley Valley

Early start this morning looking/listening for warblers, but the weather was cold and not much song at all though a Vixen was doing her rounds and looking heavy with milk !
1 Roe Deer
1 Chiff-chaff
1 Whitethroat
2 Blackcap
8 Willow Warblers
1 Goldcrest
2 Bullfinch
4 Song Thrush
1 Jay
No hirundines through

Other news today

White Stork dropped in to Brearley Fields near Mytholmroyd this morning (Andy H)around 9.30. It had a small ring on its left leg - this is probbaly one of the Harewood birds roaming around as they seem to each year around this time! Still a good bird to see - Nice one Andy.

King Cross

7.30 this morning 30 to 40 Waxwings flying around near the big road junction. They must have found a few berries, probably the same flock reported in the area the last few days. Good to see them still around.

Lee Mount

An 'Eagle eyed' daughter this early evening spotted a pair of Blackcaps in the garden on the fat ball feeder. Unfortunately they were soon disturbed by one (of the many) local cats that pass this way. Good spot though, a first for us on a feeder. They are seen/heard in summer in the trees at the back and we have had winter records of them eating raisins and apples on the grass but good to see them on the feeder - maybe the cooler weather with fewer insects about today was a factor (?)

Yesterday as I drove down the Valley from Halifax to Tod.  I had the pleasure of seeing a flock of 30-40 waxwings in the trees across the Burnley Road from the Allan Fold.  later I had the joy of seeing hundreds of Hirunidae over the Calder especially near Sandbed.  Possibly even a Swift amongst them.  A spring like no other!

Wheatears & Waxwings

3 Wheatear Butts Green Lane at 4.45pm

My neighbour saw c20 Waxwings at Newlands Rd earlier today (I thought they would left by now?)

Callis Bridge

The first young 'uns of the year this morning at Callis - 8 Mallard ducklings. Also a Dipper, 2 Grey Wagtails, a Chiff Chaff and 2 Willow Warblers.

Buzz

A buzzard calling over Mytholmroyd today at 8.45am.

Ogden Garden

Two redpolls on the garden feeders this afternoon. Hopefuuly three photos attached

Jumble Hole

Bits seen whilst gardening today:

- willow warbler and 2 chiff chaff
- green and great spotted woodpecker
- goldcrest
- buzzard over the house mewing twice this morning
- sparrowhawk
- 2 curlew over

After the rain shower at 5pm, the first house martins of the spring (here) were at Eastwood sewage works (9 of them) joined by more than 41 swallows.

Ringstone

Two Common Sandpiper at Ringstone this morning and a Ringed Plover at Whiteholme saturday.

Blake Dean

Did another circuit of The Ridge, from Blake Dean, hoping to pick up my first ring ouzel of the year.  I failed on my mission, but did see a good cluster of perhaps 4 or 5 wheatears across from Brown Scout, plus the usual lapwings, curlews and oystercatchers.  There was also a willow warbler singing near the old churchyard.
I also had a quick look up Withens Clough, Cragg Vale on my way home, but the only thing of note here was a male stonechat and a couple of linnets.

Chris

Jumble Hole evening dog walk - 9pm

- 5 separate tawny owls calling (3 m, 2f)
- 2 woodcock roding. The first of the year here
- 3 pipistrelle bats

During the day, a green woodpecker was in the garden, and 3 jays were flying slightly excitedly around, with one doing an excellent impression of a lapwings call. Never heard that before!

Arctic Tern

Long shots  of the Arctic Tern at Elland ski lake tonight. 5 Whooper Swans still there at 19:00.

Other news today

An interesting day today !

From Soil Hill this morning - 1 Ring Ouzel (NK)

Ringstone Res'r - the first returning Common Sandpiper (DF)

Elland Gravel Pits ski-lake - 5 Whooper Swans still there late morning from yesterday (DF) - but no further reports this afternoon so guess they have moved on ? Update, still there at 7 pm. (DF)
Also located on the ski-lake early afternoon an Arctic Tern (SL) and still there early evening (DF)

Also from Elland a report (via TM) of a flock of 30+ Waxwings this morning around Lower Edge and Lowfields area so guess they could still be around the area tomorrow

4 House Martins around King Cross early evening (DJS) and a flock of c15 Swallows over Pellon, straight through this evening (NCD)

Other news

From yesterday - 3 Ring Ouzels near Midgley on their way through (NC) and 1 at Roils Head headed off towards Norton tower early evening (NCD)

Today - 2 Ring Ouzels on Wholestone Moor this morning (RR)

Doing well for migrant Ring Ouzels so far this year! - with another last Sunday at Fly Flatts (BS)

Another Ring Ouzel at Roils Head today (17th) from Nick

Elland GP

5 yellow-billed swans (2 adults) on the ski-lake late morning but difficult to confirm i d through the trees - thanks to Mike for the report and Andy C and Dave F for checking them out in case of Bewicks! - via the 'Rapid Response Unit' - confirmed as Whoopers. Thanks and well done.

Also from Mike this morning
3 Shelduck
1 Blackcap singing
Lots of hirundines on the ski-lake

Callis Bridge area

A 5 minute dog walk produced
- 2 willow warblers
- 3 chiff chaffs
- swallows now over 20 (no martins as yet)

High Royd

Walk on an hour before dusk revealed

1 singing Chiffchaff
1 Nuthatch calling
1 Teal (male)
1 Grey Heron flew over
1 Goosander - male flew down the river
1 GSW - male
several Swallows and 3 Sand Martins

but where last year we had Shoveler we now have Roe deer strolling around and where 2 pairs of Moorhen and 1 pair of Coot nested, now all we have is mud, only 1 pool left.

Very very sad demise to witness

Dawn Chorus - Hardcastle Crags !

Roger Ranson has asked if anyone can help him out by leading a 'Dawn Chorus' in the crags for the National Trust on Sunday 23rd May. He really would appreciate help. Please ring him direct on 07966 261 761. Many thanks.

Swallow

1 Swallow over Tesco in Brighouse just now heading towards elland. Spring has arrived!

mytholmroyd

4 swallows this evening over the SF but very little else

Lee Mount

Nick rang me this afternoon with the news of a Jack Snipe over him at Heath Hill Road, a nice record that. As we we chatting, I was in the front room with the family, a Woodcock flew across just over the house tops and heading towards Wheatley. I guess it must have been disturbed somewhere nearby.
Strange that we both managed to see unusual waders within a few minutes of each other. Makes you wonder if this was part of a bigger movement of birds as the cold spell eased?

Callis Bridge

Walked down to the sewage works at Eastwood to see if any 'early' swallows or martins had arrived. They hadn't as yet. They'll be here in numbers by next week - surely? But was pleased to see 2 chiff chaffs, one at the bottom of Jumble Hole, and the other by the canal next to the sewage works. Not a big haul, but other birds included
- 32 pied wagtails
- 21 meadow pipits
- 3 grey wagtails
- a sparrowhawk trying to catch any of the above
- gs woodpecker drumming at Jumble Hole

Lee Mount

A very interesting afternoon in the garden - watching concrete go off and posted on 'cat watch'!!
Well worth the effort with c35 Waxwings directly over the house heading >S over Wheatley valley towards Pellon around 2 pm
Also at 4.30 a single Sand Martin went over heading north.

Also today, several site reports of singing Chiff-chaffs and a Blackcap at Elland GP (GS), a single Swallow over Northowram late afternoon (AC) and 2 at Mytholmroyd early evening (MB)
From Walshaw Dean, fields near the plantation - a White Wagtail there this afternoon (MH)

Swales Moor

Late morning (E F2 and 5c)but not a lot doing with the sun trying to get through a haze over all areas around the vantage point
Moving birds all >NE
1 Curlew
3 Linnets
24 Meadow Pipits
1 Chaffinch
1 alba wagtail >SW

Birds on the deck
10 Meadow Pipits (singing and displaying)
c8 Skylarks
3 Stock Doves
c80 Carrion Crows and a few other corvids

Langfield Edge and Lee Dam this afternoon

It was a great day for a walk so I set off for a long-ish wander in the sun this afternoon, intending to look for Wheatear and Twite up at Langfield and Gaddings.

Langfield/Jail Hole
There were a few Mipits about but not as many as expected for this time of year so spring is definitely delayed. Wheatear were not to be found and no Reed Bunts or Linnet yet either. However, there were 2 Twite at Jail Hole so one target bird out of two wasn't bad.

Gaddings was bereft of birds too, apart from just 2 singing Skylarks.

Lee Dam
Was significantly more interesting today than yesterday. The same 3 Mallards and f. Goosander were there, along with 2 Canada Geese, but as I watched the Goosander was joined by 2 Pied Wagtails, bathing at the water's edge and these were then joined by a Grey Wagtail.

  

The wagtails were then scared off by 4 Teal landing in the water a few yards away.

 

The Goosander just went back to sleep.

As I couldn't find any Wheatear up at Langfield I decided to walk over to Swillington/Rough Head to try my luck there, but no joy there either. They are their way, so another few days and things will change I'm sure.

Walking down Stoodley Clough the afternoon finished off nicely with a Jay and a Dipper.

Hove Edge and Ringstone

We tried hard for Mike's lesser pecker today but tricky in the windy conditions so we drew a blank!
2 Nuthatch
1 Great spotted Woodpecker
1 Sparrowhawk

Ringstone
124 Golden Plover in the big field, many if them are the northern form coming into their amazing plumage
2 Oystercatchers
c20 Lapwing
2 Curlew
No sign of LRP's or other waders though there is a narrow shoreline
1 Reed Bunting
6 Meadow Pipits >NE

Mankinholes/Lumbutts area this morning

Shaw Clough
1 Nuthatch calling
1 GS Woodpecker drumming
1 Song Thrush

Lumbutts Clough
2 Nuthatch, 1 calling
1 Goldcrest
2 Dippers

Lee Dam
2 Goldcrests
1 f. Goosander
3 Mallards
1 Moorhen

Only 1 Little Owl at Mankinholes today.

Crow Hill Area Sunday

Crow Hill near Sowerby, early pm.
Still plenty of snow in drifts in places up there. Good to be out  in the sunshine without a biting wind blowing. It beats shopping.

20 golden plover.
29 lapwing
9 curlew.
5 skylarks.
40+ meadow pipits.
2 reed bunting (1m & 1f.)
2 pied wagtail.
15 goldfinch.

No wheatear.

Possible Lapland Bunting?

Andy H and myself were up in the Blake Dean area on Saturday afternoon and had a fly over passerine that caught us unaware and called as it passed, neither of us really got onto it in time, initial impressions of the call were "Snow Bunting like" but since we hadn't really been concentrating we let it go. Today I have had an e mail from Gary Waddington who was at Gorple on Sunday where he had a brief encounter with a possible Lapland Bunting, sadly he too was unable to confirm an ID but it clearly mustn't have been a Snow Bunting as he saw it in flight. Surfing the web and listening to calls it has become clear to me that both species can sound similar at times (see http://pjdeye.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/longspurs.html)I am now beginning to think that we may have had the same bird? Worth a check in the area if anyone is up there.

Stoodley Pike area - Sunday

Took a long walk around the Stoodley Pike/Horsehold/Rough Head area yesterday afternoon, mainly searching for wheatear, but nothing doing at all. Not a lot about at all, considering good conditions.

- single fieldfare at Swillington Farm
- small flock of redwing in trees at Lower Rough Head
- half a dozen curlew
- 3 skylark
- 18 meadow pipits
- 3 siskins in Sunderland Pasture
- crossbill calling from Sunderland Pasture
- 2 dippers together on the river at Callis

Withens Clough

Handed over my BBS square to its new surveyor today (thanks Cathy), quite a strange feeling to think that we won't be covering it again after more than 20 years. Not much to report from up there but the lack of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks etc just goes to show how late a Spring this is, a Goosander and a pair of Goldeneye on the res were the highlights.

Luddenden Dean

At last !! 2 Wheaters near Saltonstall this afternoon near the big rocks and ruined farm 200 m or so after the cati' pub. Lets hope the weather improves for them now as well as for all the other migrants held up by the recent prolonged easterly blast.
Not much else other than a few Lapwings, 2 Curlew, 1 Little Owl and a few Stock Doves.
Also a few mipits moving through north.

Per Lane Ogden

A flock of between 40-50 waxwings were in the trees between Mount Zion Chapel and Field Head Lane this afternoon. They were dropping into the gardens to feed but we could not see what they were feeding on.

Lingering Waxwings

12 Waxwings were flying down to a neighbour's cotoneaster bush this pm, on Catherine Slack, Hove Edge. Presumably part of the 30+ flock reported earlier from Newton Park - just a few hundred yards away.
And in the same group of trees a Lesser Pecker was heard drumming earlier - the same area as the nest site of about four years ago.

Blake Dean 6th April 2013

On a beautiful morning, I took a walk round Blake Dean to see if any ouzels were back.  There weren't, but I did see numerous lapwings, curlews, displaying meadow pipits, singing skylarks and a couple of resplendent looking golden plover behind the Ridge.

Regards, Chris

I had a little stroll around Lumbutts this afternoon and saw a lovely Sparrowhawk circling over the Church and a Teal on Lee Dam (with mallard and canadas)  There was a nice pair of Mistle thrushes  and a bird with a very unusual song - thrush like but with a whipper-will whistle to it.  It was a fieldfare and there was also a flock of 7-8 of them around  - Quite late I thought but with one singing  - could it happen ??   It was snowy enough to be the Northlands!

Update  - Redwings in Tolson park in Huddersfield today 9th April - what is with our winter thrushes !!

Chiffchaff

A Chiffchaff singing around Tag Tip Pond and Tag Cut was the only evidence of any migrants that I saw today. This individual was quite mobile and could quite easily have been mistaken for three birds had notes not been taken of its movements. I'd had a Blackcap singing around the feeders on the 13th, but this could quite easily have been a wintering bird.
Still plenty of Siskins, Bullfinches and the odd Reed Bunting to be seen on the feeders.
Adult and juv Mute Swan still in the lagoon. A Coot appears to be on a nest here and Little Grebe can be heard calling.
Frog spawn evident in several ponds but no adults to be seen.
A small butterfly, possibly a Small Copper, flew past the screen hide, but was too fast for a positive i.d..
Pretty cold down there today so still waiting for things to kick off.

Scammonden

Still lots of snow and little sign of life.  Had a walk round today and found a stonechat on the wire between Scammonden and Dean Head res.  Other than that a couple of carrion crows a heron and a wood pigeon.  Nothing on Ringstone.

Mytholmroyd

a nice walk this evening not much birdlife but enough to encourage me around my recent move to the village

Brierley Fields

9 pied wagtails
7 meadow pipits
1 grey heron

Mytholmroyd SF

49 pied wagtails
2 grey wagtails
2 meadow pipits

Luddenden Dean and Wainstalls

3 Little Owls - one in a tree near the cati' had a trailing left wing but could still fly ok the other 2 were near together higher up near Wainstalls
Not a sign of any Wheatears - all the usual spots checked
13 Stock Doves
4 Curlew
25+ Lapwings (one pair copulating)
6 Reed Buntings nr Wainstalls
1 Red Grouse
1 Kestrel
15 Fieldfare
A trickle of mipits moving through >N

Waxwings

Just had 11 in the apple tree in my garden. Assume they are being attracted by the fruit my neighbour has been putting out on the feeders.

mytholmroyd

a short walk this morning

Raven over the house
Dunlin 1 on the floods at brierley
Green woodpecker
Dipper 1
Grey wagtail 2

Dunlin

Todmorden Moor

A raven gliding overhead as we got togged up at the car looked a good omen, but 500 yards up the track we turned back - the bitter east wind was going right through us and we knew we would be walking back into it.

Carrion crows.
One Meadow Pipit.
But scenery like arctic tundra, streaked with snow.

So we went along the canal bank towards Summit.
One grey wagtail
Couple of robins singing.
Mallards
Canada Geese
Again the best thing was the scenery!