More Tree Sparrows near Brighouse

An early walk up to Woolrow Farm, above Bailiffe Bridge produced good views of Tree Sparrows on the barn by the farm. Two adults were taking food into the barn wall and other birds were perched nearby. It's likely that other birds have already nested and fledged there as well. It seems like this is another established colony (they nested last year) that came from Jay House Lane - about a mile away.
Swallows appear to have nested in the barn as well, and nearby were adult and juv Willow Warblers and a pair of Linnets.

Dippers-Mytholmroyd

Elphin Brook, Mytholmroyd. c8.30am.

An adult with at least two juveniles this am feeding.

Ringstone

Yesterday afternoon
 1 Green Woodpecker on the Res'r edge probably came in for a drink but didn't stay long before heading off towards Stainland
Not much else about other than a few L B B Gulls moving west
4 Reed Buntings
2 juv Pied Wagtails
4 Lapwings

Binoculars wanted

My friend Roy needs some bins pronto, if anyone as a pair for sale could you please let me know cheers.

Cuckoo

Cuckoo calling last night back edge of Norland Moor

Also of interest but not a bird - Male Broad-Bodied Chaser seen this afternoon at Mythomroyd.

Ploughcroft - Hagg Lane and Pepper Hill

This afternoon
1 Sparrowhawk over Shibden Head
Pair of Kestrels obviously feeding young with the male catching a juv Blue Tit and carrying it off to return a few moments later without it.
1 Skylark
c50 juv Starlings
1 Blackcap
c30 Swifts passing over
Possible ?? Redstart calling but we could not locate it so will have to let that one go unless we get chance to check the area again before too long.

Spotted Flycatchers !! (Information courtesy of the BTO web site)

Spotted Flycatchers on the move

 

12 Jun 2013

If you want a strong contender for THE migration spectacle of spring 2013, look no further than the events that unfolded at Portland Bill, Dorset on 1 June. Only the previous day, the BTO Migration blog drew on BirdTrack data to show that Spotted Flycatchers were running late. Fast forward to the next day at Portland, where an astonishing arrival took place. Birds poured in all morning; more than 800 were counted at Portland Bird Observatory and it's likely that well in excess of 1,000 birds had passed through the wider Portland Bill area by mid morning! Spotted Flycatcher numbers have declined by 50% since the start of the Breeding Bird Survey in 1995, and is too scarce in Ireland for a trend to be produced through the Countryside Bird Survey; it would be great if this unprecedented arrival was the precursor for more positive news for the species.

 I thought this article from The BTO might be of interest - lets hope we get a few of them !

Rishworth Moor and Blackstone Edge

On a circular walk from the White House, as far as Dog Hill, on Rishworth Moor today, birdwise it was pretty quiet, save for, plenty of meadow pipits, quite a few skylarks singing, several curlews and best of all, a really splendidly plumaged golden plover by the Roman Road and just about in the West Riding by a few yards.  In the past I've normally seen golden plover on the Flint Hill and Dog Hill section of the moor, but none here today.
The great swathes of cotton grass looked very impressive too.

Regards, Chris

Ogden

I managed to find a male Whinchat this afternoon above Ogden - they have been very difficult to locate this year as this seems to be another species struggling to return from Africa in good numbers so it was a welcome 'first for the year' for Calderdale for me. (Thanks to NK)
1 Common Snipe 'chipping' near 'The Withens'
c6 Linnets
Lots of Meadow Pipits feeding young in good numbers in the right places
4 Reed Buntings
2 Skylarks
4 Curlew
4 Lapwings
1 male Kestrel
9 L B B gulls >NW
c 20 Swifts moving >SW
c350, mostly juv Starlings in the fields along Cold Edge Road

Luddenden Dean

This morning
1 Cuckoo still singing
2+ singing Garden Warblers
1 pair Whitethroats nest building
Pair of Kestrels
c12 Willow Warblers singing
1 Tawny Owl singing
2 Redstarts
Blue Tits feeding young in the nest
A few Swifts
Curlew and Lapwing
9 Canada's heading high west closely followed by a single Cormorant

Keep an ear out for this as well...........................

A couple seen and herd in Bradford area this week....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b020tpmn

Fly Flatts

This morning it was trying to rain up there but it didn't come to much, thankfully.

 I was surprised with this recent dry spell that the water level has hardly dropped at all so unfortunately, no waders other than Redshank, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Dunlin, Oystercatchers and Golden Plover
No gulls other than c12 L B B G's loafing around over the moor looking for a meal!

I did a count of Canada Geese,  there are still just over 200 up there along with a good number of rapidly growing chicks.

In the fields at Withens Head Farm there was at least 1 Redshank chick, fairly well grown as well as Golden Plover and Curlew nearby.

The juvenile Starling flock which congregates usually in large numbers along Cold Edge Road at this time of year wss only around 30 strong so hope some turn up in the next week or so. On a positive note there are 70+ Rooks feeding in the area including a good proportion of juveniles so it looks as if they have had a better breeding season.

Are There Any Goatsuckers Out There?

Do we have any Nightjars in Calderdale? Is there any suitable habitat out there? And is anybody looking? I always thought Norland Moor might have provided one or two but never seem to get round to giving it a try. Maybe there is some suitable habitat around Crag Vale with the right blend of bracken, heather, young birch or conifers. Well now is the time to listen out for them just before dusk, so give it a go, and don't forget the midge protection.

Cuckoo

A cuckoo was calling opposite Jumble Hole tonight, I think from the area known as Burnt Acres. Probably the same bird Jeff had at the weekend around Mankinholes. Also, had a tree pipit calling at the Crags yesterday afternoon.

Hunter Hill and Ogden golf course

Nothing out of the ordinary this afternoon - and not a sign of any 'chats' but a nice mix of birds all the same
1 male Sparrowhawk seen off by a Curlew
1 Kestrel
4 Curlew
2 Lapwings
2 Golden Plover
Only 4 golfers on the golf course - it was really pleasant down there in the sunshine!
4+ Reed Buntings
1 Blackbird
1 Willow Warbler
A few Meadow Pipits
1 Skylark feeding young
11 L B B Gulls heading >NE

Just remembered  - a Little Grebe at Cold Edge dams last Friday when I did the Breeding Bird Survey for the BTO

Booth Wood Res'r and Ringstone

Evening visit found 2 Cormorants at Booth Wood Res'r

Ringstone
c90 L B B Gulls (mostly adults) in the sileage fields behind the embankment before they moved on to the res'r to bathe before drifting off east around 8 pm.
Last year the sileage was taken off  much later, around 21st July when a 1,000 or more B H Gulls turned up with the 7 Black T Godwits to feast on the leftovers from the farming activities. This also drew in a Greenshank and on 24th a Med Gull. I think the work has occured a bit too early this year to pull in the large concentrations of B H and Common Gulls but it was nice to see a good number of lessers.

Get Your Ear In

I've just posted a short audio teaser on the Cromwell Bottom blog and will follow up with one or two more. The first one is fairly easy for the experienced birder but is really aimed at challenging newcomers to get their ear in. Have a listen and give it a go. Don't forget to leave comments, the more descriptive the better.

http://cromwellbottom.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/nane-that-tune.html

Evening Walk

Nick Carter and myself visited the site between 7:30pm and 10:00pm

Site withheld due to sensitive nature

2 SEO
2 Peregrine
1 Buzzard
1 Grasshopper Warbler - reeling
2 Snipe
1 Little Owl - Hovering
5 Common Sandpiper - 1 sat on nest close to path

1 Grey Wagtail
1 Siskin

 and several

Oystercatcher
Lapwing - with young
Song Thrush
Pied wagtail
Meadow pipit

Ogden

Late evening
1 Cuckoo still singing at 9.45 pm
1 Reed Bunting
c40 Woodpigeons
c4 Curlew
1 Lapwing
1 Skylark
Fox

Fly Flatts

This morning - a lovely morning with wall to wall sunshine and an easterly breeze!
2 Dunlin
6 Redshank
3 Common Sandpipers
2 Oystercatchers
c10 Curlew
2 Lapwings
1 Golden Plover
1 drake Teal
Lots of Canada's with chicks
A couple of Mallard with chicks
2 Kestrels
1 House Martin >SW
1 Swallow >NE
6 LBBG's
1 Skylark
Red Grouse with chicks
usual Meadow Pips
AND 1 Twite (just a flyover) still none at the feeding station!

Withens Head
1 Golden Plover
1 Curlew

Jumble Hole

A cuckoo has been calling the past few days, with the neighbours telling me it has been around since Monday. A buzzard with a missing tail feather has been around the past couple of days.

Withens Clough and Turley Holes and Higher House Moor, 1st June 2013

I did a circuit this morning, starting from the Hinchcliffe Arms, up to the res' and back via Turley Holes Edge, Cove Hill and Higher House.  It was rather quiet on the bird front really, with no luck on the whinchat front (again) despite hanging about for a while near the top car-park and the new building by the turbine.  There were quite a few linnets up here though.  Best bird was a redstart singing, somewhere near the top of Hove Yard Wood. 
I did see some good insects today and would like to put them on the Calderdale Wildlife blog, but I don't know how!  I thought if I could do it on here I could do it on there.  Can anyone help?

Many thanks, Chris

Birdguides Report!

There was a report on Birdguides of a female Montagu's Harrier in the Hebden Bridge area around noon yesterday. Unfortunately we do not have the finders name or contact details! If the finder is able to email details of the bird that would be greatly appreciated - please use the email on the heading above. Many thanks on behalf of the local birders. Dave

Fly Flatts

We went up there to check on the possibility of any Twite and to  put Nyger seed down in the usual locations. Not a sign of any Twite - this is bad news! As far as I know there has only been a couple of sightings (from BS) this year with a maximum of two birds. Definately not looking good which is great shame after all the support from the RSPB, volunteers and landowners etc over the last few years.
2 Redshank
2 Oystercatchers
2 Lapwings
Curlew heard
No Common Sandpipers today - which is unusual
Pair of Kestrels
Red Grouse with chicks
usual Canadas some with chicks
1 L B B Gull over and one dead adult on the side of the res'r
3 Swifts
2 Swallows
1 Pied Wagtail and a few mipits feeding young
And along the top road 2 seperate Wheatears on the wall tops

Lee Mount

1 Common Buzzard over today at 12.40 as we sat out having a sandwich! Alerted as is often the case
by a corvid alarm, the buzzard was high and circled on the thermals before heading off in a northerly direction towards Soil Hill.
Not a lot else over today other than 3 L B B Gulls >N and a few Swifts and 2 Swallows

Elland

I tried Park Wood crematorium early on in the hope off Lesser Whitethroat which has been recorded there in the last couple of years at least, unfortunately nothing doing other than Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiff-chaff. it was worth a try all the same.

I also checked out Cromwell Bottom - Brookfoot end and was fortunate enough to find a few warblers including Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warblers and Chiff-chaff.
1 Great-spotted Woodpecker
2 Tufted Duck
1 G C grebe
2 Little Grebe
Several Reed Buntings as well as other usual species

Well done to all the gang doing such valuable conservation work down there as well as this is not an area I usually watch!

Withens Clough via Langfield this morning

Walked over to Withens Clough again this morning to try and catch up with the Whinchat and saw it OK between the keeper's house and the new house.

Also there and on the route:
Stonechat - male below Langfield Edge
Linnet - 1 at Withens Clough; 2 below Langfield Edge
Reed Bunting - 4 at Langfield; 3 at Withens Clough
Willow Warbler - 3 at Withens Clough; 1 in small plantation by reservoir; 2 at Lee Dam
Swallow - 2 over reservoir
Skylark - 3 singing
Mipit - reasonable numbers all along the route
Curlew - 1 singing over towards Buck Stones
Mallards and Canada Geese on the reservoir and at Lee Dam

Didn't see anything on the shore line today other than Mipits.

Withens Clough Res'r

We sat to scan from the car for a while hoping for the rain to ease this afternoon - which it did thankfully - for a while!!
1 male Stonechat, but despite an intensive search we could not locate the Whinchat seen there recently
6+ Linnets
6+ Goldfinch
2 singing Willow Warblers
1 Hobby - a first summer bird, attempting to take Swallows around their nest site at the res'r keepers cottage soon after the rain stopped. It headed off and circled the res'r before heading towards the plantation but continued west over the moors towards Lancashire!
1 Kestrel
1 LRP
4 Common Sandpipers
2 Reed Buntings
c20 Swallows
1 Swift
1 L B B Gull
Plenty Meadow Pipits feeding young

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