Sunday, April 16, 2017
Roils Head Redstart
Returned to Roils Head today and was surprised to find the cracking male Redstart still present for its third day. Managed a few very poor record shots in dreadful conditions. The bird was in the garden of the big house in the centre of Roils Head, its possible it will be still there tomorrow with luck. Also new in a very dull Chiffchaff.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Walshaw Dean
Another White Wagtail yesterday this one on lower Walshaw Res. A lot of Pied Wagtails about up there as well
(MH)
(MH)
Friday, April 14, 2017
Roils Head Redstarts
Yesterday had my earliest Redstart at Roils Head, a female briefly. Returned today to find a superb male in a different area (sorry no photos). Also today a male Wheatear, a Swallow and 3 Willow Warblers.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Ringstone
A quick look there late afternoon in a blustery >NW wind
1 Wheatear on the embankment wall
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Swallow
18 Canada Geese
1 Willow Warbler singing near the cottage
1 Wheatear on the embankment wall
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Swallow
18 Canada Geese
1 Willow Warbler singing near the cottage
Fly Flats etc
Dreadful weather up on the top with driving rain, mist and a blustery F5 to 6 westerly so headed back to the relative shelter of Withens Head. !
2 Oystercatchers
2 Golden Plover
2 fantastic looking male Wheatears opposite the wind farm car park
A few Meadow Pipits, Lapwings and Curlew
8 Golden Plover near Nolstar
Then gave it up as bad job and hope it clears up a bit later on.
2 Oystercatchers
2 Golden Plover
2 fantastic looking male Wheatears opposite the wind farm car park
A few Meadow Pipits, Lapwings and Curlew
8 Golden Plover near Nolstar
Then gave it up as bad job and hope it clears up a bit later on.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Mixenden area and other news
3 Swallows feeding over the Reservoir this afternoon. Not a lot else about, or perhaps it's been keeping down in the cold westerly
1 Little Owl
A few Meadow Pipits
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Chiffchaff
Swallow over Mytholmroyd this morning.
A very early Male Pied Flycatcher appeared at one location yesterday. Keeping a close eye on your local patch, as in this instance, can occasionally turn up those special moments when you least expect them.
1 Little Owl
A few Meadow Pipits
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Chiffchaff
Swallow over Mytholmroyd this morning.
A very early Male Pied Flycatcher appeared at one location yesterday. Keeping a close eye on your local patch, as in this instance, can occasionally turn up those special moments when you least expect them.
Camera equipment
Is anyone selling any decent bird photography equipment? Nothing on a professional level, but the kit I've got is outdated and even when I get pretty close to birds in good light, the results are not a patch on the photos that some of you lot seems to be able to achieve!
Any thoughts welcome.
Any thoughts welcome.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Sunday, April 09, 2017
Swales Moor
Ploughcroft - opposite the ski-slope, the garden feeders were 'buzzing'.
1 Brambling with c 20 Chaffs and similar number of Goldfinch and a few Greenfinch with them.
Ringby Lane
1 Skylark
c20 Meadow Pipits on the top
1 Raven >N chased off by Carrion Crows
Big gulls moving through >NW - great to see them close by drifting along the ridge - 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, c15 Herring Gulls and 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Brambling with c 20 Chaffs and similar number of Goldfinch and a few Greenfinch with them.
Ringby Lane
1 Skylark
c20 Meadow Pipits on the top
1 Raven >N chased off by Carrion Crows
Big gulls moving through >NW - great to see them close by drifting along the ridge - 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, c15 Herring Gulls and 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Last few days
I heard this year's first willow warbler at Jumble Hole on Friday - now there's stacks of them! A very confiding blackcap is still in and around the garden.
Swallows have arrived at Eastwood sewage works.
A woodcock has been roding at Jumble Hole the past few nights.
Swallows have arrived at Eastwood sewage works.
A woodcock has been roding at Jumble Hole the past few nights.
Soil Hill
Just a couple of sightings from the last few days up on Soil Hill.
Yesterday had a single RAVEN fly N mid afternoon. A pair of OYSTERCATCHER were feeding on the field at the bottom of the hill.
Today had a WILLOW WARBLER singing from first light in the small plantation at the top of the hill, just at the base of the track up to the mast. Also had a patch tick in the form of a drake TUFTED DUCK which circled the summit with a flock of Mallard. A SWALLOW was flying around the hill this pm, with another (Or the same) flying around Bradshaw Lane.
No sign of the Black Redstart today, which would have made for a nice 2 pointer for my patchwork challenge effort for the hill.
Yesterday had a single RAVEN fly N mid afternoon. A pair of OYSTERCATCHER were feeding on the field at the bottom of the hill.
Today had a WILLOW WARBLER singing from first light in the small plantation at the top of the hill, just at the base of the track up to the mast. Also had a patch tick in the form of a drake TUFTED DUCK which circled the summit with a flock of Mallard. A SWALLOW was flying around the hill this pm, with another (Or the same) flying around Bradshaw Lane.
No sign of the Black Redstart today, which would have made for a nice 2 pointer for my patchwork challenge effort for the hill.
Saturday, April 08, 2017
Mytholmroyd Saturday AM
Mytholmroyd Scout area
2 siskin m & f
2 nuthach
7 chiffchaff
1 green w pecker heard
1 willow warbler
1 gs w pecker m seen
1 grey heron
1 small tortoiseshell
Redacre
4 grey wagtail
1 pied wagtail
4 chiffchaff
2 treecreepers
3 nuthatch
1 swallow
4 goldcrest
1 kestrel
1 grey heron
1 green woodpecker
1 gs woodpecker
1 moorhen
2 small tortoiseshell
2 siskin m & f
2 nuthach
7 chiffchaff
1 green w pecker heard
1 willow warbler
1 gs w pecker m seen
1 grey heron
1 small tortoiseshell
Redacre
4 grey wagtail
1 pied wagtail
4 chiffchaff
2 treecreepers
3 nuthatch
1 swallow
4 goldcrest
1 kestrel
1 grey heron
1 green woodpecker
1 gs woodpecker
1 moorhen
2 small tortoiseshell
Black Redstart at Buckstones
Managed a very heavy cropped record shot of the Black Redstart at Buckstones this morning. Surprised, thought I'd missed it in frame, got quite a few shots of empty rocks, it wouldn't keep still!
Black Redstarts etc
Unprecedented for 3 individuals to be located locally today. Hope some-one got some pictures. Try Brians (West Yorkshire Birding) blog later this evening, he might have some (??)
1 from Buckstones this morning (PD)
1 from Walshaw Dean this afternoon (MH)
1 from Soil Hill early evening (BS and JL)
They might still be about tomorrow or maybe some others around as well.....
1 Swallow for me at Scammonden this morning and a Willow Warbler singing at Ringstone and that was about it for me today other than checking a few Rookeries and Heronries.
1 from Buckstones this morning (PD)
1 from Walshaw Dean this afternoon (MH)
1 from Soil Hill early evening (BS and JL)
They might still be about tomorrow or maybe some others around as well.....
1 Swallow for me at Scammonden this morning and a Willow Warbler singing at Ringstone and that was about it for me today other than checking a few Rookeries and Heronries.
Friday, April 07, 2017
Cold Edge and Withens Head
Cold Edge
3 Barnacle Geese back there today with the Canada's, including the ringed bird which BS is still awaiting information on the birds origin.
2 Tufted Duck
1 Little Grebe
2 Moorhen
2 Redshank headed high >E
+ other usual spp..
Withens Head
3 Wheatears
1 Kestrel
1 Stonechat
1 Lesser Redpoll feeding on the ground in a with a flock of Meadow Pipits was unusual, though it did keep heading back into the tree belt then coming back again to feed in the field !
3 Barnacle Geese back there today with the Canada's, including the ringed bird which BS is still awaiting information on the birds origin.
2 Tufted Duck
1 Little Grebe
2 Moorhen
2 Redshank headed high >E
+ other usual spp..
Withens Head
3 Wheatears
1 Kestrel
1 Stonechat
1 Lesser Redpoll feeding on the ground in a with a flock of Meadow Pipits was unusual, though it did keep heading back into the tree belt then coming back again to feed in the field !
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
Swallows
Half a dozen or so swallows over the sewage works in Mytholmroyd for most of the day today. None yet at Eastwood.
Tuesday, April 04, 2017
Cold Edge and Withens Head
This morning with JS and AT doing the rounds starting off in drizzly mist which took a while to clear.
1 Willow Warbler singing in the trees just below the lower dam on the way down
3 Wheatears (2 at Withens Head and 1 near Haigh Cote) Sorry you missed them Alan !
1 Little Grebe
2 Goosander (AT)
Plenty Snipe drumming and 'chipping'
1 Cormorant high >W
22 Golden Plover high over the moor >NW
A good few mipits about and 2 Skylarks
1 Weasel
1 Willow Warbler singing in the trees just below the lower dam on the way down
3 Wheatears (2 at Withens Head and 1 near Haigh Cote) Sorry you missed them Alan !
1 Little Grebe
2 Goosander (AT)
Plenty Snipe drumming and 'chipping'
1 Cormorant high >W
22 Golden Plover high over the moor >NW
A good few mipits about and 2 Skylarks
1 Weasel
Weasel
Raptors
During the breeding season , Calderdale birdwatchers would prefer if post about birds of prey /owls are photos only and no site details at all. I remember not so many years ago Peregrine and Buzzards etc were very rare and did not breed in Calderdale . there are still many people who would do harm to these residents of Calderdale....Thanks for your co-operation
Upland site
Up to the reservoir again 6pm-7.45
Hoping to spot some raptors,have previously had SEO and Merlin at this site. No luck though apart from 2 kestrels.
Not much on the moors apart from meadow pipits,reservoir now has 2 pairs of goldeneye
Hoping to spot some raptors,have previously had SEO and Merlin at this site. No luck though apart from 2 kestrels.
Not much on the moors apart from meadow pipits,reservoir now has 2 pairs of goldeneye
Birds seen
pied wagtail
grey wagtail
meadow pipit
thrush
oystercatcher
kestrel
woodpigeon
canada goose
goldeneye
Monday, April 03, 2017
Sunday, April 02, 2017
Ogden Garden
A lesser redpoll on a feeder this morning and a male reed bunting on the garden wall yesterday afternoon.
Saturday, April 01, 2017
Withens Head and top end of Cold Edge
Late morning with the drizzle coming in turning to heavy rain.
5 stonking male Wheatear between the top dam and Withens Head feeding on the mole hills.
Plenty Blackbirds about but no Ring Ouzels (one female yesterday on Soil Hill - see BS's blog West Yorkshire Birding)
1 Little Owl
1 male Stonechat
Female Sparrowhawk
12 Goosander on the top dam
Plenty Snipe about 'drumming' and 'chipping'
+ other usual spp.
Distant male Wheatear - what a belter this was - just a shame it was 100m away in pouring rain !
5 stonking male Wheatear between the top dam and Withens Head feeding on the mole hills.
Plenty Blackbirds about but no Ring Ouzels (one female yesterday on Soil Hill - see BS's blog West Yorkshire Birding)
1 Little Owl
1 male Stonechat
Female Sparrowhawk
12 Goosander on the top dam
Plenty Snipe about 'drumming' and 'chipping'
+ other usual spp.
Distant male Wheatear - what a belter this was - just a shame it was 100m away in pouring rain !
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Withens Clough
Incredibly foggy start to the walk,visibility down to 100m max.cleared up later though and managed to see a few good birds.Plantation was buzzing with small birds,couldnt work out what they all were though as light was terrible. Anybody care to ID these for me? where in a flock of at least 50.
top bird is reddish and the one lower and to the left is green. maybe redpoll??
Plantation looks like a good spot,ill probably go back later in the week when the skies are clearer. moors up by stoodley pike were full of meadow pipits and the reservoir edge produced a pair of stonchat and a reed bunting. the water itself had a pair of goldeneye and a mallard.
Birds seen
curlew
meadow pipit
fieldfare
kestrel
stonechat
reed bunting
goldeneye
canada goose
mallard
pied wagtail
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Jumble Hole
3 buzzards around for the past few days. Very vocal, and ranging widely.
Siskins have re-appeared on the feeders, and the males are in full song. Redpoll appear to have moved on.
Siskins have re-appeared on the feeders, and the males are in full song. Redpoll appear to have moved on.
Withens Head
Late afternoon
3 male Wheatears on the farmland walls opposite the wind-farm car park area
6+ Snipe drumming all at the same time
3 male Wheatears on the farmland walls opposite the wind-farm car park area
6+ Snipe drumming all at the same time
Fly Flats and Withens Head etc
Fogged off this morning with heavy drizzle, not good. ! Perhaps it will clear later ??
Fly Flats
1 Red-legged Partridge and not much else other than a few Meadow Pipits
Withens Head
1 Pied Wagtail
3 Linnets
1 Fieldfare
Castle Carr Road
1 Kestrel
1 Little Owl
Fly Flats
1 Red-legged Partridge and not much else other than a few Meadow Pipits
Withens Head
1 Pied Wagtail
3 Linnets
1 Fieldfare
Castle Carr Road
1 Kestrel
1 Little Owl
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
Sowerby Bridge to Mytholroyd
Few hours in the woods and fields alongside the river and railway. Plenty of birdsong in the woods,multiple chiffchaffs singing (thanks David for the ID video). Thrush and Goldfinch everywhere. Highlights included a buzzard very low over Luddenden Foot and two Kestrels mating on a telegraph tower by Brearley. Pleasant suprise on the way home when 3 Jay and 3 Bullfinch appeared in neighbouring gardens on Hollins Lane.
Birds seen
long tailed tit
goldcrest
treecreeper
nuthatch
buzzard
cormorant
heron
2 goosander on the Calder at Sowerby Bridge
kestrel
bullfinch
grey wagtail
chiffchaff
and bizzarely a female peacock at a farm close to mytholmroyd/scout road
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Calder Valley
Yesterday Mytholmroyd PM
1 Buzzard over
1 Raven over
5 chiffchaff
1 willow warbler by station
c100 goldfinch by Redacre sewage works
1 grey wagtail
1 small tortoiseshell
Today
M'royd am
1 willow warbler
6 chiffchaff
1 sparrowhawk
1 gs woodpecker drumming
1 curlew over
Hebden Bridge & back pm
7 chiffchaff
2 willow warblers
3 grey wagtail
1 dipper
2 raven
1 Buzzard over
1 Raven over
5 chiffchaff
1 willow warbler by station
c100 goldfinch by Redacre sewage works
1 grey wagtail
1 small tortoiseshell
Today
M'royd am
1 willow warbler
6 chiffchaff
1 sparrowhawk
1 gs woodpecker drumming
1 curlew over
Hebden Bridge & back pm
7 chiffchaff
2 willow warblers
3 grey wagtail
1 dipper
2 raven
Saturday, March 25, 2017
spring is back!
first day out birding for a while.making the most of the sunshine. Along Hollins Lane, Sowerby Bridge then back along the canal. is this a chiffchaff or willow warbler??
pretty new to the area and birding so any help with id or good spots much appreciated.
plenty of birds along my usual route
treecreepr
goldfinch
goldcrest
sparrowhawk
cormarant
heron
Friday, March 24, 2017
Copy Nook Lane/Crow Hill
Still some Fieldfare in flock with Starlings
6 Lapwing
2 Curlew
Skylark singing up against the blue sky
Usual corvids
1 lovely Buck Roe Deer
6 Lapwing
2 Curlew
Skylark singing up against the blue sky
Usual corvids
1 lovely Buck Roe Deer
Lee Dam and Longfield Dam
At Lee Dam:
2M 6F Goosander on main dam.
2M 1F Tufted Duck on main dam and 1M1F on lower dam.
6 Canada Goose.
Nothing noteworthy heard singing, Robin and Goldfinch most vocal.
At Longfield Dam:
1M1F Goldeneye.
4 Lapwing.
7 Canada Goose.
2 Greylag Goose
c20 Starling.
1 Pied Wagtail.
Meadow Pipit heard calling.
Few Carrion Crow around fields.
Magpie nestbuiling in tree by Shepherd's Rest.
2M 6F Goosander on main dam.
2M 1F Tufted Duck on main dam and 1M1F on lower dam.
6 Canada Goose.
Nothing noteworthy heard singing, Robin and Goldfinch most vocal.
At Longfield Dam:
1M1F Goldeneye.
4 Lapwing.
7 Canada Goose.
2 Greylag Goose
c20 Starling.
1 Pied Wagtail.
Meadow Pipit heard calling.
Few Carrion Crow around fields.
Magpie nestbuiling in tree by Shepherd's Rest.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Lee Mount + other news today
This morning I went out to top the feeders up at 08:05 and heard Whooper Swans calling! Looked up and 4 went right over the house in the direction, I thought, of Ogden or Mixenden though 4 were at Cold Edge lower dam mid morning(AT and DP) so I guess they were the same ones.
Also 3 Barnacle Geese now reported from Cold Edge this morning along with a good showing of Golden Plover at and around Fly Flats and up to 7 Wheatears also from there as well as Stonechat (BS)
Pair of Goosander at Dean Head above Scammonden (PD)
Buzzard over Claremount late afternoon >SE (DaveB)
2 Shelduck and 2 Ringed Plover also , from Whiteholme Reservoir this morning (DF)
2 Wheatear near Scammonden on Tues and Wed (PD)
Also 3 Barnacle Geese now reported from Cold Edge this morning along with a good showing of Golden Plover at and around Fly Flats and up to 7 Wheatears also from there as well as Stonechat (BS)
Pair of Goosander at Dean Head above Scammonden (PD)
Buzzard over Claremount late afternoon >SE (DaveB)
2 Shelduck and 2 Ringed Plover also , from Whiteholme Reservoir this morning (DF)
2 Wheatear near Scammonden on Tues and Wed (PD)
Golden Plover - Mount Tabor
I know there have been some much more impressive counts today but 13 Golden Plover left the fields at Mount Tabor and flew off calling towards Norton Tower at 6.30 ish.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Sparrow hawk today the others over the weekend (garden)
Decided to get friendly with my camera this weekend, not picked it up for a while.
also had Siskin and Greenfinch along with the normal garden birds.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Wheatears
Just 2 reports so far, both from MM
One at Ogden GC on a fence by 13th March flew off in direction of windfarm.
One in the fields along Castle Carr Road, near Wainstalls yesterday afternoon.
One at Ogden GC on a fence by 13th March flew off in direction of windfarm.
One in the fields along Castle Carr Road, near Wainstalls yesterday afternoon.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Tripod wanted
Still a few Brambling at Roils Head today in horrible conditions. My friend Roy is after a pair of tripod legs with a standed quarter inch thread, he already has the head, if anyone as a tripod for sale or just the legs please let me know.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Redpoll
It's not often I get a new garden tick, but today I saw the first redpoll here in the 14 years that I've been here. It was a single, feeding on the spilt nyjer seed. In fact it was on the floor with a female bullfinch, 3 goldfinch, a chaffinch and 2 female siskin! I tried and failed for a photo, but hopefully it might be around for a while.
Fly Flats
Despite the early fog up there it did start to clear but the wind was gusting probably F6 so viewing was pretty tricky !
No sign of yesterdays Kittiwake unfortunately and no sign of any moving gulls
c70 Golden Plover and c40 Lapwing on Fill Belly Flat (the moor to the south of the reservoir)
2 Oystercatchers and a few Curlew about with plenty of Canada's on the moors
No sign of yesterdays Kittiwake unfortunately and no sign of any moving gulls
c70 Golden Plover and c40 Lapwing on Fill Belly Flat (the moor to the south of the reservoir)
2 Oystercatchers and a few Curlew about with plenty of Canada's on the moors
High Royd
Went to check the S T Works this morning in the chance of Sand Martin or maybe even Water pipit on the filter beds. Neither, the beds were very quiet apart from the Carrion Crows
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
At least 4 Nuthatches
Not much else !
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
At least 4 Nuthatches
Not much else !
Bramblings and Siskins
Still have a few Bramblings vising my garden at Highroad Well on a regular basis. Pleasantly surprised this morning to find 5 Siskins on my garden feeders. There dont seem to have been many Siskins about this year.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Calder Valley
Between Luddenden Foot and Mytholmroyd late morning + a 'butty' stop in Mytholmroyd and return.
1 Common Buzzard >W
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Goosander
1 Dipper
1 Chiff-chaff in a garden near the weir at Brearley
Lots of corvids - mainly Jackdaws
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Herring Gull >W
1 Common Buzzard >W
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Goosander
1 Dipper
1 Chiff-chaff in a garden near the weir at Brearley
Lots of corvids - mainly Jackdaws
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Herring Gull >W
Ogden Garden
A pair of brambling on the garden feeders yesterday afternoon and again this morning. The male already changing to breeding plumage.
Fly Flats
Some rough weather and heavy rain but went up in the hope of something blown in. Not disappointed!
3 Common Gulls came through > NW at 08:35 over the reservoir with an adult Kittiwake. I watched them head off over the moor.
Then a minute or so later I found another adult Kittiwake on the Reservoir with 2 x 2nd winter Herring Gulls. I left them - still there at 09:15.
I think there must have been 2 'kits'. Though I can't be sure if the first one didn't return in the atrocious conditions (?)
1 Raven >NW over Cold Edge.
Update - Kittiwake still there at 14:10 from BS. Tricky to find out in the middle of the reservoir - look for the very white head bobbing about on the water (as in the lower shot)!
3 Common Gulls came through > NW at 08:35 over the reservoir with an adult Kittiwake. I watched them head off over the moor.
Then a minute or so later I found another adult Kittiwake on the Reservoir with 2 x 2nd winter Herring Gulls. I left them - still there at 09:15.
I think there must have been 2 'kits'. Though I can't be sure if the first one didn't return in the atrocious conditions (?)
1 Raven >NW over Cold Edge.
Update - Kittiwake still there at 14:10 from BS. Tricky to find out in the middle of the reservoir - look for the very white head bobbing about on the water (as in the lower shot)!
Adult Kittiwake
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Lee Mount - Godwit flyover !
Out checking the moth trap around 22:30 last night. I heard a wader calling as it was flying over in the dark. Sounded to be going >SE. It gave several interspersed quite loud calls interpreted at the time as Wi, wi, wit.......... Wi, wi, wi, wit........wi, wi, wi wit.....and gradually fading in the distance. I immediately thought - Godwit sp. - certainly not a Greenshank or Redshank.
Listening to recordings on xeno-canto later on, I suspect Bar-tailed rather than Black-tailed - but I will never be 100% sure !!!!
Listening to recordings on xeno-canto later on, I suspect Bar-tailed rather than Black-tailed - but I will never be 100% sure !!!!
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Hardcastle Crags etc
A lovely day to be out with a perfect sky, wind strength and sunshine.
2 Grey Herons - one went very high >E
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen and heard 'drumming'
1 Green woodpecker heard
1 Tawny owl singing
1 Raven high >W
3 Common Buzzard
4 sightings of Sparrowhawk probably referred to just 2 birds
2 Kestrels
Goldcrest singing (well Nick heard it but I didn't)!
Plenty of corvids - mainly Jackdaws
1 Herring Gull
2 Greylag Geese went >E
Distant Curlews and Lapwings
On the way back we checked the Pecket Well to Oxenhope road, then Fly Flats and Withens Head in the hope of Wheatear (without success).Then we got a call from BS of a Red Kite over Soil Hill and heading low over Ogden golf course and Hunter Hill though we couldn't pick it out unfortunately. Earlier Daniel B had seen one over Soil Hill heading >N - though it may well have been the same bird (?)
2 Grey Herons - one went very high >E
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen and heard 'drumming'
1 Green woodpecker heard
1 Tawny owl singing
1 Raven high >W
3 Common Buzzard
4 sightings of Sparrowhawk probably referred to just 2 birds
2 Kestrels
Goldcrest singing (well Nick heard it but I didn't)!
Plenty of corvids - mainly Jackdaws
1 Herring Gull
2 Greylag Geese went >E
Distant Curlews and Lapwings
Grey Heron - heading high overhead
Common Buzzard
A very windy day at Crow Hill Sowerby
Curlew heard
A number of lapwing
9 Fieldfare
Meadow Pipits
One clump of frogspawn in water hole on Aaron Hill
A number of lapwing
9 Fieldfare
Meadow Pipits
One clump of frogspawn in water hole on Aaron Hill
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Recent news
See West Yorkshire Birding blog from BS for reports of some very special birds - a Red Kite over Queensbury on Sunday 12th March and an Osprey >NNW over Ogden on Monday 13th March at 08:15.
Nest boxes etc
With the help of Alan T we put up another 12 boxes in a woodland in the dean this morning. It was pretty wet with drizzle first thing but we were not deterred. Surprising how difficult it was to fasten the boxes onto Oak, they just didn't like the nails, though the birches were much more accommodating.
All today's boxes made by Roger R for National Trust funds and purchased through the contributions from the 'Grapevine' alongside those previously installed from Calderdale Birds Conservation Group (CBCG) Thanks to Alan, Roger and the 'grapeviners'.
All today's boxes made by Roger R for National Trust funds and purchased through the contributions from the 'Grapevine' alongside those previously installed from Calderdale Birds Conservation Group (CBCG) Thanks to Alan, Roger and the 'grapeviners'.
AT demonstrating working practices to H & S standards (19..)
So far this year between us and Matt and Andy we have put up....
9 at Jumble Hole and 4 in Ludd Dean - funding from CBCG
4 near Northowram (hoping for Tree Sparrows) and around 25 in Ludd Dean funded by grapeviners along with some home made boxes thrown in.
Hardly any birds found down there this morning so after the boxes we headed up to Fly Flats for a quick check for Wheatears, none found, though there were at least 2 Stonechats at Withens Head (opposite the wind farm car park).
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Jumble Hole
2 chiffchaff appeared around lunchtime, singing at times from the garden.
2 buzzards were around the Erringden area.
A male siskin was on the feeders, and turned out to be incredibly tame, staying put when people were shouting to each other 8 feet away from him!
Up in Jumble Hole itself, I've cleaned out all of last year's nestboxes in anticipation of the possible return of flycatchers. If they do return (in around 44 days - not that I'm obsessively counting....) it will be interesting to see if they're ringed birds (and therefore we should be able to determine if they're last year's Jumble Hole young) or unringed, and possibly the adult birds from last year.
Birds seen whilst spring cleaning:
- a pair of great spotted woodpecker, moving silently together from tree to tree
- singles of green woodpecker seen and heard
- treecreeper
- tawny owl
- meadow pipit over
- curlew heard calling
2 buzzards were around the Erringden area.
A male siskin was on the feeders, and turned out to be incredibly tame, staying put when people were shouting to each other 8 feet away from him!
Up in Jumble Hole itself, I've cleaned out all of last year's nestboxes in anticipation of the possible return of flycatchers. If they do return (in around 44 days - not that I'm obsessively counting....) it will be interesting to see if they're ringed birds (and therefore we should be able to determine if they're last year's Jumble Hole young) or unringed, and possibly the adult birds from last year.
Birds seen whilst spring cleaning:
- a pair of great spotted woodpecker, moving silently together from tree to tree
- singles of green woodpecker seen and heard
- treecreeper
- tawny owl
- meadow pipit over
- curlew heard calling
Castle Carr Road
An hour or so late afternoon along the road towards the top lodge. It was good to meet KL and PL also doing the rounds. Unfortunately the drizzle came in so it curtailed picking up much overhead movement. I went in the hope of early Wheatear, without success ! - maybe later this week....
1 drake Goosander >W
Snipe 'chipping'
A good number of both Curlew and Lapwings
2 Fieldfare
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Little Owls
2 Song Thrushes belting out their song
40+ Jackdaws
2 Stock Doves
1 drake Goosander >W
Snipe 'chipping'
A good number of both Curlew and Lapwings
2 Fieldfare
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Little Owls
2 Song Thrushes belting out their song
40+ Jackdaws
2 Stock Doves
Lee Mount
c40 Redwing in the trees at the lower end of Shroggs Park across lunchtime along with a Great Spotted Woodpecker
Friday, March 10, 2017
Ringstone, Baitings and Cold Edge
Called up there for a short while this morning to collect more nest-boxes from RR - thanks Roger.
1 f Goosander
2 Tufted Duck
2 adult Cormorants
5 Mallard
c90 Canada Geese
2 Oystercatchers
c70 Lapwings
Just a few few Common and B H Gulls in the north field
3 Meadow Pipits
c20 Pied Wagtails lower down around the farms big manure pile near Barkisland
Elsewhere from DF - 18 Whooper Swans were on Baitings Reservoir at 10:15
Also from BS at Cold Edge were 3f and 1 m Goldeneye and a pair of Tufted Duck but no sign of the recent 2 Barnacle Geese
.
1 f Goosander
2 Tufted Duck
2 adult Cormorants
5 Mallard
c90 Canada Geese
2 Oystercatchers
c70 Lapwings
Just a few few Common and B H Gulls in the north field
3 Meadow Pipits
c20 Pied Wagtails lower down around the farms big manure pile near Barkisland
Elsewhere from DF - 18 Whooper Swans were on Baitings Reservoir at 10:15
Also from BS at Cold Edge were 3f and 1 m Goldeneye and a pair of Tufted Duck but no sign of the recent 2 Barnacle Geese
.
Thursday, March 09, 2017
Fly Flats
Just a quick look up there late morning but the westerly wind was pretty strong making holding the binoculars steady, quite tricky !
4+ Stonechats near the northern end where BS had 6 yesterday and again later today
1 Cormorant came in from the north to settle on the water
1 Raven >N
19 Golden Plover high >W over the moor
+ usual sp.
4+ Stonechats near the northern end where BS had 6 yesterday and again later today
1 Cormorant came in from the north to settle on the water
1 Raven >N
19 Golden Plover high >W over the moor
+ usual sp.
Wednesday, March 08, 2017
Blue Tit with yellow face??
Called in at Cromwell Bottom to have an hour at the feeding station when I noticed this Blue Tit with a yellow face!
A bit of a Google doesn't come up with much other than it could be pollen staining??
Anyone seen it before or have any ideas as to the cause/reason behind it? thanks
A bit of a Google doesn't come up with much other than it could be pollen staining??
Anyone seen it before or have any ideas as to the cause/reason behind it? thanks
Tuesday, March 07, 2017
Other news today
3 Sand Martins over Northowram >N first thing this morning (AC)
Water Pipit at Lower Gorple again (MH) - proving to be very elusive and difficult to approach once found
Water Pipit at Lower Gorple again (MH) - proving to be very elusive and difficult to approach once found
Fly Flats and Withens Head
This morning
c10 Curlew and very vocal
1 Oystercatcher
1 Redshank
35 Golden Plover high over >W
20+ Lapwing
90+ Canada Geese
8+ Greylag Geese
+ Red Grouse
3 Reed Bunting by the boat house
3 Meadow Pipits
20+ Starlings >NW
c20 Redwings > Castle Carr
Withens Head
20+ Curlew
20+ Lapwing
Pair of Stonechat
c10 Curlew and very vocal
1 Oystercatcher
1 Redshank
35 Golden Plover high over >W
20+ Lapwing
90+ Canada Geese
8+ Greylag Geese
+ Red Grouse
3 Reed Bunting by the boat house
3 Meadow Pipits
20+ Starlings >NW
c20 Redwings > Castle Carr
Withens Head
20+ Curlew
20+ Lapwing
Pair of Stonechat
Lee Mount
Recent birds in and over the garden
Female Blackcap (through the double glazing) the best I have been able to get - so far. It's off in a flash !
Adult Common Gull
Kestrel - a rarity over the house in recent years
Monday, March 06, 2017
Today (and recent news)!
Chiff-chaff in a Brighouse garden today (MH) along with a Goldcrest and a Common Buzzard over.
Up to 11 Whooper Swans at Ringstone yesterday (DF) and again today with probably the same lot seen later at Cold Edge dams (PS and MH)
3 Stonechat at Dean Head above Scammonden today (GS)
7f and 2m Goosander on Ryburn Reservoir yesterday (GS)
Pair of Pintail at Ringstone yesterday flew off >W (DF)
Pair of Shoveler at Ringstone on Saturday 4th Mch (DF)
Also on Saturday between Walshaw, Blake Dean and Lower Gorple (NG, CBJ, MH, NCD, DF et al)
25 Curlew
40 Fieldfare
Crossbills,
6 Siskin
8 Whooper Swans
8 Oystercatchers,
Snipe display
Apologies for any omissions - not had time to keep up to speed last few days !!
Water Pipit at Lower Gorple brief views only on Saturday (DF and MH)
See Brian's blog (West Yorkshire Birding) blog for details of an Iceland Gull near Keighley and Sand Martins already appearing at Barden near Bolton Abbey today.
Up to 11 Whooper Swans at Ringstone yesterday (DF) and again today with probably the same lot seen later at Cold Edge dams (PS and MH)
3 Stonechat at Dean Head above Scammonden today (GS)
7f and 2m Goosander on Ryburn Reservoir yesterday (GS)
Pair of Pintail at Ringstone yesterday flew off >W (DF)
Pair of Shoveler at Ringstone on Saturday 4th Mch (DF)
Also on Saturday between Walshaw, Blake Dean and Lower Gorple (NG, CBJ, MH, NCD, DF et al)
25 Curlew
40 Fieldfare
Crossbills,
6 Siskin
8 Whooper Swans
8 Oystercatchers,
Snipe display
Apologies for any omissions - not had time to keep up to speed last few days !!
Water Pipit at Lower Gorple brief views only on Saturday (DF and MH)
See Brian's blog (West Yorkshire Birding) blog for details of an Iceland Gull near Keighley and Sand Martins already appearing at Barden near Bolton Abbey today.
Jumble Hole
Feeders still full of (in order of numbers showing up) - goldfinch, chaffinch, greenfinch and siskin (up to 4 at a time)
Buzzard calling over Erringden again today.
A cormorant flew in circles down the valley yesterday, not a common site from home!
Buzzard calling over Erringden again today.
A cormorant flew in circles down the valley yesterday, not a common site from home!
Sunday, March 05, 2017
Parakeets
2 parakeets becoming very regular in my Sowerby Bridge garden,No need for an alarm clock with the racket they make!
Marsh/willow tit
Without reading through dozens of threads, which is most likely the bird my son has just had in his garden on Burnley Road : marsh or willow tit. He says it had creamy cheeks and a bib(says definitely not a coal tit) but I think they both have these, and the difference is in the cap I may be wrong. But if I can tell him he may get a better look next time.
FALLOW DEER
4 fallow deer seen in Calderdale this week - a lifer for my son. 4 adults and a juvenile.
Saturday, March 04, 2017
Little Owl Pair
Earlier today while about I spotted a Peregrine bothering gulls (record shot below so I am not accused of pigeon).
Then later near home the pair of Little Owls are back in their usual spot. Curlew also in the local field.
In a different area in early evening there was a very large and dark Buzzard mobbed by two Carrion Crows and (she?) settled in a small wood.
Then later near home the pair of Little Owls are back in their usual spot. Curlew also in the local field.
In a different area in early evening there was a very large and dark Buzzard mobbed by two Carrion Crows and (she?) settled in a small wood.
Friday, March 03, 2017
Bramblings
A group of about 10 still in trees at Catherine Slack near Coach Road, Brighouse.
Also 4 Tufties on Clifton lagoon and a Buzzard overhead.
Teal numbers down to 3 at Sunny Vale, but plenty of Coot, Moorhens & Little Grebes.
Also 4 Tufties on Clifton lagoon and a Buzzard overhead.
Teal numbers down to 3 at Sunny Vale, but plenty of Coot, Moorhens & Little Grebes.
Green Withens
4 Curlew SE> over Ringstone 8.30 am
Green Withens before the rain started!
2 pair of Mallards
2 Canada Geese
1 Male Stonechat
1 Wren
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Dippers, one in top drain into resi, one in stream below the overflow
1 Buzzard circling then flew north
Green Withens before the rain started!
2 pair of Mallards
2 Canada Geese
1 Male Stonechat
1 Wren
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Dippers, one in top drain into resi, one in stream below the overflow
1 Buzzard circling then flew north
Thursday, March 02, 2017
Dean Clough etc and Baitings Reservoir
Not much time for getting out today though I did walk past Dean Clough twice.
First trip - 1 Dipper in the stream just where it emerges from the culvert. Also Grey Wagtail there.
Second trip - 1 male Kestrel on the roof of one of the mills. Plenty Jackdaws about there as well
Also a rarity nowadays for our garden feeders - a Greenfinch !! but no sign of the recent Blackcap today.
Also from Pete G - another great find with an adult Kittiwake on Baitings Res'r around 09:20.
First trip - 1 Dipper in the stream just where it emerges from the culvert. Also Grey Wagtail there.
Second trip - 1 male Kestrel on the roof of one of the mills. Plenty Jackdaws about there as well
Also a rarity nowadays for our garden feeders - a Greenfinch !! but no sign of the recent Blackcap today.
Also from Pete G - another great find with an adult Kittiwake on Baitings Res'r around 09:20.














