Crossbills

3 Crossbills showed really well today in the plantation at Walshaw Dean, adult male and female and a juvenile.

Ogden Water etc.

An hour there across tea-time produced a couple of nice surprises...a bit distant for any photo's  unfortunately.
1 Green Sandpiper
1 Dunlin

Also, amongst the usual species
2 Cormorant
2 Willow Warblers
2 Herring Gulls
c25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
30+ Black-headed Gulls
3 Common Gulls

Also from yesterday as I was waiting at Halifax Railway Station, an adult Peregrine was soaring about over Square Chapel and then over Beacon Hill. I guess this was one of the birds that attempted to nest there earlier in the year (?)

River Calder

Yesterdays walk along the river Calder-:

  Cormorant, Goosander, Jay, Canada, BH Gull, Mallard,
  Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Blackcap, Moorhen, Wren,
  Dunnock, Blackbird and Otter

Hebden Bridge Rally Saturday 11th August

https://www.facebook.com/events/185104235652390/

Cuckoo

Last nights juvenile Cuckoo at Crimsworth Dean taken through car window.

Lee Mount

Just 3 Swifts through today and 4 House Martins early on and that was about it for today.

Tawny Owls calling and singing most nights from the park and in Wheatley Valley.

Sent from my iPhone

Mixenden reservoir

Female goldeneye still there this morning
1 grey wagtail

Sent from my iPhone

Swales Moor - Ringby Lane

Plenty of gulls in north field, ie 'the wagtail' field, this afternoon following the plough. Around 150 gulls but nothing out of the ordinary - mostly L B B Gulls and B H Gulls with a few adult Herring Gulls and 3 adult Common Gulls.
Also 30+ alba wagtails - some looked very pale, possible 'White Wagtails' but with changing plumage of the Pied Wagtails and a large proportion of juveniles it was difficult to be sure of any 'whites' !
No Yellow Wag's...... but it's worth keeping a check on especially when/if we get some rain.

It could be fantastic up there if they sowed it down with wildflower seed. !!!!!

Also a few Linnets about as well as Goldfinch's, 1 Skylark, 2 Kestrels and c60 Carrion Crows, but they weren't showing any interest in the 'wagtail field' for some reason.

Withens Head

Viewpoint, opposite the wind-farm car park late morning.
2 Wheatear
c12 Linnet
1 Sparrowhawk
20+ Meadow Pipits

Sent from my iPhone

Fly Flatts

This morning, no sign of the weekends waders.
Just 2 Dunlin along with a few Lapwings.
12 Teal
1 Buzzard
10+ Kestrels
50+ Swallows and Swifts passing through > SW
1 Common Gull
c30 B H Gulls and a few L B B Gulls over the moor
2 Barnacle Geese
2 Meadow Pipit
5 Ravens > N
For yesterday's concise update at Fly Flatts see BS's blog (West Yorkshire Birding).

Sent from my iPhone

Twite

I've just seen a request on FB for information on Twite, it's a chap from Slovakia who is trying to get some UK birding done whilst he is over here for Birdfair.  One target species is twite, so Derby Delph is an obvious site but are they being seen there at the moment, if so is there a preferred time to visit?

Fly Flatts

Greenshank still present from yesterday and now with 2 Green Sandpipers, an early morning find for DF. All still there at 10:30 this morning. They were showing in the area at the bottom of the fence line, view from the large-ish car parking area on the top road but from there a scope is essential.
DF, DP, DJS (3 Dave's)!

Also this afternoon 2 Sanderling turned up along with a single Dunlin (which is under scrutiny?) see BS's photo's on West Yorkshire Birding blog.. (DF NCD BS)

Sent from my iPhone

Recent news !

A few birds of interest this week including some wader species that we have expected with the shoreline of several of our local reservoirs. Still plenty time for some more !

Juvenile Greenshank at Fly Flatts today along with a Common Sandpiper and 2 Barnacle Geese still there. (DJS BS)

Blackstone Edge and Whiteholme reservoirs area has seen several Dunlin, up to 4 Ringed Plover, some Curlew and Oystercatchers this week with c25 of the latter still in the Gorple/Walshaw area earlier in the week. (PG NCD DF DW et al)

Little Egret briefly at Green Withens on Tuesday flew off >NW. (PD)

280 or so House Martins at Eastwood sewage treatment works. (MB)

2 Crossbills at Sunderland Pasture plantation (PG) and another at Walshaw plantation (NCD DF)

Lots of Kestrels about at a number of locations after what looks like a really good breeding season. Several reports of Buzzards, Short-eared Owls and Little Owls, and Raven etc along with  a Merlin near Widdop (PB) - plenty of voles for the raptors and owls this summer which is good news. Several reports of Buzzard juveniles fledged now as well.

Swifts now well on the move out of our area but some moving flocks around early morning and  early/late evening with 30+ this morning over Lee Mount and 40+ over Northowram on Wednesday (DJS AC)

Yellow Wagtail seen again at Ringstone this week (GS)
Yellow-hammer at Claremount last Sunday (DB)

Probably a few more 'bits' I've missed out as well, with apologies. !!
It's been good to get a few more 'birders' doing the rounds recently. Good work everyone.
Just need a few more to blog.

Hen Harrier breeding success at last..

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hen-harrier-breeding-success

Good news and well done to all those who worked and continue to work so hard......

Conservation fundraiser

If you can spare a fiver, and 2 minutes to follow the link and have a read, I'm raising funds to buy night vision optics to help a turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica so they can reach the laying turtles before the poachers.
https://www.gofundme.com/equipment-for-saving-turtles

Fly Flatts

This morning. I got a reasonably early start in the hope of BS's Turnstone still being there especially with unprecedented shoreline showing. Not to be. It must have moved on overnight.

Tactics were...check the shoreline from a distant first to try avoid any waders seeing me first and spooking them. It paid off. ! At the south end in-among the stones I located a few Lapwing and some larger brownish waders in with them. All preening and bathing in the shallow pools. As I got closer they looked to have the head pattern of Whimbrel. Scope to the fore to check the head pattern. Sure enough Whimbrel confirmed 6 of them all showing the same characteristics. After a few minutes I heard their call several times and suspected they they were about to move. Sure enough they lifted altogether giving several more calls and off they went high >SE at 08:55

Also down by the former Twite feeding station a Cuckoo (probably a juvenile) was on the fence hopping down for insects on the ground. Then it was off down towards Dean Head/Castle Carr
Also a family group of 4 Kestrels hunting the West Bank
1 Short-eared Owl distant
1 Common Buzzard
2 Ravens high >E
1 Dunlin
c20 Lapwing
1 ad Common Gull
c25 L B B Gulls to and fro-ing
c40 B H Gulls
Still no sign of any returning Wheatears, no hirundines or Swifts and just a few Meadow Pipits about.

Fly Flatts

A dash to Fly Flatts before tea after BS had another cracking bird there this afternoon - Turnstone.

We 'dipped' ! No time to go on the west bank so scoped from road with light not good from up there. 4 lots dog walkers between west and south bank so odds on it would be on north/east shore. Couldn't find it though always some bits can't see from up there.
32 Lapwings, 1 Common Sand and 5 Teal. I guess it was still there though. Good find Bri.

Some cracking shots on West Yorkshire Birds blog. There is a link on our main page.

Out and about

Jobs this morning not before a Swift watch first. Around 30+ over the house. So that was a good start.

I had a check at Ogden, lower end of golf course and the Clough below the Reservoir. Not a lot but enjoyed it all the same with lots of butterflies to keep me interested. 2 hours out in that heat was enough !
1 Green Woodpecker
1 adult Whitethroat
1 Kestrel

Got home sitting out with a cuppa watching Swifts.
1 adult Peregrine soaring high over the house followed by a Sparrowhawk. They saw the afternoon through nicely.

Leo update

Following new info we now have 14 pairs of breeding LEOs with at least 36 young, which is a Calderdale record.

Pennine Optics

Just heard from Phil D that the shop in Rochdale has now closed and Mike has retired. So save a wasted journey if anyone was planning going there !

I know he has supplied several of us with optics, cameras etc and always given good service and advice.
He also sponsored one of our bird reports some time ago so his support was greatly appreciated.
All the best Mike.

Todays news (well, some of it )

Mixenden Reservoir
Female Goldeneye still there
3 Moorhen including a chick being fed by the adults

Fly Flatts
1 drake Common Scoter still
2 Barnacle Geese still with 300++++ Canadas
1 Common Sandpiper
5 Lapwings
c30 Black-headed Gulls and a few L B B Gulls on the shoreline

Cold Edge - Cuckoo earlier on today from PB - probably a juvenile as most of the adult sat tagged birds are well on their way back to Africa. See latest update from BTO here..
https://bto-enews.org/102F-5RSKD-CB52JCUE52/cr.aspx

Also 42 Lapwing at Cold Edge, but they had gone by afternoon.

I went Cold Edge this afternoon doing a butterfly count - but that was nearly a waste of time - hardly any about with 100% cloud cover and cooler with some light drizzle. Bonus was bumping into BS as he travelled up to his second home for his daily check on Fly Flatts. Nice to see you Bri.
2 female Tufted Ducks with 7 and 2 half-grown ducklings on the dams
1 Little Grebe with 2 well grown chicks
1 Kestrel
5 juvenile Stonechats together as I came back down across Ogden golf course mid afternoon but no sign of any Whinchats.
2 Curlews still on Hunter Hill

Also earlier today a Red Kite in our area is always special (DF)

Bird Report update

Woodlesford Newsagents at Pellon only have 5 copies of the bird report left so if you want one I would get one soon. This is the only outlet, otherwise you can get one off myself, Dave Franz or Dave Sutcliffe. I have 7 reserved for other people. When Woodlesford have sold out I will give them some more if Ive any left, cheers Nick D.

Today’s news.

I tried Swales Moor, Ringby Lane this afternoon. Very good for butterfly's but not many birds.
2 Meadow Pipits
2 Kestrels
c12 Linnets
Swallows, House Martins and a few Swifts about over the top
c20 L B B Gulls.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers also reported from there by a resident this afternoon.

See Brian's blog for a great report and photos from this afternoons session at Fly Flats. Another gem with a fly through Marsh Harrier.

Common Redstart, male from PD and LD at Scammonden this afternoon.

8 Common Scoter on Ringstone yesterday from AT GS and VJ.
2 Dunlin at Ringstone earlier today. PJWS.

Plenty of Swifts over Lee Mount this morning with 30+ screaming all over the place. I suspect these noisy flocks include juveniles recently fledged. They will be setting off back to Africa in the next 2/3 weeks so enjoy them while they are still here !

LEO update

Long-eared Owl survey results so far; 13 breeding pairs located with at least 33 young reared, one pair apparently having a second brood which is uncommon for this species. The 13 breeding pairs were found at 8 sites across Calderdale, there were also adult birds found at 4 other sites but no evidence of breeding. Thanks to all who helped out its been a great year for Leos and there is still time to find a few more, Cheers Nick D.

River Calder

Plenty of juvenile House and Sand Martins by the Calder this week in Brighouse.

Other news

Male Siskin at a feeder near Brearley, Mytholmroyd since 19th June turned up with 2 juveniles today so confirming a local breeding record from LM.
They are certainly scarce breeding birds in Calderdale. Many thanks for the report.

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail at Ringstone Edge Reservoir yesterday from AT. Another scarce bird for Calderdale. Also reported there on Sunday 15th from GS. AT. JM.
Yellow Wagtail also reported from Dean Head, Scammonden on Sunday along with 2 Grasshopper Warblers 'reeling'.

Mute Swan at Ogden yesterday from DW.

Photo's

A couple of nice shots from local sights recently from JM.

 Little Ringed Plover

 

Meadow Pipit

King Cross

A single spotted flycatcher in the cemetery by wainhouse tower, also 2 buzzards single jay and great spotted woodpecker and a lbb gull over
A few swifts about in the area

Todmorden

Walking along the path by the bus station yesterday (Tue 17th), I heard some calls from the Calder and found a couple of Mallard chicks, the first I have seen here this year. There appeared to be only two, and they were quite well-grown, so presumably they have spent the time since hatching downstream somewhere.

Also an adult Dipper was present, which flew upstream and was around the Wellington Road bridge when my wife passed a few minutes later.

Ringby Lane

This afternoon for an hour or so. Pretty breezy on the top.
2 Skylark
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Kestrel
A few Linnets and Goldfinch about on the top as well as Swifts, Swallows and a few House Martins.
12 Pied Wagtails in the recently ploughed field
Usual corvids and L B B Gulls.

Mytholmroyd

a single Sand Martin giving great views over brierley fields this morning came as close as few feet

Ringby Lane

Hec it's hard work in this hot sunshine !
1 Grey Heron high > NW
1 Common Buzzard
1 Kestrel
2 Meadow Pipits
c12 Linnet
30+ L B B Gulls loafing over the processing plant with c80 Carrion Crows
1 Herring Gull > W
2 Stock Doves and a few Swifts and hirundines over the top.

Insect feast !

Report from GS this afternoon of loads of Black-headed Gulls aerial feeding, probably on flying ants, over Elland.

Same thing happened later on over Lee Mount between 6 pm and 6:30. All of a sudden the Black- Headed Gulls appeared above the trees in Shroggs Park, maybe around 40 of them flying over snatching at insects. They were soon joined by at least 1 Herring Gull, a dozen or so Lesser Black- backs and 3 adult Common Gulls. A few Jackdaws also joined in as well as c20 Swifts and a similar number of Starlings. Great to see Gulls feeding in this way as they coincide to feed as these insects emerge, as is usual around this time of year.

Sent from my iPhone

Mixenden Reservoir area

Female Goldeneye still there late morning.
Green Woodpecker calling behind the plantation
Little Owl at Stodfold along with a juvenile Curlew.

Withens Clough, Cragg Vale

A great morning to be up there with a cool breeze keeping the temperature manageable.
Not many birds about, but plenty butterflies to enjoy.
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Common Buzzard
2 Kestrels
1 Lapwing
1 Red Grouse
Just a few Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits and juvenile Pied Wagtails as well as a few Swallows and 2 House Martins but no sign of any 'chats'.

Dipper and plastic !

From Rob G - "I think this photo nicely sums up the current debate around plastics .Young Dipper spotted behind the railway station on the Calder in Hebden Bridge this morning." (5th July)

 

Thanks Rob

Moor adj Ogden Golf Course

A short eared owl quartering the moor this evening about 8.30 pm  adj to the 15th green.

Sean Johnston

For those who knew him, we received the news earlier this week that Sean Johnston passed away suddenly. Sean was an excellent birder, locally in Calderdale and abroad as well as a regular east coast watcher and great company.

Below are details for Sean's funeral for those who might be able to attend and/or support the work at Spurn. 

Tuesday 10^th July at 12 noon at Lund Methodist Chapel, Lockington Road YO25 9TG followed by a service at 1.30pm at East Riding Crematorium Octon YO25 3BL nr Driffield then returning to Lund for refreshments.

Joanna has asked for family flowers only and for anyone wishing to make a donation in Sean's memory to please donate to Spurn Bird Observatory Trust, there will be a box available at the funeral or alternatively bank transfer can be made to the following account

HSBC Sort Code: 40-40-22 

Account Number 11749056.

Please mark any bank transfers as in memory of Sean.

Anyone preferring to send a cheque please make it payable to Spurn Bird Observatory Trust and send to

Henry Naylor Funeral Directors

Easterfield House

1 New Road

Driffield

YO25 5DL

Mixenden Reservoir

Female Goldeneye still there yesterday.
3 Green Woodpeckers together - distant but looked like an adult and 2 juveniles.

Other news from yesterday was a Drake Pochard on Ringstone Reservoir (from PJWS). A very scarce bird in Calderdale in recent years.

Lumbutts

Just had a quick look on my way back from the tip.

Lee Dam.
No waterfowl seen on main dam, did not check upper due to work being done on footpath.
Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chaffinch most notable singing.

Longfield Dam.
3M 1F Tufted Duck on dam.
1 adult Canada Goose just visible on far bank, may have been others present, the banks are very overgrown these days.
3F Mallard.
Nothing visible on fields opposite apart from a couple of Woodpigeon, again very overgrown compared with past years.

Also, I normally park opposite the Shepherds Rest and walk to Longfield Dam, but there were over a dozen cars there and along the road. I believe at weekends it has become a major issue, with large numbers parking to walk up to the "beach" at Gaddings Dam. What effect all this might be having on the wildlife is up for debate, I suppose.

Finally, in Todmorden I saw the first of no doubt many juvenile Jackdaws today. I haven't seen any obvious juvenile Grey Wagtail again, although regular adult sightings, and as far as I've seen there have not been any Mallard chicks on the Calder in the town centre this year.

Ovenden Moor

A male Stonechat mid-day today just in front of the Withens and a few minutes later a Raven went >W making plenty of noise.

Earlier there was a Redshank at Cold Edge, still a few Curlew about and 2 Lapwings.
Around 20 young Swallows were down at a farm near Wainstalls and the adults were even chasing 2 Jackdaws off with no hesitation.

Hebden Bridge centre

A female goosander with 3 young was on the river behind the Shoulder of Mutton in the centre of Hebden today. There's also a mink often seen down there, so there might well have been more earlier in the week.

Swales Moor

Ringby Lane
Pretty quiet for birds up there this afternoon in the hot sunshine - better for butterflies !
2 Skylarks on the top
2 Stock Doves
A pair of Whitethroat - and at this site they always seem to have a Dunnock in attendance for some unknown reason !
A few Linnets
Lesser Black-backed Gulls loafing around and then heading off >NW
Just a few Swifts, Swallows and House Martins about in the area and some nice views from on the top.

Sand Martins

I came across a very accesible small colony yesterday - is it okay to publish details?

EDIT: It's immediately upstream of Elland Bridge by the side of the towpath. There were six adults present two of which were seen entering nest holes in a derelict mill.
There were two adults present there in April.

Mixenden Reservoir.....

I thought a check might be worthwhile with still the possibility of Common Scoters passing through, but not today.
The summering female Goldeneye is still there along with 19 Canada Geese and 20+ Mallard including various sized ducklings.
c20 House Martins
2 Pied Wagtails
1 B H Gull
1 L B B Gull
1 Sparrowhawk
A few Willow Warblers still singing and calling in the pine woodland but not a lot else in there.

Ryburn - Wood Duck

Found in the Ryburn Valley earlier today from AT and PG.
North American species commonly kept in wildfowl collections - perhaps escapes from a local site ?

Fly Flatts

We just got home from Cragg Vale to get a text from BS - 4  drake Common Scoters on Fly Flatts reservoir. Another coastal bird, though we normally expect a few of this species passing through in mid-summer. Probably non breeding birds, or males after breeding at more northerly sites.
Thanks Bri.

Also from the top road with the scope several Dunlin were found on the shoreline, a Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, Curlew and Lapwing with a good show of Swifts feeding high and low over the water.
12 Herring Gulls went >W and 4+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls went loafing >NW over the moor
2+ Kestrels
1 Barnacle Goose found with the big flock of Canada Geese

Withens Clough Reservoir

It's always a nice walk up there even if you don't see a lot...though we always live in anticipation and we were not disappointed this morning.

Early signs of movement when 3 Black-headed Gulls dropped in for a short while and moved off >W. Then as we walked around the far side we noticed another small gull on the water. The water was choppy and the bird distant but we suspected a Kittiwake. It sat about on the water for a long time and it didn't give a lot away. Eventually it stretched it's wings and yes it was what we expected.

The only confusion was the possibility of it being and adult Common Gull in full summer plumage, even they are rare here in mid-summer.. Shortly after, it took off, as if to head high and >W but it went back down on the water and was still there at 12:45. Maybe a tired bird possibly blown inland after the recent strong winds. It's certainly not one to expect in June when it would normally be at coastal breeding sites.
Record shot only below was the best I could do..(click to enlarge!)

Adult Kittiwake

Also nearby, up the hill from the car park we checked a reliable spot for singing Grasshopper Warbler. Jen heard it for quite a while but try as I might my hearing would not lock on to it !!

Around Stainland and the Blackburn Valley.

Meadowpipit, swallows, skylark and linnet on Stainland Moor.

3 individual grey wagtail along the Black Brook.

50-100 Housemartin just down from Sonoco.

GSW, Nuthatch and grey heron in vicinity of Bowers Mill pond.

No longer Housemartin nests in Bower Mill buildings windows, must've been removed. Don't know when.

2x common whitethroat and 1 chiffchaff in fields along Branch Road.

GSW Fall Spring Wood.

Plenty of Willow Warblers.

Cold Edge area

First Stonechat for some time - a juvenile on Castle Carr Road this afternoon. Also still a good few Curlew about with large chicks and Skylarks still singing on the moor up there.

Cold Edge dams
Another Stonechat - a male - by the small lower plantation and Willow Warblers well in evidence there.
2 Common Sandpipers
3 male Tufted Duck on the top dam
c20 Linnets with juveniles in the hay meadows that have just been cut

Interesting read

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/2018/06/16/whats-going-on-at-langholm/

River Calder, Todmorden

A juvenile Grey Wagtail and an adult were in the Calder by the Wellington Road culvert yesterday lunchtime.

Fly Flatts and Mixenden

Fly Flatts
Blowing a westerly gale this morning with light drizzle. I was thinking maybe Common Scoter time as they often turn up on local reservoirs during the summer.

It was tricky finding any waders in the conditions as it was difficult standing up never mind holding the bins or scope still. A couple of distant Redshank, some Curlew and Lapwing but the smaller waders were out of site.

c300 Canada Geese with plenty of growing chicks still in the long grass.

6 Herring Gulls. 2 Black-headed Gulls and around 25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were all struggling >W

40+ Swifts though were scything through the air cutting through it like nothing to it !

One wader that was well stuck and not doing very well at all this morning !

 

Withens Head

A little more shelter there, though even the waders were close behind the walls with 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Curlew and a Lapwing along with a small group of fledged Starlings

 

Mixenden Reservoir

Maybe 40+ House Martins feeding over the sheltered part of the reservoir but no other hirundines with them.

2 Canada Geese

Female Goldeneye still there

Great crested grebes with chicks, Ringstone

Lovely to see the Great crested grebes have successfully hatched two young , both feeding and doing well

Edit - called today and they have 3 chicks, must have missed one the other day

A couple of  heavy cropped photos courtesy of Mrs Lynn D

Also, from out and about the last few evenings from various undisclosed sites, a Barn Owl that took me completely by surprise, it was that close I couldn't get its wings in shot and in my excitement I forgot  I could shorten the focal length :)

And what has to be one of my favourite birds, a Long-eared owlet, lovely to see and hear calling for food.

For anyone interested in the technical side, this was another shot taken at the extremes, 1/320th, f6.3   ISO 22,800 handheld. I've done some noise reduction in pp'ing and it's 'cleaned up' not too bad.

Thanks for the comments on the Spotted flycatcher, just noticed I never replied back, was a cracking bird to see.

Gropper =+ gs woodpecker

A grasshopper warbler was reeling between Mankinholes and Stoodley Pike yesterday.

And at Jumble Hole, my neighbours have a dark brown/almost black great spotted woodpecker visiting their feeders. I've seen it, and it's definitely a gsw, but I've never seen one with that colouration. I'll try get a photo. Very odd.

Mixenden reservoir

Late morning
The summering female Goldeneye is still there

Also 20+ Black-headed Gulls, including some of this years juveniles,which were later joined by 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls enjoying the feast of insects over towards the west banking. They were also joined with a few Swifts, Swallows and House Martins
Willow Warbler fledglings and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in the woodland

Hardcastle Crags

We had a while mid-day, checking out the Wood Warbler spot up the hill by the wood pile - but drew a blank. That's 4 goes we have tried and failed for them and we are probably running out of time now this year. We live in hope !

On the plus side we did locate 2 Spotted Flycatchers - they are getting scarcer and scarcer now for us in Calderdale as they are in many parts of the country - but they are apparently doing much better in Scotland.

Oops - nearly forgot. On the way to the crags we had a Cuckoo fly over as we went through the other side of Mount Tabor.

Help needed with Leo survey

Its that time of year when we try and survey our Long-eared Owl population. With it being a vole year we could expect to find good numbers breeding. If anyone would like to help just give me a call. Also could someone who has the no how please change the advert on the top right of this blog and put the new report in its place. Also thanks to all the people who have texted me on the report, I would like to reply to them all but I fear I would run out of credit so thanks to you all.

On the moors

                                         3 Curlew chicks  today   ( click for better image)

Calderdale - Lower Valley area

Some recent shots from JM

 Mistle Thrush nests

 Fledged Mistle Thrush's

 Lapwing chicks

Broadhead Clough, Cragg Vale

With Alan T, we went looking for Woodcock last night - and we were not disappointed with 3 birds roding together (maybe an adult with young birds (??) plus possibly one other individual. They didn't show till around 9:30 pm so we had quite a wait for them to appear.

On the way back down in then dark we had surprise to come across a colony of Ghost Moths 'dancing' over the grasses in one of the fields.

The natural world is full of nice surprises.

These were the best shots I could get of a Woodcock in the fading light though I'm sure Alan got some better ones ?

Withens Clough Reservoir

Pretty quiet today, just a few birds about but all took some finding
Common Whitethroat singing near the car park was a new one up there for me.
1 Grey Wagtail
No migrant waders
2 Common Sandpipers
2 Curlew
1 Lapwing
A few Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits
10+ House Martins an  a few Swallows

Walshaw Dean

Spotted flycatcher showed well yesterday evening, another first for me.

Martins' nests 2nd june

A whole terraced street with House Martin nests at Portsmouth, nr. Todmorden. Lennox Rd. near the level crossing and the former Roebuck Inn. About ten nests and about 30 birds flying around, many building, others clinging onto the walls under the eaves, chattering.

Along the Pennine Way from Blackstone Edge

2x Common sandpiper by Light Hazzles Reservoir.
Ringed Plover on Warland Reservoir dam wall.
M Stonechat near Bird Nest Hill above Withens Clough.
2x Raven around Langfield Common near Mankinholes.
M+F Tufted Duck on White Holme Reservoir.
6 common sandpiper also on White Holme Reservoir.
Reed Bunting on White Holme Moss.

Castle Carr Area - Saturday

A Cukoo still calling and several pairs of Golden Plover along with plenty of Lapwing and drumming Snipe.  Didn't want to get too close to the goldies so just got a distant shot.  Plenty of Swallows over the moors and 2 Swifts.

Mixenden Reservoir

Fogged of at higher levels all morning so took the chance to check this site. A bit of a surprise to still find a female Goldeneye there this morning , but no sign of the male.

At last, a decent show of hirundines with lots of House Martins, maybe 60+ along with 50+ Swallows and 40+ Swifts. All feeding over the water and woodland edge but no sign of any Sand Martins as I guess they will all be on the nest sites by now.

Pair of Mistle Thrush with juveniles in the nest but couldn't see how many.
Pair of Linnets also at a nest site and Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers singing nearby at Stodfold.

Plenty of young Lapwing,Curlew and Redshanks on the moors this week.

                                                         Redshank chick

Withens Clough (Cragg Vale)

A nice surprise to find  a couple of migrant waders on the reservoir this morning.
A Sanderling (they breed in the high Arctic) and a Ringed Plover. Tricky getting any decent shots through the juncus but it's best, for the birds sake, to avoid the reservoir shore.

 Ringed Plover

Sanderling

 

On the down side there was not a 'sniff' of any 'chats'. This used to be  a good area for Stonechats and Whinchats but no longer !