Some more garden pics and a couple of unwanted
that keep scaring the birds, next doors bloody cats,
taken during the Lockdown.
Monday, March 30, 2020
More Garden Pics
Some more garden pics and a couple of unwanted
that keep scaring the birds, next doors bloody cats,
taken during the Lockdown.
Walk around
Left my little flat in king cross and went for a walk
Tescos greenfinch 1 pied wagtail 3
People's park rookery is only 3 nests,lots of mallards and 2 Canada geese
Town center grey wagtail 1
Old lane chiffchaff 2 greenfinch 3 bullfinch 4 goldfinch
Lee bridge area chiffchaff 1
Not much else
Tescos greenfinch 1 pied wagtail 3
People's park rookery is only 3 nests,lots of mallards and 2 Canada geese
Town center grey wagtail 1
Old lane chiffchaff 2 greenfinch 3 bullfinch 4 goldfinch
Lee bridge area chiffchaff 1
Not much else
Garden lockdown !
Started a garden list along with David in Suffolk and JJL in Bradshaw + anyone else ?? (birds seen/heard within or from your garden flying over.) Just a bit of an incentive to keep going !
Started 21st to 27th March.
First week - 36 species
Highlights - Buzzard, Red Kite, Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit. Wren eventually after a bit of a struggle.
Second week - 28th March - 3rd April.
2 new ones so far
Redwing - 6 yesterday
Grey Heron - 1 today (unusual for Lee Mount)
Lockdown List - Have a go.
Number of species might well depend on your location and view, and if you have a garden - or not. Its just a bit of an incentive to get some fresh air and it's certainly been fresh this last week or so. 'Brrrrr'. Enjoy.
Potential for some good garden/flyover birds at this time of year.
Started 21st to 27th March.
First week - 36 species
Highlights - Buzzard, Red Kite, Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit. Wren eventually after a bit of a struggle.
Second week - 28th March - 3rd April.
2 new ones so far
Redwing - 6 yesterday
Grey Heron - 1 today (unusual for Lee Mount)
Lockdown List - Have a go.
Number of species might well depend on your location and view, and if you have a garden - or not. Its just a bit of an incentive to get some fresh air and it's certainly been fresh this last week or so. 'Brrrrr'. Enjoy.
Potential for some good garden/flyover birds at this time of year.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Garden Lockdown Pics
A few pics from the garden in these tough times,
had a visit from a Linnet which was a nice surprise
last night a Grey Heron nearly came through my
window believe it or not and the Sparrowhawk doing
plenty of garden swoops.
Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock,
Kestrel, Blue & Great Tit, Blackbird, Grey Heron,
Sparrowhawk, Corvids, a few Gulls and Pigeons, Collared
Dove, Linnet and Butterflies and Bees were seen from Garden.
Green Woodpecker was flying about and yaffling and the
Skylarks in the field were singing well.
Covid-19
For a long time I've walked or used buses to reach birding spots away from where I live. (Yesterday I walked to Mixenden). But I'm an OAP with time to do this; and it's bothering me that there are conflicting views on whether it's ok to drive to a remote spot to exercise and watch birds. Because this is what many of you on the blog have done regularly, with many great birds found.
What we have to focus on is that all the guidelines and laws that have come in are about one thing only: not spreading the virus.
We shouldn't drive out of our home area (say Calderdale) in case we take the virus to an area without any. And we shouldn't park in a car park with several other cars, in case we pass on the virus to someone parked close to us. But if one parks where there is no-one else around, there is no risk.
The crux is that we have to obey the law of the land. We don't have to go along with what everyone on the telly says, when some politicians and others have themselves probably not fully understood the legislation that was passed on 26 March.
The list of reasons people can leave home, in that legislation, has been very well thought out. One is that we can go out to exercise, (but we MUSTN'T mingle with other people). The law does not limit how often we go out, and it does not say we cannot drive to a quiet spot in our local area to exercise.
We cannot spread the virus as we drive along, and we would actually walk past a lot fewer people at Whiteholme than in a residential area!
(This is my personal interpretation of current rules. I could be wrong, and it's up to each of us to interpret them for him/herself before deciding what to do).
What we have to focus on is that all the guidelines and laws that have come in are about one thing only: not spreading the virus.
We shouldn't drive out of our home area (say Calderdale) in case we take the virus to an area without any. And we shouldn't park in a car park with several other cars, in case we pass on the virus to someone parked close to us. But if one parks where there is no-one else around, there is no risk.
The crux is that we have to obey the law of the land. We don't have to go along with what everyone on the telly says, when some politicians and others have themselves probably not fully understood the legislation that was passed on 26 March.
The list of reasons people can leave home, in that legislation, has been very well thought out. One is that we can go out to exercise, (but we MUSTN'T mingle with other people). The law does not limit how often we go out, and it does not say we cannot drive to a quiet spot in our local area to exercise.
We cannot spread the virus as we drive along, and we would actually walk past a lot fewer people at Whiteholme than in a residential area!
(This is my personal interpretation of current rules. I could be wrong, and it's up to each of us to interpret them for him/herself before deciding what to do).
Friday, March 27, 2020
Red Kite - Rag Sapling Clough, Blackstone Edge
A late report from Wed 25th March
Nigel Taylor saw and photographed a Red Kite over Rag Sapling Clough near Blackstone Edge, circling quite high up and heading in a general NW direction.
Grid ref assumed to be SD9817
Nigel Taylor saw and photographed a Red Kite over Rag Sapling Clough near Blackstone Edge, circling quite high up and heading in a general NW direction.
Grid ref assumed to be SD9817
Covid-19
There is much needed clarity for how current restrictions affect our birding on the "bbc news (UK)" website. Look at the item headed "Police fine people over social distancing". There it is reported that the head of the National Police Chiefs Council says that exercise more than once a day is NOT banned. The key requirement is to avoid going close to someone who is not a household member.
There is a link to the complete wording of the emergency legislation that was passed yesterday. This has a list of justifiable reasons for leaving home. One of these is for the purpose of exercise - with nothing said about how many times a day we can exercise.
If you have a dog and no garden, it would amount to cruelty only to take it out once a day.
Good birding, Pete
There is a link to the complete wording of the emergency legislation that was passed yesterday. This has a list of justifiable reasons for leaving home. One of these is for the purpose of exercise - with nothing said about how many times a day we can exercise.
If you have a dog and no garden, it would amount to cruelty only to take it out once a day.
Good birding, Pete
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Loss of Lapwing breeding site
I saw only two lapwings at the traditional breeding area under Crow Hill, Sowerby yesterday. Over the years the farmer has drained the land and yesterday was using the pasture topper on any remaining areas of rush & long grass.
I can’t understand why farmers are still allowed to get away with this!
I can’t understand why farmers are still allowed to get away with this!
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Ogden Garden
Now self isolated. Greenfinch on the feeder yesterday and a buzzard flying over in the direction of Mixenden this morning. Local neighbour advises path around Ogden Water now shut from today.
Monday, March 23, 2020
Weekend
Friday chiffchaff singing in sowerby bridge
Saturday buzzard over the valley between greetland / stainland
Sunday singing greenfinch at rastrick been plenty up there for the last few years (they are around the large gardens near the top of toothill bank) plus 3 jays which I always like to see
Today whilst working at dean clough peregrine and a large female sparrowhawk which dave must have seen
Anyway hope all is well with everyone on the blog I get up early and work around various parts of calderdale so If anyone needs anything let me know
Saturday buzzard over the valley between greetland / stainland
Sunday singing greenfinch at rastrick been plenty up there for the last few years (they are around the large gardens near the top of toothill bank) plus 3 jays which I always like to see
Today whilst working at dean clough peregrine and a large female sparrowhawk which dave must have seen
Anyway hope all is well with everyone on the blog I get up early and work around various parts of calderdale so If anyone needs anything let me know
Friday, March 20, 2020
Fly Flatts
Ring Ouzels still about today (BS and VJ) - see West Yorkshire Birding blog for details and maybe Bri got some more photo's of these great birds recently fresh in from their wintering grounds in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and a few other places.
Its a shame they don't stay around nowadays but in the next few days they'll be heading off further north as will the few Wheatears that are around just now though there will be others following on in due course.
Its a shame they don't stay around nowadays but in the next few days they'll be heading off further north as will the few Wheatears that are around just now though there will be others following on in due course.
Ogden - Back Lane area
I went to check the plantation in the hope of Crossbill. There are a good number of tall Spruce trees with plenty of cones but there was no sign of the target species !
15+ Magpies were in the plantation making a racket, probably alerted by a Fox - but I didn't see one.
3 Buzzards together went high over >E
1 Kestrel
2 Sparrowhawks
2 Red-legged Partridge (a new one for the year)!
2 Skylarks
Plenty of Meadow Pipits 'blogging' with some birds displaying
3+ Reed Buntings
Pair of Mistle Thrush
1 Goldcrest
1 Cormorant and a female Goosander - both went high >SW
Plus a few other species
(total 34 species)
15+ Magpies were in the plantation making a racket, probably alerted by a Fox - but I didn't see one.
3 Buzzards together went high over >E
1 Kestrel
2 Sparrowhawks
2 Red-legged Partridge (a new one for the year)!
2 Skylarks
Plenty of Meadow Pipits 'blogging' with some birds displaying
3+ Reed Buntings
Pair of Mistle Thrush
1 Goldcrest
1 Cormorant and a female Goosander - both went high >SW
Plus a few other species
(total 34 species)
Curlew
A great show of miniature daffodils along the roadside verges of the A629
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Fly Flatts and Cold Edge
News from Fly Flatts
2 male Ring Ouzels and a Wheatear today (BS et al). Also a Ringed Plover distant on the mud.
Later news - Ring Ouzels were up to 4 males in the afternoon (BS)
Cold Edge
Pair of Wheatear on the rubble pile around the top small pond. Also 2 Little Grebe and 2 Grey Herons in the area. 4 Moorhen and a pair each of Goldeneye and Goosander and 8 Tufted Duck
A few Curlew, Lapwing, 2 Redshank and a Snipe.
6 Stonechats around (PB) plus a few Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits
3 Kestrels together soaring about was unusual until one drifted off towards Luddenden Dean
1 Buzzard
1 Raven
A large flock of mixed Fieldfare and Starlings in the area towards Withens Head
A good mix of the commoner species in that area and a very pleasant morning to be out.
No Butterflies.
After-thought - with PB we also had a chorus of frogs singing from a large pool - great to see and hear !
2 male Ring Ouzels and a Wheatear today (BS et al). Also a Ringed Plover distant on the mud.
Later news - Ring Ouzels were up to 4 males in the afternoon (BS)
Cold Edge
Pair of Wheatear on the rubble pile around the top small pond. Also 2 Little Grebe and 2 Grey Herons in the area. 4 Moorhen and a pair each of Goldeneye and Goosander and 8 Tufted Duck
A few Curlew, Lapwing, 2 Redshank and a Snipe.
6 Stonechats around (PB) plus a few Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits
3 Kestrels together soaring about was unusual until one drifted off towards Luddenden Dean
1 Buzzard
1 Raven
A large flock of mixed Fieldfare and Starlings in the area towards Withens Head
A good mix of the commoner species in that area and a very pleasant morning to be out.
No Butterflies.
After-thought - with PB we also had a chorus of frogs singing from a large pool - great to see and hear !
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Fly Flatts, Slade and Cold Edge Road
A quick trip out this afternoon in the hope of seeing BS's Ring Ouzel. It's a good job he was there, it took some picking out but thanks for the location Bri. Distant views for PB and me as access is denied due to construction works on site, but it was good enough from the top road. Some very nice photo's on West Yorkshire Birding blog.
On the way back I had a chance scan at the long pile of stones at Slade. Another, or was it the same, that had moved down there out of the wind. Both views were of males so maybe one , maybe 2 birds in the area - I suspect just the one ?.
A pair of nice Redshank down Cold Edge Road
Who's that on Rouzel watch !!!
You might just be able to see the distant Ring Ouzel at Slade if you click on the photo to enlarge !!!!!
A pair of nice Redshank down Cold Edge Road
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
New Virus
New virus for our feathered friends going around,
Great Tits most at risk. A couple of pics of one with
it, looks nasty
Monday, March 16, 2020
Lots of reports today
Plenty messages today. I'll try summarise some of them..... with apologies for any glaring omissions !
Single Whooper Swan at Ringstone this morning (At and PG) followed by a report (CS) of a single Whooper over Crow Hill , Sowerby at around 2 pm. Possibly the same bird (?)
A single Barnacle Goose at Cold Edge (DB)
A Redpoll on feeders at Norton Tower (Mick H) - (seem to be scarce birds around Calderdale these days (?)
Several reports of Stonechats, Skylarks and Redshank at different sites and 40 Fieldfare on Crow Hill/ Flints area and 4 Linnet (another scarce bird this winter)
2 Ringed Plover, 2 f Goldeneye, 4 Goosander at Warland Reservoir (PG)
Red Kite over Roils Head this afternoon (NCD)
A male Ring Ouzel at Fly Flatts - see cracking shots on BS's blog (West Yorkshire Birding) This follows on from 2 at Green Withens yesterday (DP)
2 Grey wagtails and 30+ Redwing in fields near Ogden golf course this afternoon with a Little Owl and a Barn Owl nearby (DJS JS).
It's great to be getting such a decent mix of species from a wide range of Calderdale locations. The birds are there, they just take some finding at times !!
Single Whooper Swan at Ringstone this morning (At and PG) followed by a report (CS) of a single Whooper over Crow Hill , Sowerby at around 2 pm. Possibly the same bird (?)
A single Barnacle Goose at Cold Edge (DB)
A Redpoll on feeders at Norton Tower (Mick H) - (seem to be scarce birds around Calderdale these days (?)
Several reports of Stonechats, Skylarks and Redshank at different sites and 40 Fieldfare on Crow Hill/ Flints area and 4 Linnet (another scarce bird this winter)
2 Ringed Plover, 2 f Goldeneye, 4 Goosander at Warland Reservoir (PG)
Red Kite over Roils Head this afternoon (NCD)
A male Ring Ouzel at Fly Flatts - see cracking shots on BS's blog (West Yorkshire Birding) This follows on from 2 at Green Withens yesterday (DP)
2 Grey wagtails and 30+ Redwing in fields near Ogden golf course this afternoon with a Little Owl and a Barn Owl nearby (DJS JS).
It's great to be getting such a decent mix of species from a wide range of Calderdale locations. The birds are there, they just take some finding at times !!
Cold Edge & Castle Carr Walk
Todays visit to Cold Edge & Castle Carr Rd proved
fruitful with plenty of species seen-:
8 Curlews
2 Buzzard
2 Goldeneye
4 Tufted Duck
60+ Canada's
2 Greylag
1 Barnacle Goose
2 Kestrel
1 Grey Heron
1 Skylark
1 Little Owl
lots of Stonechat & Meadow Pipits
Sorry so many pics.
Baitings fields yesterday.
Yesterday I went over to Baitings area as it has been nice watching the waders come in and pair up etc. I saw:
14 lapwing
2 Curlew
2. Oystercatchers
14 lapwing
2 Curlew
2. Oystercatchers
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Summer visitors
Interesting a dog walk this morning around mytholmroyd resulted in a very nice singing chiffchaff on the allotments by redacre wood
Whilst driving through pike end near the shooting hut 2 wheatears
Green withens had 2 ring ouzels at the rear of the depot but very little else
Whilst driving through pike end near the shooting hut 2 wheatears
Green withens had 2 ring ouzels at the rear of the depot but very little else
Friday, March 13, 2020
13th March Crossbills
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Baitings fields
I went over the hill to Baitings to see how many lapwings were bacjk late afternoon in the pouring rain on Monday I saw:
7 lapwing
1 curlew v.vocal
2 Oystercatchers
A sign of Spring!
7 lapwing
1 curlew v.vocal
2 Oystercatchers
A sign of Spring!
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Ogden
It lashed it down all the while I was there late morning.
I went seeking BS's earlier sighting today of a drake Mandarin Duck but I failed to find it. They do have a habit of hiding away among the overhanging willows so it could have still been there (?)
Not a lot else..
2 pairs of Goosander - the drakes looking immaculate
1 Green Woodpecker was feeding on the grass banking below the dam wall.
1 Goldcrest in among a small 'tit' flock and 2 Song Thrushes 'singing their hearts out' despite the conditions. A good few Blackbirds about too.
Treecreeper in Shroggs Park this afternoon (JS)
I went seeking BS's earlier sighting today of a drake Mandarin Duck but I failed to find it. They do have a habit of hiding away among the overhanging willows so it could have still been there (?)
Not a lot else..
2 pairs of Goosander - the drakes looking immaculate
1 Green Woodpecker was feeding on the grass banking below the dam wall.
1 Goldcrest in among a small 'tit' flock and 2 Song Thrushes 'singing their hearts out' despite the conditions. A good few Blackbirds about too.
Treecreeper in Shroggs Park this afternoon (JS)
The Range
Only a phone photo so hope it comes out ok on the blog. I returned 10 minutes later and it had gone with the pigeon breast cleaned out.
Monday, March 09, 2020
Luddenden Dean
A little damp in the upper Dean this afternoon, but manageable, unlike Fly Flatts - another climate I hear this afternoon up there - see BS's West Yorkshire Birding blog later today !!
6+ Bramblings with Chaffinch's and Great Tits in the beech woodland immediately to rear of Jerusalem Farm car park.
4 Greenfinch was another bonus bird. They are pretty scarce nowadays.
Not a lot else other than Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits as well as Nuthatches, Chaff's, Bullfinch and Goldfinch - mostly around garden feeders.
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in Wade Wood.
6+ Bramblings with Chaffinch's and Great Tits in the beech woodland immediately to rear of Jerusalem Farm car park.
4 Greenfinch was another bonus bird. They are pretty scarce nowadays.
Not a lot else other than Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits as well as Nuthatches, Chaff's, Bullfinch and Goldfinch - mostly around garden feeders.
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in Wade Wood.
Cold Edge
Redshank 1
Oystercatcher 2
Curlew 2
Fieldfare 75
Redwing 3
Little grebe 1
Moorhen 5
Tufted duck 2m 2f
Barnacle goose 2
Skylark 1 singing
Stonechat 1 pair
Starling 285
Greenfinch 9
Bullfinch 2m 1f
Oystercatcher 2
Curlew 2
Fieldfare 75
Redwing 3
Little grebe 1
Moorhen 5
Tufted duck 2m 2f
Barnacle goose 2
Skylark 1 singing
Stonechat 1 pair
Starling 285
Greenfinch 9
Bullfinch 2m 1f
Sunday, March 08, 2020
Rishworth - A nice surprise!
I was visiting the woodland early this afternoon and a pair of Mandarins shot out of the reeds on Rishworth Mill Pond and flew in the reeds, Upon remembering they had been here before I went back home and got my c amera. With the light fading the shots are of appalling quality, but also to my surprise there were 4! Here are the terrible pictures.....
I believe these are the only part of Calderdale where they have been found
Saturday, March 07, 2020
Cold Edge
An interesting morning in the cool blustery wind. It stayed dry with breaks of sunshine.
15+ Greenfinch was a real bonus
1 Stonechat
1 Skylark
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Little Owl
1 each Kestrel, Peregrine, Raven and Little Grebe
2 Grey Herons clearing the toads/frogs out of the small dams
3 Tufted Duck
3 Moorhen
4 Oystercatchers
20 each Curlew and Lapwings
160 + each Fieldfare and Starlings
c20 Redwing
2 Meadow Pipit
c110 Canada Geese and 6 Greylags.
+ a few other usual species
A good all round mix but no sign of the Redshank or Barnacle Geese from yesterday.
Also from AT at Ringstone reservoir - a single drake Shelduck mid-morning and still there late afternoon (PD).
15+ Greenfinch was a real bonus
1 Stonechat
1 Skylark
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Little Owl
1 each Kestrel, Peregrine, Raven and Little Grebe
2 Grey Herons clearing the toads/frogs out of the small dams
3 Tufted Duck
3 Moorhen
4 Oystercatchers
20 each Curlew and Lapwings
160 + each Fieldfare and Starlings
c20 Redwing
2 Meadow Pipit
c110 Canada Geese and 6 Greylags.
+ a few other usual species
A good all round mix but no sign of the Redshank or Barnacle Geese from yesterday.
Also from AT at Ringstone reservoir - a single drake Shelduck mid-morning and still there late afternoon (PD).
Friday, March 06, 2020
Swales Moor
Ringby Lane on the top this morning. Pretty quiet on the whole - clear skies and no wind.
Distant Buzzard
2 Lapwings
1 Green Woodpecker heard
12 Meadow Pipits
1 Skylark
40+ Common Gulls in the fields by Ploughcroft
1 Greenfinch near the ski-slope
Usual corvids
Distant Buzzard
2 Lapwings
1 Green Woodpecker heard
12 Meadow Pipits
1 Skylark
40+ Common Gulls in the fields by Ploughcroft
1 Greenfinch near the ski-slope
Usual corvids
Thursday, March 05, 2020
Around and about....
Ogden
More Whooper Swans with 4 this morning thanks to a call from Chris first thing. Though the mist was down it cleared slowly and the birds moved off >NE around 10:30 (BS) see West Yorkshire Birding blog for some nice pictures.
A skein of c60 Pink-footed Geese came over Lee Mount >W at 08:45, only just visible in the mist but always good to see, and hear their contact calls. They move at quite a pace.
This afternoon it was a bit of a surprise to find Widdop Road closed at Heptonstall Slack. I parked up there and walked on to Blake Dean along Widdop Road. A lovely cool bright afternoon to be out and admire the views over Hardcastle Crags and the moorland. Lots of Lapwings and Curlews, a few Oystercatchers and a Redshank at Blake Dean.
Other fields produced around 150 Fieldfare and a few Redwings.
2 Grey Herons came over high from the Gorple direction as did 4 Greylag Geese.
A nice surprise on the way back as Andy drove by and gave me a lift back to the car after checking Walshaw plantation. Bramblings and Siskins there among'st other species. It's always a worthwhile spot check.
More Whooper Swans with 4 this morning thanks to a call from Chris first thing. Though the mist was down it cleared slowly and the birds moved off >NE around 10:30 (BS) see West Yorkshire Birding blog for some nice pictures.
A skein of c60 Pink-footed Geese came over Lee Mount >W at 08:45, only just visible in the mist but always good to see, and hear their contact calls. They move at quite a pace.
This afternoon it was a bit of a surprise to find Widdop Road closed at Heptonstall Slack. I parked up there and walked on to Blake Dean along Widdop Road. A lovely cool bright afternoon to be out and admire the views over Hardcastle Crags and the moorland. Lots of Lapwings and Curlews, a few Oystercatchers and a Redshank at Blake Dean.
Other fields produced around 150 Fieldfare and a few Redwings.
2 Grey Herons came over high from the Gorple direction as did 4 Greylag Geese.
A nice surprise on the way back as Andy drove by and gave me a lift back to the car after checking Walshaw plantation. Bramblings and Siskins there among'st other species. It's always a worthwhile spot check.
Tuesday, March 03, 2020
Monday, March 02, 2020
Around and about....
Several sites along with AT today starting off with a message via BS and CS about Whooper Swans on Ogden. By the time we got there the 20 or so reported earlier had moved on though there were still 3 on the reservoir. Whether these were part of the earlier group or additional ones after the earlier ones had moved on - not sure (?) Still very nice to see. Looked like two adults with a sub-adult.
Not a lot else there other than 2 or more Treecreepers and a few of the usual species including one adult lesser Black-backed Gull.
Mixenden Reservoir - not a lot. No Goldeneye, Just a Tufted Duck drake and a Cormorant
Cold Edge - Curlew with the Canada Goose flock along with at least 2 Greylag Geese and a Moorhen
Ovenden Moor - 3 Buzzards came over drifting >W
Fly Flatts - A few Canada Geese and Mallard - then a small wader in flight way across the reservoir. We had to leave it unidentified with an early warning call to BS to check it out in the afternoon. BS duly obliged - Ringed Plover - a very early arrival but plenty of shoreline and mud up there to invite waders in. it's just the weather that puts things off especially today in the heavy snow flurries and cold, biting wind. See Brian's blog (West Yorkshire Birding) for some nice shots of the Ringed Plover.
Swales Moor - Ringby Lane, on the top. Just 1 Pied Wagtail this afternoon, Meadow Pipit and a Skylark.
An enjoyable days birding.
Not a lot else there other than 2 or more Treecreepers and a few of the usual species including one adult lesser Black-backed Gull.
Mixenden Reservoir - not a lot. No Goldeneye, Just a Tufted Duck drake and a Cormorant
Cold Edge - Curlew with the Canada Goose flock along with at least 2 Greylag Geese and a Moorhen
Ovenden Moor - 3 Buzzards came over drifting >W
Fly Flatts - A few Canada Geese and Mallard - then a small wader in flight way across the reservoir. We had to leave it unidentified with an early warning call to BS to check it out in the afternoon. BS duly obliged - Ringed Plover - a very early arrival but plenty of shoreline and mud up there to invite waders in. it's just the weather that puts things off especially today in the heavy snow flurries and cold, biting wind. See Brian's blog (West Yorkshire Birding) for some nice shots of the Ringed Plover.
Swales Moor - Ringby Lane, on the top. Just 1 Pied Wagtail this afternoon, Meadow Pipit and a Skylark.
An enjoyable days birding.
Ogden Water
More tha twenty Whooper Swans on the water at 7.45 am today. They left at 9.00 am. After circling they flew off in a NE direction.
Sunday, March 01, 2020
Wainstalls and Castle Carr Road area
This afternoon for an hour and a half. Nice to see the sunshine - it's been dry all day too !!!
3 Little Owls in different locations
Pair of Stonechat
3 Curlew flyovers towards Cold Edge Dams
12+ Lapwings
12+ Fieldfare
3 Mistle Thrush
2 Red Grouse
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrels
1 Meadow Pipit
Plenty corvids.
I even scanned a couple of sites where Wheatears can be seen on migration. I know it's at least 2 weeks early yet - but you never know nowadays. Looking forward to the first arrivals already !!!!
3 Little Owls in different locations
Pair of Stonechat
3 Curlew flyovers towards Cold Edge Dams
12+ Lapwings
12+ Fieldfare
3 Mistle Thrush
2 Red Grouse
1 Buzzard
2 Kestrels
1 Meadow Pipit
Plenty corvids.
I even scanned a couple of sites where Wheatears can be seen on migration. I know it's at least 2 weeks early yet - but you never know nowadays. Looking forward to the first arrivals already !!!!
Baitings and area
I made the very short trip from Rishworth to Baitings today to do litter picking and I saw:
1 Canada goose
6 Golden Plover
2 Oystercatchers
3 Goldcrest
C25 lapwings
2 Mallard
David corrected me on plovers .
1 Canada goose
6 Golden Plover
2 Oystercatchers
3 Goldcrest
C25 lapwings
2 Mallard
David corrected me on plovers .
