Cromwell Bottom

First winter drake Scaup on the ski-lake located on Saturday (JB). Still there today though distant and this was the only half-decent shot I could get. Certainly a scare bird in Calderdale.

Albert Road / Pellon Reservoir

Nick asked me to post these photos of an adult Yellow-legged Gull he took on Friday 19th Jan from Asda car park, with other gulls on the roof of the reservoir buildings.

Yellow-legged Gull at the top of each picture along with 1 Herring Gull (pink legs). Also a few Common Gulls and Black-headed Gulls and a Jackdaw.

Mixenden and Ogden

Mixenden Res'r - still nothing much doing at this site recently - same today. It's really been dead !

Black-headed and Common Gulls with an occasional Herring Gull bathing then passing through and just the one adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Fared slightly better at Ogden with 3 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls though I went searching for the recent Redpoll flock and maybe a chance of finding the Common Redpoll individual that was seen there earlier this week. I did find a Siskin flock of c30 birds in the alders at the north end, 3 Lesser Redpoll with them.

Also a Barnacle Goose with the Mallards - probably the same as the one at Cold Edge yesterday though maybe same as the one with the Canada flock at Brearley over the weekend.

1 Sparrowhawk, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinch and not a lot else.

Soil Hill

  After yesterday's success with finding Jack Snipe, today Harry Coghill and I headed back up, this time equipped with a thermal imager, and hoped to try to find an individual before it flushed. We were in luck, as although there was much less activity than the previous day, we were still able to locate one Jack Snipe trying its best to remain motionless so that we might not spot it. 

  This is the third time I have been able to locate this species using this method before they fly off. It is amazing to see them like this.

-Jack Snipe

In total managed 29 species this afternoon, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S158558263

Soil Hill

  After flogging away since November without any success, today finally produced my first Soil Hill Jack Snipe of the winter. And not just one; in total three flushed out of their regular locations. Presumably a byproduct of the cold weather we are experiencing, as well as the water level dropping in their preferred wet areas. 

  Hopefully they will linger into the spring, but we will have to wait and see. 

-Jack Snipe

In total managed 26 species this afternoon, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S158507683

Ogden

  A trip down to Ogden with Harry Cog & Charles Gunn in search of a year-tick of Kingfisher turned up trumps when filtering through the Redpoll flock on the south bank. In addition to at least 20 Lesser Redpolls, there was a bird that had the impression of being larger and certainly greyer. Additionally, photos showed white undertail coverts and whiteish flanks, and we concluded that the bird was certainly a Mealy (Common) Redpoll. 

  Sadly, due to the heavy footfall of the public, the flock was quite mobile and getting good pictures proved difficult. It took us some time to confirm the bird's identification, and not long after the flock flew off into the woodland and could not be located despite two hours of searching.

  I shared the photos with a few birders I know who were happy the bird was a Mealy Redpoll, but any critique of the identification is appreciated. Thanks to CG for the 'back of the camera' photo, showing the pale undertail coverts. 

-Mealy Redpoll

In total managed 32 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S158137322

Soil Hill

Afternoon visit today once the morning drizzle had passed. Fairly steady birding overall, but three skeins of Pink-footed Geese were the highlight, all passing west over Halifax.

1st Skein of 83 at 11:35.
2nd Skein of 41 at 11:40.
3rd Skein of 186 at 12:30

Other birds of note included my first Lesser Black-backed Gulls (four) since the 30th of November

-Pink-footed Geese & Wainhouse Tower

In total managed 29 species this morning, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S158026693

Soil Hill

  Been a steady December on the Hill, largely a consequence of the horrendous weather we have been enduring, but today I enjoyed probably the best views I've ever had of the local Grey Partridges. They were feeding near the Taylor Lane turnoff from Perseverance Road, a group of six. Presumably, the same family group that has been around since the summer, indicating another successful breeding season at this site.

  Other birds of interest; a flock of 99 Pink-footed Geese headed slowly west. They were picked up elsewhere, and they were distant already when I got photos, so my count is probably out by one or two birds.

-Grey Partridge

In total managed 28 species this morning, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S157397754

Mytholmroyd

Kingfisher

Adult female Goosander:  the bill is bright pink, and there is no white line between eye and bill

Hebden Bridge

Goosander pair

Beacon Hill

Some of 196 Common Gulls here

Waxwings

Several more Waxwings reported again this last week including up to 9 at Silverwood Avenue, Pellon. Also up to 18 in the Lane Head area of Brighouse in the last few days.

It's definitely worth checking any sites where there are berries especially on rowan trees.

Winding Road Halifax

6 Waxwings here this morning

10 birds on the Calderdale list that shouldn't be,,,,

 Short toed snake Eagle

Red Footed Falcon

Black - headed Bunting

Woodchat Shrike

Roller

Great Shearwater

Wilson's Phalarope

Desert Wheatear

White's Thrush

Baird's Sandpiper

(Northern Long tailed Tit )

Merry Christmas..........

Waxwings

Nick D found 5 Waxwings in a yellow berried rowan at Silverwood Avenue, Pellon on 13th. Still there on 13th, yesterday.

Winding Road Halifax

Thank you Dave S for telling me about these 2 Waxwings, a juvenile and an adult female. 

The juvenile has no white tips on the inner webs of the primaries, so there is just a yellow line down the outer edge of the folded primaries. 

The adult female has thin white edges to the inner webs of the primary tips (these are broader in the male), and the lower edge of the black bib is diffuse (it is sharp in male).

Colour ring

On 30 November in Shibden Park I saw an adult Black-headed Gull with a blue ring on its left leg. I read the number, and dutifully sent it to the BTO. They have now replied: an all time mega control. The bird was ringed on 27 November 2023 - in Shibden Park!

Hen Harrier Roost survey weekend of 14th to 17th December

 Hen Harrier roost watch next weekend , weather is looking good for a change so fingers crossed for a good weekend

Short toed Eagle , Walshaw Dean 29th April 2022

 There was a report of Short toed Eagle in the Scoping report for the proposed Windfarm at Walshaw Dean and  to be honest i thought it was a mis - identification either Osprey or other pale large raptor. After a few conversations it sort of tied in with the one seen in Sutherland , Scotland in late May 2022. I found the details of the observer and he sent me these pictures !!!!!! no doubt at all as to the identification ..So many thanks to Phil Bell the finder of this Mega on our local patch. He could not put the news out at the time but has been very helpful since the release of the scoping report.....Just shows anything can turn up......................................

Ogden

  Made a short visit to Ogden after doing the rounds on Soil Hill this morning, in the hope of finally getting Kingfisher for the yearlist, which did the decent thing and was below the dam wall fishing. While birding there, a flock of 9 Waxwings flew over heading north. Initially picked up calling, my camera settings were completely wrong and I only managed a blurred record shot, but at least the birds are identifiable. Otherwise a female Teal on the reservoir.

-Waxwings

Given how poor my photo from this morning was, here are a few photos of the Waxwings on Skircoat Green yesterday. Thanks to DJS for checking all the hotspots and finally turning some of these beauties up in Halifax.

-Waxwings

For Soil Hill this morning, was fairly steady in the cold conditions, but two Golden Plover flew south. 

In total managed 24 species at Ogden this morning, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S155572470

Skircoat Green

In the last few weeks there has been many reports of Waxwings from around the country, particularly Scotland and the north east as well as other parts of West Yorkshire, Lancashire and elsewhere. With the report of 4 in Norland, (from AT) last week and those in Todmorden yesterday and again today then there must have been a good chance locally.

On checking some traditional sites for Waxwings I eventually came across 15 in the tops of trees in the St Albans area. Always a nice surprise. Plenty of Blackbirds along with a few Redwings and Mistle Thrushes and Greenfinch were also enjoying the feast of berries. Spectacle also enjoyed this afternoon from residents as well as local birders (SM, DJB, AC).

Maybe, hopefully, they will stay around that location a few more days until the berries are gone. There is always a chance of these, or others turning up elsewhere in Calderdale where there are berries, particularly Rowans. Sometimes even in small gardens.

Apologies no photos to post as I only had the phone camera but maybe someone else will get some shots to post at some stage.

Waxwings, Todmorden

 My wife has just reported seeing 10-12 Waxwings on Wellington Road in Todmorden, flying to trees in St Joseph's RC church grounds.

Soil Hill

  A very pleasant morning to be out on the Hill today. Walking down the North Slope I heard what I thought was the call of a Snow Bunting, but it sounded far and I only heard it once, so after a short wait I decided that I must have imagined it, or the bird must have flown over unseen.

  Fortunately, a couple of meters further down and this superb male Snow Bunting flushed off the path in front of me, before landing again a few meters ahead. It spent the next 10 - 15 minutes feeding here, sometimes at quite close proximity to me, before it flushed and flew south, appearing to drop onto the summit.

  Sadly the bird could not be relocated to the summit after over an hour of searching, including myself, DJS, JJL and DP. It may be it continued on its way south, or that it went into another area where access is more limited, such as the quarry. Hopefully, it will reappear.

Either way, a brilliant bird to liven up the cold morning. 

Snow Bunting is my 100th species on Soil Hill this year!  

-Snow Bunting

In total managed 32 species this morning, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S155415182

Soil Hill

  Had a short visit to the Hill at lunchtime, between the snow showers. Did not expect anything exciting to happen but was pleasantly proven wrong with two Little Egret that flew south at 12:05, before dropping into the trees around the Ogden Golf Club car park. Per BS via the Grapevine, they later relocated to Ogden.

  This is just the second time I have seen this species from Soil Hill, after a single flew south over Bradshaw on the 20th July 2020. It is also the 99th species I have seen on Soil Hill in 2023, which is remarkable given how much time I have had to spend away.

-Little Egret

In total managed 28 species this lunchtime, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S155306810

Trektellen count here; https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/767/20231127

Shibden Valley

1 of 3 Stock Doves

Shibden Park

Mute Swan 2. I think this is a pair. The knob at the base of the bill is a little larger on the male, (and it should get bigger in the breeding season). The female has less orange on the bill, and the neck is slimmer.

Great Northern Diver

 One on Ringstone Edge Reservoir Friday 17th November, still present at 11.30 am, Saturday 18th

 

 

Cold Edge

Little Grebe

Female Stonechat

 

Cold Edge

Adult Black-headed gull.  2cy Common gull.  The darker grey of the Common gull shows well in the dull light.

 

Ogden

30+ Crossbills in the plantation feeding on spruce tree cones on Saturday were still there this afternoon. 

I failed to track down NK's Brambling also seen in that area earlier today.