Ringstone Edge

1 of 5 singing Willow Warblers

Female Tufted Duck. With 3 males

Wren

Soil Hill

Despite the rain this morning I made a short visit to Soil Hill. This turned up trumps with, from what I understand, the first Calderdale Grasshopper Warbler of 2025. After a very poor year on Soil Hill for this species last year, with only one sighting in the autumn, this was a welcome sight. It was flushed from the grass on the west side of the summit, before flying into the adjacent willows and then dropping into the brambles. It was never heard to sing so time will tell if it sticks around.

There was also a smart male Ring Ouzel this morning, perched in the willows on the west side of the summit, but before I managed to get a picture it flew low west down calling. I lost it below the hill but didn't get the impression it went far. Nevertheless, I was unable to refind it. At 10:38 a Red Kite flew north over Taylor Lane, presumably the same individual seen by AC heading west over Northowram. Otherwise common spring migrants included 1 Wheatear, 3 Common Whitethroat & 8 Willow Warbler.

-Common Grasshopper Warbler

In total managed 33 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S227777414

Recent news

Four Common Cranes on Sunday morning over Widdop around 11 am - heading in a North-westerly direction. A great find from TM, right place, right time !

Beacon Hill

On 17 April I saw this very tame Woodpigeon. I'm bothered that it and yesterday's Jay might be ill?

Bar Lane

2 well camouflaged Dippers

An unusually tame adult Jay

Soil Hill

   A chilly and blustery morning on Soil Hill produced my fourth Ring Ouzel of the spring, with a smart female feeding in the horse paddocks behind the White Cottage on Perseverance Road. I had only just spotted it when it was flushed by a Crow and I had to nervously wait to see if it would reappear. Fortunately, it then sat up in the near hedgerow, showing well and calling before dropping back behind.

  At least eight Willow Warblers this morning, but no sign of the Whitethroat that has been present the last two days, although one was singing in Bradshaw this morning. An unexpected bonus was a late spring Common Gull that flew south over the North Slope. Other migrants were limited to a single Wheatear in the fields on Taylor Lane. 

-Ring Ouzel

-Common Gull

In total managed 35 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S226235015

Beacon Hill

 An hour or so around the top this afternoon was quite interesting

4 Song Thrushes at the same time was quite unusual, usually seen as singles, with 3 feeding in close proximity in the 'horse field' and a male singing in a nearby tree. 

At least 2 Green Woodpeckers 'yaffling' around the same area.

At least 6 Willow Warblers were singing in the rhododendron/silver birch scrub on the down slope towards Shibden. 

Withens Clough

 A walk around the site this afternoon. Quite a brisk southerly wind so the water was a bit 'choppy'.

A drake Goldeneye was out in the middle and a single Common Sandpiper was on part of the extensive shoreline after all this dry weather. 

One Swallow around the barn and several Pied Wagtails around the embankment.

1 distant Buzzard and a few Meadow Pipits around.

Returning Cuckoo reported today from the Walshaw area as well as several Ring Ouzels about in the area and yesterdays Black Redstart was still showing near the middle res'r..

Soil Hill

   With sightings of Ring Ouzel across the Calderdale area this week, I was hopeful that Soil Hill might get to join the party at some point. And so it transpired today, with three individuals seen on the Hill.

  As I was walking up Taylor Lane early morning, my scans of the fields picked up two bright white gorgets glowing in the sunrise, from two male Ring Ouzels feeding together in one of the frosted fields. I could not find them again on my walk back, but could easily still be present in one of the other fields which are more difficult to view from the road.

  I completed my circuit and was walking back up the north slope when I heard the tacking call of another Ring Ouzel, and was delighted to spot a female perched up in the North Slope Tree-Line. Having already checked this area, the bird had presumably just dropped in. She was quite mobile, moving around the various bushes at the bottom of the North Slope.

  In addition, there was a Fieldfare on Ned Hill Track, a Jack Snipe was flushed from a wet area on the summit, and at least nine Willow Warblers were present today.

-Male Ring Ouzels

-Female Ring Ouzel

In total managed 39 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S225470144

Walshaw Dean - Male Pallid Harrier

 Had a marvelous walk around Walshaw Dean reservoirs this morning with my daughter. Saw a raptor, immediately thought male Hen Harrier. Not quite right as a bit pale so thought it was a young bird and not full adult. Looking at the pics when I got home and querying my id with friends (thanks Nick and Andy), it turns out that it was a male Pallid Harrier!

 Also Black Redstart at the res. keeper's place.

Ringstone Edge

Common Sandpiper

Soil Hill

   A lovely day for my first Soil Hill visit of the Spring, with a few migrants around and a few lingering winter species. The highlight was a new personal record count of five Jack Snipe which were all present in the same small area of marsh. My previous record was three individuals, which I have reached on several occasions. 

  In terms of spring migrants, five Willow Warblers were back on territory, with at least six Swallows blogging around and a single Sand Martin which flew southwards over the Hill. 

-Jack Snipe

In total managed 39 species today, the full list here; https://ebird.org/checklist/S224503751

Whiteholme

2 of 3 Wheatears

Ogden - Carrs Beck

 A nice early returning migrant surprise this afternoon with a male Common Redstart working the fence line hedge. It's usually a spot for autumn migrants where they often stay for a few days. I'm pretty sure this is my earliest ever in Calderdale.

Nearby 22 Curlew, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Swallows around Stodfold Barn. 

First Common Sandpipers reported today from Walshaw Dean, Gorple and Widdop.

Pair of Teal also reported on Mixenden Res'r (NK)

Whiteholme

1 of 3 Wheatears: this bird has a mostly black mask, with a brownish-grey back and brown wings - making it a 2cy male.

Also, a male Blackbird flew NE.

And I had 2 Ravens circling overhead, with one of them calling: one of those moments which are the reason we go birding. (And one that did not have to follow many wasted hours looking at tarmac).

40 years ago Phil Cunningham told me the First Law of Thermo--, no - sorry, of BIRDING: "The more you get out, the more you see".

Whiteholme

Partly albino Raven

Whooper surprise !

The last thing I expected  this morning as I walked up to Carrs Beck at the lower end of Ogden golf course was to hear, then see a flock of 27 Whoooper Swans. They were quite high, approaching from above the golf club house and heading in the direction of The Withens / Fly Flats. They were gone before I got an accurate count, (quick text to BS at Fly Flats but before I sent the message they returned so aborted that idea) it was a real surprise as they appeared a few minutes later and this time went towards Mixenden.

I managed a short video into the sun but from it I managed an  accurate count of 27. I 'dashed' ! on to Mixenden , suspecting they might have come down there but no sign, so suspect they just headed straight over >W. 

Perhaps the last to be seen locally until the autumn now as they spend the summer months in Iceland and maybe beyond.

Recent news ......

Cold Edge 24th March

Tried over the last couple of weeks to find an early Wheatear. Jen managed to find our first, in a field just opposite the top dam, a nice male showing well. Nice to see a good mix in the same fields including Graylag and Canada Geese, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Moorhen, Starling, Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipits.

29 species for the afternoon.

I had chance to head up to Lower Gorple on 25th March. Don't often manage to get up there but it was, as usual, well worthwhile. Just about the first bird I saw was a Chiffchaff - feeding continuously in the small conifer plantation near Blake Dean on the track up to Gorple. Highlight thereafter was 5 Crossbills, including 2 red males around the edge of the plantation by the cottages, always a special bird in Calderdale. 

Plenty waders in the area including Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and in excess of 70 Oystercatchers. Also 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Tufted Duck, Canada and Greylag Geese and a few Mallard,

On return I was surprised to find around a dozen House Sparrows near the cottages along with Siskin, Chaffinch's and Stock Doves and a singing Mistle Thrush.

1 Skylark as I returned down the track and a single Red Grouse calling.

All in all 36 species was a decent total.

Ringstone Edge

Oystercatchers and Crow

Also, 50 Fieldfares

Undisclosed location

Twite

Also, a female Wheatear

Beacon Hill

2 singing Song Thrushes

Various....

10 Whooper Swans on Mixenden res'r this morning thanks to a message from BS. They were still there mid afternoon but suspect they will have gone in the morning.

I checked Swales Moor this morning, looking for those early Wheatears, no joy there but managed a vociferous Green Woodpecker in the Shibden Valley. In fields at the top at least 4 pairs of Skylarks and a good deal of song. Several Meadow Pipits displaying by showing off their parachute descents. Not a lot else other than a single male  Kestrel and as usual, a good number of corvids. 

Ringstone Edge

Little Egret

Ringstone Edge

14 of 19 Common Gulls (5 - 2cy)

Oystercatcher 2

Ogden......

This morning (Tuesday).

Large flock of Whooper Swans seen there first thing (MM) - someone will get an accurate count in due course. Hopefully they will stay there all day if we're lucky - they sometimes do !!

c150 Whoopers still there till at east 15.30

Also 2 Redshank were there briefly yesterday afternoon but not a lot else.

Ringstone Edge

3 of 24 Fieldfares

Great Crested Grebe 2

Whiteholme

Reed Bunting male

Beacon Hill

Stock Dove

Male and female Hazel flowers

Female Hazel flower

Around and about....

News usually travels fast when Whooper Swans turn up on local reservoirs. Thanks to a BS contact a number were reported on Sunday at Ogden. News came in this morning with a large group still there with a count of 45 from CS. The flock was still present this afternoon.

This afternoon we took a check at Cromwell Bottom. Nice to see that the 4 Scaup, drake and 3 females, are still there. Also a drake Goldeneye, Also nearby were at least 4 Teal on the lagoon and Little Grebes nearby and a Dipper on the river. 1 Chiffchaff was calling - lots of reports of singing 'chiffy's' especially from Calder Valley areas on those last few nice warm settled days.

Cold Edge

Oystercatcher pair

Tufted Duck pair

Various ......

12 Whooper Swans on Mixenden Res'r yesterday (Wednesday). JJL spotted them at distance from Soil Hill and BS called to check in the afternoon and they were still there. Clear conditions last night and they had gone this morning.

A call from BS this morning with 5 Whooper Swans on Fly Flats Res'r. I went up there later in the morning, scoped from the top road. They were still there, very settled, towards the north end busy bathing and preening. All looked like adults from the distance.

At around 10:40 a noisy skein of c120 Pink-footed Geese came over very high >NW. Count thanks to BS photos !

Also present, a very elusive Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatchers, several Curlew and Lapwings, 14 Meadow Pipits, 1 Skylark, 1 Kestrel some distance away, same for 2 Buzzards. Plenty Canada Geese !

Nothing doing at Withens Head or Cold Edge Road as I was on the watch for more Skylarks in their recent favoured fields.

Claremount, Pepper Hill this afternoon was pretty quiet. 1 female Stonechat (seem to be plenty about at the moment) and 4 Skylarks in the usual top fields. 2 distant Buzzards

Soil Hill and Ogden

Soil Hill was pretty perishing on the top this morning. 4 Skylarks did not seem at all phased by the chill wind but staying low on the edge of the long grass most of the time though one did get up to sing, briefly.

A pair of Teal and a Moorhen on the NK pond and a Curlew singing briefly.

Ogden - up to the edge of Thornton Moor rather than the res'r circuit - not a lot doing up there but enjoyable in the very fresh air. 

1 Red Grouse, 1 Raven, 5 Curlew >NE and 4 Stonechats running the fence line.

I also managed a Greenfinch on Syke Lane - a first for this year.

Baitings

Female Kestrel

Hebden Bridge

Goosander pair

Fly Flats......and around and about.

Managed a trip up to Fly Flats late morning after a message from BS about a Shelduck on site. The glare of the sun on the water was distracting and it took me a good while to locate it from the top road. It would have been impossible without the scope. Looked quite settled out on the middle of the water. (thanks Bri).

On leaving I called to check Withens Head - still 4  Skylark - they are a bit special !

An afternoon between Luddenden Foot and Brearley didn't produce anything too unexpected. 

2 Buzzards, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Barnacle Goose with the Canada Geese with around 150 along the stretch of the canal and adjoining fields.

4 Grey Heron nests occupied but no sign of any activity in the two rook colonies.

2 Grey wagtails and a couple of Song Thrush singing.