Success story at C.E.D. Young Stonechat.BS
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Hardcastle Crags
Walk from Midgehole to crags and return, 0720-1030.
Good number Song Thrushes singing, plus Goldcrest, Chaffinch and a few Blackcaps (very vocal one showing around cottage at entrance).
Also, a Cuckoo called a couple of times from beyond the crags.
Highlight was what proved to be a Redstart singing opposite the crags - unfortunately I couldn't locate it (sun in the way not helping!) but it sounded quite close to the main path, just above the clearing with the log benches. Had to check the song when I got home, as it's not something I'm very familiar with, but I'm confident on ID.
Hope somebody has better luck seeing it!
Good number Song Thrushes singing, plus Goldcrest, Chaffinch and a few Blackcaps (very vocal one showing around cottage at entrance).
Also, a Cuckoo called a couple of times from beyond the crags.
Highlight was what proved to be a Redstart singing opposite the crags - unfortunately I couldn't locate it (sun in the way not helping!) but it sounded quite close to the main path, just above the clearing with the log benches. Had to check the song when I got home, as it's not something I'm very familiar with, but I'm confident on ID.
Hope somebody has better luck seeing it!
Monday, May 30, 2005
Shroggs Park
Calderdale Birds
Garden warbler today mid-morning but not relocated and was probably just moving through. Plenty of Swifts over Lee Mount in the last two weeks but not sure if they are nesting nearby?
Garden warbler today mid-morning but not relocated and was probably just moving through. Plenty of Swifts over Lee Mount in the last two weeks but not sure if they are nesting nearby?
Rochdale Canal
Todmorden to Mytholm walk, 11am-1pm.
At last 8 singing Blackcaps en route.
Few broods Mallard, Canada Goose chicks.
Great, Coal and Blue Tits nesting in various structures.
Grey Wagtail at DSM factory.
Lucky there was a beer festival waiting at the far end!
At last 8 singing Blackcaps en route.
Few broods Mallard, Canada Goose chicks.
Great, Coal and Blue Tits nesting in various structures.
Grey Wagtail at DSM factory.
Lucky there was a beer festival waiting at the far end!
Luddenden Dean and Cold Edge Dams
Luddenden Dean early a.m.
3 Twite 2 Wheatear 2 Pied Wags Sev. Linnet.
C.E.D. mid a.m.
2 Greylag with 2 young 2 Stonechat with 1 young 1 Redshank
1 Canada Goose with 3 young 1 Grey Wag 1 Common Sand + usual
BS.
3 Twite 2 Wheatear 2 Pied Wags Sev. Linnet.
C.E.D. mid a.m.
2 Greylag with 2 young 2 Stonechat with 1 young 1 Redshank
1 Canada Goose with 3 young 1 Grey Wag 1 Common Sand + usual
BS.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Gorple and Widdop
Walked from Gorple Car Park to Upper Res then over top to Widdop 9am-1pm.
Quite large numbers Canada Goose at all 3 res, only 1 brood of chicks seen at each.
2M, 1F Tufted Duck on Gorple Lower, also 2 Oystercatcher which flew off towards Walshaw Dean.
Good number of Curlew on tops, disturbed by a deer at one point!
Kestrel mobbed by pair of Grouse.
Pair Stonechat above Widdop, 1 C Sand at Widdop Res.
Willow Warbler, Goldcrest in plantations.
Male Blackbird feeding at Upper Res - flew in from Burnley direction.
Grey Heron in stream by car park.
For a more interesting sighting this morning, email NC.
Quite large numbers Canada Goose at all 3 res, only 1 brood of chicks seen at each.
2M, 1F Tufted Duck on Gorple Lower, also 2 Oystercatcher which flew off towards Walshaw Dean.
Good number of Curlew on tops, disturbed by a deer at one point!
Kestrel mobbed by pair of Grouse.
Pair Stonechat above Widdop, 1 C Sand at Widdop Res.
Willow Warbler, Goldcrest in plantations.
Male Blackbird feeding at Upper Res - flew in from Burnley direction.
Grey Heron in stream by car park.
For a more interesting sighting this morning, email NC.
Elland Gravel Pits and Cold Edge Dams
Early a.m. EGP
1 Common Tern over canal 4m Blackcap 2 Whitethroat
2 Garden Warbs 1 Green Wdpeck 1 Gt Sp. Wdpeck sev Chiffchaff
and W. Warbs + usual.
C.E.D. mid a.m. 2pr Reed Bunt 2 pr Stonechat 1 Common Sand 2Greylag with 3 young.
FOUND.... Minolta lens shade 35-80 EGP. is this yours Sean or anyone else. BS.
1 Common Tern over canal 4m Blackcap 2 Whitethroat
2 Garden Warbs 1 Green Wdpeck 1 Gt Sp. Wdpeck sev Chiffchaff
and W. Warbs + usual.
C.E.D. mid a.m. 2pr Reed Bunt 2 pr Stonechat 1 Common Sand 2Greylag with 3 young.
FOUND.... Minolta lens shade 35-80 EGP. is this yours Sean or anyone else. BS.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Halifax Town Centre
Anyone get 3 Large Crane like birds anywhere round the area today ?
The 3 were very high over Piece Hall ,Square Chapel spire today at 1250hrs heading >NNE. Wide square fingered wings, long necks,trailing legs I think?
Flight was a soaring glide with hardly any wing beats. Unfortunately I was stuck in queue to get into M&S car park so could,nt i.d. Rang DCB at Wilsden which seemed to be near direction of flight but he got nothing ? One of those exciting but frustrating sightings . BS
The 3 were very high over Piece Hall ,Square Chapel spire today at 1250hrs heading >NNE. Wide square fingered wings, long necks,trailing legs I think?
Flight was a soaring glide with hardly any wing beats. Unfortunately I was stuck in queue to get into M&S car park so could,nt i.d. Rang DCB at Wilsden which seemed to be near direction of flight but he got nothing ? One of those exciting but frustrating sightings . BS
Friday, May 27, 2005
Hebden Bridge to Haworth walk today
Possible corn bunting well up the Crimsworth Dean valley. Also, 8 pairs lapwing, 4 pairs curlew, 2 pairs redshank, and one grumpy, paranoid and heavily armed gamekeeper.
Upper Valley upland pasture site.
It hardly seems worth concealing the name of what used to be my favoured local patch. Just 1 roosting Lapwing, if it had a nesting mate it was well hidden. What a decline in the few years I've been birding - in the late 90's I'd come here and have no problem in finding several broods. Today, a Carrion Crow landed on the power lines - not a single bird rose to mob it! The Redshank seem to be doing a little better - 2 seen, probably others hidden. Also, a nice group of Linnets, M Pipits and several family groups of Starlings.
I haven't visited since late April, when it was equally poor - if anyone has any better news from here, I'd be glad to know. If you can't guess, Nick C knows the location.
I haven't visited since late April, when it was equally poor - if anyone has any better news from here, I'd be glad to know. If you can't guess, Nick C knows the location.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Undisclosed moorland site
4 pairs Redshank,3 pairs Dunlin,11pairs Golden Plover,12 pairs Curlew (first young today)7 pairs Lapwing,5 chipping Snipe and 1 pair of Wheatear.I will post pics of young Curlew when i sort out how to add pics.
Hardcastle Crags - 12:00
Redstart calling again from 'the' Crags opposite clearing. Blue tits in nest boxes 15 and 28, great tits in 25. But not a sign of pied fly, even at last year's nest site.
Nuthatch taking nest material into natural hole.
Nuthatch taking nest material into natural hole.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Undisclosed moorland site
Male and female Merlin mobbing Carrion Crow,8+Twite in flight display,Female peregrine,3 pairs golden Plover,2 pairs Curlew,1 oystercatcher,1 wheatear and 5 Common sandpipers.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
COLD EDGE DAMS / FLY FLATTS
22.05.05 a.m.
Cold Edge ---- 1 pr Stonechat busy feeding young 1 Common Sand.
1 Redshank 1 Wheatear + usual
Fly Flatts------ 14 Canada +18 young 1m Stonechat 2 Wheatear
1 Common Sand 1 Redshank Cuckoo heard towards Dean Head BS
Cold Edge ---- 1 pr Stonechat busy feeding young 1 Common Sand.
1 Redshank 1 Wheatear + usual
Fly Flatts------ 14 Canada +18 young 1m Stonechat 2 Wheatear
1 Common Sand 1 Redshank Cuckoo heard towards Dean Head BS
Ogden / Ovenden moor
Sat 21 May.1 Cuckoo,Dunlin,Golden Plover,Curlew,lapwing and 1 Yellow Wag flew north calling loudly at 10.50.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Jumble Hole 5:00pm
Wood warbler singing. Either one very mobile bird, or possibly 2-3. Also, cuckoo, chiffchaff, whitethroat, willow warb's, blackcap
Friday, May 20, 2005
Hardcastle Crags (Blake Dean)
Calderdale Birds
Walked both sides of the valley today between the crags Midgholme car park and Blake Dean. Poor day for birds! Not a sign of Pied Flycatcher or Wood Warbler and just two Spotted Flycatchers ( one at Blake Dean and one in the crags 300m east of Gibson Mill). Only one Redstart found 500m west of Gibson Mill. One Tree Pipit at the bridge at Blake Dean and also a cuckoo there.
Walked both sides of the valley today between the crags Midgholme car park and Blake Dean. Poor day for birds! Not a sign of Pied Flycatcher or Wood Warbler and just two Spotted Flycatchers ( one at Blake Dean and one in the crags 300m east of Gibson Mill). Only one Redstart found 500m west of Gibson Mill. One Tree Pipit at the bridge at Blake Dean and also a cuckoo there.
