Waders and more.

Barwit at Fly.

Sanderling at Fly.

Goodafternoons birding at Fly Flats and Cold Edge with Dave and Jen. In all 11 species of wader were recorded the best of which were a stunning summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit and a winter plumaged Sanderling. Also 2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling at Cold Edge and showing + a superb but distant male Whinchat.

Cold Edge

3 Grasshopper Warblers reeling this PM + the usual waders present.

Wood Warbler

A Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff down in Lumbutts Clough this morning, followed by the find of the year for me so far - a Wood Warbler singing in Shaw Clough. This is my first record around here since June 1999 when one was in Height Wood, just half a mile away from Shaw Clough. Could only see a single bird this morning but will keep checking if it hangs around.

Golden plover

Sorry for the lateness of this report - my son has only just reported to me that on Thursday 28th April he was on his bike near Sportman's Inn (this was on his left). Then Dukes Cut on his left. In the first 'grassy' field (without reeds & tussocks) on his r/h side were 8 golden plover. Time was late afternoon.

Ringstone Edge Res'r

1 Whimbrel flyover >NE this afternoon at 14.40
1 G C Grebe
1 Sand Martin >E

Other news

A male Pied Flycatcher this afternoon reported in Hardcastle Crags

3 late Waxwings also reported from Jumble Hole Clough on Saturday

Many thanks to those who sent in these reports

Luddenden Dean

1 Cuckoo in the same area as Nick D found yesterday, also heard calling higher up the dean towards the 'Lower Lodge' but it was probably the same bird.
1 Green Woodpecker
Several Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap and 1 Chiff-chaff.
1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk over but not much else found in the dean - probably due to the windy conditions with lots of smoke billowing across Midgley Moor and Castle Carr from the fire on Ovenden Moor.

Bad end to a good day.

Another digiscoped pic of Fly Flatts Barwit

Devastation for the wildlife of Ogden
More pics and report on West Yorkshire Birding
BS

Fly Flatts

Digiscoped Bar Tailed Godwit

Digiscoped Ringed Plover

Dunlin

Fly Flatts 0700-0930hrs strong to near gale E.

5 Dunlin
12 Common Sandpipers
1 Bar Tailed Godwit
5 Redshank
3 Oystercatchers
1 Ringed Plover
4 Golden Plover
1 Teal
+ usual sp.
BS

1st May

Wood Warbler still singing at Crimsworth Dean this PM, also had a Cuckoo at Luddenden Dean later on.

Cold Edge

Fire engines shuttling water all afternoon to and from the big fire just east of the wind farm on Ovenden Moor this afternoon. See Brian Sumners blog for further information and photo's on this catastrophe. Spare a thought for the firefighters fighting the blaze in that strong east wind - and of course the mipits etc which were nesting on the moor.

Cold Edge dams was quiet in comparison, although some of the usual waders were present along with plenty Linnets and Meadow Pipits and still some Wheatear about.

1 Grasshopper Warbler was a surprise singing in a sheltered area of juncus out of the wind.

White Wagtail

Male White Wagtail at Ringstone this evening.

Greenshank and Garganey

Heads up for these two species. Had 3 of each on he t'other side of hills yesterday....Haydn's pool (Marbury #1) and Newman Flash. Keep your eyes on the wet bits....you never know what might drop in........

Mixenden Res'r

2 House Martins were there this morning feeding over the res'r along with 6+ Swallows but no sign of any Swifts yet over north Halifax - any day now!

Cold Edge

I did my BBS (Breeding Bird Survey) for the BTO this morningand results are still to evaluate. Despite the strong E NE wind there were plenty of mipits/Skylarks/Swallows and Linnets about plus a smattering of Wheatears and Reed Buntings and the usual wader sp.

A Whimbrel went over NE at 10.40 calling several times. Unfortunately it did not drop in but went straight over.

5 Golden Plover were about in the fields opposite Nolstar Kennels along Cold Edge Road - they have been there on and off the last few days but no northern forms have been seen there yet.

Raptor id

Brian's image from last week above. Click on image to enlarge. Compare with one below I took at Blacktoft on 15th April.

I dont like to get beat by raptors but every now and then you just have to let them go. However from first seeing Brians picture I believed it to be a Marsh Harrier. Just going through some throw away pics from Blacktoft and I couldnt help thinking how similar this one looked to Brian's. Others have suggested different species and MC says its probably un-identifiable, I may be wrong but I still think its a Marsh Harrier, any other oppinions welcome.

Fly Flatts

Had very windy walk up to the northern end.
Birds were:
Skylark
Mipit
Goldfinch 2, a bit out their comfort zone.
Curlew
Dave. Got your text within 5 mins but did not see the Whimbrel.
Mallard ( 4 chicks)
C sand
Oyks 2
Wheatear at least 3
Twite 1 (too windy re presence of ring)
Grouse
Grey lag
3 LBB
Golden Plover 2
Canada
Pied Wag
Met Brian S. there he had in addition:
Reed Bunting, Dunlin and Redshank.

EGP/ Swift

Swift over Ski Lake 27 April exacly the same date as last year.

8 Whitethroat,2 Reed Warblers ,1 Garden Warbler,2 Reed Buntings,4 Little Grebe,1 Gt/Crested Grebe,Pair Tufted Duck, 1 Mandarin (photo)and 3 Chiffchaff nest-building.

Bee-eaters

So we know where the birds roosted now - courtesy of Todmorden News!

High Brown Knoll

Golden Plover at High Brown Knoll

This afternoon I went up there thinking (and hoping)! there might be a chance of Dotterel - but nothing doing other than 2 Skylark, a few Meadow Pipits, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Wheatears, 2 Red Grouse and 2 Curlew.