Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Roils Head 23rd August evening
Another soaking was on the cards. Before I arrived a bird flew over calling, du du du du du du du du du du
this was repeated twice more but the bird could not be seen (probably a Whimbrel but my luck with this species in Calderdale is poor). A Redstart was located on the walls at nearby High Road Well Moor with a Whinchat also there. The Redstart was probably the same bird as the one this afternoon and yesterday at Roils.
this was repeated twice more but the bird could not be seen (probably a Whimbrel but my luck with this species in Calderdale is poor). A Redstart was located on the walls at nearby High Road Well Moor with a Whinchat also there. The Redstart was probably the same bird as the one this afternoon and yesterday at Roils.
Roils Head 23rd August
Yesterdays Redstart still present, the forth for the year and third for the autumn at this site. Also 3 Willow Warblers, 3 juv Bullfinch and 7 Pied Wags.
Roils Head 22nd August PM
After a couple of blank wet days an afternoon walk produced Roils Heads 4th Redstart of the year and 3rd for the autumn. Also 4 Willow Warblers, Goldcrest and 2 Coal Tits.3 Roe Deer on the home was a bonus.
An evening birding with DJP produced 4 Spotted Flys at Luddenden Dean, Short-eared Owl, Twite, Reed Bunting, 2 Grey Herons and 9 Pied Wags at Baitings. At an undisclosed site we had both Long-eared and Short-eared Owl with a large bat species over head and a Hare in front of the car on the way home.
An evening birding with DJP produced 4 Spotted Flys at Luddenden Dean, Short-eared Owl, Twite, Reed Bunting, 2 Grey Herons and 9 Pied Wags at Baitings. At an undisclosed site we had both Long-eared and Short-eared Owl with a large bat species over head and a Hare in front of the car on the way home.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Mixed weather morning
FLY FLATTS 20/08/06 0730-0930 Bright start W>3-4 then rain and thick fog by 0900.
38 Red Grouse together. Probably moved from shooting moor to avoid sadmen.
14 Wheatear around waters edge
1 SEO
Few Swallows >W.
COLD EDGE DAMS 0940-1030. slight rain W>2 brightening.
1 Heron
145 Swallows >W in 30 mins
Plenty blogging Mipits.
BS
38 Red Grouse together. Probably moved from shooting moor to avoid sadmen.
14 Wheatear around waters edge
1 SEO
Few Swallows >W.
COLD EDGE DAMS 0940-1030. slight rain W>2 brightening.
1 Heron
145 Swallows >W in 30 mins
Plenty blogging Mipits.
BS
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Roils Head 2pm 19th August
Another soaking. 2 Wheatears, 3 Willow Warblers and 4 Pied Wagtails was all that was present.
PS Can anybody please tell me how to get my pictures to come out bigger on the blog. No matter what I try they all come out the same small size, see below curlews.
PS Can anybody please tell me how to get my pictures to come out bigger on the blog. No matter what I try they all come out the same small size, see below curlews.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Cold Edge Dams 6.30 - 8.15pm
All the usual suspects present, Barnacle Goose, 5 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 1 Curlew dropped in, 3 Willow Warblers and 2 Reed Buntings in the plantation area. A bird flushed below the bottom dam was a pleasant find, a Whitethroat. On a sad note the lone duckling was found dead, probably due to the bad weather over the last few days
Bird Fair
I know its (very) short notice but a group of us are off to the Bird Fair tommorrow, if anyone wants anything collecting or checking out let me know.
Fly Flatts
Quick visit to Fly Flatts to replenish nyjer seed, only three Twite present (unringed) but at least nine Wheatears and two Short eared Owls brightened the walk
Roils Head 3pm 18th August
16 Pied Wagtails in the Horse Field but no sign of yesterdays White Wag. Still c10 Willow Warblers present + a Spotted Flycatcher was new in.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Roils Head 6.30 - 8pm 17th August
Returned to Roils Head after heavy rain and found another Chiffchaff in with the Willow Warblers. 50+ Meadow Pipits had arrived with 15 Pied Wagtails, one of which I am sure was an adult White Wagtail, odd time of year I know but the winds had been easterly all day. The black cap was clearly definned at the nape and contrasted with the grey mantle which was obvious. Has anybody else ever had one at this time of year. Will return tommorror with my camera !!!!
Roils Head 6.30 - 8pm 17th August
After heavy rain I returned to Roils Head to find another Chiffchaff in a different area with a few Willow Warblers still present.50+ Meadow Pipits had arrived with 15 Pied Wagtails, one of which I am pretty sure was an
Roils Head 17th August 2 - 3 30pm
Finally got good views of a Chiffchaff this afternoon, also 9 Willow Warblers present and a Swift over but not much else.
Lee Mount Swifts
Swifts have gone - well just about! After c40 daily throughout the summer over Lee Mount and lower Ovenden, the vast majority have gone. Only two left over the last two days. There will be others passing through I suspect for a week or two but always feel a bit of sadness when they go. Will look forward to seeing them again next year. Numbers in the summer around the area seem to be consistant with recent years which would suggest they are just about holding their own locally.
Also of interest - Peregrines seem to be passing over almost daily, mostly in an evening and probably going to traditional roosting sites.
Also of interest - Peregrines seem to be passing over almost daily, mostly in an evening and probably going to traditional roosting sites.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Cold Edge and Fly Flats 16th August
A quick visit to Cold Edge with Gordon before a site meeting at Fly revealed just 1 Snipe and the usual Stonechat.
30 minutes at Fly Flats produced 1 Raven, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Wheatears and a Willow Warbler.
30 minutes at Fly Flats produced 1 Raven, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Wheatears and a Willow Warbler.
Roils Head, another first 16th August
At last a long awaited Blackcap found this PM, first winter / female type, also 15 Willow Warblers and a possible Chiffchaff seen briefly in the conifers.
6 Swifts moved over the Luddenden Valley.
6 Swifts moved over the Luddenden Valley.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
More from the Garden
Moved the hide to try and avoid the white sky effect fortunately the birds didn't mind at all and it worked a treat, I even had 1 sit on my knee for a while and when I wasn't using it one of the woodpeckers perched there,(wouldn't want them using it with me under the cover, not with those feet.)
Also took some shots of the 15 or so Chaffinch's which come to the Nyjer seed i've put down, fingers crossed for the later winter months. Historically I have had Twite although I couldn't tell you when I last saw them in this neck of the woods. The Woodpeckers at one stage today were all in the garden together with 3 on the fence whilst one occupied the feeder, unfortunately I was inside at this moment.
Fly Flats and Cold Edge 5 - 8.30pm
Fly Flats
Thought there might be a chance of a good wader tonight, but I was wrong, only 1 Common Sandpiper present.19 Wheatears were counted around the reservoir most on the muddy banks. Also 1 Whinchat and a Reed Bunting.
Then walked down to Cold Edge Dams, which was little better, 1 Snipe at the dams, 2 Whinchats, 1 Stonechat, 2 Reed Buntings and the usual Barnacle Goose and Grelag Goose.
Thought there might be a chance of a good wader tonight, but I was wrong, only 1 Common Sandpiper present.19 Wheatears were counted around the reservoir most on the muddy banks. Also 1 Whinchat and a Reed Bunting.
Then walked down to Cold Edge Dams, which was little better, 1 Snipe at the dams, 2 Whinchats, 1 Stonechat, 2 Reed Buntings and the usual Barnacle Goose and Grelag Goose.
My little migrant trap, Roils Head 15th August
Monday, August 14, 2006
Cold Edge 14th August
Couple of Garden Photo's
Roils Head 2 - 4 pm 14th August
Over night rain brought a fall of migrants to Roils Head with over 40 Willow Warblers counted. Usually in mid August I would expect to see 3 or 4 Willow Warblers at this site but todays count is by far my highest.In with the Willow Warblers was a Redstart and a very fine Tree Pipit. 2 possible Chiffchaffs were seen very briefly, other birds included 5 Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, 3 Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Walshaw Dean PM
Myself and Steve Cummings had a walk up Walshaw Dean and bumped into Darrel.
Nothing special doing, but had good views of a juv female Peregrine eating prey at top walshaw. Also 3 Kestrels, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Curlew, 1 Stock Dove 2 LBBGs, 1 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 or 2 Spotted Flycatches, 6+ Willow Warblers, Reed Buntings 2 Coal Tits and several flocks of Goldfinces.
Nothing special doing, but had good views of a juv female Peregrine eating prey at top walshaw. Also 3 Kestrels, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Curlew, 1 Stock Dove 2 LBBGs, 1 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 or 2 Spotted Flycatches, 6+ Willow Warblers, Reed Buntings 2 Coal Tits and several flocks of Goldfinces.
Atrocious Weather. Cracking Birds.
Hiking Around
Went on a walk around the local area yesterday here is a list of birds of interest at various points along the route.
Hardcastle Crags 1 female Sparrowhawk.
On Hebden water near the bowling green 3 Dippers and 3 Grey wagtails at least 2 juvs.
Erringden Moor 1 Skylark.
Swillington (which is where the Pennine Way & Pennine Bridleway cross as you come down from Stoodley Pike) 4 Wheatears.
Blackshaw Royd flock of approx 10 Long tailed tits.
Hardcastle Crags 1 female Sparrowhawk.
On Hebden water near the bowling green 3 Dippers and 3 Grey wagtails at least 2 juvs.
Erringden Moor 1 Skylark.
Swillington (which is where the Pennine Way & Pennine Bridleway cross as you come down from Stoodley Pike) 4 Wheatears.
Blackshaw Royd flock of approx 10 Long tailed tits.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Roils Head 7.00PM
Redstart seen again at West End Golf Course, also 1 Willow Warbler and a Swift north at Heath Hill Road.
Cold Edge and Fly Flats 12th August
Friday, August 11, 2006
Cold Edge, Fly Flats PM
Cold Edge Dams.
Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Snipe, Barnacle Goose, Greylags, Juv Stonechat, Juv Whinchat, Sand Martin etc.
Fly Flats
Short-eared Owl, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7 Wheatears and 2 Red Grouse ( wonder if they will be still alive tomorrow evening).
Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Snipe, Barnacle Goose, Greylags, Juv Stonechat, Juv Whinchat, Sand Martin etc.
Fly Flats
Short-eared Owl, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7 Wheatears and 2 Red Grouse ( wonder if they will be still alive tomorrow evening).
An hour from the car.
Went up fly flatts yesterday evening from 5pm, as I only had an hour decided to stay with the car. Not a great deal to be seen although I was afforded excellant views of an adult (presumably female) peregrine which flew straight over the car then perched on rocks behind me.
Also had juv Wheatear, 3 Ravens and a Kestrel.
Also had juv Wheatear, 3 Ravens and a Kestrel.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Elland Gravel Pits 1990 past record
Cold Edge Dams
Cornholme
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Rochdale website
Suggest we keep an eye on the Rochdale website http://www.wildlifeofrochdale.co.uk/
they are covering the Whiteholme area and turning up some good stuff eg Grey Plover and Greenshank last night!
they are covering the Whiteholme area and turning up some good stuff eg Grey Plover and Greenshank last night!
Cold Edge Dams
Little Ringed Plover and Barnacle Goose, Redshank, 10 Greylags, Whinchat, 2 Stonechats. Can someone please tell me how to add pictures to the blog. I have tried everything ???
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Barn owl
Barn owl reported just beyond Pecket Well, quartering over fields. 11:00am. Apparently definately not a short-eared.
10 MINS AT RINGSTONE 07/08/06
With everything thats been on the move lately I decided it was worth just popping in this morning just after 09:00. Again I wasn't disappointed as yet another Ringed Plover had apparently spent the night. This time being on the east shore it allowed me the chance to take a few pictures see below. Unfortunately not much else around, LRP, few lapwing and GC Grebe, another quick stop later in the day produced LBB gull and a Common gull amongst the BH gulls.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Fly Flats - Cold Edge- Roils Head PM
Fly Flats
Adult Peregrine, 3 Kestrels, 1 Raven, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Curlews, 7 Wheatears, 1 Willow Warbler, 20+ Twite, 1 Linnet and 100s of Peacock Butterflys.
Cold Edge Dams
2 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Greylag Geese and 2 white ones ?
Roils Head
1 juv Redstart, 2 juv Willow Warblers.
3 Kestrels and a Common Gull at Heath Hill Road.
Adult Peregrine, 3 Kestrels, 1 Raven, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Curlews, 7 Wheatears, 1 Willow Warbler, 20+ Twite, 1 Linnet and 100s of Peacock Butterflys.
Cold Edge Dams
2 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Greylag Geese and 2 white ones ?
Roils Head
1 juv Redstart, 2 juv Willow Warblers.
3 Kestrels and a Common Gull at Heath Hill Road.
Green woodpecker
Green woodpecker seen with newly fledged young on a telegraph pole at Underbank, nr. Jumble Hole Clough
Sunday, August 06, 2006
And Still it Produces Birds.
The Mixenden White Crow
06/08/06
This alb crow has been round mixenden area for many years. A similar bird has been resident in Qby for a long time.See NKs link on hillbilly birder.
FLY FLATTS 0745-0945
A completely birdless morning with nothing on the shoreline, in the water or in the sky.
Only activity was a steady flow of Swallows and a few Swifts all >SW. BS
This alb crow has been round mixenden area for many years. A similar bird has been resident in Qby for a long time.See NKs link on hillbilly birder.
FLY FLATTS 0745-0945
A completely birdless morning with nothing on the shoreline, in the water or in the sky.
Only activity was a steady flow of Swallows and a few Swifts all >SW. BS
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Green Withens 5-6pm
14 Canada Geese, 5 dogs, 4 walkers, 3 abandoned settees. That's all!
5 LRP at Ringstone on the way home. 65 Swallows North through Ringstone last night.
Its easy to add pictures to this Blog directly from Internet Explorer (see next Post). Choose "Save as Draft". Edit the Draft and there's a small square picture icon which allows you to add images.
5 LRP at Ringstone on the way home. 65 Swallows North through Ringstone last night.
Its easy to add pictures to this Blog directly from Internet Explorer (see next Post). Choose "Save as Draft". Edit the Draft and there's a small square picture icon which allows you to add images.
Calderdale Birds
GREEN WITHENS 7:30-10:00/14:00-16:00
common scoter 1 male 1 female
whimbrel 1
cormorant 5 inc 2 adults
short eared owl 1
golden plover 11
snipe 1
common sandpiper 4
stonechat 1 pair
(i will post full details on www.greenwithens.blogspot.com later the reason for this i use internet explorer for this blog which wont let me post pictures, i use mozzilla for my own blog which is easier to post pictures on using picasa)
common scoter 1 male 1 female
whimbrel 1
cormorant 5 inc 2 adults
short eared owl 1
golden plover 11
snipe 1
common sandpiper 4
stonechat 1 pair
(i will post full details on www.greenwithens.blogspot.com later the reason for this i use internet explorer for this blog which wont let me post pictures, i use mozzilla for my own blog which is easier to post pictures on using picasa)
Jumble Hole
Just had a quick 10 minute walk up Jumble Hole, and the scrubby areas seem alive with warblers and their young. In one hawthorn bush, all visable at once were - 4 garden warblers (3 juv), being scolded by 3 blackcap, and keeping out of the trouble were 4 willow warblers. All topped off with 3 blackbirds, 3 juv. great tits, and 1 wren. And this was just one bush.
Friday, August 04, 2006
My best day at Ringstone so far!!!
I only stopped off for a quick check as I had my heart set on a visit to Whiteholme.
After length referrals to the guide book and blowing up some very distant shots of the tern I'm sorry to have to say that I'll have to put it down as a Commic Tern. The weather at 9:30 this morning was rather misty which didn't help the id process and the wind prevented any steady shots down my scope.
Anyway moving on from that on a positive note:-
Black Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, 7 LRP, 1 GC grebe, 2 Curlew, 7 Lapwing, 1 Common Gull, 26 BH Gull, 37 Canada Geese NW field, 8 Swallow.
South Shore produced 2 Willow Warbler -see photo-, 2 Robin.
Feeders, c15 Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 2 Dunnock, 4 Blue tit, 1 juv Robin, Blackbird.
Res Wall nr Feeders 1 Mipit.
And to round things off just as I was about to leave 2 juv Peregrines flew in and perched on shore line whilst one of them took a bath the other being harrassed by LRP decided to play some half hearted chase with them.
After length referrals to the guide book and blowing up some very distant shots of the tern I'm sorry to have to say that I'll have to put it down as a Commic Tern. The weather at 9:30 this morning was rather misty which didn't help the id process and the wind prevented any steady shots down my scope.
Anyway moving on from that on a positive note:-
Black Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, 7 LRP, 1 GC grebe, 2 Curlew, 7 Lapwing, 1 Common Gull, 26 BH Gull, 37 Canada Geese NW field, 8 Swallow.
South Shore produced 2 Willow Warbler -see photo-, 2 Robin.
Feeders, c15 Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 2 Dunnock, 4 Blue tit, 1 juv Robin, Blackbird.
Res Wall nr Feeders 1 Mipit.
And to round things off just as I was about to leave 2 juv Peregrines flew in and perched on shore line whilst one of them took a bath the other being harrassed by LRP decided to play some half hearted chase with them.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Ringstone tonight
No sign of Sanderling or Green Sand on arrival but there were four Ringed Plovers amongst several LRPs present along with a Redshank and a Common Sandpiper. Things livened further a little later with a Green Sandpiper heard calling and then dropping in briefly before leaving to the west followed by a party of 8 juv Shelduck which arrived for a half hour stay.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Todmorden
Found a definite juvenile Grey Wagtail in the Calder by Tod Bus Station on Sunday, and a probable 2nd with an adult female.
Also I've seen quite a few juvenile Jackdaws around Tod centre - no let up in the increase of this species locally, it seems. Swifts also seem to have done well, and I must have a check around the House Martin colonies. House Sparrows seem to have halted their expansion, with far fewer birds noted singing at the bottom end of Eagle Street after a few years of increasing numbers.
On the subject of urban breeding birds, I was in Manchester on Tuesday afternoon when I saw what I was sure were two Peregrines circling around the Arndale Centre. One bird disappeared, but the other occasionally flew past. At about half past eight, my wife and I passed the same spot, and I was alerted by the calls to see a group of 3 or 4 (two of them disappeared so quickly I couldn't be sure whether it was actually a pigeon being chased!), while the other two circled a minute or two longer. I presume at least one was a juvenile - obviously I was without bins, but one was clearly brown.
Sorry to ramble on, but I can remember reading as a child about the "terminal decline" of this "bird of wild and lonely places". If you had told me that 30-odd years hence they would be breeding in the heart of my native city, I wouldn't have known what to think!
There's always hope, eh?
Also I've seen quite a few juvenile Jackdaws around Tod centre - no let up in the increase of this species locally, it seems. Swifts also seem to have done well, and I must have a check around the House Martin colonies. House Sparrows seem to have halted their expansion, with far fewer birds noted singing at the bottom end of Eagle Street after a few years of increasing numbers.
On the subject of urban breeding birds, I was in Manchester on Tuesday afternoon when I saw what I was sure were two Peregrines circling around the Arndale Centre. One bird disappeared, but the other occasionally flew past. At about half past eight, my wife and I passed the same spot, and I was alerted by the calls to see a group of 3 or 4 (two of them disappeared so quickly I couldn't be sure whether it was actually a pigeon being chased!), while the other two circled a minute or two longer. I presume at least one was a juvenile - obviously I was without bins, but one was clearly brown.
Sorry to ramble on, but I can remember reading as a child about the "terminal decline" of this "bird of wild and lonely places". If you had told me that 30-odd years hence they would be breeding in the heart of my native city, I wouldn't have known what to think!
There's always hope, eh?
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Callis sewage works - Hebden Bridge
Clouds of hirundines feeding tonight after today's showers. Min' counts of:
145 house martins
55 swift
20 swallows
145 house martins
55 swift
20 swallows