Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Blackstone Edge

2 male Common Scoter




Lighthazzles

Roe deer stag at altitude 405 metres (1330 feet)

Also 1 Raven north

Saturday, March 09, 2024

A Whooper Swans week.

Since last Sunday 3rd March good numbers of Whooper Swans have been reported over Calderdale with earlier ones from 11th and 21st February. Most, heading in a westerly or north westerly direction as they start their migration back to Iceland - maybe stopping off along the west coasts of England and Scotland as well as in Ireland.

This seems to be a pattern in Calderdale, certainly over recent years towards the end of February and March. A fantastic sight and sound. Sometimes also heard at night. 
Many just fly straight over our area but occasionally rest up at local reservoirs especially when visibility maybe restricts their orientation. Warley Moor this morning was one such occasion with 90 resting up and a further 21 at Ogden res'r, all probably affected by the misty conditions.

Nearly 600 birds in the last week from 10+ flocks, with numbers between single figures and a maximum of 158 on the 8th. 

There is time for more, so worth keeping a watch - and a listen.

Baitings

Oystercatcher. 2 pairs here


Tuesday, March 05, 2024

Soil Hill and Hebble Brook

Soil Hill seemed out of character this morning as it was even warm on the top with no wind at all. 
Not a lot doing other than 40 Lapwings in fields to the north plus 8 flyovers high >E. Two Moorhen down there along with 4 Canada Geese with 2 Greylag Geese flyovers >E.
3 Skylarks singing on the top. 1 Meadow Pipit flushed
A pair of Little Owls nearby.

Hebble Brook below Ogden reservoir was worth a check this afternoon. Found a sheltered spot in some warm sunshine - so had a Chiffchaff - feeding continuously in and around an overgrown privet bush. I just managed a phone video as it flitted about but no song or call heard. Maybe an overwintering bird or perhaps an early migrant, who knows ?
Nothing much on the water at Ogden though a Green Woodpecker was calling nearby as well as a Greenfnch singing and plenty of small bird activity down towards the golf club house.

Whiteholme

Another male Goldeneye


Monday, March 04, 2024

Sunday, March 03, 2024

Time for Whooper Swans !

A good start to March with 70 Whoopers over Barkisland around 08:20 this morning (TW) must have been a great sight, and sound. Hopefully some more flyovers or some to rest on local reservoirs in the next 2 / 3 weeks.

Garden visitors

 Two Nuthatch visiting the feeder over the winter and still here today - 3rd March. Seeming to feed exclusively on sunflower hearts.




Friday, March 01, 2024

Cold Edge

 A poor day today with lots of snow on the tops from this mornings weather. !

Hunter Hill - a check on the recent Skylark field drew a blank for the larks but 40 Lapwing nearby seemed very unsettled with lots of flying about then re-settling in the snow covered fields.

Cold Edge - 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 100+ Canada Geese and pair Tufted Duck. All scoped from higher up on the moor.

Withens Head - 1 Red Grouse and a single Curlew

          A bleak outlook over the moor with mist rising from the valley beyond Rocking Stone Flat.

Cold Edge dams

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Soil Hill / Cold Edge

 Soil Hill (am). A decent show of 12 Skylarks including some song. Also 12 Meadow Pipits on the top.
1 Curlew >NE, 1 Kestrel, 40+ Common Gulls nearby as well as c40 Lapwings and c100 Starlings.

Cold Edge (pm) At least 110 Canada Geese and 25 Greylags.
2 Curlew were the only waders around the site and no duck other than a few Mallard.
2 Reed Buntings and a Grey Wagtail.
Pair of smart looking adult Herring Gulls were with some B H and Common Gulls feeding in a field

Cold Edge and Hunter Hill

Tried for more Skylarks this week, after last weeks birds on Cold Edge Road peaked at 48 (BS). They seem to have moved on now probably with a few local birds remaining. (?)

Yesterday in the drizzle 35 migrant Curlew were feeding in fields on the slopes of Hunter Hill but got spooked by a loose dog and the birds headed off noisily >NE. Not a lot else in the conditions but a Green Woodpecker seems to be about in that area.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Blackstone Edge

Stonechat


Also: Great Black-backed Gull 1 SW
 

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Cold Edge

Tufted Duck pair