30th April

Another mindless act.

Went to Cold Edge this PM. 2 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, a few Curlew, 1 Goosander at the dams. 4 Golden Plover at Cold Edge Road, a few Linnets kicking about, oh and the moor on fire again, 5 fire engines, 2 fire land rovers and 5 fire cars turned up.
After tea walked over Roils Head and had my first swift of the year at Mount Tabor.

29th April

Digi scoped Wheatear.

Dunlin.

Out with DJS this PM, met up with JW at a local site. 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Raven, 11 Golden Plover, 3 Oystercatchers, 6 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 4 Common Sands, Curlews, 2 Cormorants, 4 Greylag Geese, 8 Wheatear including a very bright long winged individual.

27th April Kites

Digi scoped images of Red Kite at Weardley yesterday.

More Kites

Red Kites all taken with the Panasonic Lumix fz 18.

The Wonders of Weardley

RED KITES at Weardley today.

Went to Red Kite location today with Steve and we were not dissapointed. Lots of birds about at times flying directley overhead at tree top height, also 3 or 4 Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Tree Sparrow, Nuthatch, GSWPecker, 4 Red-legged Partridge etc.

26th April Elland GP

Male Blackcap.

Whitethroat.

Chiffchaff.

Mute Swan a scarce bird in Calderdale.

1 of 5 Goosanders.

Elland GP this PM. 1 Mute Swan, 4 Grey Heron, 1 GCGrebe, 1 GSWPecker, 10+ Sand Martins, 1 Dipper, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps etc.

25th April

A couple of hours if that spent at Elland GP this evening with SC. Reed Warbler singing from reed bed, Garden Warbler singing, 1 LRP present, 1 Dipper on river and Sand Martins over the Ski Lake.

24th April

Digi Scoped Wood Warbler.

Wood Warbler still singing today, also Buzzard, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and 2 Nuthatch nearby.

22nd April

Toad in the road.

Common Buzzard.

Out and about with SC again. Had a few raptors today, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and a Peregrine, others included 50 Fieldfares, 2 Siskin, 2 Nuthatch, GSWPecker etc and a Toad which crossed the track.

21st April

A nice tree.

Male Chaffinch.

This female Chaffinch was so tame I could almost have picked it up.

Pied Wagtail.

Out and about with SC, once again he went his way (filming beetles) and I went mine. Best I could manage today was 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sands, 2 Tufties, the usual moorland species ie Grouse, Oystercatchers, Curlew etc. Only raptors were 4 Kestrels 2 of which were displaying and a distant Buzzard, oh and 2 Grey Partridge.

20th April

Wood Warbler singing.

Eyeing a passing insect.

Willow Warbler.

Back down the Crags with SC this PM. Wood Warbler watched singing in the canopy at Crimsworth Dean. A female Pied Flycatcher found near Gibson Mill also 4 Nuthatch, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, 1 Spar, Willow Warblers and Chiffs + all the usual tits and woodland species.

19th April evening

Went back to LEO site with SC, two birds were out briefly together at 8.50PM, also heard Tawny Owl and 1 Snipe Drumming.

Wood Warbler

Treecreeper.

Out with SC this PM. I walked up Crimsworth Dean and heard an early Wood Warbler singing half way up the track. An early record of this now scarce bird. Also several Treecreepers present 2 Nuthatch and the usual Great and Green Woodpeckers.

18th April

Walk over Roils this PM, nothing much doing. Went checking one of the LEO sites this evening with DJS. Bird heard calling at 8.40pm then flew out of wood a few minutes later, also at least 3 Tawnys calling.

17th April

Comma.

First summer Peregrine.

A strange day started with DJS ringing to tell me there was a White Stork circling over ASDA just a few km away to the south west of me. BS then rang to say he was in ASDA car park and the bird was deirectly above him. I ran up stairs for a better look but nothing, so moved into the garden but still nothing, the houses must have blocked my view. Me and SC then met DJS at Mount Tabor but still couldnt see the bird. Nothing much later bird wise the best being a Imm Peregrine sat on a pylon. Lots of Butterflys this PM the best being a Brimstone that wouldnt land and a Comma that would.

We met a guy from Littleborough who had seen the Stork over his house around 12.30PM it was also seen at Birkstall at 13.08PM probably on its way back to its cage at Harewood House. No sign also of the reported Hooded Crow at Cottonstones.

16th April

Local walk over Roils Head produced 2 Bullfinch, 3 Skylarks, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron and a probable distant Raven.

15th April

Slavonian Grebe.

Marsh Harrier.

Avocets.

More Marsh Harriers

Little Gull.

And another Marsh Harrier.

Out with Roy today, we coundn't decide whether to go to Todmorden or Blacktoft Sands so we tossed a coin and Blacktoft won (oh well neather mind).

A good day was had the best being 10+ Marsh Harriers, Slavonian Grebe, Short -eared Owl, Peregrine, Little Gull, 60 Avocets, Yellow Wagtail with Bittern and Grasshopper Warbler heard.