29th September

After all the Buzzards going through the area the previous day, I decided to make an effort today and was sat on my perch at a local watchpoint by 10.30am. First thing I had was a jay going east followed by a local Buzzard and 2 Sprarrowhawks. The first of several Kestrels began to hunt at 11.00am followed by another Sparrowhawk and another and another, in the end I had 11 sightings of Spars in just over 3 hours. The buzzard was picked up again just before leaving at 1.45pm. Also of note was a Great Spotted Woodpecker north, 10 Greenfinch north, 20 Linnets south, several Pied Wags and Meadow Pipits moving, a couple of Swallows south, 1 LBBG, several Common and Black-headed Gulls also.
A walk later over Roils Head, 1 Chiffchaff still there, then off to feed the local Black-heads and try for some flight shots.

28th September

Text messages kept comming in today of good raptor numbers moving through Calderdale, so I had a walk up to my watch point for a couple of hours this PM. At least 7 Kestrels were up most of the afternoon, then a sturdy looking Spar went south, a distant Common Buzzard was picked up over Midgley + a falcon that I just couldnt klinch. At first I thought it to be a Hobby because it didnt look any bigger than nearby Kestrels, then I thoiught it to be a small looking male Peregrine, it was just too far away  so best forgotten. Also 20 Lapwings, 2 Siskin east and a few LBBGs. Latter joined by SD and we had a good chat about our favourite subject (raptors) I was shocked to here that there were only 4 pairs of Hen Harriers that bred this year in England (what a disgrace) if there were only 4 pairs of say breeding Otters the country would be in uproar. Its about time that the goverment got on top of this persecusion problem and started dishing out proper fines or long prison terms.
A walk over Roils Head after tea, 1 Chiffchaff still present and 2 Wheatears at High Road Well Moor.

26th September

Roils Head, still 2 Chiffchaffs in with the tit flock, 1 Wheatear, 30 Linnets, 30 Meadow Pipits and 1 Kestrel at Tower Hill. 4 LBBGs in a field in the Wheatley Valley.

Back on line

Back on line for the next 4 weeks hopefully. The best birds for the last week or so were 3 Redstarts at Roils Head on 15th, 2 on 16th and 17th and 1 on 18th September.

Out this evening at Roils Head, 1 Stonechat was the first here this year, also a Wheatear at Tower Hill.

9th September

On my way back from ASDA, DJS rang to ask if I was at Roils Head as usual, no I replied Im just coming back from ASDA, why ? Ive just had a probable Hobby flying over Roils Head - West End Golf Course area he informed me. Dropped off the shopping but the bird had probably gone strait through. Did however find four Whinchats which was nice.

More Redstarts

Returned to Roils Head after tea to see if Id missed anything this afternoon, turns out I had, 2 Redstarts a male and a juv/female feeding on the northern wall and conifers.

4th September

Roils Head this PM, 2 Siskin west, 1 Redpoll south, at least 2 Whitethroats, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Goldcrests, Bullfinch, 3 Kestrels, lots of Swallows and a Pied Wag. 1 Wheatear at Heath Hill Road, 50+Linnets, 10 Goldfinch, Meadow Pipits, and 2 Common Gulls at High Road Well Moor with 5 LBBGs west.

1st September

2 hours 20 mins at watch point today produced 2 Buzzards, 4 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels, 2 Common Gulls, a few Lesser Black Backs and Black-headed Gulls, lots of Swallows, 2 House Martins and a flock of Goldfinches.