Thursday 27 December 2012

27th December

2 Goosander flying north over Tower Hill today were somewhat of a surprise, elsewhere 20+ Long-tailed Tits and 20 + Goldfinch were at Roils Head. Yestreday 2 Herring Gulls flew west past the house.

Tuesday 25 December 2012

25th December

Christmas day walk. Not much happening, 10 Fieldfares at Tower Hill, 20+ Common Gulls at Heath Hill Road, a few Long-tailed Tits and 1 female Bullfinch was about it.
Christmas quizz, identify this bird taken a few years ago.

Sunday 16 December 2012

16th December

Flushed a Woodcock at Roils Head today, also had 14 Herring Gulls flying south west at Heath Hill Road and just 1 Golden Plover at High Road Well Moor. Yesterday had 6 Goldies and 7 Lapwings here, 2 Red-legged Partridge still at Tower Hill and a Sparrowhawk over Roils Head.

Saturday 8 December 2012

8th December

67 Lapwings and 38 Golden Plovers at High Road Well Moor today, also 11 Fieldfare and just 1 Redwing at eath Hill Road.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

4th December

Todays walk produced a female Reed Bunting at Roils Head, the Little Owll still sat in the same place as the other day at Heath Hill Road, also a single Fieldfare at Heath Hill Road. 32 Golden Plovers, 38 Lapwing and a couple of hundered Starlings at High Road Well Moor.

Thursday 29 November 2012

Jupiter

 Best two shots I could manage of Jupiter tonight.

29th November

Usual walk today produced 15 Golden Plovers over Roils Head, 50+ House Sparrows in one bush at the Norton Tower end of Roils Head also 6 or 7 Meadow Pipits there. A little Owl at Heath Hill Road was the first Ive seen in this area for a while. An adult Herring Gull flew south and at least 40 Common Gulls were in the fields at High Road Well Moor.

Monday 19 November 2012

19th November

Heard a Waxwing flying over Norton Tower today but couldnt see it. 20+ Common Gulls at Heath Hill Road. 143 Lapwing, 12 Golden Plovers and c 200 Starlings now at High Road Well Moor.

Sunday 18 November 2012

18th November

Walk over Roils cut short as DJS rang to go up Cold Edge. Not alot doing but did have 1 Little Owl, a Kestrel, a few Red Grouse and 2 Herring Gulls flying west.

Saturday 17 November 2012

17th November, local patch tick

 Red Fox
 BHG
Usual walk over Roils Head and High Road Well Moor started with 2 Red-legged Partridge flushed by some one or some thing, think I found the suspect a few minutes later in the form of a Fox out in the middle of the day (aways nice to see). Unfortunatly no Goldies today so tride a few shots of the local BHGs with some success. Walking down Moor End Road Pellon I had a big surprise when I found a Nuthatch on a garden feeder, a first for my local walk. Finished off with a first winter Herring Gull moving west and a Lesser Black back moving to the north.

Friday 16 November 2012

16th November

33 Golden Plover at High Road Well Moor was the best I could manage today.

Wednesday 14 November 2012

14th November

7 or 8 Waxwings zipped over West End Golf Course this afternoon, not much else doing but for 38 Lapwings at High Road Well Moor.

Tuesday 13 November 2012

13th November

A nice surprise whilst I walked over Roils Head today was a flock off c20 Waxwings which flew south trilling as they went. 61 Lapwings at High Road Well Moor seemed to be mainly made up of first winter birds. Only other bird of note was a Sparrowhawk which put the fear of god into 2 Carrion Crows.

Sunday 11 November 2012

11th November

1 Reed Bunting and a Jay at Roils Head this PM. Walk cut short and went to Cold Edge with DJS. Drake Goldeneye on the dams, 3 Reed Buntings flew over, not much else happening the odd Kestrel, Stock Dove and Mistle Thrush.

Saturday 10 November 2012

10th November

SC dropped me off at a moorland site for a couple of hours today whilst he went off filming in another place. Sunny afternoon started off well with a pair of Stonechats which are always nice to see. These were followed by the odd looking Common Buzzard sat on a hill side and a female Kestrel sat on a telegraph pole. Another buzzard was seen in the distance and a female Merlin shot past me at close range and then headed down the valley. Finally the best at the last, a ringtail Hen Harrier was picked up flying low over the moors before gaining height and heading off into the distance. Also stack loads of Red Grouse, a few pheasants and a some Fieldfares kicking about.

Tuesday 6 November 2012

6th November

Usual walk over Roils Head produced c50 Common Gulls at Heath Hill Road and 46 Lapwings with 6 Golden Plovers at High Road Well Moor.

Sunday 4 November 2012

4th November

Nipped up to Cold Edge with DJS this PM, first Goldeneye of the autumn was on the bottom dam, 2 Reed Buntings near the top dam, a male Stonechat on the hillside + Kestrel, 12 Lapwings and the odd Moorhen.

Wednesday 31 October 2012

31st October

A Woodcock flushed by dog walkers was a nice surprise today at Roils Head, even more of a surprise were 3 Red-legged Partridge which took flight at High Road Well Moor.

Tuesday 30 October 2012

30th October

Out on the moors with DJS today in poor conditions again. First bird of note was a Ringtail Hen Harrier which flew up the valley, this was followed by a Kestrel a Sparrowhawk and a Merlin which shot off down the valley. At about 3.15PM we picked up the strange looking Buzzard which bears some resemblance to a Rough-Leg but on close inspection we all came to the conclussion that its just a funny looking Common (still an interesting looking bird). Another or the same Ringtail Hen Harrier went down the valley whilst we were watching the buzzard, also had 50+ Fieldfare and the usual Grouse and Pheasants.

Sunday 28 October 2012

28th October

Out with DJS looking for the RLBuzzard in poor conditions today, not much to report just 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 30+ Fieldfares and c300 Starlings moving west.

Saturday 27 October 2012

27th October

 Common Buzzard
The report of a Rough-legged Buzzard on the moors saw me and SC staking out the site all afternoon. Lots of Fieldfares kicking about today also 2 jays and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, then at 2pm a ringtail Hen Harrier was a nice surprise, this was followed by 3 Common Buzzards and at 3pm I had a brief but distant view of what was probably the Rough Leg (large buteo with white tail) but couldnt get anything else on the bird because of brief view and distance. Finished off with 2 Sparrowhawks.

Sunday 21 October 2012

21st October

Out with SC today looking for raptors with not much luck, only had distant views of a Common Buzzard and a couple of Kestrels. More planes in the sky than bird today, did manage GSWPecker and heard Green, 7 Mistle Thrush and 4 Song Thrush were about it.

Saturday 20 October 2012

20th October

Walk over Roils Head again, 1 Chiffchaff calling at West End Golf Course and a few Goldcrests at Roils were about it apart from 3 Grey Partridge flushed at Tower Hill.

Saturday 13 October 2012

13th October

2 late Swallows over the house today followed by the firsrt Redwings of the autumn at Roils Head, also at Roils, 1 Redpoll, 1 Jay and a Sparrowhawk at Tower Hill.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

10th October

Trip to ASDA started with a flock of 130 Pink-footed Geese flying over the house, then heard a Chiffchaff calling at Pellon Reservoir. Later a visit to Fly Flats with DJS produced 11 Wigeon on the reservoir, 2 Peregrines on the moor, 1 Great Black Back south, 1 Kestrel and several Red Grouse.

Tuesday 9 October 2012

9th October

1 Golden Plover at High Road Well Moor was the only bird of note this afternoon.

Sunday 7 October 2012

7th October

Trip to South Yorkshire to see the Pallid Harrier called off at last minute so went my usual walk over Roils Head and had a very pale Buzzard fly south, also still 5 or 6 Swallows still present. Afternoon visit to Hunter Hill watch point with DJS proved to be a success with 5 Common Buzzards flying south east in 1 hour, also 3 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 20+ Red Grouse, 1 Little Owl, 4 Goosander, 1 Tufted Duck, lots of LBBGs, 3 Kestrels and a superb Merlin sat on fence posts, unfortunatly I didnt have my digi scope camera with me but managed a record shot through the scope with the lumix fz18. Probably the same bird as the one last night.

Saturday 6 October 2012

6th October

Walk over Roils Head today brought a rather late Whinchat, 7 Swallows, 7 Goldcrests, 1 Herring Gull and 7 LBBGs west at Mount Tabor and a Sparrowhawk over Moor End Road. Late evening a drive over the moors with SC gave us 15 Red Grouse, 1 Peregrine and a Merlin sat on a road side fence at Cold Edge Road at dusk.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

3rd October

A brief walk over Roils brought 1 Redpoll, a few Goldcrests, 6 Pied Wags, a charm of Goldfinches and 2 Swallows.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

2nd October

Cancelled usual mini trip to Filey. Back up Roils today, 1 Chiffchaff calling, 5 Swallows still kicking about, 70 Linnets in a panick at High Road Well Moor the reason being a superb adult male Sparrowhawk that shot through.

Monday 1 October 2012

1st Oct 3rd time unlucky

Ogden again looking for the YBWarbler. 5 and an half hours spent today with no luck. It must have past me close by at 18.30 as AZ heard it calling in the Long-tailed Tit flock but sadly it failed to show. Did have 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, loads of Goldcrests and tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, LBBGs, Common Gulls and lots of Robins.

Sunday 30 September 2012

Yellow-browed blues

Dont believe it, talk about lightning striking twice, spent the afternoon in awful conditions looking for the Yellow Browed Warbler at Ogden. After a complete soaking SC said thats it its not going to show now lets go. Half an hour after leaving BS finds the bird in the bushes I had just been looking in. Did have 1 Chiffchaff in with the tit flock and 2 Cormorants, White Crow nearby again.

Saturday 29 September 2012

29th Sept GUTTED

News broke mid day of a Yellow-browed Warbler at Ogden so after numerous frantic calls I managed to get in touch with AZ. Ive seen loads of YBWs on the coast over the years but the chance to get one locally was too good to miss, unfortunatly thats just what happened!! A group of 6 of us serched for 3 hours with no luck so me and AZ left at 5.10PM. Had only been back home for 20 minutes when news came through the grape vine that the bird had been relocated and was showing well. Too late now to get anybody to go back so will have to hope the bird stays for a few more days at least? Did hear a Crossbill flying over, also 2 Cormorants, 2 LBBGs, 1 Common Gull and the White Carrion Crow nearby.

Sunday 23 September 2012

23rd September wrong day

After hearing about all the raptors the Bradford and Hudds birders had yesterday I had a walk up to my watch point with high hopes. Unfortunatly it was very windy and freezing cold so I only lasted a couple of hours. Birds seen 1 local Common Buzzard, 6 Sparrowhawks including one which tried to take a Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 3 Cormorants south, 1 Herring Gull, 3 LBBGs and 6 unidentified ducks. After tea a walk over Roils produced 50 Goldfinch and a couple of LBBGs. Also had a Great Spot at Mount Tabor earlier on.

Saturday 22 September 2012

22nd September

Did things the wrong way round today should have gone to my watch point first instead did the walk over Roils Head. Did manage to find a Siskin in with the Goldfiches at Tower Hill, also had a Whinchat and a Wheatear at High Road Well Moor. Evening short visit to the watch point brough 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 LBBGs, 1 Grey Heron and a largish raptor sat on the moor, too far away to id.

Thursday 20 September 2012

20th September

Usual walk over Roils produced 4 or 5 Goldcrests in with the Long-tailed Tits, 1 Wheatear at High Road Well Moor, 1 Sparrowhawk at Tower Hill and a Kestrel over Wheatley Valley.

Tuesday 18 September 2012

18th September

Not much birding done this past week due to a nasty virous but had a walk over Roils Head this evening, 2 Chiffchaffs still in with the Long-tailed Tit flock, 1 Kestrel at Tower Hill and a late Curlew heard but not seen over High Road Well Moor.

Tuesday 11 September 2012

11th September

Finally found a Spotted Flycatcher at Roils Head today, at least 3 Chiffchaffs present (5 yesterday). Brief visit to Hunter Hill with DJS only produced 3 Grey Partridge, not much else.

Sunday 9 September 2012

9th September

Managed 1hour 10 mins at my watch point before the heavens opened up. The only birds of note were 1 Peregrine, 2 Kestrels and 2 male Common Buzzards, the local male was seen sparring with this other male possibly a young bird reared locally or an intruding male.

Saturday 8 September 2012

8th September 3rd Marsh Harrier

2 hours 15 mins spent at my local watch point today was rewarded with my third Marsh Harrier of the autumn. A cream crown came off the moors and circled for some 20 minutes before heading off to the south. Other birds today were 1 Buzzard, 1 distant Peregrine, 4 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels and 4 Ravens together. 2 Chiffchaffs still at Roils Head and lots of Swallows +1 Wheatear at Crimsworth Dean this evening.

Wednesday 5 September 2012

5th September

2 hours 15mins spent at my local watch point today produced the usual pair of Buzzards + 2 other sightings of separate birds, also 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 or 6 Kestrels and an unidentified small falcon probably a Merlin but not sure too far away. The most unusual sight was a Cormorant circling over the moors before flying south. Not much else, 3 LBBGs, 1 Common Gull and lots of House Martins and Swallows.

Tuesday 4 September 2012

4th September

Another visit to the Cold Edge area today was fairly productive with a nice Merlin sat on a rock out on the moor, other raptors present were 3 or 4 Kestrels, 1 or 2 Buzzards and a Peregrine picked up dashing around the moors. The only birds of note on the dams were 1 Tufted Duck and 1 Little Grebe.Passerines included 3 Stonechats, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear and several Meadow Pipits.

Sunday 2 September 2012

Marsh Harrier pics


Photos taken yesterday by DF of the Walshaw bird that me and SC had on 30th August. Good to know its still around.
Today had 1 Redstart and a Chiffchaff at Roils Head, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk at Tower Hill.

1st September

Had walk up to my local watch point but only stayed 1 hour, far too windy. Had 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 3 LBBGs going west, thats all.

Friday 31 August 2012

31st August Hobby

After the Friday Asda shop I did my usual walk over Roils Head, 6 Willow Warblers were in the tit flock but not much else happening so moved on to Tower Hill at Norton Tower where I found a Wheatear sat on a wall. Got the camera out and started to take a few shots but it began to rain so put the camera away and moved on. I had only gone a few yards when a bird came flying towards me, bins up to reveal a superb juvenile Hobby it flew amost directly over me then stooped at high speed into Luddenden Valley where it had a couple of goes at Swallows before moving on at speed towards Warley Village (camera in bag so sadly no photos).

Thursday 30 August 2012

30th August, 2nd Marsh Harrier

Out with SC this evening at another moorland site and I picked up another cream crown Marsh Harrier flying down the valley and over the moors. Probably the same bird that PG had a few days ago but almost certainly a differnt bird from the one I had this afternnoon at Cold Edge. Also 1 Buzzard, 3 Kestrels, 2 Whinchat 1 weasel and a wood mouse.

30th August Marsh Harrier


Was going to sit on the bench at my local watch point today but changed my mind when I saw the weather. Instead I got the bus up to Wainstalls and walked to Cold Edge Dams. Why have I come here I thought, will probably just get 1 Black-headed Gull and some poxy Mallards. Looked on the first dam, 1 Black-headed Gull and a group of Mallards, spot on. Was just thinking to myself, how come Pete Grba goes up Walshaw Dean for the first time in years the other day and gets a Marsh Harrier, why does that never happen to meeeee (what’s that!!!) bins up, a Cream Crown MARSH HARRIER on the moor being mobbed by corvids, brilliant. Got the camera out and aimed at the harrier, the bird came into focus but then the camera just shut down. Oh no what’s going on, tried again but the same thing happened again so quickly changed the battery. By the time I had done this the bird had departed, still my 11th species of raptor in Calderdale this year made it a red letter day. Also had 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Red Grouse, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Pheasant, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Wheatears, 1 Robin, 1 House Martin and a few swallows.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

28th August

Had a walk up to my local watch point for a 2 and half hour stint today. Local pair of Buzzards seen on and off also 9 sightings of at least 4 Sparrowhawks, 6 or 7 Kestrels, 24 Swifts, 1 Lesser Black Back, 1 House Martin, lots of Swallows and a few Linnets.

Monday 27 August 2012

27th August

Walk over Roils Head today, a Whitethroat was new also the Chiffchaff still heard calling, not much else.

Sunday 26 August 2012

26th August

Walk over Roils Head this pm produced 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, 40 House Martins moving west, lots of Swallows and 2 Wheatears at High Road Well Moor. After the rain I had a walk up to the Mount Tabor watch point and hadnt been there long when DJS rang to say that BS had just had 4 Whimbrel at Swales Moor flying in my direction. Turned the bins round and viewed to the east and sure enough 4 waders with down curved bills came into view at a distance so couldnt get a good ID on them. They started to circle over the fields and one called briefly (sounded like a curlew to me) but not sure. BS is sure that at least one was a Whimbrel as he had heard the call. 3 birds were together but the other was some distance away so possibly 3 Whimbrel and 1 Curlew ????. Also had 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 1 Swift and an adult Great Black Backed Gull which is unusual for this time of year.

Friday 24 August 2012

24th August

A Chiffchaff was new in at Roils Head today, also 15 Willow Warblers and a Sparrowhawk present. One Swift over Moor End Road and a nice Roe Deer nearby.

Wednesday 22 August 2012

22nd August

A walk over Roils Head today produced 1 Whinchat but not much else.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

21st August

1 possibly 2 Redstarts at Roils Head today, also the Linnet flock must be over 100 by now.

Monday 20 August 2012

Autumn raptor movment through Calderdale


Scarce lager raptors moving through Calderdale during the last 10 autumns.

Osprey


Only recorded in August and September. First week of September seems to be the peak time for birds moving.

August

23rd 

26th

September

1st, 1st

3rd

4th, 4th

5th, 5th, 5th

7th

8th

15th

25th, 25th                    


Red Kite


August

1st

3rd, 3rd

7th

16th

17th

20th

22nd

September

8th

10th

13th

23rd

24th

26th

October

1st

30th

November

17th


Marsh Harrier


August

14th

21st

28th

September

1st

2nd

4th

10th

11th

23rd

October

8th


Honey Buzzard


September

3rd

13th

17th

Rough-legged Buzzard


October

13th

November

16th and 17th


20th August

First walk up to Cold Edge after trashing both Plantar fascia in my feet in April, was it worth it, NO. Only birds of note were 4 Swifts, 2 Wheatears and 2 Curlews with very short bills.

Sunday 19 August 2012

19th August

Spent 2 hours with DJS looking for Andy Cs Black Redstart near Baitings today with no luck. Only bird of note was a Whitethroat.

Friday 17 August 2012

More Moths

 Dont get many of these, Dotted Clay I think.
 Phoenix
Lesser Black Back.

Out with Roy last night, went looking for Andy Cs Black Redstart with no luck, infact we hardly saw any birds all evening so returned home and had another moth night instead. Nothing much today just one Lesser Black back at Mount Tabor, thats all.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

14th August

 Clay
 Burnished Brass
 Broad bordered Yellow Underwing
Grey Chi

Not much happening on the bird front so got the moth trap out and did 3 hours last night.

Friday 10 August 2012

Early August


A few migrants have started to come through Roils Head in the last few days. 7th produced at least 20 Willow Warblers in with the Long-tailed Tit flock, nothing on 8th, 1 Wheatear on the 9th and a distant gull which I tried to turn into an adult Med Gull over Luddenden Valley but it was just too far away to claim. 10th, produced the first Redstart of the Autumn at Roils Head with at least 15 Willow Warblers still present. A Sparrowhawk was mobbed by Swallows and a second Spar was seen carrying prey over Pellon later in the day. Last nights ill advised trip to Fairburn with Roy was very dissapointing.

Friday 3 August 2012

2nd August

Out with Roy this evening, first stop Ringstone but not much there so on to Jay House Lane to check out the Barn Owl box the lads put up in the winter. It had a bird in residence but sadly not a Barn Owl but a Stock Dove, also 2 Tree Sparrows near the feeders. On next to the original Barn Owl site but sadley nothing doing there either, did have 1 singing Yellowhammer though.

Wednesday 1 August 2012

1st August

Only bird of note this afternoon was a Little Owl at Work House Lane.

31st July

Usual walk over Roils Head brought a single Crossbill flying south towards West End Golf Course.

Thursday 26 July 2012

25th July

 Light Emerald
 Swallowtail
 Beautiful Golden Y
 Plain Golden Y
 Mottled Beauty
Early Thorn

Nobody going birding today so dug out the moth trap for 3 hours mothing. Above are the best catches of the night, nothing special but still some nice moths.

Tuesday 24 July 2012

23rd July Gull fest

Out with DJS tonight at Ringstone Edge. There must have been somewhere in the region of 4000 gulls feeding in the fields, most were Black-headed with 100 Common and 30 or so Lesser Black Backs, there was also a large gull that we just couldnt get to grips with. We both thought there as to be a Med Gull in all that lot, but try as we might we just couldnt find one. Also present a very big Peregrine, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Common Sands, 2 Curlew, 2 Tufties and 2 Grey Herons.

Oh next day Dave returned in the afternoon and found an adult Med Gull

Sunday 22 July 2012

21st July

 Black-tailed Godwits at Ringstone Edge


Evening out with SC, a quick stop off at Ringstone proved to be very fruitfull. 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Tufties were on the reservoir and a Sedge Warbler was singing on the far side when I heard a Greenshank calling, the bird was picked up in flight and soon came down on the banking. Then DJS rang to tell me he was on the other side and had a field full of gulls but no scope with him, so we soon joined Dave and started to search through probably 1000 gulls. Most were Black-headed with a handful of Common and Lesser Black Backs but nothing else. Taking a quick break through scanning I suddenly picked up a group of waders flying fast and high above the reservoir, managed to get the scope on them, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 carried on towards Elland but thankfully 6 came back and landed in the field with the Gulls. 1 of the birds appears to be ringed or tagged, white over red on the right leg and white over yellow on the left. Ive seen Black-tailed Godwit in Calderdale before but these are the first ones Ive actually found.
After Ringstone Edge we went to Elland GP to join the moth men for a spot of mothing but had to leave at 11.30, still a good nights birding in July.

Saturday 21 July 2012

20th July

Out this evening with SC, after visiting a Badger set to check Steves cameras we finally did some birding. The Little Owl was on the same post it was on the previous night and the Short-eared Owl was carrying prey to either a nest or young on the moor. Best bird though was a superb Hobby that flew over us, I only got on to it because I saw its reflection in the reservoir water and just turned round in time to watch it speed over the moor. Other birds included the reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Greylags, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Kestrels, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Common Sands, 2 Curlews, 4 Stock Doves, 3 Grey Partridge and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

19th July

 Little Owl
Out with Roy this evening, tride an old LEO site with no luck, we did however have Tawny Owl, Short-eared Owl and a very tame Little Owl that allowed me to get a few shots from the car. Also 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 5 Oystercathers, 1 Snipe, 3 Stock Doves and 2 Grey Partridge.

Thursday 19 July 2012

18th July

A couple of hours out this evening with SC produced 2 Short-eared Owls and 6 Kestrels but not much else.

Saturday 14 July 2012

14th July

Out with SC this evening, first stop produced a Common Buzzard being mobbed by a small falcon, too distant to id, also had a pair of Grey Wagtails feeding young out of the nest. Up at Fly had a nice male Peregrine go over, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sands, 8 Greylags and 300- 500 Swifts hawking over the water.

Friday 13 July 2012

13th July

A few hours out today with Roy didnt produce much just more rain. Did have a fairly pale Common Buzzard over the Crags but not much else.

Tuesday 26 June 2012

25th June

 Leo



 Hobby
After a truely dreadful month in more ways than one, I finaly got out last night with SC. First stop the Luddenden Valley to look for Redstarts with no luck, did however have a Cuckoo and a Buzzard. Then moved on to a LEO sight where two birds showed well, also 2 Shorties and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Best however was a Hobby which flew over the valley which I just managed to get on camera before it sped off over the moors.

Special thanks go to birders Roy and Gordon for attending my dads funeral last friday, thanks guys it meant a lot to me.

Thursday 7 June 2012

6th June

A brief visit to Elland GP with SC produced the usual species + 2 Reed Warblers singing, 1 Kingfisher heard, Whitethroat carrying food but not much else.

Tuesday 5 June 2012

4th June

Pair of Redstarts observed at a local site this PM, then on to the Crags in the hope of Wood Warbler and Pied Fly but nothing, couldnt even find a Spotted Fly, did have a brief view of a LEO at a regular spot in the evening.

Friday 1 June 2012

31st May

Mad dash over to Fairburn Ings this evening with Roy to see a Black-winged Stilt that had turned up. Found it feedinf at some distance and managed a few digi scope record shots. A lifer for Roy and only my second for Yorkshire (had one at Filey Dams many moons ago) still a nice bird to see. Not much doing at Swillington Ings later on.

Wednesday 30 May 2012

30th May


Had a walk over Roils Head this PM, yesterdays Whitethroat was still singing, also had an unidentified Falcon fly past me, views too brief to clinch ID. Not much else but Skylarks at High Road Well Moor.

Monday 28 May 2012

27th May

Had a brief visit to two former Leo sites with SC this evening but didnt have enough time to really do it justice, best we could manage was 1 Short-eared Owl.

Saturday 26 May 2012

Yorkshire tick

Had a rare trip out of Calderdale today and headed for Spurn Point with Roy, where after a brief wait I finally caught up with Golden Oriole for Yorkshire. Supporting cast included 3 Little Terns, 3 Cuckoos, 22 Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret but not much else.

Thursday 24 May 2012

23rd May

An evening out with SC produced one LEO, 2 Grey Partridge and 1 Grasshopper Warbler.

Wednesday 23 May 2012

22nd May

Out with DJS this evening checking another LEO site, unfortunatly without any luck, probably due to the fact that the land owner chopped down part of the nesting wood in March. Not much else apart from a drumming Snipe, Lapwing with chicks, male Sparrowhawk, 2 Hares and a Fox.

Monday 21 May 2012

20th May








After a fruitless day looking for Wood Warbler and Flycatchers me and Steve ended up at a LEO site and found one sat out on a fence post for 20 minutes. Managed to digi scope it and here are the best 8 out of 80. A brilliant bird, one of my favorites, never tire of seeing them. Also had 2 Shorties, 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler and a couple of Grey Partridge.