31st December

6 Hens recorded today including the adult male, there may have been more but the rain was so bad we had to give up before dark.

Two of yesterdays birds

2 of yesterdays Harriers, pictures by Phil D.

28th December

An incredible 7 Hen Harriers today including the adult male, must be a local record? also 5 Buzzards and a Kestrel.

26th December

26th December Finally got out after 3 weeks feeling crap, still felt pretty bad so didn’t take the scope with me (fatal error). The first bird we saw was the Great White Death a Goshawk, probably a male by size. It zoomed across the moor then gained height soaring about for 5 minutes before stooping like a Peregrine into a nearby wood scattering a dozen Wood Pigs, first Gos Ive had here for a few years now. Next came 4 Buzzards and a Kestrel, 6 Goosanders, 30 Goldies, 7 Herring and 2 GBBGulls. Then what we had come for, 4 Hen Harriers including the tatty winged female we have named White Spot due to the obvious white spot at the base of the upper left primaries.

18th December

Not much doing the past few weeks, been out of action with the dreaded lurgy, even had to cancel going to see 70s glam rock band the Sweet for a second year running (last year a Pallid Harrier near Spurn was to blame). Today had a few bits, a Peregrine, 26 Golden Plovers and 40 Meadow Pipits were at Mount Tabor. Oh and my brother said the concert was great!!!!!!!

3r December

Just two Hens clocked today also 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Herring Gulls, 5 Teal, 1 Dipper, a Nuthatch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

28th November

Out with tall Andy today, 4 Hens showed well also just 1 Kestrel.

25th and 26th Nov

25th November, went looking for DJS' Lapland Bunting on Swales Moor but no luck there so had a look at Elland GP and not much happening there also. 26th November, the same 5 Hens were again picked up today also 2 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels.

18th and 19th November

The Hen Harriers performed well over the last few days with 5 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday. DF got some great shots of the adult males tail pattern as it flew off whilst I managed to video an adult female sat on a post. Also recorded 9 Whooper Swans, 1 Woodcock and 4 or 5 Buzzards.

11th November

Todays raptors, 3 Hens, 1 Peregrine, 2 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels and 2 Shorties. 6 Teal, 3 Herring Gulls and a Snipe provided the backup.

5th November

3 Hens today including adult male late on, also 3 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels and 4 Whooper Swans.

A few more

Todays birds 4th Nov

Pics by DF.

4th November

Todays birds, 3 Hen Harriers including adult male, Peregrine, 6 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, Stonechat, Redwing, Fieldfare etc.

2nd November

Just 3 Hens today + Merlin, 3 Buzzards and 3 Kestrels. 2 Stonechats have been present all week at Roils Head.

1st November

5 Hen Harriers today including the adult male which put on a great show, also Merlin, 3 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels and 5 Whooper Swans.

29th October Harrier day

An incredible count today of at least 6 Hen Harriers including a superb adult male, also Short-eared Owl, Buzzard and 2 Kestrels. Pictures by DF.

27th October

Not much happening all week just 4 Stonechats on my local patch. Much better today, after a dip on 2 reported Hawfinch me and Dave headed to our favourite site and were rewarded with at least 3 Hen Harriers together including a stonking adult male, there may actually have been 4 birds? also a Short-eared Owl a Buzzard and 2 Snipe+ 5 hares together in one field.

Last few days

Not much doing the last few days, Roils Head 2 Stonechats still present also 5 or 6 Goldcrests in the tit flock, odd Bullfinch, 30+ Goldfinch, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel.

17th October

Just a pair of Stonechats still present at Roils Head today.

16th October

Back to Roils Head where the sun had turned red due to sand in the atmosphere, 2 Stonechats, 2 Goldcrests and a GSWPecker and 2 more Stonechats at Highroad Well Moor.

14th and 15th Oct, Filey etc

Had a weekend trip over to Filey with my brother and his young daughter Phoebe. The best I could manage on south westerly winds were 4 adult Med Gulls at Holbeck, one of which made short work of my turkey sandwich. Other species of note were 1 Red Throated Diver, 1 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Scoters and that's about it.

10th October

Roils Head today, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Jay, 1 Stonechat and 8 Linnets at Highroad Well Moor.

9th October

Roils Head today, a late Whinchat was a nice find also a Wheatear present, others included Goldcrests, 5 Common Gulls and a Kestrel.

8th October

Back on the moors today. Ringtail Hen Harrier, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzards, 5 Kestrels, Raven, 60 Pink Feet, Cormorant, 2 Dippers, 30 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Teal etc.

7th October

Up on the moors in poor conditions, the highlight today was a adult or second winter male Hen Harrier, also 3 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 2 Ravens and 13 Pink-footed Geese.

6th October

Not much happening this week just Stonechats and Goldcrests at Roils Head. Today had a Swallow over Highroad Well, a Snipe and 3 Stonechats at Highroad Well Moor and 3 or 4 Goldcrests at Roils Head.

1st October

Had just 2 hours sleep thinking about the Scop's Owl at Sunderland that me and tall Andy were going to see. Got up very early for me, only we never set off as the bird was not seen all day. So instead I watched the worst NFL game Ive ever seen, thankfully the Dolphins lost, so did the enemy the Patriots, and the Jets won, RESULT.

29th Sept

Out on the moors and 14 Stonechats on a fence line was a nice sight also 6 Buzzards, 6 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker and GSWoodpecker.

26th and 27th Sept

26th September, a different female Hen Harrier on the moors tonight also a Short-eared Owl, a Dipper and a Stonechat. 27th September, A Whinchat and a Stonechat at Roils Head.