West Yorkshire

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

RE: West Yorkshire

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

With a sunny day forecast I fancied a day out as I hadn't had one for a while. So I headed over the M62 into West Yorkshire. My destination was Collingham near Wetherby, just a few miles from where I learnt to ride my first motorbike so I knew the area pretty well!

The route was so easy too, only 12 miles of it was non-motorway!! I parked up as soon as I entered Millbeck Green, the road which my quarry had been favouring. I chose a parking spot that wasn't outside anyones house as I wanted to keep the locals sweet! That was a stroke of luck as a lady in a car just opposite and down a bit opened her door and showed me the way to head, down a small cut through between houses that I would never had tried if she hadn't said. This led me to the cricket pitch and about 30 birders standing watching. I didn't even need to ask about the bird as I raised my bins and there it was, a beautifuk Hoopoe, feeding frantically on the close-cropped outfield of the cricket pitch.

All present kept a respectful distance, birders and photographers alike, it was impeccable behaviour form all, probably the best I've seen for some years really! After watching for a long time at a distance we started chatting about how this bird was unconcerned about people - a cricket groundsman had walked up within a few metres and the bird had ignored him! So I asked all the birders in my vicinity if we had an agreement to move forward just a further 10m to the boundary edge. All agreed and we moved up. Of course the bird never even noticed and we had a much better photo opportunity as a result. Again no-one tried to get any closer and we all respected not walking out onto the cricket pitch proper. After a while I had used up 2 batteries on my camera, filled an sd card and reckoned I couldn't do any better, so I headed off.

On arriving home I found that I had 700 shots to sort through and several were good enough to post, certainly my best pics of a Hoopoe in the UK! I've chosen a couple to share here, it could have been 14, but that would have been daft!!

Martin Loftus · Status: Offline

Went for the Franklin's Gull this morning. Arrived at 10,30am. This was one of the more challenging twitches of the year (just how they should be ! biggrin ) With us basically walking miles through farmers fields only to get very distant scope views of it, for it then to immediately just fly off back in the direction you just came from.Spent most of the time trying to spot it mixed in with 300 plus, circling black-headed gulls over random fields. Managed these photos on a sudden 10 second fly by when it caught me and a few other birders by surprise. An excellent life tic none the less. smile

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

After a Saturday dip for the Franklin's Gull because I arrived too late, thought I'd try again today and just about paid off.

Arrived in nearby fields at 16.15 to find it had moved to Redcar Tarn, drove their and it had 'just flown'.

Luckily there was a shout it was up the hill slightly to the North, and after racing up got a good few minutes view.

Just as I was getting ready to take a shot, up it flew and off West again at 16.40. Cracking bird.

Saturday evening's dip was made easier as into roost in the Tarn were 40+ Pied Wagtail, 50 Lapwing and 8 Linnet.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 13th Sept

Early morning visit to Redcar Tarn after taking a chance that the Franklins Gull would show.
Nice to see Leeds birder Darren Ward and his pal.

- Franklins Gull (Lifer)
The Black-headed Gulls were building up slowly but no sign of the Franklins, another Saturday night bunk I thought. Just about to leave at 8am as I had to be back in Manchester when another small group of Black-headeds were closing in and Bingo! The Franklins Gull was with them, stood out a mile.
I called it out and soon the few birders present were watching it loafing on the Tarn. Within a minute it disappeared but it hadnt flown far, over the road into the field.
We watched it for a few minutes but it became mobile again and flew off, lost to view. I said my goodbyes and set off for home.

I soon stopped at a group of Gulls in a field along Tarn Lane where I picked it up again and signalled to the others. This time it was a bit more distant and was moving from field to field, some nice flight views but viewing it on the ground was difficult and it disappeared over the brow of a sloping-away hill.
That was my cue to leave, well worth the 1 hour journey. Easy viewing if the bird you are going to see remains on the Tarn.

I stopped to watch a hunting Barn Owl on the journey over too!

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Just a heads up to let those that dont yet know, there has today been a Franklins Gull at Redcar Tarn, a mile at the most west of Keighley town centre. A most innocuous of places, up on the tops, a place where locals go to walk their dogs and also feed bread to the gulls. I was there in February to see and photograph Iceland & Caspian Gulls on the same day so, despite looks, it is producing the goods. The latter two gulls stayed a while, possibly due a ready supply of food (tarn and locals) so lets hope the Franklins does the same.

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Been to my daughters in Silsden ,walked the River Wharfe from
Addingham to Ilkley. 29 species seen. As follows:
Goldfinch x 7
House Sparrow x 9
Feral Pigeon x 7
Blackbird x 3
Collared Dove x 2
Starling x 5
Swift x 11
Magpie x 6
Black Headed Gull x 25
Jackdaw x 5
Wood Pigeon x 8
Carrion Crow x 10
Mediterranean Gull x 2
Wren x 1
Treecreeper x 1
Swallow x 8
Common Sandpiper x 1
Mallard x 12
Sand Martin x 4
Dipper x 2
Oystercatcher x 5
Grey heron x 2
Herring Gull x 2
Lesser Black Backed Gull x 4
White Wagtail x 1
Kingfisher x 1
Grey Wagtail x 1
House martin x 1
Robin x 3

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Monday 8th June

A relatively short trip (1hr 5mins) to Collingham this morning.

- adult Rose-coloured Starling
Only ever seen 1 adult, the Burnley bird a few years ago, and a couple of juveniles at Lands End and Llandudno, so this was great opportunity to see a fantastic bird without travelling too far.
The bird wasnt showing when I arrived but it soon made an appearance, and what a corker it is! It favours a particular Cherry Tree on Compton Lane, and it does show well at times.
I noticed it stands on 1 leg quite a lot.

Other birds around...
- 2 male Yellowhammer
- 6 Red Kite (3 together circling)
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Blackcap singing the whole while from a tree just beyond Compton Lane hedge.

A word of advice if anyone is going for it (if it stays a bit longer) the social distancing aspect wasnt a problem as there was only between 10-15 people present at most and plenty of standing room as its an open country lane, not a path.
Also I parked at the bottom of the lane to allow for farm vehicles to pass etc and it was only a short walk 500yds if that.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 8th of June 2020 05:13:14 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Tuesday 28th April

Same location as below.

- 1 Dipper calling and flew straight through
- 2 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Grey Heron
- singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap in the bordering woods

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Delivering to one of our mobile pizza customers units in Hebden Bridge Tuesday lunchtime.
I could hear a Dipper singing and I looked over the wall down on to the Hebden Beck river near where it meets the River Calder.
Nice to watch it going about its business swimming from rock to rock, but suddenly I could hear another bird calling and it flew downriver towards the Calder.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

REDCAR TARN

For years I've been itching for my first ever Caspian gull, but the nearest I've ever been was last year at Pennington flash but unfortunately I chose a day it decided not to turn up!

This brings me to today, as I had a choice: Old moor or Redcar tarn. I wanted the best chance for the best view so I chose Redcar as I didn't want a distant view.

When I arrived in the rain, then snow, the first scan instantly gave great views of the Iceland gull. 15 mins later, the snow stopped (there was a sudden change from mild to biting cold), so I organised myself to have a proper look around and to look for my Caspian. I kept saying: "is it that gull? That one looks simular? But when scanning the field, it was almost like someone shone a spotlight on it and I said: "yessss!"

A local said it would be nice to have a Mediterranean gull. Little did he know that later on after he had left, one did turn up but very briefly.

The Iceland and Caspian gull both vanished after 9:45 after they were spooked by a truck.

After a tip off, I found a Brambling with a few Chaffinch.

Other highlights include:

Oystercatcher
Common gulls
Herring gulls
Lesser black backed gulls
Rooks close
Tufted ducks
Pied wagtail

And I couldn't resist trying for the waxwings at crossflats station, but I only found one and that was shiloetted. At least I saw one!

But what a fantastic day! Anyway, time to get home before the big storm hits!!!

Ta!

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Redcar Tarn, Near Keighley

Visited yesterday morning to hopefully see the two main attractions. A juvenile Iceland Gull and a 1st Winter Caspian Gull. The tarn is situated a mile at the most west of Keighley high up on the tops. Not very big and a bit of a spot for the locals to walk their dogs. Other locals seem to come and throw bread for the birds. This had been done as we arrived and parked up right at the side of the tarn. Consequently, all the gulls were still on the tarn, rather than on the adjacent fields. Saw the Caspian Gull straight away, close in and in typical pose but couldn't connect with the Iceland Gull. We tried the fields nearby as most of the gulls had by now moved there. It was blowing an absolute hooley, was bitterly cold and showers of sleet and hail were coming at us horizontally. We moved back to the main parking area by the tarn as more locals were again on a feeding mission. Now saw the Iceland Gull with great close in and flight views.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tuesday 21st January.

Anglers Country Park near Wakefield.

Good views of both the
Ring-necked Duck .... adult drake.
Black-necked Grebe.

There had been a female Ferruginous Duck present yesterday .. not seen today but may still be there, possibly hidden amongst the Pochard flock ??

Plenty of activity at the feeding station including Tree Sparrows, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers.

Wintersett Reservoir.

Female Long-tailed Duck.

Roger.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Saturday 10th August.

Early morning visit to Mickletown Ings.

- Little Bustard (Lifer)
A cracking bird that was on show when I arrived at 6.20am.
The bird shows well albeit a little bit distant as it is in the 2nd field from the footpath. Well worth the effort as we didnt have a single drop of rain despite the bad forecast.
A Curlew with a short bill was also in the same field, some observers thought it was a Whimbrel but it was a Curlew.

The hedges opposite the footpath were very productive and alive with small birds all in the same area including...
- 1 very showy Lesser Whitethroat
- 1 adult + 2 young Common Whitethroat
- 4 Chiffchaff - 3 were very small, possible young
- 1m 1f Blackcap (or possible young male)
- 3 Reed Bunting
- 4 Blue Tits
- 1 Robin
- mixed Greenfinch and Goldfinch with young
- 1 female Sparrowhawk hanging around

Also something a bit special on my way home... a Goshawk gliding fairly low over the M62 near Tingley. Brilliant!

pete berry · Status: Offline

The Little Bustard was showing continuously this morning,probably the easiest twitch I've ever been on!!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Arrived at Mickletown at c.08.15 after a busy journey on the M62 and immediately found the Little Bustard . The bird gave excellent scope views for the hour and a half or so I was there. Despite the initially wet weather there was a good number of birders and very friendly local folk from the Swillington Ings bird group who had organised the collection bucket: £1000 + donated up to yesterday evening.

It was a last minute decision yesterday evening to go over today so thanks Doc for convincing me that I would definitely see the bird to add to my UK list biggrin

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

I can concur with Mark, having been on site too from c.10.45am-12.30pm. The Little Bustard showed for long periods in the far field from the path. The scope views were fine but folk would struggle with just binoculars. There was a pretty large crowd there and the viewing area is limited but everyone got views, although a few minor arguments broke out when folk blocked other peoples views! Parking is on residential roads, I parked a bit further away and walked to avoid the worst of the parking. A collection bucket is on site collecting for the Prince of Wales Hospice, so please donate generously, it wasn't a UK Lifer for me and I did, so if it is a lifer for you please donate to a good cause to celebrate. Word is that the bird has been present for a few weeks now, so the chances are it will be around, to allow all who make the effort, a chance to see it over the next few days.

For Sat Navs the Postcode is LS26 9JH and the Grid Ref for map users (like me!) is SE403273. I hope this helps and that many more forum members can connect with this stunning bird. As always if anyone needs further help then just drop me a private message on here smile

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

BMale Little Bustard still showing well but distantly at Mickletown mid day today,

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 7th of August 2019 05:05:22 PM

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Male Little Bustard showing well, albeit fairly distantly, in field north of the village of Mickletown, which itself is around one and a half miles north west of Castleford. After a ten minute wait, the bird emerged from the margins and walked in the field in full view. A couple of Bridge Camera record shots.

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Late report from Saturday due to computer problems.
My wife,my daughters Labrador,and myself walked from Addingham
to Ilkley along the river Wharfe in beautiful sunshine.Birds seen as follows:
Wood Pigeon x9
House Sparrow x20
Collared Dove x3
Feral Pigeon x8
Carrion Crow x4
Jackdaw x 22
Mallard x12
Black Headed Gull x30
Swift x10
Swallow x6
Sand Martin x14
House Martin x1
Magpie x5
Grey Wagtail x10
Blue Tit x2
Blackbird x6
Wren x2
Chaffinch x2
Dipperx2
Common Sandpiper x1
Grey Heron x1
Kingfisher x2

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Just returned from a 10 day break at my daughters in Silsden.I spent most of the time
on the banks of the river Wharfe.Bolton Abbey,Bardon Bridge,Burnsall, Addingham and Ilkley
were the areas covered.Better birds seen as follows.
Rook
Common Sandpiper
Jackdaw
Coal Tit
Common Buzzard
Dipper
Pied Flycatcher
Grey Wagtail
Tree Sparrow
Swallow
Swift
Song Thrush
Treecreeper
Sand martin
Red Kite
Oystercatcher
Grey Heron
Pied Wagtail
Mandarin
curlew
Garden warbler
Meadow Pipit
House Martin
Tree Pipit
Wren
Cuckoo
Mistle Thrush
White Wagtail
Kingfisher

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Great Reed Warbler still present at Wintersett Reservoir, midday today. Very brief view of the bird that was making a right racket in the reedbed at the top end of the reservoir, adjacent to the sailing club.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

A quick call in to Winterset Res en route to East Anglia with Oldham and District Birders at 5.30 am

. Very good views of the Great Reed Warbler out on the edge of it's reedbed patch. Plenty of Eurasian Reed Warblers keeping it company, along with Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gulls and Swifts. In all 20 species to start the count for the weekend.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

With three days off work this week I looked at the weather and chose the best one to head out for a bit of birding further afield. Today I headed over to the Wakefield area, to Anglers CP and Wintersett Reservoir.

Since my last visit they have instigated parking charges, so take some pound coins if you are visiting. The Anglers CP car park costs £1 for 2 hours and £2 for up to 4 hours, this applies 9am-6pm, 7 days a week. Being optimistic I popped a pound in and headed round to Wintersett Reservoir first. There were plenty of birders around to direct me to the correct small cutting in the hedge to view the reedbed. As soon as I started walking along towards it I could hear my quarry and on arriving it was showing well, perched up on the reeds straight out from our position - a Great Reed Warbler. The bird sat up giving scope views and belting out its staccato deafening song. Just as I set up my digiscoping camera it dropped down and despite a wait of 50mins it didn't show again, it just carried on singing. To be honest the wind had got up and this was probably keeping it low in the reeds. This was either my 4th or 5th in the UK but I'm still to get decent digiscoped shots of one! Reed Buntings and Reed Warblers showed in the reedbed and Sedge Warblers sang nearby. Early on in my visit there were lots of Swifts over the water, at least 20, my biggest group yet this summer. Also over the reservoir were plenty of Common Terns. Just down the patch a Cetti's Warbler kept shouting out its song too and as I stood quietly it flew across in front of me and perched in the open showing really well.

Not wanting to hit any traffic and having seen my target bird I headed home and was rewarded with a clear, easy run.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

After a morning at St Aidan's RSPB I had a couple of hours before I needed to get home so I travelled the short distance down to South Emsall. Without a satnav and with not all roads having road name signs it was a bit of a nightmare to find the right place, but eventually I found Carr lane and headed down to the end. Parking up I walked under the railway bridge and slightly up the slope facing me. Immediately I could hear the unmistakeable song of the Iberian Chiffchaff that has been here a few days. Walking round to get the tree in view I was soon watching it, and it showed it's beautiful lemon wash to the breast sides very well. A clean yellower bird than 'our' collybita and much more Willow Warbler like. Given the way it was flitting around I decided against trying to digiscope it but instead just enjoyed watching it sing its heart out in the warm Yorkshire sunshine.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Monday 29th April

Carr Lane in South Kirkby near Pontefract.

- Ferruginous Duck ... Drake (Lifer)
General consensus on this one that has turned up at South Kirkby Marsh pond is that its a genuine one, its unringed and the wings are not clipped, as well as a few plumage features.
Took Mum with me and before long we were watching the Ferruginous Duck. Its a belting looking bird, Ive only ever seen the one at Helston Lake in Cornwall last year that turned out to be an escape.

- No sign of the Iberian Chiffchaff about 500yds down the lane.
- A nice bonus was a Cuckoo that was heard near the pond and then flew over the lane towards the heath.

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

My first Swallow of the year over the Leeds-Liverpool canal
at Silsden yesterday.

Dave Ousey · Status: Offline

Snakes & Ladders. Sunday 24^th March 2019

With a full team aboard we headed up the A19 to visit a nice little village church that`s graveyard is full of wild Daffodils at this part of spring, very nice! A male Sparrowhawk showed really nicely whilst sat on top of a hedge, so along with Buzzards and Kestrels it made it a nice place to stop at.

Its that time of year again when our reptilian friends wake from there slumbers and we visit Skipwith Common, Yorkshire to see if we can glance either, Grass Snake or an Adder. With us all searching around the place for about 40 minutes, Chris managed to locate a Grass Snake. He picked it up and we all managed to marvel at the beauty of this not seen very often reptile. I then held the snake for a short while, whilst the lads took the various pictures of it. After carefully placing it on the ground the snake headed off into cover, a nice experience. It was a little smelly though! We did not manage to see or hear any Woodlark, that are usually around but it was a little windy. A singing Chiff-Chaff was nice to hear.

We headed towards Swillington and called in at Lemonroyd WTW but failed to locate any Water Pipits, after all its time for them to leave and head for their breeding grounds. At RSPB St Aidan`s we managed to meet up with Dave W and his pal from Huddersfield (I have an aunty in Huddersfield) who gave us some information as to what they had seen. Firstly, we managed to locate the Tundra Bean Goose that was happily walking around feeding with a few Pink Footed Geese, secondly about 12 Black Necked Grebe`s were now present on the reserve. We saw about 4 of them as they were slowly moulting into full breeding plumage. A Bittern was booming deep in the reed beds, but we didn`t manage to see any hirundines. Our final call was at the dragger to hopefully manage to find the Little Owl that resides there. After a little search our friends from the RSPB set up a telescope on a Little Owl that was sat just below the ladders at the side of the huge jib of the dragger. A good end to a nice days birding.

Dave O.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 17th Feb.

Mid to late after visit to Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

An adult Caspian Gull was reported again so I chanced it and connected with the Gull in question but wasnt really convinced if it was or not.
2 other birders were present and one said its a different Caspian to the one thats been turning up recently. I told him I wasnt entirely sure that it was a Caspian Gull at all, I said Ill try get an image of the wing and primary pattern and that I know a man who will know for definite if it is or not.
I noticed that there was no black at all on P5 and that had cast doubt on it being a Caspian, and sure enough after discussing with Ian, it isnt a Caspian Gull. Many thanks for your help with Gulls as always Ian.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Weds 6th Feb.

Working over in Leeds area again today and having Gull withdrawal symptoms!!!

- 21 Waxwings
Saw the report of these at Morrisons in Morley early week and realised this morning that its literally 2 minutes from a customer. Well that wouldve been rude not to stop and have a cheeky look.
I pulled up on the road and could see the Waxwings in a small tree near the petrol station, I was literally 10yds from the van and the birds flew down towards me and landed on the petrol station roof.

Obviously they were fuelling up.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

20/05/18

Started our Tour De West Yorkshire at Broomhill Reservoir where the male Red-necked Phalarope was showing nicely, initially with a pair of Black-headed Gulls for size comparison. The bird tended to stay out in the middle of the water, which apparently led to someone in the upper level of the hide playing a very loud recording of its' call. This did indeed bring the bird much closer in for about a nano second before it flew around calling and at one point showed signs of departing.

Luckily for people arriving after us it returned to the middle of the reservoir and went back to feeding.

Also:
Little and Great Crested Grebes, Mute Swan, Canada and Greylag Geese,
Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Lapwing,Coot, Moorhen, Woodpigeon,
Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Swallow.

Visits to Old Moor and St Aidan's (see separate threads) added Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Grebe and other goodies to our day list before our final visit to woods north of Lindley Wood Reservoir where the Iberian Chiffchaff was easily located and showed very well. The journeys to and from the site provided us with views of around 20 Red Kites, approximately a third of them around the entrance to Harwood House.

A good day out, with great weather and company, 64 species seen and 7 more heard.

Shannon Llewellyn · Status: Offline

Cuckoo calling and showing well at Broad Head Clough YWT, near Mytholmroyd today. Plenty of willow warbler and meadow pipit, and a singing skylark around here too. Curlew heard on the walk here from Mytholmroyd.

Also 2 grey wagtail, 2 dipper (collecting food) and a kingfisher on the Calder where it runs past Hebden Bridge railway station later on.

James Walsh · Status: Offline

1st April 2018

Holme Moss

Superb views of 8 Red Grouse in the area around the transmitting station
Golden Plover heard
2 Buzzard

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday, 27th October 11:45 - 16:30 hrs. Sunny and dry.

Gargrave to Skipton via Leeds/Liverpool Canal

Fieldfare x 20
Redwing x 1
Kingfisher x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Lapwing x 4
Teal x 2
Mistle Thrush x 1
House Sparrow x 1
Goldfinch x 1
Chaffinch x 1
Dunnock x 2
Twite (Juvenile) x 1
Pied Wagtail x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Rook x 35
Jackdaw x 30
Carrion Crow x 15
Long Tailed Tit x 5
Mute Swan x 40
Canada Geese x 10
Greylag Goose (Hybrid) x 1
Cormorant x 1
Blue Tit x 3
Great Tit x 2
Wren x 1
Mallard x 20
Black-Headed Gull x 30
Collared Dove x 20
Woodpigeon x 5
Feral Pigeon x 3
Magpie x 3
Robin x 4
Blackbird x 5
Pheasant x 3
Starling x 30

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Walk along the canal bank at Silsden going east to the second swing bridge
Mute Swan 4
Mallard 24
Moorhen 2
House Sparrow 16
Tree Sparrow 3
Magpie 4
Carrion Crow 8
Jackdaw 22
Starling 1
Collared Dove 3
Black Headed Gull 4
Wood Pigeon 14
Feral Pigeon 11
Willow Tit /Marsh Tit very quick
sighting only seconds not enough
to make positive I D

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Went to the next reservoir up the valley yesterday,Swinsty.The weather was dull and damp
As with Fewston the pathways are very good and shaded by large trees.
Birds seen as follows:
Carrion Crow 16
Magpie 2
Great Crested Grebe 4
Black Headed Gull 8
Mallard 30
Swallow 6
Robin 2
Swift 4
Greylag Goose 35
Canada Goose 28
Red Legged Partridge 1
Arctic tern 2
House Martin 6
Blackbird 2
Grey Heron 1
Sand Martin 2

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

First visit to Fewston reservoir near Harrogate .Four mile round trip in hot, dry weather.
The path around the reservoir is very good with two short steep slopes It is shaded
all the way around by very large trees .
Birds seen as follows :
jackdaw 6
woodpigeon 6
black headed gull 2
carrion crow 18
feral pigeon 7
greylag goose 24
mallard 22
oystercatcher 10
blackbird 4
Canada goose 41
cormorant 4
swallow 5
chiffchaff, robin, blackcap all heard but impossible to see due to dense foliage.

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Forget to say previous post for Wednesday the seventeenth

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Walked along the River Wharfe from Bardon Bridge to the Strid (Bolton Abbey )
and return . birds seen as follows.
Carrion Crow 4
Magpie 4
Blackbird 9
Rook 4
Jackdaw 12
Starling 2
Collared Dove 1
Wood Pigeon 7
Common Buzzard 2
Blue Tit 3
White Wagtail 2
Mallard 20
Swift 9
House Martin 2
Oystercatcher 3
Pheasant 4
Pied Wagtail 3
Swallow 5
Redshank 2
House Sparrow 3
Herring Gull 1
Dipper 2
Pied Flycatcher 1
Robin 6
Mistle Thrush 1
Song Thrush 2
Common Sandpiper 2
Garden Warbler 1
Goldfinch 3
Willow Warbler 3
Wren 1
Greylag Goose (4m 4f and 14 goslings)
Kestrel 1
Jay 1S
Spotted Flycatcher 2
Great Tit 1
Blue Tit 2

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Roger Baker 3 wrote:
Tuesday 9th May (we're not in April anymore Roger).
.............................................................................................................

There's a lot of people who say I don't know what day of week it is ... never mind month !

Roger.

I agree with that Roger and often I can't remember where I didn't go yesterday wink

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tuesday 9th May (we're not in April anymore Roger).
.............................................................................................................

There's a lot of people who say I don't know what day of week it is ... never mind month !

Roger.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Tuesday 9th May (we're not in April anymore Roger).

Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

- Stone Curlew 1
Showed really well in field up Potato Lane, arrived at 6.50pm and it was still present at 9pm when I left in fading light. Well worth a visit if still there today (not seen any reports though) and as Roger suggests it's a relatively easy journey, only 48 minutes from Dane Bank for me.

Also...
- Golden Plover 6
- Wheatear 2, 1 of which looked good for Greenland race Leucorhoa
It was a female that was marginally bigger than a male Northern that was present, long legs, dark ear coverts, very pale eye brow, a pale browny grey back and fairly extensive orangey buff to the breast area.
A first for me if it was that.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tuesday 9th May.

Stone Curlew at Blackmoorfoot Meltham.

Showing well and active in a field at side of Potato Road.

Postcode HD9 5PS will get you to Will' O' Nats ...... Potato Rd is rough track directly opposite pub.

Bird is in pasture about 800 yds along on R/hand side of track ..... Keeping company with some Golden Plover.

Still present at 17.15 hrs when I left.

Took me 30 mins from Stalybridge.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Wednesday 10th of May 2017 04:45:51 PM

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tuesday 2nd April.

Nolstar Fields. Cold Edge Road. Wainstalls nr Halifax.

With Ian Lyth.

3 Dotterel. M & F and what (looking at Collins) is a still winter plumaged bird ?? Possible non-breeder ??.
In the field at R/side of road heading from Hebden Bridge ...... middle of field, there is an area of rough dry grass with a black bag in it .... the birds hunker down in that out of the wind.

also

Golden Plover. 20+
Wheatear.

Viewable from roadside. For sat-nav postcode HX2 7UA is for Nolstar Kennels will get you there.
Took 1hr 10 mins from Stalybridge.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Tuesday 2nd of May 2017 06:41:49 PM

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Tuesday 2nd of May 2017 06:44:07 PM

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Just back from my daughters in Silsden near Skipton. Spent four days there.
Whilst there visited Chevin forest, Skipton Woods and Ilkley moor. Forty
different species seen. As follows.
Canada Goose
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Mallard
House Sparrow
Black Headed Gull
Magpie
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Robin
Chaffinch
Wood Pigeon
Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Tree Sparrow
Starling
Grey Wagtail
Feral Pigeon
Pheasant
Greylag Goose
Goosander
White Wagtail
Mandarin
Treecreeper
Oystercatcher
Dipper
Wren
Nuthatch
Common Buzzard
Blackcap
Mute Swan
Goldfinch
Cormorant
Skylark
Peregrine Falcon
Lapwing
Meadow Pipit
Red Kite
Long Tailed Tit
Kestrel

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of April 2017 01:15:38 PM

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Wednesday, 8th March 2017. 11:00 - 17:00 hrs.

Gargrave to Skipton via Leeds/Liverpool Canal

Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Fieldfare x 40
Curlew x 20
Oystercatcher x 100
Lapwing x 40
Goosander x 3 (2F and 1M)
Mistle Thrush x 2
Song Thrush x 1
Buzzard x 1
Kestrel x 1
Nuthatch x 1
House Sparrow x 20
Greenfinch x 1
Goldfinch x 5
Chaffinch x 2
Pied Wagtail x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Moorhen x 2
Rook x 40
Jackdaw x 25
Carrion Crow x 10
Long Tailed Tit x 3
Mute Swan x 30
Canada Geese x 45
Cormorant x 2
Blue Tit x 5
Great Tit x 7
Wren x 3
Mallard x 30
Black-Headed Gull x 100
Collared Dove x 3
Woodpigeon x 10
Feral Pigeon x 15
Magpie x 3
Robin x 3

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Sunday, 30th October 2016. 10:30 - 15:30 hrs.

Bolton Abbey car park - across moorland to south of River Wharfe - Middle Hare Head - High Hare Head - Barden Bridge - south along River Wharfe - The Strid - return via Bolton Abbey

Hen Harrier x 2 (1 female adult and other possible juvenile)
Red Kite x 1
Mandarin Ducks x 55 (30 male and 25 female counted - population has certainly increased since last visit 2 years ago!)
Red Grouse x 20
Dipper x 3
Goosander x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Meadow Pipit x 1
Lapwing x 120
Rook x 15
Pied Wagtail x 1
Fieldfare x 1
Nuthatch x 1
Goldfinch x 3
Robin x 5
Blackbird x 4
Blue Tit x 3
Great Tit x 1
Chaffinch x 4
Wren x 1
Dunnock x 3
Carrion Crow x 30
Jackdaw x 40
Black-Headed Gull x 25
Mallard x 70
Pheasant x 4

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

28 Pink Footed Geese over my daughters house in Silsden travelling SE

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

back at my daughters dog watching .A walk along the river Wharfe from BardonBridge to the Strid (Bolton Abbey)
willow warbler 3
sand martin 32
greylag goose 10
grey wagtail 6
mallard 36
goosander (f) 2
wood pigeon 11
goldfinch 27
lesser black backed gull 1
moorhen 3
carrion crow 12
white wagtail 3
common buzzard 3
jackdaw 20
dipper 3
black headed gull 6
pied wagtail 5

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

a walk along the river Wharfe from Bardon Bridge to Bolton Abbey in glorious sunshine
blackbird x 7
starling x5
wood pigeon x10
blue tit x4
black headed gull x16
chaffinch x4
magpie x4
greylag goose x14
mallard x32
common buzzard x 2
oystercatcher x1
kingfisher x 1
sand martin x19
swallow x8
house martin x 10
grey wagtail x 4
pied wagtail x 4
white wagtail
dipper x 3
grasshopper warbler x 1
pied flycatcher x 6
spotted flycatcher x3
jackdaw x 9
house sparrow x 10