Soil Hill; Isolation week 13

Soil Hill has been slightly livelier this week than the last few weeks, cooler conditions followed by baking hot conditions with a dash of rain have helped boost the average species list for a daily visit to above forty on a number of occasions. Highlights are still thin on the ground but there were a few standouts from the week.

On the 20^th a Chiffchaff could be heard singing from Ogden plantation. While not actually on the Hill it could be heard from the Ned Hill Track and so it my second site recording of the year. On the same date I recorded the first Siskins of the week. However they featured more towards the end of the week, when I recorded singles on both the 25^th and 26^th followed 05.30 starts to try and cash in on the insane finch migration happening on the East Coast. Sadly, these two Siskins were all I have to show for my effort. On the subject of finches, a Lesser Redpoll flew over Taylor Lane during the morning of the 22^nd calling loudly and giving the full call. I had suspected a Redpoll was lingering around Soil Hill after hearing a bird twice, but only ever seeing it flying over at altitude. This time the bird was much lower in height and was giving a full rendition of its flight call. Also on the finch front, a single Bullfinch was at the bottom of the north slope, also on the 22^nd with a pair present in the same location the following day. On the 23^rd a new Blackcap took up territory half way down the North Slope Treeline, but sadly it had moved on by the 26^th. At least four of the six Stonechat fledglings were still going strong, feeding together at the bottom of the North Slope on the 25^th and 26^th. And finally a Common Buzzard flew over on the 22^nd.

The standout bird of the week was a cracking juvenile Great-spotted Woodpecker that came bombing over the North Slope on the 25^th. I managed to grab some flight shots, the first time I have seen on actually in Soil Hill airspace and the second time I have seen one from the site. Then, on the 26^th I found presumably the same bird in the North Slope Tree Line, calling loudly but occasionally showing. This brings my Soil Hill yearlist up to 92.

There was also a female Emperor Dragonfly during the week, my third Dragonfly species on site this year.

On the 21^st I headed out to Withens Clough Reservoir following a reported Red-necked Phalarope. Alas the bird could not be found, with suspicions the report may have involved a juvenile Black-headed Gull, which I also did not see. A few Stonechat and Little Ringed Plover were the best birds of the afternoon. On the way back I called off at Fly Flatts where there was two pairs of Tufted Ducks and a Ringed Plover to enjoy. And on the 26^th I visited Whiteholme Reservoir following a scattering of wader reports from inland sites. The best I could manage in this unseasonable time was a pair of Dunlin and a Ringed Plover. But it was very pleasant birding all the same. 

-Great-spotted Woodpecker

-Emperor Dragonfly

-Volucella bombylans

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, European Rabbit, European Red Fox, Western Roe Deer, Emperor Dragonfly, Azure Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Common Blue,

Fly Flatts: Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Kestrel, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Swift, European Golden Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting, Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor Dragonfly, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Small White, Large Skipper, 
Withens Clough Reservoir: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Swift, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, European Stonechat, White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

RSPB Aire Valley

With the return of the warm weather I decided to have a day out at RSPB Fairburn Ings followed by a visit to Swillington Ings. Fairburn was lively with lots of Wildfowl and other water birds but the highlight was certainly the Heronry which I viewed from the Coal Tip Trail. Here I got excellent views of at least eight Spoonbill, as well as ample Little Egret and Grey Heron, plus the single summer plumage Cattle Egret that had been lingering at the site for over a week. An adult and juvenile Willow Tit were the best of the supporting cast, with nice views of Shelduck and Little Ringed Plover as well.

-Willow Tit

-Spoonbill, Little Egret & Grey Heron

Swillington was very busy and since it was early afternoon it was also very warm but I still managed to see Bearded Tit, albeit breifly, and a single adult Black-necked Grebe with a chick. The site hosts an impressive Black-headed Gull colony, so the overall numbers of birds were still extrmemely impressive despite the afternoon lul.

Species List:
RSPB Fairburn Ings: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Common Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Pied Avocet, Northern Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Eurasian Spoonbill, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Willow Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Grey Squirrel, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Small White, Banded Demoiselle, Black-tailed Skimmer,

Swillington Ings: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Bearded Reedling, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Meadow Pipit, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor Dragonfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 12

The weather became warm and humid during the week, normally with foggy start that restricted early morning birding but with pleasant conditions by mid-morning that would then give way to still, heavy and hot conditions.

As antcipated for the summer months, Soil Hill has continued to be fairly slow, but with a few interesting bits. A Bullfinch has been hanging around, seen twice, and there have been three flyover Siskins which were the first of the year. These Siskins coincide with a large national movement of the species. The Warblers on site continue to feed their young and there was a fledging of Stonechats which produced six offspring, all dotted along the walls. Insects have also been on the up, with good numbers of Large Red and Azure Damselflies still around, as well as Broad-bodied Chaser and Four-spotted Chaser adding to my Soil Hill dragonfly list.

In addition to my daily visits to Soil Hill, I also visited a few other local sites. I visited Gorple and Widdop Reservoirs for the first time, and there were a few nice bits there. At Gorple there was ample shoreline but only a handful of waders; 4 Redshank, 5 Common Sandpiper (Including chicks) and a Dunlin. A spotted Flycatcher was also present in one of the small plantations there. Widdop was fairly quiet but a couple of Little Ringed Plovers were excellent.

-Little Owl

-Azure Damselfly

-Four-spot Chaser (f. praenubila)

-Broad-bodied Chaser

Species List:

Gorple Reservoirs: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Kestrel, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Wren, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, 

Widdop Reservoir: Canada Goose, Mallard, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting,

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, Western Roe Deer, European Rabbit, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Azure Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Common Blue, Large Skipper,

Undisclosed location

Decided to visit an old stomping ground after hearing that there were a few migrant species around. It was certainy worth it with fantastic views of Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher and especially Redstart which is a Halifax tick for me. I have not experienced woodland birding like this since I last visited Padley Gorge in the Peak District. Was a very pleasant morning out. Thanks to MBr for the details on the site.

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Common Redstart

-Pied Flycatcher

Species List:

Undisclosed Location: Mallard, Common Pheasant, Common Wood Pigeon, European Herring Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Goldcrest, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, European Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Siskin, Western Grey Squirrel,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 11

The week has been again much slower as we have entered into the duldrums of summer. The weather has also taken a turn for the worse which has hindered birding efforts. Particularly at the end of the week.
I visited Ogden on the 07th, which was busy, and here there were two pairs of Tufted Duck and an Oystercatcher. But otherwise it was fairly quiet. After this I went up to Soil Hill and found that the Oystercatchers there had two chicks. Sadly though a couple of days later there seemed to be no action from the birds, so I suspect that the chicks were eaten.
On the 8th there was a brood of Blue Tits out and a Stonechat in the usual place. Another male Stonechat was on Ned Hill Track on the 9th. On the 10th I found that there were still two Lapwing chicks surviving, which I thought had already been eaten by the fox. Also on the 10th I found my first brood of Willow Warblers had fledged, with three birds on Ned Hill Track being attended to by the parents. A fledgling Mistle Thrush was also hanging around Taylor Lane, but they do not seem to have bred in the actual Hill area. A Buzzard also drifted over Thornton Moor which was one of the highlights of the week. The first Black-headed Gulls also seemed to return during the week, with two seen at various points. The Taylor Lane Blackcap also endured to the end of the week.

-Blackcap

By the end of the week the weather had deteriorated to a point where birding the Hill was a pointless venture. I had an hour from the car at Fly Flatts on the 11th where I added Barnacle Goose to my yearlist. On the 12th the weather was an absolute abomination, but a bird watch in the garden added Siskin to my yealist. Which was a surprise.

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Fly Flatts: Barnacle Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Skylark, Common Starling, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,
Ogden Water LNR: Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Pheasant, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch,

Compton Lane, Collingham twitching Rosy Starling

I decided to have another day out and visit the Rosy Starling that has taken up residence in a cherry tree near Wetherby. This is my fifth British Rosy Starling but the first one in full adult plumage, although I have seen them like this in Oman. It really was a stunning bird and very showy at times, well worth the journey over. With the invasion continuing I am optimistic that one will be found in the Halifax recording area, maybe even on Soil Hill.

-Rosy Starling

Species List:

Compton Lane: Common Pheasant, Rock Dove, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Black-headed Gull, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Wren, Rosy Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Western Yellow Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, 

Whiteholme Reservoir

Once again I ventured to Whiteholme to have a look at a wader. This time it was a Ruff, but sadly I was unable to find the bird in windy conditions.

However, it was still a very productive trip when I bumped into a fantastic Little Stint on the shoreline with two Dunlin. Although I was extremely careful not to flush it, there was no need as the bird was not shy. At one point I simply waited for it to walk towards me, when it came to within two feet. Absolutely stunning bird, I am informed is the first in Halifax for 22 years and the first ever spring record. Certainly made for a worthwhile trip.

The supporting cast was fairly light, but I did have my first Little Ringed Plover of the year, as well as at least 5 Dunlin and 3 Common Sandpipers. Nice to also meet PS and DF up there.

-Little Stint

-Dunlin

Species List:

Whiteholme Reservoir: Common Swift, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 10

The week started bright but the weather became worse towards the end of the week. Although there was nothing exceptional. The Blackcap endured on Taylor Lane, singing intermittently. The Sedge Warbler continued to linger but became extremely elusive. A pair of Bullfinch on the 2nd June was a surprise, and probably the standout of the week. Starling numbers built up over the week as the regular birds were bolstered by fledging juveniles.

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Fly Flatts: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Skylark, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,