Blackstone Edge Reservoir & Whiteholme Reservoir

   The Sanderlings that had been present had moved on by yesterday morning, but there continues to be some excellent wader action on the exposed shoreline, especially at Blackstone Edge. Yesterday there were seven Ringed Plover, but this had increased to 13 this morning. Dunlin numbers remained steadier, with six on both mornings. Yesterday also had an Oystercatcher, which had moved on by this morning. 

  Whiteholme, by contrast, has struggled for waders, although it is not a surprise given the more limited shoreline. A single Dunlin and a single Ringed Plover have been present on both days, otherwise just the usual species present.

  

  I tried to turn one of the Dunlins on Blackstone Edge into the arctica subspecies as opposed to the local common schinzii. The overall colouration was paler than the other birds, with a distinct short bill, but the complete black belly eventually made me leave it unclaimed. The suspect Dunlin is the individual photographed at the bottom here. Paying attention to Dunlin subspecies is something I need to try and do more often, given that there are three potential candidates, and it is extremely rare for me to find myself overwhelmed by birds when checking these sites! 

-Ringed Plover

-Dunlin

 

Whiteholme Birding; updates from the week 04th - 06th September

  The rainier conditions this week has seen us return to Whiteholme for some birding. Initially, this was simply so we could go somewhere that the birding would not be so affected by the weather, but as it happened the birds were good to us and so we kept going throughout the week. In total we made three visits to the reservoir on consecutive days and on each day the birding was brilliant with good numbers of waders.

• The rarest visitors of the week were a pair of Ruff that we found on our first visit on the 04^th. They were not super confiding but a new island that has emerged in the Northeast of the reservoir has proved popular with wader throughout the week, and we were able to get good views of them as they fed here. The birds remained present until the 06^th, which was our last visit of the week. This is a Halifax tick for me, and certainly helped pay off the effort of visiting this site. 

• A message from JJL reporting big numbers of waders during the afternoon of the 05^th, including some Sanderling, was all the motivation we needed to find ourselves heading back up to Whiteholme for our second day. John was not wrong, as the wader numbers were really quite impressive, and lurking among them were no less than five pristine juvenile Sanderlings. The juveniles of this species are some of my favourite waders, so this was well appreciated. The birds kept their distance at all times, so no close photos, but when they flew as a flock it was like being back on the Humber. Nice one John.

• As mentioned, there were good numbers of waders present on the 05^th, but there were also good numbers before and after this date. The two species involved were Common Ringed Plover and Dunlin. On the 04^th there was a small group of four Ringos and seven Dunlin, but the numbers really peaked on the 05^th with no less than 13 Ringed Plover and 10 Dunlin. The following day the Ringed Plover total remained the same but the Dunlin count almost halved with just six remaining. Crucially however, we noticed that one of these Dunlin had a yellow Darvic ring, as well as another ring that, after talking with PC, is probably a standard metal ring stained by the peat. Frustratingly we could get close enough to read the code, so the bird's story will remain a mystery. 

• Also on the 04^th was a nice group of six Common Snipe feeding on the edge of the reservoir, the first time I have seen them doing this here. The following day there were two snipe on the edge of the pools on the northeast side of the reservoir, presumably birds settling in to their winter quarters. 

Although Waders form most of the billing for this site, they are not the only points of interest and this there were a few migrant birds also at the site. 

• There have been really good numbers of Wheatears feeding on the rocks and shoreline of the reservoir. We estimated at least 10 on the 04^th, which was our only morning visit of the week, with the other afternoon visits providing six and eight respectively. Its always good to see these handsome birds before they leave.

• On the 04^th there were four Stonechat feeding with the Wheatears on the reservoir dam wall, including two very dapper males. Strangely we did not see any on either of the other days we visited, but they could have only been passage migrants quickly on their way after a quick stop. 

• There was no visible passage as such, but on the 04^th two Sand Martin flew to the east, and on the 05^th a Swift flew high south, which will almost certainly be my last Swift in the UK this year.  

-Ruff

-Common Snipe

-Sanderling with Dunlin & Ringed Plover

-Dunlin carrying a Darvic ring

-Wader flock

-Northern Wheatear

-Stonechat

Species List:
Whiteholme Reservoir:  Eurasian Teal, Red Grouse, Common Swift, Common Ringed Plover, Ruff, Sanderling, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, 

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 31st May - 06th June

Soil Hill

While the new arrivals were limited to a new male Blackcap on the 1st, it is still enjoyable to bird the hill. The many migrants already established are still in fine voice, and the sites breeding waders are always a delight to see. The fields are now full of buttercups and the various bushes are looking green and fantastic. 

Whiteholme Reservoir

I was only able to enjoy visits at the end of the week due to work, those days were extremely enjoyable. Remarkably, on the 5th, the exact same day as last year, there was a Little Stint present on the mud. This individual was not as approachable as last years bird, but I did not try as I didn't want to flush it in case any other birders arrived during the day. It was still present the next day, but had become much more mobile. This stunning bird is certainly the highlight of the spring, remarkably just the second ever spring record for Calderdale. 

There were a number of other birds during the week, including 2 Grey Herons that flew over on the 4th, as well as two drake Eurasian Teal on the 6th, as well as 2 Twite that flew over Byron Edge on the same day. But besides that, its awesome to listen to the Dunlin singing every time I go up. Early morning before the dog walkers arrive, it really is something special. 

-Little Stint

-Dunlin

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, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red Grouse, Feral Pigeon, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Short-eared Owl, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Eurasian Wren, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 04th - 09th May

Soil Hill

The birding on Soil Hill has been badly hampered by howling winds and cold temperatures. For a site more suited to passage passerines neither of these is particularly helpful but there were still a few nice bits to be found. First of these was a very very distant Whinchat on the 07th May, which was sadly all too brief. Wheatears featured throughout the week but were often distant on the bottom Cattle Fields. Overhead the migration was limited, with hirundines being limited to 2 Sand Martin on the 06th and a single House Martin on the 09th. A Swift also flew north on the 06th. Small groups of Siskin have been around the hill, with a group of 7 being the largest. Regular migrants have arrived and already established territories with some interesting Whitethroat behaviour observed on two occasions. The male will fly around the female within the bush uttering a bizzare whirring noise, which I have the intention to record once the wind drops. And finally rounding off the week, a drake Tufted Duck on the NK pond, only the second time I have seen this species here. Frustratingly it spent most of its time on the near shore out of sight.

-Whinchat

Whiteholme Reservoir

  On the 8th the weather was truly horrific, with gales and heavy rain and sleet. Since Soil Hill was a write off I decided to head up to Whiteholme to see if any birds were dropping in during the rain. And the endevour was rewarding with a nice total of 29 Dunlin and a single Sanderling. Sadly I could not give it so long due to the fact that I myself could not cope with the conditions and soon had to return home for some comforts. 

  That said, the two hours I had spent in the rain had wet my appetite so the following morning I headed up early doors to see the results of the storm. DF had just beat me there and recorded nearly 40 Dunlin, but when I joined him he informed me he was up to 69. It was indeed a fantastic sight with Dunlin dotted all along the shore line and filling the air with their buzzy calls. In addition there were at least 15 Ringed Plover. After a while DF had to leave and it was not five minutes after he headed down Blackstone Edge that an Arctic Tern appeared over the northern edge of the reservoir. It made slow progress south, allowing for some excellent views of the bird before I lost it. After this I decided to walk the length of the mud, click-counting the Dunlin and I reached an excellent total of 72 individuals. There were also 2 Sanderling here, which I compared with photos of the previous days individual and both appear to be new birds. After another hour of watching I decided to head off, when a Pink-footed Goose dropped in. Initially the bird caused me confusion, due to it being May, but photos confirmed the ID. It sat on the bank for 10 minutes before it too headed off strongly south. In conclusion, it truly has been a memorable weekend. 

-Sanderling

-Dunlin

-Dunlin & Sanderling

-Arctic Tern

-Sanderling

-Dunlin

-Pink-footed Goose

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, 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, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Greylag Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Red Grouse, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Sanderling, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern, Common Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,  

Soil Hill; Isolation week 14

As July begins the feeling of autumnal bird migration gets stronger and stronger, especially due to the weeks weather which has ranged from drizzle to gales and torrential downpours. At times its been a struggle to motive myself to get out and go birding such has been the unpleasantness of the conditions.

There have been days when the weather has put me off a Soil Hill visit all together, but overall the week has been fairly productive for the Hill. Not least because of a cracking patch tick on the 02^nd July when I finally got a taste of the recent Crossbill action that has been ongoing throughout the country. A noisy flock of roughly 20 individuals flew over Taylor Lane towards Ogden, presumably heading for the sites pine plantations. At the same time there were also two Siskins, heading in the same direction. But the real highlight of the week was on the 01^st July when I finally got to see the Sedge Warbler young, with three fully fledged chicks still being attended to by the adults. It was a very proud moment for me, having been following these birds since the first arrived in early May. These records aside, a fresh clutch of Moorhens is nice and hopefully they will fare better than those that have gone before. A few more Whitethroat fledglings have started to appear and the male Blackcap continues to sing in the North Slope Treeline.

Whiteholme Reservoir has also been a destination of choice this week, fuelled by optimism after a swathe of inland wader records across the north of England. On the 29^th there were four Dunlin present in truly awful conditions, as well as single Ringed Plover and the usual resident wader species. Sadly on subsequent visits only these resident species were present, but on the 01^st July there was a cracking Hobby hunting over the reservoir during an impressive Swift passage. Sadly my camera was fogged from the rain and the bird had moved on before I was able to get it clean. A couple of fresh juvenile wheatears was also nice.

Fly Flatts has also been on the agenda with a couple of short visits during the week. There was also a Hobby here on the 29^th blasting across the road and down the bank towards the reservoir. Windy conditions have made scoping from the road difficult but I still managed to pick out the resident pair of Ringed Plovers which is always nice.

And finally, I also made a stop at Ogden to see what was around. Both Little and Great Crested Grebes were on the reservoir and there were a few Siskins in the woods but overall it was fairly quiet, not helped by the large number of visitors to the site. 

-Dunlin

-Sedge Warbler

-Little Owl

-Red Crossbill

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Western Barn Owl, Little Owl, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Red Crossbill, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, Western Roe Deer, European Rabbit, Common Shrew,

Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Mallard, Feral Pigeon, Common Swift, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Hobby, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Sand Martin, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting,

Fly Flatts: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Hobby, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,

Ogden Water LNR: Canada Goose, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin,

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,

Spurn Week 20

My final week at Spurn for this current term! Unbelievable to think how fast the last 20 weeks have gone, but here we are at the end. Next stop, India!

My last week could have been slow and birdless but that was simply not the case. Ringing has been steady with a few passerines caught when the wind has dropped sufficiently to get the nets open. We also had another wader ringing session on the 5^th, where we caught a few Redshank, Knot and a single Dunlin. Earlier in the afternoon we went out to try and drop a net on a Jack Snipe. Since we had no idea if the snipe was even going to be there I had my doubts, and when all the Common Snipe got up before we were even close I really began to question the method. We had just put the net down and was wandering round straightening it up when out of the grass beneath my feet out pop a Jack Snipe, straight into the net. Outstanding. What a stunning little bird.

-Jack Snipe

-Redshank

-Dunlin

Given its mid-winter the prospects of anything unusual were fairly low. On the 4^th a Waxwing was seen in Easington and I went up with Paul to have a gander. Waxwings are obviously stunning birds and this one showed rather nicely feeding on Juniper berries  in one of the gardens. Since we were already in the area we decided to have another look at the Rose-coloured Starling. We saw it, and that’s all there is to say on the matter really.

On the 5^th we had a great surprise when a Green-winged Teal was found on wetlands. Sadly it quickly moved out to sea where I was able to get brief but satisfactory views. This is my most dipped species, so to finally see one provides something of a relief. My first lifer of 2018, what else is to come?

Species List:

Spurn Bird Observatory: Wigeon, Teal, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Brent Goose, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, Moorhen, Coot, Little Egret, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Gannet, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Turnstone, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove, Tawny Owl, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Waxwing, Starling, Rose-coloured Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Snow Bunting,