Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 12th - 17th September

Sadly this was Lias last week on the Hill, as she returns the tropical climes of Brazil. And it was quite the send off as the first real autumn days rolled in this week, with a cold northerly wind and single figure temperatures, combined with glorious blue skies. In addition there was the steady transition of birdlife as the first winter migrants began to arrive, seeing off the final summer visitors. 

• The 14^th was a warm day once the early morning fog cleared, and it seemed promising for raptors but we were limited to six Common Buzzards. That was until we descended from the Hill and were walking back along Bradshaw Lane when we spotted a raptor high up that was immediately something different. Although distant, the photos showed it was a nice Marsh Harrier. It cruised slowly NW, taking it over the Soil Hill area, making it my second of the year.

As the autumn has progressed the number of migrants has continued to drop off with this week maintaining that course. Many of the summer warblers have now moved on, with just the last few hanging on. Not long before the thrushes arrive to keep things lively!    

• Almost certainly the last Spotted Flycatcher was actively feeding at the bottom of the North Slope on the morning of the 13^th, the last warm morning before the colder northerly winds set in. Its been a phenomenal autumn for this species here, with this individual bringing to the total up to seven in 2022! 

• Another species that has almost certainly run its course is Whinchat, with a single on Taylor Lane on the 14^th likely to be the last of the year. If this is the last of the year, it rounds off a truly phenomenal autumn with a total estimate of 16 different individuals.

• One species that has certainly increased in abundance this week is Stonechat. The first of the autumn appeared on the 13^th, when we were able to find four different individuals. Then we had birds on two other dates, although just singles. A single Wheatear was enjoying the horse paddocks from the 12^th until the 15^th, when it was joined by a second individual before they both departed. 

• A single Tree Pipit was heard flying south on the 13^th in a good passage of Meadow Pipits, in which 118 were counted in an hour, and an estimated 300 flew south in total. 

• This week there was just two Willow Warbler sightings, both on the 14^th and both on Ned Hill Track. In start contrast, Chiffchaff was seen on every single day, although the cold winds certainly contributed to numbers dropping off at the end of the week. The best count was seven on the 15^th, and six on the 12^th.

• Remarkably we were able to find three Common Whitethroat on the 13^th, but the only other record was one calling at the top of the North Slope on the 15^th. In the past the species has lingered on Soil Hill until the end of September, but there is no evidence that this year will have such a lingering individual, as we have searched hard for the last individuals. There was also a male Blackcap at the bottom of the North Slope on the 13^th, the only sighting of the week. 

• Small flurries of Hirundines kept moving during the week, but there was no sustained movement worth counting. There were House Martins on two dates, the 13^th and 15^th when groups of eight and 13 respectively flew south. On the 13^th there was a reasonable movement of Barn Swallow, with an estimated 50 individuals, and again the 15^th was the only other date of note with an estimated 35 heading south. Two Sand Martin again on the 13^th probably see the species out for what has been a very poor year for them on Soil Hill.

• This week Goldcrest returned to the Hill with individuals recorded on almost every single day, in a variety of locations. The highest count was still only three on the 13^th and 14^th, but it is good to at least hear these teeny birds on almost every visit.  

• On the livelier days there was finally an appearance of Siskin this year, with small groups recorded on the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th flying across the Hill calling. Having had none in the spring, it was good to finally get some, especially since the autumn seems quite slow for finches so far.

•  The only Jay this week was a pair that flew south together on the 13^th, which as you’ve probably gathered at this point was the liveliest day for movement of all species this week.

In addition to the usual passage and summer migrants that have been slowly filtering through, there has been a burst of wildfowl activity on the Hill this week. Although the species involved have not been super unusual, it still represents a good start to the autumn and a sure indicator that the season is progressing rapidly. 

• The highlight of the week has been the first skeins of wintering Pink-footed Geese returning from Iceland. Although nationally there had been numerous sightings in the preceding days, the first flock over Soil Hill did not occur until the 15^th when a skein of 177 flew southeast over Halifax, the largest flock of the week. On the 16^th there were 328 individuals that flew over in five skeins, and on the 17^th 359 headed southeast in eight skeins. 

• Another goose species appearing in numbers this week was Greylag Goose. I was informed that this increase in records is due to the feral English population moving to Scotland to moult during the summer before returning, and that Icelandic birds don't arrive until November. Interesting stuff anyway. Individuals were seen on four dates this week, heading in all different directions, with the largest group being 11 heading west on the 14^th and 9 going the same direction on the 17^th. 

• This week saw the first Goosander of the autumn, with a flock of seven heading distantly south on the 15^th, before a closer individual flew northeast on the 16^th.  

• Shockingly I have not seen Eurasian Teal on Soil Hill since October 2019, so it was pleasing to have three individuals on the NK Pond on the 15^th this week. They spent their time resting on the small shoreline that has appeared where they preened and were pestered by the local Moorhens.   

  The best of the rest was pretty limited this week. The standout was probably a Collared Dove that flew north over Taylor Lane on the 17^th, my first the 31^st August and only the third this year. The Grey Partridge were seen on the 12th and the 14^th with a male and two females sitting out nicely on the latter date.

  Remarkably the Curlew remained throughout the week, heard every day between the 13^th and the 16^th but never seen. Presumably feeding in one of the more distant livestock fields, but certainly not feeding quietly. There were just two dates for Common Snipe this week, with a single on the 15^th and a couple on the 17^th.

  The only notable other passerine sighting was a group of four Bullfinch that dropped in to the bushes at the top of the North Slope on the 15^th.

  And as a final note, there was another notable sighting this week when a Herring Gull with a darvic ring was in the reservoir field. Frustratingly the grass was just a little two long to get the full code, although I was able to get some of it. I sent it off to PC to see what he suggested, and he thought it could be a York bird and to maybe pass it to them. This is still on my to do list, but its unlikely it will lead anywhere. 

-Marsh Harrier

-Stonechat

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Eurasian Teal

-Goosander

-Greylag Geese

-Pink-footed Geese

-Herring Gull with darvic ring

-Lesser Black-backed Gull

-Collared Dove

-Dunnock

Species List:

Soil Hill: Greylag Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Goosander, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Western Barn Owl, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, 

 

Soil Hill Birding; updates from the week 29th August - 4th September

  The warm August gave way to a much wetter September, with the final arrival of rainy conditions and strong east wings. Nevertheless, the daily visits to the Hill continued unabated and still birds were being produced. We did also spend some time away visiting other areas, mainly for tourism but also visiting friends, and this meant a few of our visits were in the afternoon or early evening, obviously changing the dynamic of the birding.

• The bird of the week appeared during a late afternoon visit on the 3^rd, when a child riding an ATV on Ned Hill Track flushed out a roosting Tawny Owl. Fortunately, once the rider had moved on, the bird settled and we were able to get some amazing views. It understandably remained alert throughout our time watching, in stark contrast to the only previous time I have seen this species here, when the individual never opened its eyes. 

• The only true Mega of the week, or at least it was before this August, was on the 29^th when three Yellow Wagtails flew over Perseverance Road together. I fudged my camera settings but Lia was able to get a brilliant recording of the birds as they flew off heading east. We checked the horse paddocks along the road, but didn’t find them anywhere. 

  The change in conditions has not slowed down the stream of migrants passing through Soil Hill this autumn. As the season draws on the composition of migrants begins to gradually change, and that has already begun to take place this week.

• The most abundant of the notable migrants this week was absolutely Whinchat, with sightings on almost every single day. Generally the birds were found at the bottom of the North Slope where they remained distant, but on the 04^th there were also two at the top on the walls near the masts. The highest count of the week was 3 on the 30^th. It remains difficult to judge the total number of birds this autumn, but from our observations I suspect that there have been a minimum of five new birds this week, meaning an absolute minimum of 13 Whinchat so far this autumn. 

• The only Spotted Flycatcher of the week was actively feeding on Ned Hill Track at the end of the afternoon on the 02^nd. It showed well at times in lovely evening light.  

• The change in conditions had a dramatic effect of Tree Pipit observations this week, with just a single bird on the 29^th. Notably, this bird was not a flyover but was instead seen feeding on the short grass above the Ned Hill Track, quite the behavioral difference from the usual migrating individuals.   

• The local warbler squad remained on and off throughout the week, with Sedge Warbler still being seen until the 01^st, while Grasshopper Warbler was only seen on the 31^st. Blackcap was also seen on just one date, when an individual was seen at the bottom of the North Slope on the 04^th. 

• Willow Warblers completely dropped off a cliff this week, with no counts higher than four birds, and with my first blank dates since the spring.  In fact, three on the 30^th was the only date where more than one individual was seen. Conversely, Chiffchaff passage continued unabated, with multiple individuals recorded on every day this week peaking with four on the 03^rd. 

• A warbler I have generally left out of these summaries is Common Whitethroat, but numbers have already begun to drop as the autumn draws on and it has been most noticeable this week. With between four and six individuals were recorded until the 02^nd, after which only a couple of birds were noted. 

  The general birding also continued to provide some goodies, with the Grey Partridge putting in an appearance again with a single on the 30^th and the group of three seen again on the 01^st. A distant Collared Dove was seen flying north on the 31^st, which is the first I’ve recorded here since May. A rather dozy juvenile Common Buzzard has been around most of the week, perching on various posts at the bottom of the North Slope, where it takes the heat from the local corvids. And on the 01^st, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen flying south from the Koi Farm Copse.

  A distant Curlew was heard calling on the 29^th, but the individual eluded us. A small group of Lapwings has reappeared on the Bottom Cattle Fields, seen on and off throughout the week with a maximum count of 19 on the 03^rd. These bird have presumably started using the field again in , response to the wetter weather. Another species that will benefit from the fields becoming wet again are the Common Snipes, which also started to reappear more consistently this week with birds being seen on three dates this week. Sadly there was no repeat of the impressive snipe arrival seen last September, but as the fields become wet again hopefully the birds will return in good numbers. 

-Tawny Owl

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Tree Pipit

-Whinchat

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Eurasian Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 22nd - 26th August

This is the last full week in August for this year, and what an August it has been with an incredible 75 species recorded, an absolutely unbelievable month for inland birding generally, let alone Soil Hill. This week the good birds continued with a steady trickle of commoner migrants and a few other goodies sprinkled in for good measure. When the birding is like this it makes you excited to get out in the morning to see what you can find. 

• The bird (s) of the week were undoubtedly Yellow Wagtails. Remarkably, over the course of the week we recorded this species on four occasions, three in the same morning in what seems to be a remarkable run for the species at this site where I have only recorded it once previously.

  -The first of the week was on the morning of the 23^rd when we were at the bottom of the North Slope.  Fortunately, I was quickly able to pick up the bird and had some time to set up my camera to make sure I got a few photos. The bird was a little distant, and in the fog and panic I managed only a couple of blurred record shots, but since I failed to get anything when I last saw the species here, I am pleased I got something. The bird didn’t stop and continued west towards Ogden.

  -The next three records were all on the 26^th, with an individual flying over Taylor Lane at 06:44, and two flying over the bottom of the North Slope at 07:26 and then finally at 08:29. This corresponded with a trickle of other species, all of which were flying South-West. Sadly I only managed a few photos of the first bird, especially since the second bird flew really low over us.

Compared to the previous weeks, totals of migrants dropped off somewhat this week but there was still plenty to look at, including a long overdue addition to the year-list here. 

• On the 25^th the first Common Redstart of the year finally appeared on the Ned Hill Track, picked out excellently by Lia. This bird is the first time I have ever found a male here, and the lack of covert hooks suggests it may even be an adult. It was elusive and mobile so photos were at a premium. In the evening JJL found a redstart in the fields near Bradshaw which we went to look at, and superficially appears to be the same bird, showing how these migrants move through once they arrive.

• During the week we only recorded Whinchat on three dates, but that did include two together on the 24^th, the others being singles on the 25^th and 26^th. All of these birds have been in the same area at the bottom of the North Slope, which makes judging the total number difficult. However, by my reckoning, there have now been seven different individual Whinchat pass through so far this autumn. 

• There was a light scattering of Wheatear during the week, with observations on three dates; three on the 22^nd, two on the 24^th and a single on the 26^th.   

• The only Spotted Flycatcher of the week appeared in the garden of Rabbit Dell during the afternoon of the 22^nd, as we drove back over the Hill on our return from the supermarket. The bird did not appear present in the morning, so could have been brought down by the arrival of rainfall around lunchtime. It then stayed in the area until the 24^th.  

• Despite the many rarities so far this August, the month really belongs to Tree Pipit. This week was no exception with birds recorded every single day. Almost all of these were birds on vis-mig, with the highest counts being four on the 23^rd, five on the 24^th (within an hours period), and an incredible 11 on the 25^th; where nine flew south and two were grounded on the summit, the first grounded individuals this year.   

• The contingent of warblers remained present for this week, with Sedge Warblers making an appearance on the 23^rd and then two on the 24^th, again both juveniles. The juvenile Grasshopper Warbler was still present on three dates this week, and was even reeling, or attempting to, on the 23^rd. And a male and female/immature Blackcap have also been seen on and off at the bottom of the North Slope. 

• There were still a few Willow Warbler passing during the week, with 10 on the 22^nd and 11 on the 23^rd, before numbers dropped to just single figures. Chiffchaff is now being seen almost daily, with three on the 25^th being the highest count. This count included the first singing bird of the autumn.  

• The final few Common Swifts continued to pass through this week. A single was seen on the 22^nd, followed by a late group of six on the 26^th. Also on the 26^th there was a flock of nine House Martin that slowly flew south, the only sightings of the week. 

• Although it is not yet the time for true migrants, Goldcrest has already begun to appear more regularly, especially along Taylor Lane where at least one individual has been seen daily, and three seen together on the 23^rd. As the autumn draws on we can look forward to more of these beauties.    

On the none migrant front there continued to be a steady trickle of other interesting birds. The most notable of which is the first Green Woodpecker of the year which was on Taylor Lane on the 23^rd. Two Great Spotted Woodpecker were also seen flying south distantly on the 26^th, but this is a more regularly encountered species at this time of year.

The full contingent of 10 Grey Partridge was seen again on the 23^rd, although in two smaller groups of seven and three. There was one Curlew during the week, with a single on the 26^th which was calling further up the valley. Common Snipe was also recorded on the just the 26^th, but this was three individuals dropping in to the bottom  Cattle Fields, as hopefully numbers build up into the autumn.

And finally, we recorded our second highest total of Mistle Thrush of the year on the 22^nd when 24 flew over Taylor Lane. 

-Yellow Wagtail 23.08.2022

-Yellow Wagtail 26.08.2022

-Sedge Warbler

-Goldcrest

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Whinchats

-Tree Pipits

-Common Redstart

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Western Barn Owl, Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 15th - 21st August

  At the close of this week we have managed to see no less than 72 different species on Soil Hill during August. To make that fact even more bonkers is that 66 of those have been seen in just the last week with some excellent local species turning up with ample common migrants. Once the heatwave had moved on the birding became more vulnerable to windy conditions but fortunately this only really affected us on one day so we were still able to make the most out of our time on the Hill. 

  It was also a huge bonus that my replacement camera arrived on the 18^th, which means I can now hopefully get more photos of any potential rarities that turn up during the autumn. It has been a success so far, although I am already finding a few limitations that will need some getting used to. 

• The last day of the heatwave was the 15^th, and it was also the day with the best bird of the week. At the bottom of the North Slope, Lia was recording a ‘tacking’ Grasshopper Warbler when I heard a distinct but distant call that was almost certainly a Green Sandpiper. I gestured to Lia to move her microphone to record this new call. The bird was clearly approaching but it took us some time to pick it up as it was flying at some height and moving fast. Once we did though we could clearly see the contrasting upper and lower halves of the bird, as well as the white rump. It quickly made its way down the valley and was soon lost behind the Hill, on its way towards Halifax. This is only my second record here after the bird on the 1^st August 2020! 

• On the 16^th the good birding continued. At 08:45 from the bottom of the North Slope, we spotted a raptor circling distantly over Denholme which gave the impression of soaring with its wings at a distinct angle, indicating Marsh Harrier. As the bird flew south, coming closer, it became clear that we were right, and the bird was a juvenile Marsh Harrier. It eventually circled over us a couple of times before flying off towards Bradford. This is only my fourth observation of this species here on Soil Hill, and more than two years since the last!

• The final standout of the week was on the morning of the 21^st as Lia and I were walking up Taylor Lane. At around 06:35 there was the distinctive call of Dunlin overhead, and we looked up to see four flying SW towards Halifax. Lia tried to audio-record them and I tried to photograph them, but we both failed; Lia because they didn’t call again, and me because I had butchered my settings the previous day. Needless to say, frustrated wouldn’t quite cut it, but sometimes these things happen. Of course, it is difficult to confirm that all four birds were Dunlin based on just the single call, but they appeared uniform in size and structure.

  Once again there was a healthy number of migrants passing through during the week. The weather was more hit and miss than during the previous week once the heatwave had subsided, but there was still ample activity and already you can see the demographic of the migrants beginning to change as the autumn draws on.

• This week the Whinchats finally started to appear! The first was found by HC in the evening of the 17^th, sat on the Stone Circle in the company of three Wheatears (the only Wheatears of the week). Two days later on the 19^th Lia and I came across three at the bottom of the North Slope, showing very well. In windier conditions, only one was still present on the 20^th, but on the 21^st there were two. All these birds were on the dry-stone walls at the bottom of the North Slope. In total, I would say that there had been at least five birds during the week, but it could be up to as many as seven. 

• The only Spotted Flycatchers of the week were on the 15^th, but the three we managed to find across the site on this date are the most I have ever recorded here in one day. Surprisingly, we could not find any more for the rest of the week. 

• There were four additional Tree Pipits this week, bringing the autumn total so far to 12. There were singles on the 15^th and the 21^st, and then two flew south on the 19^th. The wind made it difficult to audio record them this week, but still good to know that they are migrating south over the Hill.

• Just the one Sedge Warbler this week, on the 19^th. It seemed to be following round the small group of Whinchats, which was odd to observe. Grasshopper Warbler was seen on three dates during the week, all appearing to refer to the same juvenile bird at the bottom of the North Slope. The state of the bird, including its apparent gape, suggests it is a juvenile and would seem to suggest that the birds did produce a second brood. A male and a brown-headed Blackcap have also been around the bottom of the North Slope throughout the week.

• After a peak count of 15 on the 15^th, Willow Warblers really dropped off during the week, with no other counts in double figures, although they were seen every day. The first Chiffchaff of the autumn started to appear this week, with singles on the 16^th, 18^th and then on the 21^st. Soon they will replace the Willow Warblers as we draw later in autumn.

• Just the one House Martin this week, a distant individual on the 16^th. And Swift was also only seen on one date, although that did involve three individuals during the evening of the 17^th.

  There was also a handy selection of other species on offer, including Curlews seen (or heard) on two dates during the week. The first was feeding in the bottom fields on the 16^th and then a heard only on the 18^th. There was just one Common Snipe during the week with one flying over the bottom Cattle Fields on the 21^st.  

  We saw the Barn Owl twice this week, with singles on the 17^th and again on the 19^th. On the 15^th a Peregrine was hunting distantly over Denholme. And once again there have been a couple of sightings of Grey Partridge, with six seen on the 18^th and two on the 21^st.

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Whinchat

-Marsh Harrier

-Green Sandpiper

-Green Sandpiper recording

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Western Barn Owl, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 6th - 14th August

I was away working for the first few days of August, but the second week really brought home everything great about August on Soil Hill. Despite the heatwave, Lia and I managed to record over 40 species on nearly every morning before the oppressive weather set in. There were plenty of migrants scattered around in the various shrubby areas, including some of the more unusual ones, as well as my second patch tick of the year, bringing me up to 117 in total...

• The undoubted highlight of the week was a Lesser Whitethroat that was in the Koi Farm Copse on the morning of the 10^th August. As we walked up early doors a Sylvia warbler was ticking in the garden along Taylor Lane, but due to a Blackcap being present the previous day and the fact that we needed to check the bottom of the North Slope before the quarry opened, we made haste and didn’t investigate further. It was only when we saw this bird that it became clear. It showed incredibly well considering, which was awfully frustrating given my current camera predicament. Digiscoping through binoculars doesn’t work so well with Passerines. Huge thanks to JJL for use of his spare camera which allowed me to get some shots when we returned in the evening, when the bird continued to show well. I have searched for this species so long at this site, it was an incredible feeling to finally find one.

• On the morning of the 9^th a Short-eared Owl was hunting the fields along Ned Hill Track. It has been nearly two years since I last saw this species here, so it was much appreciated. Being a bigger bird I was able to get some digiscoped photos, although they are certainly lacking some quality.  

Migrants were really the stars of the week, as they usually are at this time of year. The warm weather brought out lots of activity with many birds flycatching and showing well in the early morning light. 

• The first Spotted Flycatcher of the week was on the 10^th when Lia found and identified the bird as we were waiting for the Lesser Whitethroat to appear. In the evening it showed very well on the wires above the Koi Farm Copse. The second of the week was in the North Slope Tree-Line on the 14^th, and it too showed very well.

•  The tall grass at the bottom of the North Slope has been a hubbub of activity, mainly Reed Buntings, Whitethroats and Goldfinches but also a few Warblers. At least one Grasshopper Warbler is lingering there, with another individual reeling at the top of the North Slope on the 14^th, so at least two birds present on that date. There has also been two Sedge Warbler in the area, occasionally showing well but generally elusive. Both are juveniles, so could indicate that breeding did occur here, but I personally remain skeptical.  

• As is typical for August, there was a good showing of Tree Pipit here. Often we heard an individual but it then did not call again and we did not see it, so would not commit to the ID. However, there were still enough individuals for which cooperated that during the week we managed to record eight different birds, some flying right overhead.   

• We also had a brilliant showing of Willow Warblers. Every day had double figures with a new record count of 20 on the 8^th, and counts of 17 on the 9^th and 16 on the 6^th. The yellow juveniles absolutely dazzled in the early morning sun.

• There has been light passage with Swifts seen on most days, including 17 on the 14^th. There have also been two dates with House Martins two on the 11^th and 4 on the 14^th.

Other birds included the first Common Snipe of the Autumn on the 13^th, Great Spotted Woodpeckers on the 10^th and 13^th, the latter date being the first time I have recorded two different individuals on the same day here, and finally two Ravens distantly mobbing a Buzzard on the 15^th. 

But perhaps the real 'best of the rest' was a covey of 10 Grey Partridge, clearly demonstrating successful breeding on the Hill this year. They were first seen on the 6^th before then being seen on the subsequent four days. It really was a sight to behold.

-Lesser Whitethroat

-Short-eared Owl

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Sedge Warbler

-Tree Pipit recording by LNK

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Roe Deer, Weasel, European Rabbit,

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 30th August - 06th September

Soil Hill

The week started nicely with a typically seasonal scattering of Willow Warblers, Wheatears and the last few Whitethroats still lingering in the scrub. But even on the 31^st there were signs of change as I had my first Chiffchaff of the autumn. By the end of the week I could only manage to find a single Willow Warbler but managed six Chiffchaff. Autumn is already moving on rapidly. Among these commoner migrants there were a few other bits around. Surprisingly on the 1^st, and then subsequently on the 2^nd I flushed a Sedge Warbler at the bottom of the North Slope. There is a good chance this is one of the birds from the end of August, as the two Grasshopper Warblers had also lingered until at the least the 2^nd, but they could all have been new arrivals. On the 2^nd there was also an additional Grasshopper Warbler on the summit, which I flushed from the long grass. In my attempts to refind the bird I spotted its head emerging from the grass right in front of me giving me the eyes before it scuttled off to be left in peace. On the 4^th there were two juvenile Bullfinch on Ned Hill Track, presumably the survivors of the three that were there in August. On the 5^th a Whinchat was travelling along the dry stone walls at the bottom of the North Slope, but was always very distant. And finally on the 6^th I added to the weeks migrant total with a single Blackcap and a very fine Spotted Flycatcher.

At the end of the week the wind finally turned SW and as such there was a little bit of passage to enjoy. I managed 129 Swallows heading south on the 6^th, as well as a single Sand Martin and four House Martins. There were a few Grey Wagtails passing over throughout the week, and Pied Wagtails also began to pick up again. On a couple of days, I spotted Jays flying around as well, although always distant as they pass between fragments of woodland. Snipe numbers increased dramatically with a flock of 8 flying around on the 4^th. Who knows the true number, as many appeared to fly off towards the moors without returning! There was also a juvenile Curlew on the bottom field on the 31^st, with another heard calling on the 6^th. Presumably these are the last few birds heading off to the coast for winter. 

-Common Chiffchaff

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Common Snipe

-Vapourer caterpillar

Whiteholme Reservoir

I did visit Whiteholme a couple of times but there was precious little to report. On the 6^th there were a few birds but 10 Teal and a patch tick of two Goldfinch were the best I could muster. The female Goldeneye also remained in situ throughout the week.  

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Eurasian Teal, Common Goldeneye, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, European Goldfinch,