Soil Hill

   With the weather having been east for the best part of a week, it has been tough going in often murky and foggy conditions where motivation for birding has been hard to come by. But todays switch to northwesterly brought some much-needed optimism that some reasonable VizMig might be on the agenda for the day. Alas not, as when daylight broke it was with the same murk and gloom that I had become accustomed to over the last week.

  Still at 07:30 it had cleared enough for me to make my move up to Soil Hill, in the hope that at least some birds would be migrating. Unfortunately, there was absolutely no movement to speak of, the only species seemingly on the move in any real capacity being Common Snipe, an impressive 24 passing through or dropping in over the morning, including a flock of 16. A stomp around the JS Marsh corner also booted out my first Jack Snipe of the autumn, although I was too sluggish on the draw to get any photos.

  The morning continued to brighten up and at 09:10 I had my first notable bird of the morning with an immature Marsh Harrier heading southeast. From where I was it did not look like it entered Calderdale airspace but it was frustratingly close to the border if not. Still, from a Soil Hill perspective, it was a much-wanted yeartick for the site, and from a Halifax perspective hopefully not the last of the year!

  But the morning really peaked when at 09:40 I noticed a Soil Hill patch tick of Great Egret flying north up the Ogden valley. It continued on its way north the whole time I was watching it, until it was a white speck somewhere towards Keighley. This is a species I have long hoped to have on Soil Hill. Even though their numbers have increased so dramatically, it is still a rare bird in Halifax and my memory goes back to when I was a child and they were rare nationally. A great addition to my Soil Hill list, number 127. 

-Great Egret

-Marsh Harrier

-Common Snipe

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Goosander, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, European Golden Plover, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Egret, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, European Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Eurasian Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

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 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 & Whiteholme; Week 10th - 16th May

Soil Hill
Soil Hill was fairly quiet and uneventful this week, with very few new migrants arriving and no notable passage species. The resident breeding birds continued strongly, so that there was always plenty of activity even if there was little change in the species composition. Wheatears peaked at 7 on the 11th and that was the migrant highlight of the week, with the only other notables being a female Blackcap on the 11th and a brief Sedge Warbler on the 10th. The Tufted Duck pair remained in residence on and off throughout the week on the NK pond. Passage birds were limited to a scattering of Siskin, a single Lesser Redpoll on the 10th and a Grey Wagtail on the 11th.

Oats Royd
I also made a breif visit to Oats Royd on the 12th to look for a Garden Warbler that had been present for a few days. Once I was in the right location it was easy to hear the bird but more tricky to actually see it. However it showed on occasions, and I was able to get a few pictures as well as listen in detail to its song. This is a Calderdale tick for me, hence the visit. 

-Garden Warbler

Whiteholme Reservoir

Where Soil Hill was quiet, Whiteholme continued to be lively with notable sightings on nearly every visit. The Dunlin and Ringed Plover contingent continued to be in reasonable numbers, although the former dropped off towards the end of the week. The excitment of the week started on the 10th when a Whimbrel arrived late afternoon and promptly fell asleep on the reservoirs center structure. The following day it had moved on, and the shoreline was quiet overall. However a very smart male White Wagtail in the NW corner of the reservoir livened up proceedings, this being the first time I have found a male of this race in Calderdale. Following on the 13th was again lively with a Marsh Harrier U-turning over Blackstone Edge, but frustratingly looking into the early morning sun. The Pink-footed Goose that had been present on Sunday also reappeared, but just flying over on this occasion, calling loudly as it did so. Rounding off the day was a smart pair of teal that were in the ditch along Blackstone Edge. On the 14th there was limited activity until the end of my visit when I flushed a Twite from the footpath adjacent to the car park. It was colour ringed but frustratingly flighty and so I was unable to observe the full combination. The week then rounded off with a Cuckoo along the barbed wire fence in the SW corner of the reservoir, and a flyby Mute Swan on the 16th. Another exceptional week for this site and I can't wait to see what next week brings. 

-Cuckoo

-Marsh Harrier

-White Wagtail

-Whimbrel

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, European Herring Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Eurasian Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Oats Royd: Common Pheasant, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin,

Whiteholme Reservoir: Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Tufted Duck, Red Grouse, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, White Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Linnet, Twite,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 19

I'm gonna revert to my spring style of weekly update because this has been an excellent weeks birding with quite a few highlights, notably two Patch Ticks and a good number of August migrants to make up the supporting cast. After whats felt like a long summer on the Hill the winds of Autumn seem to finally be blowing in...

01st August

Visit from 06.30. Total 39 species observed.

Was a pretty dull and uneventful day, but with one outstanding highlight to really kick August off in style. Whilst birding on Ned Hill Track I heard a distinct call distantly; Green Sandpiper. As I coudn't hear the bird getting closer I began to wonder if it was going to pass me by but then it appeared over the brow of the hill allowing me to grab a few shots before it passed behind the trees on its way south. An excellent patch tick and one of the highlights of the year for me here so far. 

Other notable birds included both Sedge Warblers, a smart juv Stonechat and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler

-Green Sandpiper

02nd August

Visit from 07.00. Total 40 species observed. 

August continued on the strong streak on which it had begun. A cracking Marsh Harrier flew south over Soil Hill, initially strongly but then slowly soaring offering much better views. This is only my third here, though all this year, and first this Autumn. Otherwise there was little else to report. 

-Marsh Harrier

03rd August

Visit from 06.45. Total 40 species observed

There was a small arrival of migrants this morning, notably of Willow Warblers with eleven in the various bushes dotted around the Hill. A Tree Pipit flew over calling, the Grasshopper Warbler was still singing and there were three Stonechat at the bottom of the North Slope, including a spanking adult male. The standout bird was a flyby Great Spotted Woodpecker, capping off a very pleasant morning. 

04th August

Visit from 07.15. Total 36 species observed.

Another steady day with the days Willow Warbler total peaking at 7, with other migrants thin on the ground. A Green Woodpecker was calling from down in Bradshaw and I counted 14 Mistle Thrush in the recently mowed fields, but otherwise little change. 

05th August

Visit from 18.30. Total 33 species observed.

The wind and rain absolutely battered the pennines today, so I waited until the evening for my visit so that I could at least check out the sheltered areas at the bottom of the North Slope. As expected activity was very low, but there were the three Stonechat still present there, as well as a smart male Blackcap feasting on the abundant brambles. 

07th August

Visit from 07.00. Total 46 species observed. 

This will go down as one of the best days birding I have ever enjoyed on Soil Hill. After the wind and rain of the previous day I was unsure what sort of birding I would get, but when the first bird I clapped eyes on was a brilliant patch tick I sensed it could be an awesome morning. 

When I spotted the Pied Flycatcher on the wires next to Taylor Lane my initial thoughts were something along the lines of 'what a weird looking Chaffinch' but I swiftly realised what I was looking, a seriously good grounded migrant. Although it was against the light and generally spent its time atop the Sycamore it had chosen for the day, a few people saw it during the day and I was able to grab a few nice record shots. A fantastic start to the day.

Next I worked my way up to the top, with Willow Warblers clearly having arrived overnight. By the end of my walk I counted 19 individuals (6 Taylor Lane, 8 Summit Bushes, 3 North Slope, 2 Ned Hill Track). The best location was the bushes at the top of the North Slope which had most of the Willow Warblers, plus two grounded Tree Pipits, a Sedge Warbler, Whitethroats and Reed Buntings. Blackcap, Stonechat and the usual Grasshopper Warbler were fine migrant additions on the North Slope. A Great Spotted Woodpecker also took off from the trees at the top of the North Slope, presumably the same bird from a couple of days previous. 

And to cap it all off a Cormorant flew over as I was walking back home. 

-Pied Flycatcher

-Tree Pipit

-Willow Warbler

07th August

Visit from 06.45. Total 43 species observed

Although a comedown from yesterday it was another brilliant mornings birding by Soil Hill standards. Willow Warblers were reduced to 11 today (2 Taylor Lane, 2 Summit, 5 North Slope, 2 Ned Hill Track) with most of the other migrants gone. A Tree Pipit flew south and then U-turned back north, calling loudly, and my first Wheatear of August also arrived today. In addition I saw two Sedge Warblers, which seem to have now set up in the brambles at the top of the North Slope. Three House Martins that flew south were also my first here for a while.

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Western Marsh Harrier, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, 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, Western House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, European Pied Flycatcher, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Western Roe Deer, European Rabbit, Eastern Grey Squirrel,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 4

The week suffered from an enduring north esterly wind which peaked between monday - wednesday. Although birding was still possible, there was a noticable blow with a chilly edge to it. Numbers of migrants seemed to grind to a halt as a result, with species such as Swallow being thin on the ground until the wind died down.

18 April

Visit from 08.45. Total 41 species observed.

It was cold early morning so I set off slightly later to hopefully get a few more birds. The female Ring Ouzel was still on Taylor Lane during the morning, and another, a male, dropped out of the sky at the summit. It sat on a wall for a few minutes before flying up and south. That brings my total number of this species this spring to five individuals, as a minimum. There was also a nice showy Goldcrest on the way up.

-Goldcrest

-Ring Ouzel

19 April

Visit from 07.15. Total 43 species observed.

Highlight today was an extremely distant Marsh Harrier over Ovenden Moor. A Buzzard also went over. Up to two Whitethroat now, with a second bird holding territory. Two Swallows also flew through. A single Wheatear was on the wall by the NK pond. 

-Marsh Harrier

20 April

Visit from 07.00. Total 39 species observed.

Despite the howling gale there was something of a patch mega when I had two Greylag Geese fly south from Thornton Moor Reservoir. They were extremely distant but the silver coverts were obvious even at this range. There were three Wheatears today, but the numbers of other migrant species were consistent with previous days

-Greylag Geese

21 April

Visit from 08.00. Total 34 species observed.

The strongest wind of the week was today, and as a result bird numbers were well down. There was nothing out of the ordinary and numbers of established migrants were down as a result of the conditions. 

-Song Thrush

22 April 

Visit from 07.30. Total 41 species observed.

Wind dropped off a little bit and there were a few more migrants present. The male Stonechat, presumably the same bird as the previous week, as on Ned Hill Track. Three Wheatear were in the cattle fields at the bottom. There were two Oystercatchers on the rubble at the bottom of the north slope, rather than in the fields surrounding the site. Snipe continue to be common this spring, and the Reed Buntings are still present in the same location.

-Oystercatcher

23 April

Visit from 07.15. Total 42 species observed. 

The wind had almost gone completely today, and there were a few more birds of note. The Canada Geese around Bradshaw had been joined for the morning by a party of Greylags which were visible from the greater Soil Hill area. One of these birds was nearly white but the structure and plumage of the other birds suggests to me that this is an abbarent bird rather than a domesticated individual. 

At least five Swallows flew north over the course of the morning, and a Sand Martin flew north with them, only the second time I have seen this species here. 

There seemed to be a bit of movement of Golden Plover. A single bird flew north calling, followed ten minutes later by a flock of eight. These birds seemed to loop round and I lost them round the back of the hill but a search in the fields around the summit failed to find them. I did find two birds on the top, one was certainly a Golden Plover but the other, when it flushed, seemed smaller and had a more rapid wingbeat. Frustratingly they both flew north in a direct line away from me so I was unable to get much more on them. I did get a look at this bird when it initially took off, but sadly it was directly into the sun, but the impression I got was of Golden Plover plumage, so who even knows. 

Up to three Whitethroat on the hill now.

-Golden Plover

24 April 

Visit from 06.45. Total 44 species observed.

After what felt like a slow week it was nice to end it on a high with a solid patch tick. I was at the bottom of the hill scanning the fields walls for Wheatears when I heard a distinctive ticking all behind me, certainly not the call of a Hill resident, but having not seen one for some time it took a moment for my brain to recognise it. I spotted the bird flying down the North Slope treeline, a Yellowhammer. The ammount of yellow suggested that it was a male but it lacked the bright yellow head, so probably a 1st winter male. Sadly it did not stop and carried on north, going with a purpose. An excellent patch tick as these are not common birds in Halifax (also a Halifax tick for me).

And that was probably not even the highlight of the morning, as the Grasshopper Warbler which had been silent all week burst back into life this morning with an outstanding show, singing from a wall no less. I have never seen this species as well. A brilliant bird. 

A Wheatear was present on the bottom fields, and there are now four Whitethroats dotted around the hill. A Buzzard flew north as did three late Fieldfare. Two Collared Dove were also a nice addition to the week. 

-Grasshopper Warbler

-Western Roe Deer

Species List:

Soil Hill: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare, Ring Ouzel, European Robin, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, Common Reed Bunting, Western Roe Deer, Red Fox, Stoat, European Rabbit, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell,