Soil Hill; Week 17th June - 19th June

This was a short week, due to being away for the first half, but also very important. During my absence of around 10 days, the Soil Hill Sedge Warbler finally turned up. I had given up hope of the species returning this year, given that it was already the 6th of June when I left, but fortunately, he arrived and has continued singing since. Whether or not a partner will arrive now, we will have to wait and see, but it does seem a little hopeless in all honesty. The bird itself is very active, frequently displaying and remixing a nice selection of species from the Soil Hill area; Linnet, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting and a particular favourite of this bird, Oystercatcher. 

Other birds of note have been a couple of juvenile Stonechats on the walls at the bottom of the North Slope on the 18th, and the continued presence of good numbers of Snipe in the bottom fields. also displaying early in the morning. A juvenile Northern Wheatear on the 17th was my first ever here in June, which was unexpected. And on the same date, I stumbled across a beautiful Lapwing nest with four eggs.

On the 17th we left the Moth trap out in the garden, and while I can't face identifying all the brown and nondescript species, a Small Elephant Hawkmoth was certainly a treat, the first time we have caught one. 

-Sedge Warbler

-Northern Wheatear

-Northern Lapwing nest

-Small Elephant Hawkmoth

Species List:

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

Halifax birding; Week 2

It being November the Hill was fairly quiet overall with only a few notable bits from the week. That said, there were some real standouts, most notable two different Snow Buntings; the first on the 16^th which was flushed from the summit before flying south not to be refound, and the second on the 22^nd which spent a bit more time circling the summit before flying north. A Jack Snipe was the only other notable bird, on the 21^st. Common Snipes continue to be around, although the locations they take up have been changeable and has often been tricky to find them. The 22^nd was a brilliant day; in addition to the Snow Bunting there was able a skein of 54 Pink-footed Geese, a small passage of 144 Woodpigeons and a flock of 52 Fieldfare. Was also good to see CK up there.

On the 18^th the weather truly was atrocious and I had no plans to head out at all, but made an afternoon visit to Ogden to look for a Wigeon and Teal that BS had found. Compounding the misery, I dipped on both. A handful of commoner woodland species was all I could muster.

On the 19^th I headed out for a full days birding, with a classic November winters day with bright sunshine but brisk conditions. My first stop was Derby Delph Quarry where there were two Twite perched on the wires that stretch above the feeding station. There could have been more in the quarry itself but I failed to pick them out. Continuing up the road towards the M62 I made my first visit to Green Withens Reservoir. The air was full of Red Grouse calls and, despite the overall lack of birds, I had a brilliant time there, with a flock of 56 Pink-footed Geese going over, a group of 17 Twite showing nicely and the highlight of the day, a Water Pipit by the boathouse. It initially showed well but after proved elusive. A quick stop at Ringstone Edge mid-morning produced a Whooper Swan, and an even quicker visit to Whiteholme produced a pair of Raven. I ended the day at Lower Gorple where I had a flock of 10 Whooper Swans fly SE. A brilliant way to end a really enjoyable days birding. 

-Snow Bunting 1


-Snow Bunting 2

-Lapwing


-Water Pipit

-Pink-footed Goose


-Twite

-Whooper Swan


-Whooper Swans

Species List:

Ogden Water LNR: Mallard, Common Wood Pigeon, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Wren, White-throated Dipper, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Goldfinch,
Green Withens Reservoir: Pink-footed Goose, Red Grouse, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Pied Wagtail, Water Pipit, Twite,
Ringstone Edge Reservoir: Whooper Swan, Mallard, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Mew Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Common Starling,
Lower Gorple Reservoir: Greylag Goose, Whooper Swan, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red Grouse, Stock Dove, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, European Robin, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, 
Soil Hill: Greylag Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare, European Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Snow Bunting, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill; Isolation week 16

A far more productive week for Soil Hill than last week, although without the standout that was the Red-veined Darter. It began with a bang when two Raven flew over the Hill on the 11^th July, and the first returning juvenile Wheatear on the same day. The following day, the 12^th was really the standout day of the week when I got a really good patch tick. It was one I had hoped for at some point during the autumn but certainly not in July, a very juvenile Common Redstart in the copse oppsite the site entrance track. The local Robins gave it a hard time and it was not present when I passed again an hour later. On the same day there was a cracking male Whinchat on the walls at the bottom of the north slope, really the icing on the cake of an excellent morning. On the 16^th a Grey Wagtail flew West over the Hill, my first of the Autumn here, and that evening I had an incredible count of 24 Mistle Thrush all sat together on the wires above Taylor Lane. Finally on the 17^th I had my first yellow juvenile Willow Warbler, really giving the place an autumn passerine feeling. The Grasshopper Warbler has begun singing again and could be heard and occasionally seen at various points throughout the week. A pair of Bullfinch have also apparently set up at the bottom of the North Slope Tree-Line and were showing well at times. Sedge Warblers remain present and Reed Bunting numbers have really built up.

On the 13^th I made a visit to Whiteholme but the shoreline there is now almost none existent and there was nothing of any note. From there I carried on to Ringstone where I picked out the adult Mediterranean Gull that DF had found the previous day. Although it was distant and would go missing for long periods, it was nice to see it among the throngs of Black-headed Gulls. But the real standout of the day was on a visit I made to Fly Flatts. Sadly the site was fogged off on arrival but I had the surprise of my life when a Mole ran across the road in front of me. The first I have ever seen, I was stunned. On the 14^th I visited Ogden for the sake of variety and had a flyover Red Crossbill calling loudly. 

-Northern Raven

-Northern Lapwing

-Northern Wheatear

-Common Redstart

-Whinchat

-Eurasian Bullfinch

-European Mole

-Mediterranean Gull

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Redstart, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, Roe Deer, European Rabbit,

Whiteholme Reservoir: Common Swift, Common Sandpiper, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,

Ringstone Edge Reservoir: Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Mew Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Pied Wagtail,

Ogden Water LNR: Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, European Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Red Crossbill, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, 

Northumberland

For the next part of our trip we spent a couple of days in Northumberland enjoying the landscape and seeing a few different birds to those we had seen at Spurn. We were based in Seahouses and the main reason for that being, of course, the Eiders showing exceptionally well as usual, even letting us feed them by hand

-Eider

On our way up north we called in at Cresswell Pond to see the Long-billed Dowitcher that had been seen there. It was a pain to find amongst the throngs of Common Redshank but we eventually obtained some nice views, my second of this species at this site alone. There were also a few other nice species on offer here, including two Long-tailed Duck on the pond, as well as Scaup and then Twite, Whooper Swans and Barnacle Geese in the nearby fields.

-Long-billed Dowitcher

-Long-tailed Duck

For our full day in the region we headed to Lindisfarne for a days birding. Although there was nothing exceptional on the island we enjoyed some excellent birding in windy conditions. Two Barn Swallows were something of a surprise, flying over the islands pond. We also had some nice views of Red-throated Diver, Red-breasted Merganser and Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

-Northern Lapwing

-Sanderling

-Pale-bellied Brent Geese

Species List:

Cresswell Pond NWT: Whooper Swan, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Common Pheasant, Little Grebe, Stock Dove, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Long-billed Dowitcher, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, Twite, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting,

Lindisfarne: Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Mute Swan, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Common Eider, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Common Guillemot, Black-legged Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Red-throated Diver, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, European Shag, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Barn Swallow, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Wren, Starling, Redwing, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Eurasian Rock Pipit, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch,

Anglers CP

I went to Anglers from Pugneys and arrived at half 1. I went straight to the hide and did not leave until half four, hoping for a good gull roost. As it happened, the gull roost was a little slow, the gulls were a long way away (Too far for my scope) and I was the only birder there. As a result I did not stay long into the roost, also due to the fact that it was freezing cold and I had lost sense in all my digits. It was pleasing to return home to see that no unusual gulls had been seen in the roost, though I know not where these lack of gulls were being reported from.

On the birds that were actually there I had some good stuff, including a skein of 23 Pinkies, a Shelduck (Yeartick), Sparrowhawk went through twice, putting up at least 5 snipe, and plenty of Lapwings. The sheer number of Lapwings actually made quite an impressive din, but its not the most pleasant of noises when heard en mass.

-Lapwing

So overall a good end to the day, just a pity that I could not get more into the gull roost, but we can't have it all.

Species List:

Anglers CP: Blackbird, Song Thrush, Pink-Footed Goose, Lapwing, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Starling, Goldeneye, Long-Tailed Tit, Oystercatcher, Grey Heron, Coot, Moorhen, Great-Crested Grebe, Black-Headed Gull, Cormorant, Goosander, Gadwall, Carrion Crow, Tufted Duck, Teal, Common Gull, Magpie, Pochard, Woodpigeon, Common Snipe, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Sparrowhawk, Pied Wagtail, Shelduck, Blue Tit, Mallard, Common Buzzard,

Orgreave Lakes

So after yesterdays excursions left me exhausted I decided to head off to my local patch for a short birding session to see what was about. I headed over early afternoon to Orgreave since no records had come in for some time.

As soon as I arrived I managed some patch ticks with a Great Spotted Woodpecker on one of the telegraph posts, and a male Bullfinch in the trees next to the river. There was also Whitethroat and Willow Warbler in the trees. The first lake was pretty quiet, with only usual suspects, but there were some excellent views of Swifts.

On the far side near the edge of the main lake there were a few more birds, including a pair of Lapwings, which obviously had chicks nearby because they were very agitated while I was there, so I made sure I did not stay long. There was also a Little-Ringed Plover on the bank at the back, which I tried to digiscope but I could not hold it steady and so could not get any photos.

-Lapwing

Along the edge of the lake there were 3 more Little Ringed Plovers, which I got great views of through the scope, but also a pair of Redshank. On the way round I also picked up a family of Grey Wagtails, as well as a small party of Linnets and multiple Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.

The next bird that really caught my attention was on the way out, when I spotted a trio of Stock Doves on the bank of the lake. I got a few photos, but they flew off quite quickly after I spotted them.

-Stock Dove

The only other thing of note was a Hare, that was flushed by someones dog that was running through the grassland.

So that's a brief look at today's events, some nice stuff and a few hours out. So Today's species list:

Species List:

Orgreave Lakes: Bullfinch, Whitethroat, Greater-Spotted Woodpecker, Starling, Blackbird, Common Redshank, Swift, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Mistle Thrush, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Lapwing, Little-Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Graylag Goose, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Coot, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Feral Pigeon, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Mallard, Black-Headed Gull, Mute Swan, Great-Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 

Potteric Carr twitching Spotted Sandpiper

Yesterday at approximately 9.45 in the morning an adult summer plumage Spotted Sandpiper was found at Potteric Carr. Pretty special to say the least, but due to it being a Sunday and revision I decided not to go for it there and then, but to go after my 9.00 lecture on Monday.
I arrived at around 11 to the heartbreaking news that the bird had not been seen that morning, and since the reserve had opened early specially it seemed that the bird had cleared off, just my luck. I made my way straight to the main marsh to see what was around, on the way I encountered Song Thrush, a cuckoo calling but not seen and a Brimstone Butterfly looking lovely in what was glorious sunshine.
I arrived first at the hide where the  BNG's had been last time, but there was very little around today, a Whitethroat singing very visibly was probably the highlight. I made my way round the hide, not encountering an excessive amount but still plenty of nice things.
All the way round I had been surrounded by Damselflies, of the Common Blue, Common Blue-Tailed and Large Red varieties. However, south of the viewing screen there was a ditch and it was here that I encountered my first Dragonflies of the year in the form of a pair of Four-Spot Chasers. I tried to grab some photos but was unsuccessful.
The first hide where there was much of note was 'Roger Mitchell Hide'. Right outside the hide there were 4 lapwings and a flock of starlings feeding, so I was able to grab some pretty decent photos for the day, in case I encountered naught else.

-Lapwing

But there was else, as I checked the island in the middle of the lake I observed a wader on the end that I was not confident was a redshank, at which it initially appeared. I grabbed some photos but the bird was too far off for a clear diagnosis, however my hunch told me that it was almost certainly a Greenshank. Sadly though the bird flew off while I was not looking, leaving me with a few photos on which to base my analysis. 

I need not have worried as in the next hide, 'West Scrape Hide' there were two stunning Greenshanks feeding right in front of the hide. Almost certainly the same one that I had seen on the other marsh. They were happy feeding, back on forth in front of the hide. I managed to pick up some great shots of this species which I am not overly familiar with. However, the true significance of this find is that it is my 150th species this year. So that made up for the lack of Spot Sand, the big 150...

-Greenshank

After a while the Greenshank took off and landed on the far side of the lake, where they were difficult to see. I began looking round for other birds and spotted 3 redshank, a pair of shellduck and no less than 8 Ringed Plovers, a pair of which were sat right in front of the hide. Where the other 6 birds thought it would be a good idea to join them on the near island I got to watch a very territorial display from the original birds which was very nice to see. 

-Ringed Plover

West Scrape was where the spot sand was meant to be incidentally, but it was distinctly lacking in such species. After a while I decided to move on, as work would be waiting for me when I returned. I called in at 'Piper Marsh Hide' where the kingfishers were meant to be last time. And this time they were there, or at least one was, but it was some way off. Through the bins I got pretty decent views but the bird was very mobile, flying into trees and reeds so it was not often that it showed well except when it was in flight.

-Kingfisher

On the way out from the hide I spotted a very large and subtly colourful caterpillar on the path. I have done some research and reckon this is a Drinker Moth Caterpillar but I stand to be corrected should I be incorrect.

-Drinker Moth Caterpillar

 On the way round the 'Black Carr Field' I found one of the nicest surprises of the day when I spotted my first Long-Tailed Tit fledglings, or certainly the first I can ever remember seeing. Sadly I had to look up to it, but I was able to watch it being fed by the adult, but I did still get a pretty decent view so that I could see the brown face mask.

-Long-Tailed Tit fledgling

I decided to take a longer way round back to the entrance in case I could find a cuckoo. I could not, but did find Grey Heron and a very large Dragonfly Exuvia, of what I can't begin to imagine as there was no dragonfly species that large that emerge this early in the year. I would assume it was probably an early emerging emperor.

And thats that then. No Spot Sand but I managed to find my 150th species so I'm pleased. And the weather was good, and I was bitten and stung and covered in cobwebs and just generally beaten by nature, and the train copped it on the way home, but that's pretty standard really.

--150 SPECIES--

Species List:

Potteric Carr: Jackdaw, Dunnock, Great Tit, Black-Headed Gull, Jay, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Canada Goose, Moorhen, Wren, Shelduck, Song Thrush, Swift, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Whitethroat, Mallard, Pochard, Willow Warbler, Great-Crested Grebe, Woodpigeon, Lapwing, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Graylag Goose, Reed Bunting, Oystercatcher, Magpie, Starling, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Cormorant, Greenshank, Shoveler, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Common Buzzard, Sand Martin, Chiff-Chaff, Kingfisher, Collard Dove, Long-Tailed Tit, Robin, Grey Heron, Blue Tit, Blackcap 

None Birds: Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, Common Blue Tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Four-Spot Chaser