Cromwell Bottom, Whiteholme Reservoir & Hardcastle Craggs

A day without work and fog on the tops meant an opportunity to cruise around a few different sites around Halifax picking up different birds that I normally don't see on Soil Hill. In total I clocked 75 different species from my travels today, which is pretty good, and had I tried harder it could easily have been more. 

Cromwell Bottom

  A warbler fest this morning with singles of Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler singing, plus seven Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler.

  Over the Ski lake there were my first Swift of the year, with two blogging high up. Additionally, there were good numbers of Hirundines present. 

  Perhaps the biggest surprise was a female Brambling that flew past calling, giving excellent views of the birds white rump.

-Garden Warbler

Whiteholme Reservoir

   A late morning visit to the reservoir, in the hope of finding a Dunlin or Ringed Plover, but the only wading birds present were two Common Sandpiper. 

  Whilst watching I heard the distinctive three-note call of a Greenshank over the moor towards Warland. Despite scanning desperately I could not pick the bird up. It called around 6/7 times in total, eventually getting fainter as it appeared to move north. I tried to record the sound using the Merlin App and despite the windy conditions, you can make out the sound of the bird on a few occasions. 

  Additionally, the sites Grasshopper Warbler has returned and was reeling from the tree below the dam wall. 

-Grasshopper Warbler

Hardcastle Craggs

A very pleasant afternoon in the Craggs for a couple of hours produced seven Pied Flycatchers; six males and a single female. Otherwise just common woodland species.

-Pied Flycatcher

Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 04th - 08th September

 This was another shorter week on Soil Hill due to the latter half of the week been spent at Spurn participating in the MigFest there. Although there was an absence of pleasant and sunny conditions, we were still able to make it out birding every day and there were good birds to see, as you would expect for the second week of September. There were no MEGA species as such, but there was a nice scattering of notable migrants to enjoy, especially since it may be the last time I see many of these species this year. 

• On the 5^th there was probably the standout migrant of the week with just the second Common Redstart of the year, which was extremely elusive in the Entrance Copse. After some brief views we then lost the bird in foggy conditions.   

• Once again Whinchats trickled through the Hill with two on the 4^th and a single lingering until the 5^th. Interestingly the two on the 4^th were on the walls near the mast, where the bird on the 5^th was in the usual location at the bottom of the North Slope. It is getting to the impossible stage trying to work out how many have passed through during the autumn, but I would think the two were both new birds, and the single was probably a lingerer from the previous week, given the location. As such, this brings the estimated total to 15 for the autumn, but I have no idea really. 

• The 5^th was a bumper day for Grasshopper Warbler with no less than three appearing at different locations around the site. This is a new record total for me on Soil Hill, although there have no doubt been occasions where the species has been in greater numbers, although undetected. These will almost certainly be the last of the year here. The only other different warbler was Blackcap, where singles were seen on all but one day, with a male and a browncap both been seen on alternate dates. 

• The last few Willow Warblers are still being seen occasionally this week, with as many as six recorded on the 5^th, and still three the following day. Otherwise just singles have been seen, and the species has been harder to find, in contrast to Chiffchaff which is being seen daily with the peak count being seven on the 6^th, with six still present the following day.

• Another species making a much less dramatic exit from Soil Hill is Common Whitethroat. While seven on the 5^th was an impressive total, generally we have only been able to find one or two on each day, and it will not be long before they leave us completely. 

• There was a nice and sudden passage of House Martin on the 8^th, when a flock of 16 birds all headed east together in rather gloomy conditions. Barn Swallow remain ever-present but in fluctuating numbers, varying from just a single on the 4^th to 15 on the 7^th. No noticeable vizmig has occurred as yet, but it will not be long before these two all leave us.  

• There was an impressive six Grey Wagtail recorded blogging on the 5^th, with another two seen on the 7^th. Hopefully there will be some reasonable vizmig of this species as the autumn progresses.  

• Two Jay flew south over Ned Hill Track on the 2^nd. Before this, a single had been jumping between trees on the North Slope Tree-Line and this was assumed to be one of these birds heading south. A nice Jay passage would be appreciated, so it is off to a good start. 

  Birding generally has been poorer compared to recent weeks, in response to poorer weather conditions. However, we made the most of it and there were still a few highlights for us to enjoy. Not least of these was a fantastic view of the covey of seven Grey Partridge in a field off Perseverance Road on the 7^th. They sat for some time in the open allowing for us to really watch them, rather than them dashing for cover or hiding in the grass. This same field has been particularly popular with Rook this week, with up to 28 seen feeding there together on the 6^th.

  A juvenile Buzzard has been hanging around the hill all week, and can even be seen perched on the walls at the bottom of the North Slope. On the only truly sunny day of the week, the 5^th, there was a light passage of three additional birds going south, but otherwise raptor activity remained pretty muted.

  On the 8^th a Curlew was heard at the bottom of the North Slope, which was the only occasion where the species was recorded this week. Two Snipe seen flying over together on the 4^th were also the only observations of this species during the week. For snipe this is a particularly poor return for a species that was nearly daily in early September last year. Hopefully the weeks rainfall will restore the bottom fields and that the species will once again return to winter in good numbers. 

-Common Redstart

-Common Buzzard

-Grasshopper Warbler

-Willow Warbler

-Grey Partridge

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, 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, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill; Week 20th June - 26th June

Alas the Sedge Warbler dream was not to be this year, as the bird went silent on the 20th, and I was unable to spot it moving in the undergrowth, suggesting it has moved on rather than found a partner. A sad turn of events, but not unexpected given how late it actually arrived on site. If it has headed off then hopefully it has a bit more luck elsewhere. However the 20th was not all bad news, as I kicked an adult and juvenile Grasshopper Warbler out of the long grass, confirming their breeding for the third consecutive year. Hopefully soon the male will begin to sing again as it normally does during July. 

Its been quite the week for fledglings, with Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Blue Tit and Coal Tit all having recently graduated young scattered around the Hill. A Pheasant family with at least six chicks is also around, and the NK Pond moorhens have at least one chick, as does the family on the North Slope. The NK Pond Mallards also have a brood of four reasonably well grown chicks as well. 

Standout species were a little thin on the ground, limited to a juvenile Goldcrest on Ned Hill Track on the 22nd, and a female Bullfinch in the Koi Farm Copse on the 26th. The Goldcrest especially is notable as it is the first I have recorded here since December 2020

-Grasshopper Warbler

-Goldcrest

-Coal Tit

Species List:

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

Soil Hill; Week 21st June - 27th June

Soil Hill

  Although quiet it was nice to record in excess of 35 species every day this week. The Oystercatchers seem to have moved on, and Curlew have become harder to come by. The farmer decided to cut the bottom fields which will presumably finish off any remaining Lapwing and Snipe chicks, but hopefully the remant areas of sedge will have been able to offer refuge.

  The highlight of the week was a Grasshopper Warbler that started reeling on the 24th and was still going strong on the 26th. On the 26th another bird was also distantly reeling, from an area with no access. The timing is a good indicator that they have bred, or at least attempted to, somewhere and that hopefully they are gearing up to try again. After not hearing any during May I had assumed that none were present this year, but its good to be proved wrong. 

  A juvenile Stonechat on Taylor Lane on the 23rd was a good sign as I have been unable to find any Stonechat this year, but this is presumably a good indication that they have successfully bred somewhere nearby. Siskins and Sand Martins made a few appearances on a couple of dates during the week, and Swift numbers were also healthy, with 100 passing through in an hour on the 26th.

-Grasshopper Warbler

-Common Whitethroat

-Stonechat

-Broad-bodied Chaser

Whiteholme Reservoir

As is typical for an upland reservoir in June, there was little to report from my single visit this week. I had hoped for Scoter but nothing doing. There was a nice female Teal and a smart family party of Wheatears but otherwise quiet. Blackstone Edge seemed to have taken the waders, with 7 Dunlin there compared to none on Whiteholme. 

 

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, European Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, Broad-bodied Chaser,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 15

Another week passes, and another week with mixed to poor weather. As usual I visited a few sites across Calderdale with a few nice species and a few outstanding highlights.

On the 6^th July my visit to Soil Hill turned up probably the find of the year when I stumbled across a male Red-veined Darter at the bottom of the North Slope. As soon as I saw the insect fly past me alarm bells started ringing, and as it landed, I knew I had an extremely rare insect on my hands, the first for Calderdale. In dull conditions it was extremely docile allowing suitable photo documentation. When I left it was still sat in the vegetation, but AC when looked later it could not be found. A real turn up for the books and the highlight of what has been an exceptional spring.

Also on the 6^th there was some bird action as well when 2 Crossbills flew west across the Hill, as well as two Siskins. On the 7^th there was probably the bird highlight of the week with a cracking Grasshopper Warbler loudly reeling and occasionally showing on the North Slope. Presumably this bird was the individual singing on the 10^th. Otherwise the birdlife on the Hill remained largely consistent, with a few Stonechats and Sand Martins the best of the rest during the week. Bullfinches were also on the around on the 9^th and 10^th of the week. During the week Black-headed Gull numbers increased rapidly, and on the 10^th the first Common Gulls returned over the Hill.

Just a single visit to Whiteholme this week, on the 7^th, due to the recent rainfall having devoured the shoreline that looked so promising for migrant waders. A couple of Wheatear were the best that I could muster here. On the same day I made a quick stop at Ogden to see the juvenile Dipper that has been reported recently. It showed quite nicely in the gloom of the woods, but the supporting cast was fairly limited to common woodland species.

On the 8^th I did a bit of a tour around SE Halifax, starting at Cromwell Bottom for Reed Warbler, where I also had Kingfisher and a nice party of Goosander. There was also my first Common Gull of the Autumn. I followed this up with my first visit to Jay House Lane to see the Tree Sparrows, a few of which were on show, and finally a quick stop in Shibden Park to Calderdale year-tick Coot.

-Red-veined Darter

-Dipper

-Grasshopper Warbler

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Dove, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, European Herring Gull, Little Owl, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Red Crossbill, Common Linnet, Eurasian Siskin, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Common Swift, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,

Ogden Water LNR: Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Wren, White-throated Dipper, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin,

Cromwell Bottom NR: Mute Swan, Mallard, Common Merganser, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Grey Heron, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Wren, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, Western Grey Squirrel, Bank Vole,

Jay House Lane: Common Wood Pigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Owl, Eurasian Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, House Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, European Goldfinch,

Shibden Park: Mute Swan, Mallard, Feral Pigeon, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Coot, Black-headed Gull, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Eurasian Bullfinch, Eurasian Siskin,

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, 

Soil Hill; Isolation week 3

Spring continued to arrive on Soil Hill, and as a result this week was perhaps the best weeks birding I have ever had here, although since being at Spurn and travelling/working I have had little chance to do such consistant patching. That said, some of the birds enjoyed in a remarkable run really have been unprecedented. 

11 April

Visit from 07.30. Total 48 species observed.

This has to be the best days birding I have ever had on Soil Hill. To start, 48 species is my highest ever total for a single visit here. Things were fairly standard for the first half of the visit, all the regulars still on their territories and the gulley was fairly uneventful. A drake Goosander flew off Ogden, and that was probably the best (Only my second seen here).

I began working the tree line down to the NK pond and here things started to get interesting. There was a very distinctive tacking noise coming from the bushes, which could only mean one thing. And there it was, a female Ring Ouzel, my first of the year. Sadly it did not sit long before it was flushed by another bird. The previous days Wheatears had now increased to six, including two stunning males.

Pretty chuffed with the morning I made my way back up to the top. Aware I was on a high species list, I decided to try again around the gulley to see if any Swallows were hunting over the fields (There was one). A bird flew over and me and vanished over the top. The impression it gave was Nuthatch, but I did not believe there would ever be another after the remarkable 2015 bird. Still, I raced to catch up with it, and there sat right at the top of a stubby tree was a Nuthatch. I was stunned. It sat for a few minutes, calling, before flying off. A remarkable occurance. 

At this point I was buzzing at what an outstanding morning it had been. But the best was still to come. I was walking past the stone circle field when I spotted two large birds soaring over Ogden plantation. The first bird was obviously a LBBG but the second was puzzling me a bit more. The way it was holding its wings reminded me of Marsh Harrier but I thought more likely it would be a young gull. However, I was wrong! The pair drifted towards the hill circling the whole time and as it got closer I could make out the cream crown on the bird, a stunning Cream-crowned Marsh Harrier. It then flew right overhead before heading northwards. 

And then, to finish the day off right, another Ring Ouzel flew over Taylor Lane high. 

-Ring Ouzel

-Northern Wheatear

-Nuthatch

-Marsh Harrier

12 April

Visit from 09.00. Total 40 species observed. 

I treated myself to a small lie-in after yesterdays success. Todays visit was less remarkable but there was still good birding to be had. The highlight was another Ring Ouzel in the fields off Taylor Lane, although very distant. 

Willow Wablers numbers now up to 8, first Whitethroat back and a single Wheatear still lingering. 

-Ring Ouzel

13 April

Visit from 13.00. Total 29 species observed.

Cold and windy conditions made me decide on an afternoon visit, hopefully to coincide with some raptors. After the last few days success, there was unlikely to be anything notable today...

Wrong! Although the hill was fairly quiet with no raptors to speak of, I flushed a smart Grasshopper Warbler at the top of the north slope tree line. The bird sat somewhat as well, rather than vanishing into the scrub, which made for a few photo opportunities. This is only my second time seeing this species here. 

-Grasshopper Warbler

14 April

Visit from 06.30. Total 39 species observed

I think my spring might have peaked today! 

It was a fairly standard spring visit, with a particularly showy Willow Warbler the highlight. No wheatears at all, so decided that it probably was not a good day for migrants. Went about counting the bottom field waders as usual but one Curlew drew my attention. I only had my bins on me, and the bird was distant so decided to grab a photo and zoom in. It did nothing to dispell my suspicions, only seemed to confirm them. I decided to take a risk and jumped the fence to get closer. On closer inspection there was no denying it. Whimbrel! I grabbed a few photos and then rushed back to observe. A really unexpected Hill addition and probably the best bird I have found there in my time. What a day.

-Willow Warbler

-Whimbrel

15 April

Visit from 06.30. Total 46 species observed

Another remarkable day on the hill, although nothing to the standard of Whimbrel. It was fairly standard until I found two Wheatears at the bottom of the north slope. Clearly these were new birds, and the female especially was very showy. 

With birds new in, despite there being nothing earlier, I decided to check the gulley again and was rewarded with an absolutely spanking male Ring Ouzel. He even showed well at one point, although all too breif. Another bird was calling as well, but I could not find it. Two more Ring Ouzels brings my spring total of this species up to 5!

At the far end of the gulley I also found a pair of Stonechat which showed very nicely. 

-Northern Wheatear

-Ring Ouzel

-European Stonechat

16 April

Visit from 06.30. Total 43 species observed

Walk started nicely with Ring Ouzel in a field off Taylor Lane. Was in exact same area as bird on the 12th so possibly the same bird, although I have not seen it in between.

Peregrine flyover was a nice highlight, as was my first reeling Grasshopper Warbler of the year. Following the song I picked up the bird perched in the sedges, showing rather nicely.

Usual contingent of Willow Warblers and single Whitethroat. At least four Snipes present in the bottom fields, three in the air displaying at the same time.

-Peregrine

-Grasshopper Warbler

17 April

Visit from 06.45. Total 36 species observed.

The weather changed from the glorious warm mornings of late, instead the hill was shrouded by low cloud and a biting cold wind. I expected much less diversity as a result but was pleasantly surprised, although there was nothing particularly notable. The previous days Grasshopper Warbler was still reeling, although from a different location, and that was the standout.

Species List:

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