Saturday 31st March 2012

Glovershaw, Baildon.
Over 350 Golden Plover in the field adjacent to Glovershaw Lane at the end of the Glen Road.  A pair of Stonechat again along the Glen Road, close to this point.
Paul King

Whetstone this morning:

Ring Ouzel (female) flying north low across Bradup allotment - not relocated despite searching. Stonechat (female) opposite quarry. At least 250 Golden Plover in several smaller groups around Whetstone Gate area. At least three Snipe chipping and drumming.

I Hargreaves

East Riddlesden Hall
Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Jay, Sparrowhawk,

M Doveston

Bolton bridge to Howgill & back via Simon’ Seat.

Male ring ouzel on Barden Fall

2 adult med gulls on River Wharfe between Howgill & Barden Tower

Sand martin @ Barden Scale, Swallow @ Bolton Bridge

Chiffchaff 4 total, Green woodpecker calling near the Priory

Kingfisher @ Bolton Bridge, Mandarin total of 9

Bullfinch, pair @ Howgill, Siskin, 8 in plantation near Howgill

G Phillips

Friday 30 March 2012

3 Sand Martins late afternoon at Private Wetlands (permit holders only)
John Healey
Singing Blackcap below 5 Rise Locks, Bingley.
Green Woodpecker on Burley Moor edge.
Shaun Radcliffe
Leeshaw Res - Little Owl, Teal, 3 Cormorants, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank.
Brian Vickers

Thursday 29 March 2012

Strid Woods - female Mandarin perched in tree in wood by river near Barden Bridge – presumably nest nearby. ~ plus 70 Fieldfare in tight flock heading E
Kex Gill - pair of Shelduck & 2 pairs of Teal
John Flood
River Aire, Stockbridge - single Whooper Swan harassed by local cob.
Fred Drake
Private Wetland - permit holders only
Barnacle Goose
S&S Goodwin

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Barden Scale - Osprey ( heading north at 1240 ) Sand Martin 2, Sparrowhawk.
Gordon Holmes

Monday 26 March 2012

35 Lesser Redpoll S/W over Caldene Fields and single Chiffchaffs at RawNook, Garden and Toad Holes Beck.
Martyn Priestley
Chiff-Chaff also at Bingley Bog North.
Shaun Radcliffe
Chelker Reservoir - tight flock of 21 Whooper Swans at 13.00 (not there at 10.00)
John Flood
Barden Scale - adult Med Gull
Brian Vickers
Haworth - 30 Fieldfare flying west.
Steve Parkes

Sunday continued

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - 37 species today the highlight being 42 Whooper Swans which came right over the top of the hide & disappeared into the mist over B&Q only to return minutes later flying to right of hide towards the canal. They appeared a while later from Marley area towards Riddlesden. Also had Sand Martin, Chiff-Chaff, Water Rail, 3 Goosanders, GSW & male Mute Swan.
Fred Drake et al.

25th March 2012

St.Ives - Coppice Pond & Cuckoo Nest Wood
Numerous Chiffchaff, a single Blackcap, Common Gull,
Canada Geese, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Jay, Nutchatch,
drumming GSWdpkrs, Greenfinch song flight, Song Thrush,

East Riddlesden Hall
Common Buzzard, 2 Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Blackcap
Grey Heron, BHGull, Common Gull, Greenfinch song flight

M&H Doveston

Saturday 24th March, 2011

Glovershaw, Baildon.
After a foggy morning, a sunny, warm afternoon brought out the birds. There was a male Wheatear near the bottom of Birch Close and a pair of Grey Partridge by Golcar Farm.  A Little Owl was taking advantage of the conditions behind Brackenhall.
Paul King.

Saturday continued

Chiff-Chaff singing in garden in Harden.
Cameron Wilson
Cononley Ings: 8 Redshank; 2 Shelduck. Still a few Teal and Wigeon remaining.
Leeshaw: 2 Pinkfeet in fields, with Greylags and Canadas.
Keith Moir

24th March 2012

Harden - White Stork
 Bird Forum
East Riddlesden Hall
2 singing Chiffchaff, 3 Oystercatcher, Curlew

Dacre
Chiffchaff, 8x Fieldfare,
M&H Doveston

Judy Woods, Wood Fall, Riding Hill area

3 Chiffchaff, 6 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 2 Jay, 8 Chaffinch,

2 Greenfinch, 2 Pied Wagtail.

 

J Brass

Friday continued

Kings Road, Ilkley - female Brambling in garden this afternoon – the first of the winter.
John Flood
Glovershaw (afternoon) - male Wheatear, Kestrel
Weecher Res. - 14 Oystercatcher in surrounding fields
Sconce Lane area - Little Owl
Shaun Radcliffe
Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits - 8 Oystercatcher, pair of Redshank, Chiffchaff
Steve Parkes
Fly Flatts - 4 Twite, 2 male Wheatear
Brian Vickers

Friday 23rd March, 2011

Glovershaw, Baildon.
25 Golden Plovers in the usual field between Glovershaw Lane and Golcar Farm.  A pair of Stonechat were on the Glen Road and a pair of Grey Partridge were disturbed whilst feeding.
Paul King.

Thursday 22 March 2012

Denton Hall Pond -2 Whooper Swans in front of Hall – 1 adult and 1 first winter
Private Wetland (permit holders only) - pair Gadwall, pair Teal, 103 Wigeon (64 males and 39 females), 18 Goldeneye (6 males and 12 females), pair Goosander, 8 Moorhen, 27 Coots,
6 Oystercatcher, 7 Lapwings, Snipe and 2 Redshank plus 4 Reed Buntings.
Knotford Nook - 5 Great Crested Grebes (including 2 pairs),17 Goldeneye (6 males and 11 females)
John Flood
Bradup - male Wheatear
Martin Taunton
FlyFlatts - 2 male Wheatear, male Stonechat
Brian Vickers
Thruscross Res. - 66 Whoopers
Keith Moir

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Racecourse Plantation, St Ives - 40 Redwing (some singing), 6 Redpoll
Harden Moor - pair of Stonechat
Shaun Radcliffe

DALE SCOTT

Sadly we have learnt of the recent death of Dale who was a BOG member and the warden at Low Wood Nature Reserve, run by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The enthusiasm for nature shown by Dale will be missed by all and if you wish to know about the funeral arrangements on Monday 26 March, please ring or e-mail me.
Shaun Radcliffe

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Reva Hill area - 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Snipe, pair of Redshank & 3 Stock Dove.
Shaun Radcliffe
Two Chiffchaff at Boths swing bridge. L & L canal near Keighley
Graham Forsyth
Singing Chiffchaff at Raw Nook NR this morning.
Martyn Priestley
Barden Scale -Osprey ( Heading north at 1215 ),
Trough Lane - 2 Wheatear (Males )
Nab Water Lane - 2 Wheatear ( Males )
Brian Vickers
Private Wetlands (permit holders only) - single Whooper Swan, 2 Oystercatche and 3 singing Chiff-Chaff
Lindley Wood - 5 singing Chiff-Chaff, 15 Oystercatcher and 2 Gt Crested Grebe
Malc & Fran Stones

Monday 19 March 2012

Group of 42 Golden Plovers located on moor halfway between Whetstone Gate and Thimble Stones. Another group of 80 plus in fields at Bradup.
Graham Forsyth

Sunday 18th March 2012

Denton Hall Pond - Whooper Swan present .Number of Wigeon round pond – 6 seen but limited viewing and almost certainly more. 66 Curlew in fields in front of Hall.
Haverah Park - Single Great Crested Grebe.
John O’Gaunts and Scargill - 52 Teal (25 males, 27 females) on John O’Gaunts – flew off and later number seen under over-hanging branches at Scargill.
20 Tufted Ducks (13 males, 7 females) on John O’Gaunts and Beaverdyke.
male Pochard on John O’Gaunts
A female Goldeneye on Beaverdyke. 2 pairs of Goosander on Scargill
Number of curlews displaying over area but with 68 in tight flock on banks of Scargill
A Redshank on shores of John O’Gaunts
Little Owl on wall above northern shore of John O’Gaunts and below ruined building – watched for 10 minutes
Kex Gill -2 obvious pairs of Redshank
John Flood

Saturday 17 March 2012

Fly Flatts ( Warley Moor ) -male Wheatear.
Brian Vickers

Friday 16 March 2012

Northcliffe Woods - female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Casper Pottle.
2 Redshank at Leeshaw Reservoir.
Graham Forsyth

Thursday 15 March 2012

Swinsty Reservoir - 17 Whoopers and 13 also seen at Knotford Nook.
Keith Moir

Something Different

West Yorkshire Ecology is again advertising for someone to help with the bird surveys of the South Pennines moorland fringe this summer.
Although the position is for a full-time position, they may be able to accommodate someone part-time (3 days a week), particularly if the person was ready to start early in April.
It's short notice, with the application deadline being midday, Monday 19th March.
If anyone is interested to learn more, please e-mail me as soon as possible.
Shaun Radcliffe

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Hirst Wood - Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay, Carrion Crow, 3 Mistle Thrush, 7 Blackbird, 8 Robin, 3 Wren, 12 Blue Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch.
River Aire (Hirst Wood - Saltaire):84 Mallard (56 male/28 female), 7 Goosander (3 male/4 female), 2 Grey Wagtail, 12 Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Greylag, Canada Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Moorhen.
In field south of Coach Road:Lapwing, Stock Dove, 31 Wood Pigeon, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard calling in the area.
Nick Tonge

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Alder Carr Wood - Treecreeper, 2 GSW.
Jaytail Farm - flock of 80 Fieldfare, pair of Kestrel.
Conifer woods near Graincliffe Reservoir - 2 Crossbill, 8 Goldcrest, 8 Siskin (including a male showing flight display).
Shaun Radcliffe

Monday 12th March 2012

Hirst Wood, Shipley
A female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was calling loudly from trees along side the canal.  It was in an area about half way along the wood.  Earlier, a male bird was seen flying across the canal over the aqueduct.
Paul King

Sunday 11 March 2012

Apperley Bridge - 5 Gadwall in flooded field.
Casper Pottle

Thursday 8 March 2012

Hirst Wood this morning - male Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker first heard calling and drumming, and then seen feeding and drumming. Also Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Jay, and plenty of Coal Tits.
Nick Tonge
Stockbridge Reserve (members only) -Kingfisher, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 GSW, male Bullfinch.
Shaun Radcliffe
Private Wetlands (permit holders only) - Redshank by fishing lake, 20 – 30 Oystercatchers flushed from island in fishing lake by over-flying Sparrowhawk, 130+ Wigeon, 35 Goldeneye including 26 females
3 pairs of Goosander, 5 Great Crested Grebes including 2 pairs, 7 Cormorants on fishing lake including 1 in full breeding plumage
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a singing Reed Bunting in reed-beds
John Flood

Tuesday 6 March 2012

River Aire Walk. Stockbridge to Silsden Bridge.
3 Mistle Thrush + 6 Fieldfare, in fields by Elam Grange Farm. 8 Goosander between the two bridges. 9 Curlew, 11 Oystercatcher + 14 Greylag on Silsden Floods. 3 Snipe, tucked down river bank together in same area. Little Grebe slightly higher up river. Dipper Grey Wagtail, Silsden Bridge.
Graham Forsyth
Hirst Wood - pair of Lesser Pecker
Fred Drake
Fewston Res. - pair of Teal, pair of Goldeneye.
Swinsty Res. - 7 Teal, few Siskin in plantation plus a single Crossbill.
Shaun Radcliffe

Sunday continued

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - 27 species this morning including - Kingfisher, pair of Bullfinches, Oystercatcher, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Goosander.
Shaun Radcliffe

4th March 2012

Redcar Tarn
Lesser Black-backed Gulls x2 Adults, Common Gulls,
Black-headed Gulls, Tufted Duck x18, Mallard x50+

M Doveston

3rd March 2012

Royds Hall Dam
10 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 2 Treecreeper, 9 Long Tail Tits. I heard Nuthatch on 3 occasions, and GSW drumming from 2 locations.

J Brass

East Riddlesden Hall
Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Canada Goose, Mallard,
Moorhen, Coot, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch,
Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Oystercatcher

M Doveston

Thursday 1st March, 2012

Hirst Wood, Shipley.
On an excellent morning for birding, a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was watched as it fed amongst the trees on the canal side of the wood.  The bird was much closer to the Dowley Gap end, but kept to trees adjacent to the canal.  It made frequent contact calls as it flew from tree to tree.  Fred Drake saw and photographed a male bird on Tuesday in the same area (see the Members' Blog).
Paul King.

Smew still at Knotford

Private Wetlands
had 3-figure counts of Wigeon & Goldeneye, 50+ Tufted, a dozen Pochard, pr Gadwall, 5 GC Grebe, 1 Little Grebe

S Goodwin

Royds Hall Dam - lunchtime

C140 Black Headed Gulls, C 100 Common Gulls, 2 Little Grebe

1 Black Swan, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Canada Geese
2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallards

1 Kestrel

 

J Brass