Thursday 31 January 2013

Northcliffe Park, Shipley - Flock of 70 Waxwings in trees near the tennis courts this morning.

Casper Pottle

DEADLINE DATE FOR YOUR RECORDS IS TODAY.
Please get your sightings on record today so to help the preparation of the 2012 Annual Report.
Thank you.

Wednesday 30th January 2013

Knotford Nook
Slavonian Grebe was very close to the lakeside and gave very good views from the road and the area alongside the metal fence recently erected, at great expense, by the fishermen.

Yeadon Tarn
8 Pochard, a few Goldeneye, Goosander etc.
Paul King.

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Dowley Gap: Three Chiffchaffs showing exceptionally well this morning, including the very pale bird, present intermittently since December 21. Close views and many photos confirm that the bird shows many (probably all) of the currently accepted characteristics of the race P.c.tristis.


All the birds favour the far end of the boundary fence scrub and bushes just before the path turns up to the aqueduct. The aqueduct is now closed, so there is no passing pedestrian traffic, making for easier viewing, and probably explaining why the birds are now more obliging.
Keith Moir

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Two Chiff-Chaffs showing well at Dowley Gap and 9 Waxwings feeding on rosehips on bushes overlooking cricket field, Wagon Lane this morning
Malc & Fran Stones
Knotford Nook (take wellingtons!) - Slavonian still present on large lake
Also 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 82 Wigeon, 20 Tufted Duck, 10 Goldeneye including 3 pairs,  male Goosander and 87 Coot.
John Flood
Something for the bog sightings.


Redcar Tarn - I spotted a Blackheaded Gull which had a large ring (darvic) on its leg. I reported it and it was ringed in Paris in June 2012. Thought people might like to know.
Jon Middleton






Tuesday 29 January 2013

Two Chiff-Chaffs showing well at Dowley Gap and 9 Waxwings feeding on rosehips on bushes overlooking cricket field, Wagon Lane this morning

Malc & Fran Stones

2012 RECORDS - CUT OFF DATE

Please make sure your 2012 sightings in BOG recording area are sent in by the end of January.
Many thanks. 

Monday 28 January 2013

Slavonian Grebe still on north lake at Knotford Nook.
Alan Tremthick 

Sunday 27 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - 2 Kingfisher (river in flood), Kestrel, 2 Reed Bunting, Cormorant.
Steve Webb

Late news from Knotford Nook of  a Slavonian Grebe on Saturday 26th January.
P Morris, A Tremethick

Slav. Grebe and 48 Wigeon at Knotford Nook

Private Wetlands (permit holders only) -Willow tit, 39 Goldeneye, 242 Wigeon (inc 216 on and around first lake, 3 Pochard, 118 Canadas, 6 Bullfinch
7 Tufted -  Yeadon Tarn
Andy Jowett



26th January 2013

Knotford Nook 14.30pm
Slavonian Grebe
170+ Wigeon, pairs each of Goldeneye and Goosander and a pale Buzzard flew over

P Morris, A Tremethick

Friday 25 January 2013

Glovershaw this morning - 13 Reed Bunting in one flock feeding, 23 Red Grouse in one flock feeding,
a Skylark & 4 Stock Dove flew over.
Birch Close Lane - Little Owl, 2 Red Kite
Sconce Lane - Two coveys, 6 & 7 Grey Partridge, Little Owl
Shaun Radcliffe

Thursday 24 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - single Snipe, Water Rail, pair of Bullfinch, 4 Reed Bunting, the odd Redwing.
Steve Webb et al

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - Tawny Owl, ( Mobbed by two Jays )
Brian Vickers
Yesterday - Water Rail, Woodcock.
Fred Drake

Sunday 20 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - 2 Snipe (1 chased by Sparrowhawk), Kestrel, 4 Reed Bunting.
Fred Drake
At 14:30hrs – 60+ waxwing feeding on cotoneaster tree berries in Moorfield Ind. Estate (back of Murgatoyds Fish and Chip Restaurant) Yeadon. Berries disappearing fast!!
Mike Bloomfield

Saturday continued

c80 Waxwings today 14:30hrs Britannia Bridge area feeding on Rosehips on bypass in Bingley. Dowley Gap plenty Meadow Pipit, Redwings and Pied Wag on Dowley gap sewage works Sparrowhawk making freqent attacks, 3 Goldcrest nearby. 1 Kingfisher,several pair Goosander canal.
Alan Tremethick

19th January 2013

Bingley, Slip road onto Bypass
25+Waxwings in the trees and flying around at 14.30

M Doveston

2012 RECORDS

Thankyou to all who have sent in their 2012 sightings.

For those outstanding, the cut-off date is the end of January so please do all you can to meet this deadline.

Many thanks.

Thursday 17 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - 31 species recorded this morning including - 3 Snipe, 5 Bullfinch, 5 Siskin, 4 Reed Bunting, 18 Fieldfare.
Shaun Radcliffe
Dowley Gap: Two Chiffchaffs, one of which is the pale bird seen before Christmas, but now photographed and considered to show characteristics of the eastern race 'P.c. tristis'. It's very unreliable, but tends to favour around GR122383, ie between Ivy House and the river, where, if present, it could be deep in the scrub between the wall and the sewage works boundary fence, but, on occasion, has emerged to feed in vegetation on the path itself.

It should be stressed that anybody looking for the bird should respect the privacy of local residents, and under no circumstances leave the public footpath.
Keith Moir

Tuesday 15th January, 2013

Shipley Glen
A flock of 50 or so Redwings were feeding amongst dead leaves by Broadstones Park.  The bright sunlight had encouraged other species including a flock of Long-tailed Tits, three Jays, a couple of Treecreepers, three Nuthatches and one or two Great Spotted Woodpeckers to be active.  A pair of GSW flew across the Glen and Robins were also paired-up whilst Great Tits sang their song.
Paul King

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Private Wetlands (permit holders only) - Little Grebe, 10 Goldeneye (some males displaying), GCG,
24 Tufted, 27 Wigeon, 11 Lapwing, 4 Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Red Kite, 3 GSW (bird drumming).
Weecher Res. Red Kite.
Shaun Radcliffe
Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - 4 Snipe feeding in area cleared by volunteers, small flock of 9 Fieldfare.
Fred Drake

Sunday 13 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - Water Rail, 2 Reed Bunting.
Over a Bingley garden - Buzzard
Shaun Radcliffe

12th January 2013

Cullingworth
Flock of 30+ Redwing through Cullingworth

D Ogden

YOUR 2012 RECORDS

Please get your sightings on record as soon as possible. Thank you.

Friday 11 January 2013

Around 200 Pink Feet  flying west this morning, came through Riddlesden about 10.45

Peter Sutcliffe

large group of Waxwings, around the hundred mark, seen at 14:00 in trees by Habasit Ltd in John Escritt Rd Bingley. They seem to be using the trees between feeding on bushes along the side of the railway line. 
Robert Mackley

Thursday 10 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - pair of Teal, Kingfisher, 3 Reed Bunting.
Fred Drake

Wednesday, 9th January 2013

Shipley Glen
A flock of up to 50 Redwing were feeding in a field across from Broadstones Park, Gilstead. Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, one at the top of the Glen and another by Lucy Hall Drive, sitting and calling from the top most branches of trees. Six Jays were countered during the walk around the Glen.
Paul King

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Lunchtime walk today around Salts Sports/Robert's Park (13:00 - 13:45).

28 Redwing in riverside trees and on cricket pitch at Salts Sports, with 5 Mistle Thrush.
3 Lesser Redpoll with 30+ Goldfinch in the same area. (8 Lesser Redpoll seen in trees on across River Aire yesterday, 7/1/13).
Treecreeper and 2 Goosander (1 male, 1 fem/imm).
Also Mandarin and American Wood Duck still on canal at Saltaire.
Nick Tonge

50+ flock of waxwings in trees flying out and catching insects( huge numbers of midges due to mild weather) on Leeds/Liverpool canal at Dowley Gap Locks. There at !0-30 when I started circular walk through Hirst Wood and back along River Aire, still there at 1-30 when I came back. Huge numbers( 60+) of Pied Wagtails on filter beds plus 2 Grey Wagtails in spite of regular disturbance form site workers. Nothing much about in Hirst Woods due to chain saw gang lopping trees on the canal bank. Several Goosander ( 1 male, 3 female) on River Aire near railway bridge plus 1 Kingfisher.

Ian Skayman

Monday 7 January 2013

15 Pink Footed Geese refuelling on a field at Upper Marsh Lane Oxenhope this afternoon.

Brian Vickers

Sunday 6 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - Peregrine seen carrying prey, 6 Reed Bunting, 20 Siskin,
4 Cormorant, Kestrel, Jay.
Fred Drake et al
About 80 waxwings on the apples on Beck Lane allotments this morning.
A Josephs
A flock of the same number flew in about 15.30 at Beck Lane but after a few minutes, made off in the direction of Crossflatts. Found again there but moved on up the valley towards Keighley.
Shaun Radcliffe

Saturday 5th January 2013

Shipley Glen
17 Grey herons were roosting at the bottom of the Glen where a Mistle Thrush was in full voice. A flock of 12 or more Long-tailed Tits flitted through the tree tops and Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay and a Grey Wagtail were all seen during the walk.
Paul King.

Bingley to Dowley Gap (via canal) to Beckfoot (via river) to Myrtle Park
34 bird species seen - highlights:
Wood Pigeon / gulls sp (0815 as day broke) 100+ Wood Pigeon in small groups, over a few minutes, from area of St Ives towards town in Ireland Bridge area; followed shortly after by 200+ gulls heading up the valley in various sized groups. Long-tailed Tit two groups of 9 and 7 in Bingley
Goosander a total of 10 males and 11 females seen (i suspect some duplication) 2 males on the canal near Britannia Wharf in Bingley, at least 3 males and 4 females along river (more if none duplicated), 3 males and 2 females on river within Myrtle Park. Pied Wagtail 60+ on filter beds and surrouding areas at Dowley Gap. Grey Heron at least 6 seen (saw two groups of 3 plus 3 singles, I am sure the 3s were the same birds). Kingfisher 1 on canal approaching Dowley Gap. Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 drumming in trees near Dowley Lock. Meadow Pipit 1 on filter beds at Dowley. Chiffchaff 1 on the island under the Dowley Gap viaduct. Treecreeper 2. Redwing 5. Redpoll 3 (along Beckfoot Lane).
Roe Deer a female swimming in the river near Ireland Bridge.

P Matthews

Saturday 5th January 2013

35 Barnacle Geese this morning on Leeshaw Reservoir - 9a.m.
In addition 1 - Cormorant & 1 - Kestrel.
N & D Priestley.
Leeshaw Reservoir - flock of Barnacle Geese reported at 12.15.
David Barker
This afternoon at Glovershaw, 3 skein of Pinkfeet of 100, 60 & 60 came past going west at 15.15 within minutes of each other.
Shaun Radcliffe
Redcar Tarn -140 Pinkfeet heading West at 1455.
Leeshaw Res. -37 Barnacle Geese, 3 Pinkfeet. Greylag & Canada Geese,on the water at 1615.
Brian Vickers

Friday 4 January 2013

Stockbridge Reserve (members only) - 29 Waxwings flew through this morning.
Fred Drake
More Waxwings - this time 30-40 feeding on pink rowan berries close to the Flying Club entrance on Harrogate Road, Yeadon near to the airport.
Mike Bloomfield

An adult Med Gull at Redcar Tarn at 1pm.
Keith Moir

3rd January 2013

Sainsbury's Car Park, Keighley
150 Waxwings still present at 14.00hrs

D Melling

Royds Hall Lake - 11 Goosander

J Brass

YOUR 2012 RECORDS

Please place on record all your sightings in the BOG area for 2012 as soon as possible.
Thank you.

Wednesday continued

Waxwings: At least 210 commuting between Sainsbury's car park, Keighley, and trees in Lawkholme Lane (near The Factory Shop). Seen at about 1.45.

Keith Moir

Wednesday 2nd January 2013

Sainsbury's Car Park, Keighley
150 to 200 Waxwings feeding on berries alongside the railway line.
Paul King.

Tuesday continued

Sainsbury's in Keighley this morning, 120 Waxwings. Water Rail seen yesterday at Stockbridge Reserve (members only).
Fred Drake
Edge of Harden Moor - 35 Lapwing, 40 Fieldfare with 200 Starling.
Shaun Radcliffe

WISHING YOU ALL THE VERY BEST BIRDING FOR 2013.

1st January 2013

Redcar Tarn
400+ Black-headed Gulls, 30+Common Gull,
Herring Gull 1st Winter, Lesser Black-backed Gull,
Pied Wagtails, 12 Tufted Duck, Goosander,
Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, 25+Lapwing

Silsden Ings - floods stretch to Keighley
1000+Black-headed Gulls, few Common Gulls,
2 Mute Swan

East Riddlesden Garden
Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch,
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch

M Doveston

Garden views (Bingley):
Blackbird, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Starling, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Magpie, Great Tit, Bullfinch 2, Siskin 1, Nuthatch 2, Chaffinch.

Short walk to canal and back added:
Buzzard 1 (exceptional views of a low-flying individual on Lady Lane, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Moorhen, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Rook, House Sparrow, Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit and Kestrel

Short walk around Heights Lane and POW Park added:
Jay, Fieldfare 20+, Redwing 5+ and Goldcrest 2 (The Fieldfare and Redwings were in the tank field on Heights Lane with lots of Starlings, reduced in number from the flock seen here on Boxing Day)

 P Matthews