Some local people may have noticed an increase in Swallows flying around the Raw Nook area between around 19.00 -20.00 during the last few days. I counted 800+ on the 3/9 and on the 4/9 I saw a distance view…
Exciting news…
Last night at Caldene fields I noticed a large gathering of Swallows overhead. At this time of year Swallow gather at dusk in swarms and roost together in reeds etc. Over 30 years ago this was a regular event in…
Heath Rustic moth turns up again…
Last night I caught a Heath Rustic moth at Caldene fields my fifth record to date. The Yorkshire status of this moth is: Scarce and thinly distributed or restricted resident. All my records of the species are from late August…
First signs of autumn…
This morning I did an hours visible migration watching from the watch point. Whilst it was a nice sunny morning a single passage Sand Martin south and 4 Meadow pipits also south reminded me that autumn is just around the…
Red Kite alert…
Received some information from Stuart Tordoff from the Woodlands cricket club at Oakenshaw that a single Red Kite circled Toad Holes Beck yesterday at 12.40. It came in from the S/W and drifted N/E. Stuart also stated that there was…
Feeling Blue at Caldene fields…
Had a nice surprise this morning at the top end of Caldene fields by the heather patch. Firstly I disturbed a newly emerged male Common Blue butterfly. Sadly the Common Blue has not been as common in our area for…
Butterfly survey and moth news…
On Saturday the 4th of August I did a butterfly survey at Raw Nook NR and Caldene fields. Only 6 species were recorded which is worryingly poor. Small White at RN=16. CFs =4 Large White at RN= 3. Speckled Wood…
Rare moth found and sightings update…
On the 19th of July I found a Isophrictis striatella mico moth at Caldene fields. The moth is only about 6mm in length and was nearly overlooked. It is predominantly a southern species but is gradually moving north and at present is…
Red Kite alert!
Received a report yesterday of a possible Red Kite in the East Bierley/ Birkenshaw area. There was a number of sightings of Red Kites in south Bradford in 2016 but nothing really since. I would really appreciate any sightings of…
Valuable milestone reached…
Moths are a great indicator of a healthy environment and a healthy ecosystem (Butterfly Conservation) To demonstration this point it is with pride that my moth survey work for our urban recording area of Caldene fields, Raw Nook NR and Toad…