Low Moor and Oakenshaw Wildlife

Data from watching visible migration as I do at Caldene fields can provide valuable information on the ongoing status of some of our common birds. An example of this is the Greenfinch which has declined by some 59% over the last ten years. To illustrate this point on a local level I recorded 1,662 Greenfinch in autumn 2008 in 77 hours of observations. This autumn 275 Greenfinch have been recorded in 220 hours!….very sad!

However, in contrast the Bullfinch seems to be doing better.

As the graph illustrates there appears to be an upturn in numbers since 2018 where 212 hours of observations were conducted and 220 hours in 2019.

In fact I recorded 19 Bullfinch on passage with a further 3 present on the 19/11 which is a site record. So early signs suggest the species may be doing well…lets hope the Greenfinch follows suit.

This post was supposed all about our scythe training with the YWT which took place on Saturday….however, today whilst watching visible migration from Caldene fields I found a real rarity…A Great White Heron!! which came in from the E and moved N. This bird is a site first for our area and a bird I didn’t expect to find …..

Now back to earth….Yes on Saturday Peter Gurney of YWT gave our group a training session on how to use a scythe, which will be very useful in cutting the meadows.

Peter expertly explained how to set the scythe up to the size of the person using it so it makes it more comfortable and effective when using it.

So off we went scything through the meadow….and Iv’e got to say once you got the hang of it it was very efficient at cutting the meadow.

Peter demonstrates how to sharpen the scythe to keep it in top working order. So all in all an excellent morning and roll on next year when we can put our training into scything the meadows. Our thanks go to Peter ( YWT ) for all his expert knowledge and…. patience !

Sadly visible migration is coming to come to an end as expected at this time of year. During the last week there has been a noticeable drop in finch counts especially Goldfinch.

However, some species are still moving and it was very interesting on the 30/10 when a party of Fieldfares came in high over the watch point and in the flock were 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker suggesting the birds maybe of the nominate form from Scandinavia or beyond. Also recorded again were 867 Pink-footed geese moving to the S/W and N/E.

On the 3/11 there was a bit of a surprise when I located a Rose-ring parakeet east of East Bierely moving S/W. This is the second sighting of the species this autumn. Also on the 3/11 later in the morning 99 Herring gulls came in from the N/E and moved S/W which was a good count for our area.

It was excellent at the watch point today. With over night temperatures dropping to zero Wood pigeon were on the move south with the majority passing to the east of our area. A total of 8,589 were recorded

Pink-footed geese also moved N (above) 122 with a Common Buzzard above.

Fieldfares started to arrive from the N/E and S/E mid morning many overhead and the final tally was 1,835 S/S and 232 to the north

It’s been a busy few days at the vis-mig watch point. It started on the 1/10 when following overnight rain the pond at Raw Nook NR /Caldene fields was full and attracted a female Tufted Duck. As summer migrants warblers had mostly left our area it was late Chiffchaffs that were of interest with 8 gradually moving S noted with a further 4 birds present. Two Pintails were observed flying high to the south on 5/10.

I witnessed an excellent influx of Redwings on the 8/10 arriving mainly from the N/E. Birds were observed over the fields and well to the east of the watch point and a total of 4,749 were recorded. Then on the 10/10 a bit of a surprise when a Curlew flew to the S/W. Early evening saw 130 Pink -footed Geese move N/W.

Today at the watch point I observed 3 skeins of Pink-footed geese coming in from the S/W and moving E through to S/E. You could clearly hear the geese calling as they flew over….Oh no a sign winter is just round the corner…