Low Moor and Oakenshaw Wildlife

Today I just simply stood stared and stared at the stunning Hawthorns show at Toad Holes Beck.

But there was more joy as for the first time ever Canada geese have successfully bred at the site.

Also the Coots have been busy with at least two pairs raising chicks

Recent sightings include a Sedge Warbler in song at TH Beck on 11/5 and a Rose-ringed Parakeet has been feeding recently in gardens at both Low Moor & Oakenshaw.

There has also been a small influx of Swift moving through our area with 14 on the 14/5.

In the past I have led Dawn Chorus walks to Raw Nook NR in spring. However, these are strange times so I thought I would try to bring a bit of joy by listening to our Dawn Chorus on video which I made on the 8/5 during my very early morning walk.

In addition I have tried to explain why the dawn chorus happens etc.. Hope you enjoy…

Yesterday at Toad Holes beck I heard a call from 2 geese overhead, OH! a pair of Greylag geese..great. Then suddenly the pair turned and started to descend towards the ponds at Toad H Beck.

My emotions were mixed. Very rare to have Greylag geese landing in our area….but Oh! No there is a pair of Canada geese there at the moment and they won’t be happy!!

The Greylags saw no danger and must have thought this pond looks great let’s land.

The male Canada goose could be heard giving out many loud warning calls.

However, the Greylags had made up their minds we are moving in. I knew there was only going to be one winner and out come!

The Canada goose flew into action…And one goose in total shock took flight and moved off to the south. One down one to go!!!

No problem the other one is soon dealt with…The calm then returned to Toad Holes Beck and the Greylags…well they gone and won’t be coming back!

On the 29/4 a Lesser Whitethroat ( a probable passage bird ) was in full song at Toad Holes beck. A little further down in Oakenshaw another L Whitethroat was found again in full song.

Since 1987 I have constantly recorded L Whitethroats (an uncommon bird in the Bradford area) either breeding or on passage in our recording area as well as on the Greenway leading to Cleckheaton.

The reason I believe is that correct habitat for the species exists in this part of south Bradford thus it has become over many years an urban migration route for the species

Today a Yellow Wagtails was feeding around the horses at Caldene fields before moving off to the N/E.

On Saturday I walked to LM Banks to see if the Lesser Whitethroat had arrived and bang on cue a male was there in full song. Fingers crossed he finds a mate and breeds again. Also there was a Common Whitethroat giving an arial song display. A Common Buzzard was a site first and a 4 Orange tips, and a mating pair of Green-veined Whites.

A Swift and 5 Swallow were observed moving west from the vis-mig point today.

David Rhodes from Oakenshaw contacted me regarding a moorhen nesting in a stream near his garden. He had a quick look at her nest and she had laid six eggs

However, strangely she was also sat on a leg bone off a chicken!

The eggs are round the edge and the bone is more or less in the middle of the nest explained David.

Very strange!.

However, by the 18/4 David had named his knew neighbour Leonara and there was good news has three little black balls of fluff with little red beaks were now following her around in the stream.

However, there was still a mystery for David ….what happened to that chicken bone…

Talking of nesting birds I have a pair of blue tits nesting in my garden at the moment.

Shehas have laid 7 eggs as of 20/4 and she is now starting to incubate them. The female stays in the nest box overnight while the male roosts elsewhere. However, she leave the box early morning for a short while to feed then returns to carry on incubation. Hope to video the chicks when they hatch…watch this space.

It was a quiet day at the vig-mig point today. However, on my walk to Raw Nook NR I passed Bradford south golf course which is closed at the moment due to the virus.

On the putting green feeding with 2 Pied Wagtails was a handsome male Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

A record shot of the wagtail( sadly taken into the sunlight)

The bird fed on flies and worms for about 5 minutes on the pristine grass surface before moving off north.

The species is an uncommon passage migrant in our recording area.

Also what has been interesting during these last few days is a pair of Lesser black backed gulls at Caldene fields.

The gulls which are adults have been feeding in the fields which in it’s self is a bit unusual as they fly over on passage but rarely land.

However, the pair have been showing signs of courtship and I suspect (like in Lidget Green Bradford ) the birds could be about to nest on a factory roof in the local area.

Keep a lookout for the lovely Orange tip butterfly especially the males…there were 3 at CFs this morning.