Given the warmer weather I’ve noticed a slight increase in moths recorded. Last week not one single moth was noted. Whereas today there was 3 Flame shoulder, 1 Small-square spot, 1 Shuttle -shaped Dart and a Lesser Swallow Prominent (below) which is my 5th record.
Found a nice Poplar Hawkmoth in the moth trap this morning at Caldene Fields which is my ninth record to date. Illustrating that the species is well established in our area.
Pleased to see that the Common Whitethroat appears to doing OK with a pair now established at Toad Holes Beck and 2 further pairs at Dealburn Road Woodland site. Also at the former site Song Thrush is on the up with 2 pairs and at least one pair has bred.
Juvenile Song Thrush ( note golden-buff tips forming a wing-bar )
Now the Aw! moment..
Mallard with her 10 chicks at Toad Holes Beck.
Yes found a Sedge Warbler in song at Toad Holes Beck this morning. I stayed well away from the area as I believe that one day this species may breed at the site.
Yesterday I did some bird survey work at the Dealburn Road Woodland site (formerly the old Low Moor tip) and found another Lesser Whitethroat in song which is good news.
Sighting updates:
Sunday 7th of May: Nearby Odsal Wood: A male Lesser Whitethroat in song + a single Woodcock. Nearby Dealburn Road woodland site: 4 Common Whitethroat + 2 Green Vein Whites + 1 Male Orange Tip butterfly.
Sunday 7th of May: Curlew flew N over Caldene Fields + 17 Swift also N + 1 Common Whitethroat Toad Holes Beck.
Wednesday 10th of May: Toad Holes Beck a pair of Common Whitethroat
Two Swifts drifted S/W over Raw Nook Nr this morning, first of the year.
It is notoriously difficult to prove that you have located a breeding pair of Goldcrest. This is due to the species mostly nesting in tall fir (type ) trees and the difficulty in seeing a nest from the ground.
However, I have long thought the Goldcrest is a breeding bird in our recording area. And today I viewed some excellent evidence which in my opinion strongly supports that view. I observed a female collecting food and with a bill full of food flew off in the direction of some tall fir trees.
A walk around our area today showed no new migrants in so I had a trip to the nearby Dealburn Road Woodland site (formerly the old Low Moor tip) to see what was about there.
There were plenty of Chiffchaff, a few Willow Warblers, 1-2 Blackcaps, 1 Common Whitethroat and the good news a singing Lesser Whitethroat, the 4 fourth record for this site.
And to cap the walk off was a fine male Orange tip butterfly.
Interesting moment this morning as I was coming back from a visit to Toad Holes Beck. I observed a Jay hopping around and appeared to looking for something. I waited and then it
started digging and digging and bingo it then found what it must have buried sometime ago.
A nice Acorn!
Thought with the S/E wind this morning some new migrants would have arrived but sadly I was wrong.
I have been contacted by the Environmental Agency regarding the liquid pollution at Toad Holes Beck. They stated that it has been a fitting on a pipe from a company at the Euroway Trading estate that has probably come loose and allow the liquid to pollute the pond. They have contacted the landlord of the trading estate to inform all companies to check their pipes. This may take sometime and they will monitor the situation…..
On a more positive note at the latter site I had to smile at the photo below…Which I’m calling ‘new life’
Marsh Marigolds looking at their best at Toad Holes Beck.
Two Swallows moved west over Caldene Fields and an additional Willow Warbler was found at Raw Nook Nr
