Once again there a white liquid substance that is slowly leaking into the middle pond at Toad Holes Beck. This has happened before with the Environment Agency finding that the culprit was the nearby Euroway Trading estate.
I have again reported the latest incident to the Environment Agency.
Disturbed a male Common Teal this morning at the small pond at Toad Holes Beck. Flew off immediately..but gut feeling it will return later.
First ever spring record.
A nice selection of spring butterflies at Toad Holes Beck today. A Speckled Wood was enjoying the shade, two Small Whites by the middle pond, three Small tortoiseshell feeding on Lesser celandine and a single Peacock feeding on Blackthorn.
Also of interest was a single Common Buzzard circling over Toad Holes Beck and then drifted N. Then about a hour later 2 calling Common Buzzards were displaying other Caldene Fields before drifting off towards the East Bierley area.
This morning as well as looking for any possible new migrants that may have come in overnight I was interested in finding any spring Hoverflies to add to my species list for our area.
I focused on the many of Blackthorn shrubs in blossom at the end of the small pond at Toad Holes Beck. There were an odd Hoverfly about but I was drawn to a rather colourful Bee which was feeding.
The Bee turned out to be is a Tawny mining bee, Andrena fulva a new species for our area, which is excellent news…
There were however, no new migrants found or any increase in numbers noted.
Had a minor influx of Blackcaps following the recent southerly winds. Yesterday 2nd of April a singing male was at Caldene Fields and today 3 males were at Raw nook Nr and a pair together at Toad holes Beck. However, what was interesting at the latter site was a female had arrived which is fairly early given that the males in general arrive first and the female about a week later.
Male Chiffchaffs are showing signs of claiming territories at both Raw Nook and TH Beck as I was scolded by males as I must have been standing too close to a potential nest site.
A Small tortoiseshell butterfly was at Caldene Fields late morning , first of the year.
Just received an update from Phil who lives in the Wyke area relating to sighting from that area. It’s interesting to know what birds are visiting and breeding in adjacent areas as this could have an impact on the sightings within our local patch.
27th February, 3 Mute Swan flew from West, Elland Grave Pits direction. Also found at Harold Park Lake Low Moor.
06th March Cormorant, flew north the from Hartshead direction. There was a Cormorant at Toad Holes Beck this morning 26/3
07th March, 2 Ravens circling South towards Scholes direction. Not recorded Ravens in our area.
08th March A possible a Merlin, very fast over Griffe Drive, towards Lower Wyke Lane.
11th March A Goldcrest at Wyke. Found and possibly breeds at Toad Holes Beck
24th March, At least 4 Whooper Swans moving over Wyke. and a Red Kite passed over Villa Mount into Griffe Drive followed closely by 2 Crows, made off roof top height, North/North East towards Low Moor. Whoopers recorded on passage and intermittent sightings of Red Kite both at low Moor
Yesterday saw the first Spring migrants to arrive in our recording area. A singing Chiffchaff was at Raw Nook Nr and another was in full song at ToadHoles Beck 13/3/2017
First of the year! Chiffchaff at Raw Nook Nr
Today at the watchpoint 95 Meadow Pipit flew north all returning after spending the winter further south. Also of note were 14 Siskin also returning north.
Spring. At last there are signs everywhere that early Spring has arrived. On the 9th of March I noticed at least 2 Queen bees searching for nest sites and the frogs mating and laying spawn at Caldene Fields
At Toad Holes Beck today there were further welcome signs with Blackthorn (left ) and Lesser Celandine (right) starting to flower.
Primrose by the water course.
And to complete the day 2 returning Meadow Pipits flew north
What a beautiful morning! so I thought I work the local patch today mainly for two reasons. Firstly has ‘ Doris ‘ the latest storm to batter the UK brought any unusual seabirds inland and secondly to look for any signs of early spring.
It wasn’t long as in Raw Nook Nr there were 4 Mistle Thrushes chasing each other about and no doubt looking for the best nest sites…
Then in Toad Holes Beck a Song Thrush was singing his little heart out…I didn’t find any seabirds blow off course….but I recorded 32 different species with the highlight been a male Linnet in song at Caldene Fields which is encouraging as the species was common in years gone by.
Fungus may not be everyones cup of tea…but I am trying to get to grips with the fungi that can be found in our recording area and today I found a new species.
It is the Jelly Ear Fungus Auricularia auricula-judae. Which is common throughout the UK
Yesterday our group had a work day at Raw Nook nature reserve. The reason for the work was to clear Silver Birch seedlings and saplings which have a detrimental effect on the heather which forms a lowland heath habitat at the site. This type of Lowland heath habitat and the species it attracts is uncommon within inner cities like Bradford and has to be preserved.
APOLOGISE FOR THE POOR QUALITY OF THE PHOTOS…
Members of the Low Moor & Oakenshaw Conservation Group …mentally preparing for the hard work ahead..
So the enjoyable work involves using Matlock’s to permanently remove the Birch saplings
The work is very rewarding and a minimum of 104 Birch saplings were removed in just two hours…Excellent work…
And just look what was achieved…about a 10 metres square ( Thanks Richards…) which will allow the heather to flourish and in turn will benefit a wide array of insects including the Heath Rustic moth (uncommon in the Bradford area) however the species may possibly breed at the site as I have recorded it 4 times in the last couple of years.
Leaving the site tired but with a big smile on my face and a warm glow of satisfaction on what excellent work we had all done….these Scalet Felp Cup fungus which are easy to see at the site made me realise what a wonderful nature reserve we have on our own doorstep…
