Recorded my first Swallow of the year moving north this morning at Caldene Fields. No other new migrants were recorded but two male Bullfinch were claiming territory at Toad Holes Beck which is good news.
Breeding in full swing…
This morning I found that a pair of Mallard have bred at Toad Holes Beck. A female was keeping her 9 chicks well hidden from view.
Also looking after a family were a pair of Coots also at the site, they had 4 chicks in tow.
The Grey Wagtail is still calling at Caldene Fields and a Willow Warbler was in full song at Raw Nook Nr
Goldcrest and years gone by…
A male Goldcrest was in full song at Toad Holes Beck this morning at the same location a pair was observed last year in spring. An educated guess would be that the species could be now breeding at the site.
There were no new migrants again today.
A Lapwing came in from the south and flew low over Caldene Fields this morning but then left to the north. This reminded me of years gone by when the species was a regular breeder at the site. In fact I can remember when 2 pairs bred. Sadly those days have gone and I’m not sure they will ever return…
Pollution incident at Toad Holes Beck…
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.
Common Teal…
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.
Spring butterflies and Common Buzzards…
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.
A new Bee species found…
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.
Blackcap arrivals…
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.
Sightings from our neighbours…
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
First spring migrants arrive…
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.
