Given that that this morning was very frosty and the ponds at Toad Holes Beck could be frozen there was a good chance of finding a Water Rail. So off I went there was no Water Rail…
Middle pond at THB showing a small patch of open water.
But to my surprise the top pond was unfrozen and in amongst the local Mallards was a pair of Gadwall…”A site first! ” bringing the total of different species I have recorded at the 3 sites to 131.
Today I decided to do a ‘ Birding day ‘ within the village area of Low Moor, mainly to see if I could find anything a unusual.
The areas I watched were: Raw Nook nr, Caldene Fields, Toad Holes Beck, Royd’s Hall Dam and Harold Park Lake. I found a total of 44 different species with much of my time spent in the 3 first sites.
Part of the flock of 69 Canada Geese found at Royd’s Hall dam.
A flyover Cormorant to the east over Caldene Fields started the morning off and a Woodcock in Raw Nook Nr was a welcome sight. Other birds of local interest were a party of 9 Lesser Redpoll, a pair of Siskin, 10 Goosander and 2 little grebe.
I could not find any Great Crested Grebes which are regular at Harold Park Lake.
Tufted Duck were found to be plenty full at Both Harold Park Lake and Royd’s Hall dam where as at the large pond at Toad Holes Beck they are only occasional visitors.
Sadly nothing unusual was found… I even checked the goalposts for a possible Med Gull but without success…
Received a reliable report that on the 21/11/2016 a dog flushed a Woodcock in the heather at Raw Nook nr. The sighting is interesting in that it could have been a migrant bird from the continent as it is a bit early for birds from neighbouring areas to visit the site.
This morning at the site there were 9 Lesser Redpolls feeding, 2 Jay, 3 Mistle Thrush and about 25 Redwings feeding.
What a surprise at Caldene fields on Tuesday the 6/12 when around mid-morning I saw a Little Egret coming in from the west. It flew low over the pond and appeared to be wanting to land but from nowhere local Magpies flew at the bird and it flew off to the south. The species is a ‘ site first ‘ bringing my total species of birds recorded at the 3 sites either resident or flew overs to 130…
Paula told me that a Green Woodpecker visited her garden at Oakenshaw on the 27/11/16…lucky devil..
At Caldene Fields today a Red Admiral was enjoying the mid afternoon sun a Reed Bunting circled the fields at 09.00 then flew off north and a party of 147 Pink footed geese flew north.
Had a huge single flock of 900+ continental Starlings this morning at Caldene Fields watchpoint at around 07.50. They came in from the E in a long string and overhead was just ‘ black ‘ with Starlings. Could not see where string ended so probable undercount. As normal this year here after this influx 3 small parties observed one came in from the N.
A Jack Snipe was at the watchpoint this morning. It appeared from ‘nowhere’ and just flew off to the south…2nd ever record.
I have been a member of the Bradford Urban Wildlife Group Oh! for many years and you may recall how I found earlier in the year a number of Bee Orchids at the old Low Moor tip site off Dealburn Road. Well Joan Dobson a member of the group informed me that an article about the group, Marbled white butterflies and my Bee Orchids had recently appeared in the local paper. So a bit of research and I found the article which is below:
Helping district’s wildlife to thrive
26 Oct 2016 / Helen Mead , T&A Reporter
ASK most people to identify a marbled white and they will probably think you are asking about paint.
But to anyone with a keen interest in nature, marbled white is a species of butterfly – and one which in recent years has been spotted in the Bradford district.
A distinctive black and white insect, the butterfly inhabits natural grassland and is commonly found in downland in the South of England. Adults may be found roosting halfway down tall grass stems.
It has a preference for purple flowers such as wild marjoram, field scabious, thistles, and knapweeds.
The marbled white has over the last 20 years expanded northwards and eastwards, with sightings in particular in Yorkshire and south-west Wales. In Yorkshire, their main habitats are the Yorkshire Wolds in the east and Brockadale Nature Reserve near Pontefract, but in 2012 a number of them were spotted in a field off Leeds Road close to Shipley station. Since then, there have been numerous sightings, most recently this spring and summer.
This comes as exciting news to Bradford Urban Wildlife Group, whose members have dedicated themselves to protecting wildlife and habitats for almost 30 years.
“How they arrived in Shipley we do not know,” says group secretary Susan Stead. “The latest sighting came from someone who spotted one flying near the station. The grass species red fescue, which is present in the field, is thought to be essential in the diet of caterpillars.”
Amid a threat of development, the wildlife group is hoping that the land on which the sighting occurred will remain as meadowland. “We would like the field preserved as there is a good-sized colony of marbled whites,” says Susan. “It is not a rare butterfly but it is rare in Shipley.”
A recent proposal, following an ecological assessment of the Shipley/Leeds Road corridor by Wakefield-based West Yorkshire Ecology, proposes a butterfly-friendly ‘nectar highway’ along a route that includes the field.
“We have support from the charity Butterfly Conservation,” adds Susan.
The group’s efforts to preserve the green space follows many previous campaigns fought by its members to safeguard land for wildlife. They have been instrumental in preserving areas such as Bingley North and South Bog – the latter which became a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – which were at risk during the building of the Bingley bypass, the creation of Boar’s Well Urban Wildlife Reserve and the classifying of Trench Meadows below Shipley Glen as an SSSI.
They also helped to create a wildlife reserve at Shipley Railway Station. Owned by Network Rail, it is managed jointly by Bradford Urban Wildlife Group, Butterfly Conservation and Leeds Groundwork Trust. Protected by fencing, this area of herb-rich grassland supports the larval food plants of many grassland butterflies and moths.
Bradford Urban Wildlife Group carries out surveys of plant and animal life, resulting in increased levels of protection. Joan Dobson is responsible for botanical recordings, which this year included the presence of the and Southern Marsh Orchid at a reclaimed quarry and waste disposal site in Low Moor.
“We were overjoyed,” she says. “No orchids had been found there before. One of our members, Martyn Priestley, placed netting cages around them to protect them. When he returned later he found six bee orchids nearby.
“We are trying to get the site protected and this really helps. The group plays a vital role – we hear of things that may be happening such as planning proposals, we monitor situations and put in a voice for wildlife.”
The group has been approached by the Friends of Roberts Park to carry out a survey, which is on the agenda for 2017. “They want to look at areas which are not planted in formal beds, which they may be able to leave for wildlife,” says Joan.
The group also monitors legislation surrounding the environment and wildlife.
Honorary president and co-founder of Bradford Urban Wildlife Group Les Barnett is proud of the group’s achievements over the years. “Whether in Bradford or anywhere else, wildlife needs to be considered in any plans for an area.
“We have spent a lot of time lobbying and working with councillors to make sure that wildlife has a place. Over the years we have met with a lot of success.”
For more details about the group and how to join, ring Susan Stead on 07789 660574 or visit buwg.btck.co.uk.
Today I had a nice walk in the snow through Raw Nook Nr and into Toad Holes Beck. The reason for the walk was mainly to find a ‘ Northern Bullfinch ‘ OK..OK I probably have as much chance as Bradford City (my team) winning the premier league…but never say never when birding.
So I never found one…. but I did find 7 Bullfinches feeding on birch catkins at Raw Nook Nr. Well actually it was nearly ‘6’ as from nowhere
a male Sparrow Hawk appeared overhead and eyed up the finches but then it turned and in a flash it was gone.
Toad Holes Beck was very quiet except for a grey Wagtail by the pond.
The 4 Goosander have now left Toad Holes Beck and interestingly yesterday I found 10 Goosander at the local Harold Park lake which could include the 4 birds from TH Beck.
Yesterday there was another movement of Wood Pigeons moving south through our area despite the very strong northerly wind. I watched for 3 hours from 06.45 -09.45 at Caldene Fields and to say it was freezing was a vast understatement but it was worth it. My final total was 8,038 with the main bulk of the birds recorded between 07.30 to 07.45 = 3,640 and 07.45-08.00 = 1,862. I believe there will be another big push in the next couple of day..so fingers crossed. Please see my recordings at http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/779/20161106
