The Song thrush appears to be doing well on our local patch after being in decline for many years. It appears there are 3 males trying to claim a territory at Caldene Fields, Raw nook Nr and Toad Holes Beck.
Song Thrush in full song at Caldene Fields
Also in full song this morning at Raw Nook Nr were at least 4 Robins and a pair near to the bridge, which shows a healthy population.
One of the six Robins at Raw Nook Nr
Yesterday I was out checking for any summer migrants that may have arrived with the southerly wind. I wasn’t disappointed as I found 5 singing Chiffchaff, 2 in Raw Nook Nr and 3 in Toad Holes Beck. So I then decided to do an hours vismig from the watch point at Caldene Fields hoping perhaps for some Sand Martins or an early Swallow…but no I had forgotten that whilst the southerly wind would assist in coming migrants it would also assist winter migrants returning north. And watch a surprise when 10 returning Whooper Swans flew over head to the N
Anyway getting back to the theme of spring it was a joy to see the Marsh Marigolds at Caldene Fields approaching full bloom.
On a sad note I found a dead Shrew at Toad Holes Beck which I need to identify.
Two Sand Martins , my first summer migrant of 2016 flew N/W over Caldene Fields mid morning.
A party of 50+ Redwings briefly stopped off at Caldene Fields this morning before moving off to the N/W.
On our local patch the first recorded Frog Spawn was on the 18/3…
Not in my recording area but had excellent views of a hunting Red Kite at nearby Tong village at 15.00 on 15/3
During the last couple of days springs seems to have jumped into life as high pressure settles over the country bringing milder temperatures and sunny periods. The local wild has responded.
A Skylark was observed flying N over Caldene Fields on 12/3 suggesting it was returning from spending the winter further south. The first butterfly a Small Tortoiseshell was seen today with at least 3 queen Bumblebees nearby and 4 Smooth Newts were observed at the pond at Raw Nook Nr.
Yesterday morning the weather was cold with bright sunshine and I noticed early spring was in the air as Mistle Thrush, Robin and Dunnocks all sang their hearts out. Today there was no signs of early spring as heavy winter snow enveloped the landscape.
A snowy Toad Holes Beck, bleak but beautiful at the same time. Sadly because of the driving snow very little wildlife was observed.
That is apart from a single Canada Goose at Toad Holes Beck and an additional single Coot that appeared at the pond at Caldene Fields
You can start the Spen Valley Greenway walk to Cleckheaton from the southern side of Raw Nook Nr. So whilst I do not record in the Greenway I thought today it would be interesting to see what I could find whilst walking the two and a quarter miles to Cleckheaton. Due to the time of year birds were the only species I was looking for.
A total of 22 different species were recorded. Which is not really a great total, however I gathered some valuable information firstly rating to the Bullfinch which is appears to be common on the Greenway as well as Toad Holes Beck. But the biggest surprise was the abundance of the Robin an excellent total of 32 were recorded in a space of two and a quarter miles which shows how well the species is doing in the surrounding area.
There were at least 5 Bullfinches at Toad Holes Beck this morning, 2 pairs and a single male so 2016 could be another good breeding season for the species.
Another male Goosander has joined the pair at Toad Holes Beck.
