The now annual Water Rail has returned to the pond at Toad Holes Beck hopefully for the remainder of the winter. Also seen today were 3 Lesser Redpoll at Raw Nook NR, 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 pairs of Bullfinch at Toad Holes Beck. Caldene Fields produced 28 Fieldfares and 24 Redwing all feeding on the ground and 6 Herring Gulls flew E over Caldene Fields.
Bullfinches at Toad Holes Beck
A very merry and happy Christmas, and a safe and happy new year to all the followers of this site.
‘Lets all work Hand in Hand to benefit our local wildlife!’
This morning I set myself a challenge, to observe 30 different species of birds on my local patch of Caldene Fields, Raw Nook NR and Toad Holes Beck. I started at 08.15 and finished at 09.15 and sadly I found 29 species…..and failed the challenge but I enjoyed the winter sunshine and the fresh air….
Winter sunshine at Toad Holes Beck
Abbreviations: All sites = AS. Caldene Fields = CF. Raw Nook NR= RN and Toad Holes Beck=THB
So the sites and species recorded are as follows : 1) Chaffinch AS, Greenfinch THB & CF, Coal Tit THB & CF, House Sparrow CF, Great Tit AS, Brambling CF, Great it AS, Blackbird, AS, Robin AS, Blue Tit AS, BH Gull AS, Carrion Crow, AS, Common Gull, CF, Starling CF, Wood Pigeon AS, Magpie AS, Jackdaw CF & RN, Wren AS, LT Tit AS, GS Woodpecker RN, Goldfinch, RN & CF, Lesser Redpoll RN, Goldcrest RN, Bullfinch RN & THB, Moorhen THB, Mallard THB & CF, Redwing THB, Jay CF, Grey Wagtail THB and Collard Dove CF.
Sightings of Interest: Goldcrest 4 in an Elder a good count, a single female Brambling and a single Lesser Redpoll.
Birds I should have seen: Stock Dove a regular at CF, Song Thrush, Grey Heron and a slim chance of a Water Rail at THB
Greenfinch enjoying the Rosehips at Toad Holes Beck
SO WHY DON’T YOU HAVE A GO ON YOUR LOCAL PATCH…..BUT DON’T FORGET 1 HOUR ONLY…PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR RESULTS…
A kingfisher showed well this afternoon at Raw Nook NR pond…
The Tree Sparrow that I found in House Sparrow flock on the 3/11 has reappeared again this morning…..so if it is feeding well with a bit of luck it may stay for the winter…
Today was a good day at the watch point with Fieldfares, Starling and Wood Pigeons all moving. Fieldfares came in from the N/E and E and 3,305 moved S/W with 54 moving N.
Fieldfares moving S/W
Starlings moved to the W but trickled through 619 in total and Wood Pigeons 1,327 to the S and 179 N
Starling moving in small groups
A Pied Wagtail which eventually moved S kept me company for about 10 whilst it refueled…and off it went…
There has been a massive Wood Pigeon movement throughout the country both yesterday and today…. But sadly for my watch point I didn’t see the good numbers I usually see at this time of the year. Yesterday I recorded 4,391 and today just 3,181….And for anyone who thinks well that’s not bad one sites has recorded over 200,000…..
Wood Pigeons moving south yesterday over Caldene Fields
Yesterday I noticed a Tree Sparrow in a flock of House Sparrow at Caldene Fields this is the second record this year of this uncommon finch here in Bradford. Who knows Spurn Point has had excellent numbers passing through maybe this lovely finch is making a small come back….
If anyone in our local area sees one will you please let me know. Many thanks…..
Redwings and Fieldfare were again moving today but in general E/S/E of Caldene Fields. 1,946 Redwings, 1009 Fieldfares and 369 Starlings. Nine Blackbirds were also recorded as well as 3 Cormorants…..
Cormorants moving S/W over the watch point
