More Jays today with a party of 21 moving S, 2 E, and 5 N with 3 birds present at the watch point……A nice moment was seeing a common Snipe coming in from the S only to drop down in the fields to rest and refuel…..
Jays again!
Another influx of Jays again this morning with 7 N and a further 8 tree hooping but gradually moving N. David Barker who watches Oxenhope Visible migration also recorded 17 yesterday.
Other highlights included 6 Snipe moved N and a single to the S, 4 Linnets N/W and the first Skylarks flew to the S.
Jays moving N in the heavy cloud
Unprecedented count of Jays!
At last the fog has gone!
At last the fog has gone. ( Even see a distant balloon!)
And an unprecedented numbers of Jays were recorded at Caldene Fields, 28 in total. Around 09.00 a party of 10 came from the S and moved N at a reasonable height. Then small parties were observed but these were ground hugging and possibly some parties were missed. A further 3 Jays possible locals were at the watchpoint but not counted. The first Wood Pigeons were noted to the S and 4 Starling passed along the continental track. Meadow Pipits were in low numbers and in all directions.
A clear view of Emerly Moor mast
A Wheatear comes out of the fog!
Total fog this morning at Caldene Fields watch point with low numbers of seen Meadow Pipits moving but due to the conditions mainly to the N/E. A Wheatear was found resting on a fence post.
A Silver Y and a Lunar Underwing were caught in the moth trap.
Song Thrushes make an appearance!
Out of the mist and fog this morning came the first movement of Song Thrushes with 2 to the N + 1 S and a further possible bird came in from the E only to drop down. Meadow Pipits were on the move but many were moving above the cloud base as only calls could be heard.
A Hebrew Character moth was caught last night which is interesting in that the flight season is up to around June however, small number do emerge in mild spells (like we are having at the moment) during the autumn/winter
Where are my migrants?
I recently received an email from the chairman of the Bradford Ornithological Group telling me about all the migrants that he had recorded in the N/W areas of the Bradford district. I then told him about all my migrants passing through here…….A Tufted Duck!!!!!! which has now settled at Toad Holes Beck…….
So this morning I went out on a mission….and failed! Raw Nook NR held 3 Chiffchaff and Toad Holes Beck had 5 plus 3 Blackcap and a single Willow Warbler all of which are probably local birds feeding up. So I think I will just have to bide my time….
On a better not a Heath Rustic was caught last night at Caldene Fields my 3rd record. But what is interesting is the habitat for the species is acid heath and moorland and Raw Nook NR is of lowland heath habitat which is uncommon in urban Bradford.
Few birds but a new moth brightens the day up!
The weather this morning was not conducive to visible migration with low mist and bright sunshine. Few birds were recorded and the few Meadow Pipits that were seen were moving again to the west and south.
There was a brighter note a fresh Autumnal Rustic was caught in the moth trap. This moth is a site first and brings the total of Marco (only) moths to 183..
Cormorant!
The first Cormorant of the autumn flew south this morning over the watch point. Also of note was 107 Swallows moving mainly to the west. Grounded birds included 19 Mistle Thrushes feeding, 1 Willow Warbler, at least 2 Chiffchaff and 2 juv Blackcaps.
New Ladybird at last!
Found a Orange Lady ( Halyzia 16-guttata) a new species for our recording area this morning in the moth trap.
Tufted Duck passes through!
Out of the mist this morning at the vismig watchpoint came a female Tufted Duck which flew to the S/W. Whist I have recorded the species several times at Toad Holes Beck I have never had one passing through. This bring my total of different species recorded on migration over Caldene fields to 83.
