Low Moor and Oakenshaw Wildlife

We decided to treat ourselves over the weekend and instead of me vismigging at Caldene Fields we spent the weekend at Spurn brushing up my Vismig ID skills.  The we came back to he heavy rain and now fog……So vismigging here was halted today at 08.15 with visibility down to around 50 metres……….

However, my spirits were lifted when I received this excellent photo of a male Common Darter taken at Oakenshaw on the 6/10 by Paula. The species is on the wing till about the end of October so a bit of nice weather and more Common Darters may be seen.

Common Darter by Paula

A really surprise this morning at Caldene Fields watch point,  4 Tree Sparrow flew low to the N last recorded here on 21/10/1979……. so really pleased with that!.  Also moving was a distance skein of 92 Pink footed geese that moved S/W (seen some at last!)  In addition 8 high flying Jays were noted also moving to the S/W

Had two local reports of Pink-footed Geese in the Oakenshaw area.  Firstly Vic saw approx 20 on the 25/9 moving over the Chair Bar roundabout heading towards the Halifax area.  Then on the 27 Sept Phil Andrew saw 60+ Pink Footed Geese moving West from the Chain Bar towards Halifax. He also saw a Red Kite 24/9 at 09.06 am which flew West parallel to the A58 over Villa Mount/Wyke Junior Academy.  I however, have not seen any Pink Footed Geese from the watch point, in fact today was very poor however, 7 Rook flew S which is a good count given the Rook is not that common here.

Two Blair’s Shoulder-Knot and 3 Large Yellow Underwing were caught in the moth trap last night

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

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

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.

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

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.

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..