Low Moor and Oakenshaw Wildlife

I have decided this year to start to record Bees, Ladybirds and Hoverflies in addition to the other species frequenting our recording area.  The reason for this is to try and establish what species at breeding and visiting as well as their status in our recording area.  It will be a big  task especially when time is limited but hopefully an enjoyable one…….

Anyway this morning I photographed a bee that look quite distinctive and it turned out to be a Tree Bumblebee.  The species was first found in the UK in 2001, but is now found throughout the UK after expanding north. It’s status is described as Common.

There was not many moths to identify this morning apart from these two handsome fellows…

Two male Buff Ermine

Yesterday four adult Herring gulls circled Caldene Fields mid afternoon which was unusual.

Found a new moth a Pebble Hook-tip last night at Caldene Fields.  The concern, well to me at first it had a look of a Dusky Hook-tip which is very rare and I don’t think it has ever been recorded in Yorkshire…..  But as my heart rate started to decrease I realised it was just a Pebble Hook-tip.  But still a new site tick makes up for been brought back down to earth……

Pebble Hook-tip a site first!

I have always wanted to be more knowledgeable about what species of bees frequent our recording area but my bee ID skills I have to rate as below average….  But today I thought I would make a start and managed to ID 3 species……I THINK! these were the Red-tailed bumblebee, Early bumblebee and the Buff tailed bumblebee.  ANY BEE EXPERTS OUT THERE, I WOULD BE HAPPY FOR ANY HELP OR SEND PHOTHS FOR ID……

Also of interest were 4 Orange Tip butterflies, first fair count of the species whereas Vic who watches the Tong area told me that Orange Tips have been very common there.

  Red tailed bumblebee

Early bumblebee

Buff tailed bumblebee

A pair of Wrens were feeding juvs at Raw Nook NR, A family party of Long Tailed Tits were at Toad Holes Beck and a female Great Tit was feeding young at Caldene Fields.

Had a rather big surprise in the moth trap last night when a Poplar Hawkmoth arrived…..  In fact it was a good night for moths as 8 different species were caught.  Also at over the fields late afternoon a Common Buzzard flew N/W chased by 2 Carrion Crows….

I have noticed that there were, as yet not that many House Martins in at the moment around our recording area.  However, today 57 were feeding over Toad Holes beck and gradually moving west, which is a good count.

Been a bit late this year with the moth trap as last night was the first time I have used it this year.  So I must admit I was a bit excited this morning to see if anything had been caught.  The trap revealed 3 species the Small Square-Spot, Flame Shoulder and Shuttle-shaped Dart.

Flame Shoulder one of the first moths to be caught, identified and released at Caldene Fields in 2014

As a golden rule I never submit information on this site about a nesting birds, only birds that have bred…..however, today I am going to make an acceptance.  The reason is that a pair of Swallow are about to breed at Caldene Fields for the first time for many years.  And the nest site is in the horses shed where the’  biggest meanest’ stallion lives and it frightens me just been near the place!! so I am pretty sure they have picked a very secure home…… A common Whitethroat at Toad Holes Beck was the only new bird recorded today.

Probable male Swallow about to collect nesting material

Whilst there was nothing new in bird wise this morning I was struck by the number of Wrens that are breeding in our recording area.  They have like the Dunnock have been able to flourish due to the last couple of mild winters

One of the 3 pairs of Wrens at Raw Nook NR

Also enjoying life at the moment are the pair of Mallards that have bred at Toad Holes Beck along with 2 pairs of Coot. Sadly while the Coots are now well established at the latter site and I believe they have dispersed the Little Grebes that also bred on the large pond, as I have not recorded the species now for about 2 years.

A family portrait !

There are 5 Common Heath moths and at least 3 Azure Damselflies at Raw Nook NR along with a good number of Blue-tailed Damselflies.

Female Common Heath on heather at Raw Nook NR

It was an early start again this morning so do vismigging from Caldene Fields watch point.  Sadly whilst there was a good number of Swallows and Swifts about only 2 Swallow were judged to be moving birds.  There was disappointment as it was a wonderful sunny May morning with excellent light showing a lovely range of Spring colours.  A pair of Swifts were observed mating whilst on the wing…….. A male Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Raw Nook NR + my first Azure Damselfly (3) and 6, 7 Spot-Ladybird on Nettles at Toad Hole Beck

   Buttercups at Caldene Fields

Open blue skies

And

Vibrant white of the Hawthorns at Caldene Fields

Firstly there was a Common Whitethroat singing from an old nesting area today which is good news.  A pair of Swallow are still feeding over Caldene Fields and hopefully may stop to breed like years gone by.  A Smooth Newt walked across the path at Toad Holes Beck.

Female Smooth Newt

A pair of Large Red Damselflies were in the mating position at Caldene Fields

And the Common Frog appears to have done well this year at Raw Nook NR

Decided on an early start this morning to watch visible migration from Caldene Fields watchpoint mainly looking for hirundines and Swifts.  But a big surprise when at 07.42 I picked up a Little Egret flying S/W just south of Wyke that the really good news.  The bad news if it been further north it would have probably been in Caldene Fields air space and I would have been able to count it as a new bird for the site……  But still unlike last years bird at least this one is a Bradford bird and the record will be forwarded to the Bradford Ornithological Group.

Little Egret moving S/W

No laughing please at the excellent quality photo……..

Also moving but not in any large number were Swallow 9W, Swift 4W and House Martin 1W

One of a number of Swifts moving to the W