Birdbrain

Good Day at EGP

2012-02-08T15:17:00.001Z

Site Name:Elland GP (SE12 G) Date:Wed, 8 Feb, 2012Time:11:00 - 13:20 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Black-headed Gull circa 50 Blackbird 3 Blue Tit 14+ Bullfinch 8 BuzzardDespite RLB like white patch noted rump/tail general features appear more like CommonF - Flying1 Canada Goose circa 75 Carrion Crow Present Coal Tit 2 Common Gull 30+ Coot 6

Soil Hill Woodcock

2012-02-06T15:51:00.002Z

SH 1045-1210 hrs. Splendiferous Woodcock flushed from just over 1.5 metres giving great views of the cryptic plumage. It had been sat on top of stones on the ground that had fallen from the walls and when I opened the wooden gate, it took off; thank the lawd I went by this track and not the main one. Also here the 4 Snow Bunting continue to laze around on the mounds, looking at the strange

A Wintry Walk

2012-02-04T14:42:00.002Z

Soil Hill 0945-1025 hrs. Windy and frozen solid, nevertheless: 7 Skylark, 3 Common Gull, 10 Lapwing > S, 5 Fieldfare, 4 Snow Bunting. Ogden Res was quiet: Cormorant flying N; a few small gulls on the water. Woodland birds very thin on the ground, or anywhere else - 2 Robin, Blue Tit, 6 Greenfinch. Bradshaw - 15 Goldfinch. Oats Royd - 7 Lapwing > W otherwise deadly quiet well, apart from a

South O' The Border

2012-02-02T15:55:00.000Z

Site Name:Queensbury South (SE12 E) Date:Thu, 2 Feb, 2012Time:13:30 - 15:15 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Black-headed Gull 4 Blackbird 3 Blue Tit 2 BullfinchIn the copse down the footpath 200 metres down Corporal Ln 2 Carrion Crow Present Common Gull 3 Fieldfare 3 Golden PloverHalfway down Corporal Ln 7 Goldfinch 6 House Sparrow 1

Elland Gravel Pits

2012-02-01T14:54:00.000Z

Site Name:Elland GP (SE12 G) Date:Wed, 1 Feb, 2012Time:10:30 - 12:15 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Black-headed Gull 6 Blackbird 4 Blue Tit circa 7 Bullfinch 5 Carrion Crow Present Chaffinch 1 Coal Tit 3 Common Gull circa 25 Cormorant 6 Dunnock 4 Goosander 7 Great Tit 3 Green Woodpecker 1 Grey Heron 2 Jay 1 Lesser

Birdtrack Data Extraction

2012-01-31T15:25:00.001Z

Here is a list of species I pulled up since 2008 from BIRDTRACK for the area centred roughly on Ogden Res. If there are missing records of birds that observers have seen, it's either because Birdtrack wasn't used as the data capture method, or, the area searched by my critiera excluded them. An example of this would be the Lapland Bunting on Swalesmoor a couple of years back. If I were to alter

Sunshine and Snow

2012-01-30T15:43:00.001Z

Checked Raggalds Flood before going up the hill - mostly frozen, nothing doing. SH 1100-1155 hrs: 3 Pheasant, 8 Skylark, 4 Snow Bunting and c20 Lapwing (in the bottom field). The Buntings were mainly airborne; a couple of times they circled and climbed high out of sight. 13 Fieldfare flew SE as I passed on the return leg a couple of hours later. Ogden Res 1205-1335 hrs. Action on the water was

Interesting Local Trip

2012-01-27T16:00:00.001Z

Site Name:Ogden Res (SE03 Q) Date:Fri, 27 Jan, 2012Time:11:55 - 12:50 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Black-headed Gull 14 Blue Tit 5 Carrion Crow Present Common Gull 4 Cormorant 1 Goldcrest 4 Goldfinch 3 Goosander2 male, 1 female 3 Greenfinch 3 Grey HeronHeading SF - Flying1 Kestrel 1 Lesser Redpoll 1 Magpie Present Mallard Present

Soil Hill and Luddenden

2012-01-25T16:46:00.001Z

DP and myself went to Soil Hill at approx 1050 hrs where 4 Snow Bunting were still present, if flighty. 6 Skylark were also on the top field along with a Golden Plover and Common Gull in flight. 60+ Lapwing were down in the bottom field. Good to see AC up there pondering whether to give it a try in the blustery wind! After receiving clear instructions both from DJS and Andy, Dave drove us to

Puzzling Canada Goose

2012-01-23T17:08:00.000Z

This short stocky necked Canada Goose species caught my attention so I took a couple of pictures of it. I've spent an hour or so on the 'net comparing for both Richardson's or Cackling Canada Goose and the nominate race. In favour of the former much rarer species is the a/m neck but more obviously the short stubby bill. Against this is there is no evident white 'sock' where the black joins the

Belated Reports

2012-01-23T17:01:00.004Z

Wednesday January 18th Shibden Valley - 3 Buzzard. One was seen initially in the air; it was then joined by two other birds coming from the direction of "the quarry". Thursday January 19th Ovenden Moor - 12 Snow Bunting. Seen on the moorland in the vicinity of the Giants Tooth (Ogden area). From Mr I Bruce of Queensbury.

Bramblings

2012-01-23T14:09:00.002Z

Two here just before lunchtime. Up to 11 LTT for the last couple of days-all Nigel's "standard issues".

Trip Aborted

2012-01-21T13:20:00.001Z

Soil Hill 0945-1045 hrs in a fierce W/NW'ly. Ultimately, I had to abandon any thoughts of serious birdin as I was being blown all over plus tears were forming after just a minute or so of putting up bins to eyes. (Don't get much more emotional than that, lol). I couldn't differentiate between Skylark and Linnet at more than 25 metres; all I know is there was one definite Skylark and 5 brown jobs

Predator Problems

2012-01-18T15:59:00.000Z

Soil Hill 1245 hrs. I was told by a visitor how to find the Snow Buntings, and given clear instructions on the route I should take to do so. This was repeated by his wife, so there was absolutely no chance of me not getting the 'Snobs' as he referred to them. (Twitchers? I shit 'em!). Lo! there were no such 'Snobs' just 10 Linnet and 4 Skylark and very soon these disappeared and after a blip,

Hard Graft Findin Birds

2012-01-17T15:50:00.000Z

Site Name:Queensbury South (SE12 E) Date:Tue, 17 Jan, 2012Time:13:45 - 15:05 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Black-headed Gull 3 Blackbird 2 Carrion Crow Present Common Gull 6 Golden Plover 1 House Sparrow 5 Jackdaw 4+ Kestrel 1 LapwingLarge flock disappeared 8 Magpie 7+ Mistle Thrush 3 RedwingFirst of

Soil Hill and Ogden Res

2012-01-16T15:17:00.000Z

Another brilliant sunny day and the birdin although quiet was rather enjoyable. Soil Hill was definitely subdued and I feared the worst on seeing the excavator had reduced one of the 'Bunting Mounds' by a good third. Fortunately while I went off to comb the grassy area, Dave Pinder stuck to the mounds and almost walked on top of the 4 Snow Bunting. Once again they lent themselves to photography,

Frozen Soil Hill

2012-01-15T12:18:00.001Z

SH 0905-1055 hrs. Started off in brilliant sunshine but eventually got cloudy with an interlude of mist at a crucial moment. Even at around -5C there were 16 Lapwing and 3 Golden Plover on the top field. 4 Snow Bunting were flushed at very close range from the long grass at the NE end. These birds went on to give either great close up views on the frozen earth or they were flying around trilling

The Sunny South

2012-01-14T16:13:00.002Z

70 Pink-footed Geese over Green Lane at 1445 hrs. Site Name:Queensbury South (SE12 E) Date:Sat, 14 Jan, 2012Time:13:55 - 15:10 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Black-headed Gull 6 Blue Tit 1 Carrion Crow 8+ Collared Dove 2 Common Gull 2 Golden Plover 8 House Sparrow 4+ Jackdaw circa 50 Kestrel 1 Lapwing circa 110 Magpie 4 Pink-footed

Here and There

2012-01-13T15:09:00.003Z

0945 hrs checked Raggalds Flood which was 40% ice covered. Several smaller gulls but no Teal present. Soil Hill 0955 hrs. First Sparrowhawk of the year giving good views as it lazily flapped over toward Thornton. Bunting Hunting produced just one bird, which turned out to be a bonus for a Calderdale birder who turned up with camera. A Kestrel and 20 Linnet were present along with 6 Skylark and

Local Site Tick

2012-01-12T14:25:00.000Z

Site Name:Queensbury North (SE03 V) Date:Thu, 12 Jan, 2012Time:12:05 - 12:15 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Common GullRaggalds Flood circa 25 Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)Raggalds Flood - Annual tick 1 TealPr Raggalds Flood - Site and Annual tick! 2 Wren 1 Total number of species 4 The flooded field is the one after the last house in the row and the Garage about 150 metres

Sunny Soil Hill

2012-01-12T13:58:00.002Z

Site Name:Soil Hill Date:Thu, 12 Jan, 2012Time:10:45 - 11:50 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Blackbird 1 Carrion Crow 4 FieldfareCovered Res field 11 LapwingTop field 21 Linnet circa 23 Magpie 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Skylark 6 SnipeTop field - Annual tick 1 Snow Bunting 7 Total number of species 10 4 Snow Bunting together

Antipodean Visitor

2012-01-10T14:13:00.001Z

The Black Swan found yesterday at Mixenden Reservoir by DJS was still there today at 1230 hrs. Distance and poor light gave for low quality photographs but at least the red beak is evident on enlargement. I don't care if it isn't a wild bird as the only other one I have seen in West Yorks was an adult at Knotford Nook over 32 years ago. Also present were 3 Goosander, Goldeneye, LBBG and

Moving Day

2012-01-08T11:59:00.002Z

Site Name:Soil Hill Date:Sun, 8 Jan, 2012Time:8:45 - 10:30 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Black-headed Gull> WF - Flying7 Blackbird 1 Carrion Crow 3 Common Gull> WF - Flying1 Fieldfare 6 Grey Partridge 6 Herring Gull> NE (Yippee!)F - Flying3 House Sparrow 1 Lapwing> NW then c50 settled on top field for short time.F - Flying250+ Lesser Black-backed Gull> WF -

Local Loop

2012-01-05T15:53:00.000Z

High Cross Lane 1240 hrs courtesy of Dave P. 260+ Lapwing with 23 Golden Plover and c100 Starling showing very well thanks to that stranger the Sun. A handful of small gull species also present. Soil Hill approx 1305 hrs. Kestrel, LBBG > W, 4 Skylark and 9 Snow Bunting. As recorded earlier in the week 7 of the latter finally gave crippling views; 2 others were seen briefly at the NW end.

Another Soaking Part 113

2012-01-04T14:16:00.001Z

Site Name:Soil Hill Date:Wed, 4 Jan, 2012Time:11:40 - 12:55 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Blackbird 1 Carrion Crow 3 Fieldfare M - Migrant6 Lapwing 12 Linnet 3 Pheasant 3 Skylark 5 Snow BuntingSingle male seen in flight thriceM - Migrant1 Total number of species 8 I am indebted to BS who upon seeing me while on a business related trip gave me a lift

Harzardous Quickie

2012-01-03T16:08:00.000Z

I nipped down to High Cross Lane at 1420hrs and nearly didn't return. The Wind and hailstones was so ferocious it nearly blew 200 lbs of gristle and bone into the main road, so I used the couple of brain cells still working and made it a very short trip indeed. The Lapwing flock appeared to be c110 birds max here; perhaps others were in the general area. I'd almost given up on Golden Plover but

Soil Hill 2012

2012-01-02T15:49:00.000Z

Approx 1050-1220hrs 7 Snow Bunting showing well also 7 Skylark and DJS with BH. Otherwise it was very quiet with Grey Heron, House Sparrow, 2 Woodpigeon and 3 Crow being seen.

Lapwings

2012-01-01T14:42:00.005Z

330+ Lapwings and 6 Golden Plovers in Corporal Lane at lunchtime. Also single Mistle Thrush and Redwing near Brackens Lane. Rain (!) stopped play.19 species in the garden including 23 Chaffinch.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T19:19:00.002Z

I'll save you from a drenching if you want to add Brambling to your list, Nigel. They were a one-day-wonder, I'm afraid but I'll let you know if they re-appear. Everything else is still around.Happy hunting, all.

EOY Low Note

2011-12-30T14:49:00.000Z

I thought Soil Hill was crap at 1045-1125 until I got down to Ogden and did a session from 1135-1210 hrs. It was so deadly quiet here, I staggered back up the hill to try and salvage the morning with Snow Bunting. Sure enough 7 SBs were present if somewhat flighty. I kept hearing this dry rattling sound from one bird which was new to me so I checked out Xeno Canto bird sounds for Lapland Bunting

Windy Hill Part 137

2011-12-28T12:45:00.000Z

Site Name:Soil Hill Date:Wed, 28 Dec, 2011Time:9:40 - 11:20 SpeciesCommentBreeding Status Count Carrion Crow 5 Lapwing 9 Linnet 3 Magpie 2 Reed Bunting 3 Skylark 1 Snow Bunting 5 Woodpigeon 20 Total number of species 8

More Bramblings

2011-12-27T20:34:00.002Z

I managed to catch up with Snow Bunting this afternoon. While my back was turned six Bramblings dropped into the garden. I wonder if they've been in Mark's garden again. They were still here when I got back so I'll be looking out again tomorrow morning. The garden has continued to be busy: 2 Stock Doves, 2 Jays, Nuthatch, male and female GSW, 2 male and 2 female Bullfinch and Treecreeper today,

Boxing Day

2011-12-26T12:31:00.001Z

Soil Hill 1030-1125 hrs in a perky SW'ly. 8 Golden Plover, 7 Linnet, 2 Skylark, 6 Snow Bunting. 5 of the latter were airborne a few times traversing from W to SE; a single lone female was on the deck at the N end. Raggalds flood held 6 Mallard and c60 gulls, mainly Common.

Xmas Eve on Soil Hill

2011-12-24T11:55:00.001Z

Approx 0945-1115hrs rain being driven from SW by a cheeky little breeze. 10 Golden Plover, 2 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 18 Linnet, 4 Skylark, 6 Snow Bunting. I was joined halfway through the session by BS who eventually with help from a break in the sky went on to hold a great photographic session with the Buntings. Thanks for the lift back, Brian.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T06:24:00.003Z

It's traditional to send robins so here are three from Australia (Scarlet, Flame and Pink).

Blown Away

2011-12-22T13:04:00.000Z

There are 4 birds here - I had a helluva time finding the brown jobs! Soil Hill 0945-1055 hrs. Strongest winds I've experienced in years but despite this 8 Snow Bunting feeding out in the open terrain! Also present: 4 Skylark, Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, 6 Grey Partridge, Lapwing, Golden Plover. Thanks to the wind there was one flying jackdaw size bird that I failed to identify. A few Common

Win Some Lose Some

2011-12-21T14:04:00.000Z

Shelf Moor approx 1200-1230hrs Blackbird, 2 Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail, several smaller Gull species, few Goldfinch. DP and myself aborted the mission after consulting my mobile phone containing the information of the true id of suspected Ring Ouzel. After the initial disappointment one thinks (one does) how dire the ire would have been had the bird been the real thing and we hadn't ventured out

Jack Snipe Hill

2011-12-20T14:01:00.000Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Tue, 20 Dec, 2011 Time: 10:45 - 12:45 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Blackbird 1 Blue Tit 1 Carrion Crow 4 Common Gull 7+ Grey Heron 1 Grey Partridge 5 Jack Snipe How this bird missed being trod on, I'll never know 1 Linnet 18

Misty Soil Hill

2011-12-19T12:03:00.001Z

SH 0945-1100 hrs in very limited visibility. 4 Pheasant, 4 Skylark, Linnet, 8 Snow Bunting, Blackbird. I wonder did a Gyrfalcon take the 9th Bunting - Mwuuuuuaaaaaaahhhh.

Soil Hill Blank

2011-12-16T16:00:00.000Z

Well, almost as I managed 3 Skylark, Pheasant and a Magpie between 1350-1455 hrs. I met KM on the way up there who told me that 9 Snow Bunting were still present but had flown "to the far end". Perhaps the two other birders who turned up 15 minutes before I left connected with them. KM reports sight of a Lapland Bunting on the top field on Monday 12th December. As far as I have been able to

The Frozen Hill

2011-12-14T13:40:00.002Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Wed, 14 Dec, 2011 Time: 10:45 - 11:50 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Black-headed Gull Bottom field 10+ Blackbird 1 Carrion Crow 5+ Common Gull Bottom field 20+ Magpie Present Pheasant 1 Skylark 4 Snow Bunting Feeding among the top field frozen furrows. 9 Total number of species 8 Raggalds

sNOw Buntings

2011-12-12T13:03:00.001Z

Soil Hill in a rather brisk W'ly to say the least 1045-1145hrs. Blackbird, 3 Common Gull, 4 Skylark, c20 Linnet, Caawvids - nothing else to report. Plenty of Common Gull at Raggalds flood and several at Foxhill also.

SH Buntng Check

2011-12-10T12:21:00.001Z

Soil Hill 0945-1050 hrs 3 Snow Bunting still present but very mobile this morning. Also 6 Skylark, Blackbird, Wren, Pheasant 3 Carrion Crow.

Soddened on Soil Hill

2011-12-08T14:15:00.001Z

SH 0940-1040 hrs in a driving SW rainstorm. I may have been wetter than this fully clothed at some time in my life but I really cant remember when. At the far end of the track on the E side I flushed a Jack Snipe from just over 2 metres; it performed as per usual, dropping down onto top of N slope. Turning the corner and heading back down the track I then flushed 3 Snow Bunting from the stony

Buntings and Snow

2011-12-06T14:44:00.001Z

Sunny Soil Hill

2011-12-06T14:00:00.000Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Tue, 6 Dec, 2011 Time: 9:45 - 10:50 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Blue Tit 1 Carrion Crow 4 Dunnock 1 Grey Partridge 6 Kestrel 1 Linnet 1 Magpie 2 Pheasant 1 Skylark 9 Snow Bunting Showing well feeding close by on top field. 6 Total number of species 10

Hellishly Wet

2011-12-03T15:59:00.001Z

Soil Hell 1140-1310 hrs in fairly strong N'ly switching later to W/SW,ly. The bottom of the hill is now dangerous as a result of excavation, mud and water. The Vehicle Wash is now flooded; perhaps we will get some wildfowl on it, lol. Seriously, I do not advise anybody to negotiate the surrounding area; remember I do it so you don't have to. Leave it to the imbeciles and you'll be OK. The 3

Soil Hill Convention

2011-12-01T14:02:00.001Z

Joint SOE Bunting Hunters Soil Hill Two Special Operations Executives from the Cross Border Force were present on the hill this morning. Their mission was accomplished when 3 Snow Bunting were seen shortly after this photo was taken. Nothing more is known about the photographer who has been reported MIA. During the past two months I noticed the Eastern slope excavations have created fresh

Then they were Three

2011-12-01T13:25:00.001Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Thu, 1 Dec, 2011 Time: 9:40 - 11:55 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Carrion Crow 5+ Common Gull 2 Grey Heron 1 Grey Partridge 6 Lapwing Bottom field circa 21 Linnet 8 Magpie 2 Mallard 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Peregrine Pr together low down > S F - Flying 2 Pheasant 1 Reed Bunting 1 Short-eared

More from the Hill

2011-11-30T11:43:00.001Z

Soil Hill 0930 hrs 10 Linnet, pr Skylark, Jack Snipe and pr Snow Bunting reported by Dave Pinder (I had to go shoppng). PS Went down south to High Cross Lane area to count the Lapwing flock at 1355hrs - 125+ birds present.

The Early Bird...

2011-11-29T14:16:00.001Z

The Hill won today 29/11 1005-1045hrs. Strong wind drove birds and me off after just 3 Skylark, 14 Lapwing on the bottom field. Mebbe Bruce persevered and picked something up... Such was my comment made on yesterday's post (now deleted) because I didn't think a full post was warranted today, however: DP just rang to say he was up on the hill while it was still dark before approx 0800 hrs. He

Soil Hill Pinkies

2011-11-28T14:49:00.001Z

I missed out on the SB with my camera but managed to get some ropey shots of these c400 PFG which took me by surprise at 1035hrs. Pink-footed Geese over Soil Hill on a Seek and Digest Mission

Another Good Session

2011-11-28T13:27:00.001Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Mon, 28 Nov, 2011 Time: 9:45 - 11:30 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Carrion Crow 4+ Common Gull circa 11 Grey Plover Top field with 8 Lapwing flew off calling > N. 1 Lapwing 8 Linnet 18 Magpie 1 Mallard 3 Meadow Pipit 1 Pink-footed Goose Directly over my head, top field > N then veered W F - Flying circa

Quiet but Good

2011-11-26T12:23:00.001Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Sat, 26 Nov, 2011 Time: 9:40 - 10:55 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Carrion Crow 4 Jack Snipe Great views when flushed from 2 metres and kept being blown back by strong SW,ly before dropping down. 1 Linnet 3 Pheasant 2 Skylark 3 Snipe Flushed on top field 1 Starling 2 Total number of species 7

St Ives Bingley

2011-11-24T14:33:00.001Z

Went to foreign parts this morning courtesy of Dave P and within a few minutes of disembarking in Altar Lane at 0955 hrs we were given a great display of nature. 3 waves of Pink-footed Geese came over giving very good views as they flew low down over the estate > E. I didn't have much chance of an accurate count because of the speed and treeline but I can happily say they must have been c600

Down Under Plover

2011-11-23T15:25:00.001Z

We don't get too many of this species in the Queensbury area, in fact we don't get many at all in the UK. It's a Spur Winged Plover and was photographed in Victoria, Australia just outside a house. Didn't see any point in ringing you with this one Brian! My thanks to the sender for making me envious - I've only ever seen one before in my life on a Turkish holiday in April this year.

The Hill

2011-11-21T11:56:00.001Z

Soil Hill 0940-1055 hrs; calm with weak sunlight and intermittent mist. 21 Fieldfare, c50 Starling, 8 House Sparrow (in flight which is unusual here) Robin, Blackbird, pr Dunnock. 4 Mallard Ogdenei flew W. The top field failed to produce Snipe today and just 2 Pheasant, 7 Linnet, 2 Meadow Pipit, 5 Skylark materialised. OK also 2 Magpie and 4 Crow if you insist. PS Noticed at least 4 Redwing

Home and Away

2011-11-18T14:53:00.001Z

Home, approx 0800hrs. 20+ Fieldfare > S, White Crow with 4 other in standard issue plumage. Away - Ringston Edge 1140-1220hrs. Quiet with numerous small gull species only on water. A flock of 25 Golden Plover flew around twice before landing in an adjacent field. Other - 2 Pied Wagtail, plenty of Starling. Greetland - Coal Tit, deceased, presumed roadkill. Ah well that's one less bird

Local White Crow

2011-11-17T14:42:00.001Z

Not bad for a venture out into the back yard at 1415 hrs.

Soil and Water

2011-11-17T12:07:00.001Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Thu, 17 Nov, 2011 Time: 8:05 - 9:20 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Black-headed Gull 2 Blackbird 1 Carrion Crow 5 Chaffinch 1 Grey Heron 1 Grey Partridge 10 House Sparrow circa 6 Kestrel 1 Lapwing 10 Linnet 8 Mallard 2 Meadow Pipit 2 Pheasant 2 Reed Bunting Male still in bright

Whooper A Daisy

2011-11-15T11:18:00.001Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Tue, 15 Nov, 2011 Time: 8:35 - 9:55 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Blackbird 2 Carrion Crow Present Chaffinch 2 Great Tit 1 Grey Partridge 10 Lapwing Flying around the top 7 Linnet circa 14 Meadow Pipit 1 Pheasant 4 Reed Bunting Top field 4 Skylark 8 Snipe Flushed from top field 1 Snow

JACK(Snipe)POT

2011-11-14T13:22:00.001Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Mon, 14 Nov, 2011 Time: 9:40 - 11:15 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Blackbird 1 Carrion Crow 8+ Common Gull 1 Grey Partridge 13 Jack Snipe Flushed close up flew approx 30m dropped into cover top field. 1 Kestrel 1 Linnet 17 Magpie 2 Mallard 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Pheasant 4 Skylark 7

Morning Walk

2011-11-12T13:49:00.001Z

Site Name: Soil Hill Date: Sat, 12 Nov, 2011 Time: 9:40 - 10:45 Species Comment Breeding Status Count Carrion Crow 7+ Dunnock 1 Fieldfare 10 Golden Plover Over top field in flight called 3 times 1 Goldfinch 1 Jackdaw 3 Kestrel 1 Lapwing Bottom field 12 Lesser

Sucker Punch

2011-11-09T16:17:00.002Z

Looked out the window after lunch and thought the bit o blue sky hangin 'round might lend itself to an afternoon trip up Soil Hell. Arrived at 1355 hrs to find 170+ Fieldfare skimming over walls and fields heading toward Bradshaw. 15 mins later the blue went and in raced the grey clouds, just as I was halfway round the top field. 3 Skylark, 4 Pheasant, 4 Grey Partridge and a Linnet later, I was

Ogden Yesterday

2011-11-08T11:30:00.003Z

It was as David said,very quiet. Only 3 Bullfinch to add (male, female+1). They were feeding in the rose bed by the building and hovering to pick something off. The only real entertainment provided by these gulls. Look carefully-answers on a postcard........

Local Movement

2011-11-07T12:29:00.001Z

Soil Hill for a quick visit 0945-1055 hrs in an E'ly with overcast sky. 5 Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, 3 Skylark, 3 Linnet. A c50 strong flock of Redwing went over the top toward Mixenden. The bottom field had c70 mixed smaller gulls and a LBBG, a few Lapwing were also present. Raggalds 1105 hrs c10 Meadow Pipit went over toward SH. c150 Fieldfare flew > E and I can't be certain but from the

Quiet Soil Hill

2011-11-06T11:54:00.000Z

An almost 2 hour session (0840-1035) 'pon the Hill produced these birds only: 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Skylark, pr Kestrel, 1 Linnet, 1 Greenfinch, 2 LBBG, 20 Lapwing (bottom field), Crows. Other: Raggalds - 4 Meadow Pipit, several smaller gulls, mainly Common; Pied Wagtail. Queensbury - GSW constantly calling from Tesco car park. 12 Woodpigeon, 1 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush. Bring on some

Soil Hill and Ogden

2011-11-05T14:47:00.001Z

Rather than blow anything juicy in, the N/NE'ly blew those birds previously present off the hill top; Swalesmoor might be worth checking up on just down the road. 3 Skylark, 5 Goldfinch > NE, Lapwing > S, 7 LBBG circling, BHG, Kestrel, c30 Carrion Crows. Ogden res 1120hrs, bit of an improvement today: 2 Cormorant, 20+ Common Gull, c30 BHG, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 3 Bullfinch. A very

Changeable Soil Hill

2011-11-04T13:42:00.002Z

When I arrived on that hellish hill at 0945hrs 'twas damp and murky, so much so I got disorientated once or twice. Fortunately, I soon blundered into 4 Twite on the N edge, followed shortly after by the Snow Bunting. Despite a long slog searching the pools and ruts for possible Snipe/Jack Snipe nothing materialised. DJS turned up and shortly after this the sun broke through and we were blessed

Picture Imperfect

2011-11-03T14:40:00.000Z

Poor pics of a Snow Bunting still on Soil Hill this morning at 1130hrs. KM and I had probably walked within 3 metres of this bird on what appeared to be a fruitless search; indeed the entire top field was quiet. However on setting off to search the N slope I flushed this bird which flew toward KM and we managed to get very close to it at times. This bird behaved as Snow Bunt should; it never

SH Snow Buntings

2011-11-02T13:36:00.001Z

Soil Hill approx 0930-1110hrs in a fresh SE'ly and fairly clear skies, with Dave Pinder (thanks for the ride). Not much doing for the first 20 minutes or so until we got to the well vegetated mound by the trackside. I flushed a pr of birds, one of which showed an obvious white patch on it's rump; the other one was a brown and white job. Although I debated with DP it may have been a Wheatear, I

Soil Hill Morsel

2011-10-31T14:36:00.001Z

SH 0945-1110hrs Top Field. I was fairly happy to have encountered a big robust Wheatear with a large supercilium at close range; I'm counting this as a Greenland. However at approx 1018hrs this was overshadowed by a Grey Plover in company with a pr Lapwing. The bird took off calling and didn't seem in too much of a hurry as it climbed to a moderate height and circled, giving good views and

Bird Quiz Answer

2011-10-29T14:11:00.000+01:00

The bird is a Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) , but it is more typical of the ssp. beema which breeds on the Kirghiz steppe rather than feldegg which is associated with Turkey. Look at the supercilium which is very pronounced as in beema; this is not apparent in feldegg. Just to make life more confusing, the colour of the mantle and nape is right for feldegg! So, effectively nobody could

Moving Day

2011-10-28T14:23:00.000+01:00

A good day to be out birdin, starting off with small numbers of Woodpigs and a Redwing over the back yard at approx 0830hrs. BS was getting bigger numbers of Woodies and Thrushes, so have a gander at his blog. Talkin about gander... Soil Hill 0943hrs c100 Pink-footed Goose overhead > SE, so low I didn't need the bins; this was good as I hadn't taken em out the rucksack yet. A large gull in the

Easy Bird Quiz

2011-10-27T12:26:00.000+01:00

Identify this bird for a laff; those who can provide the full species/ssp name win a one week stay in Queensbury. Those who can't but still get the species correct win a two week stay.

Sunny Oats Royd

2011-10-26T14:17:00.001+01:00

OR 1120-1225 hrs Species (Complete list) Count Breeding Optional Details Black-headed Gull 2 Blackbird 1 Blue Tit Bullfinch 1 Carrion Crow c8 Chaffinch 2 Common Gull 1 Great Tit 1 Greenfinch 3 Grey Heron 1 Flying Jay 1 Long-tailed Tit 4+ Magpie 12+ Mistle Thrush 2

Another Fine Day

2011-10-26T13:48:00.001+01:00

Swalesmoor 1010-1110 hrs too bright and sunny for many birds: Species Comment Breeding Status Count Carrion Crow 10+ Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Jackdaw 6 Jay 1 Magpie 5 Meadow Pipit 5 Pied Wagtail (yarrellii) 2 Skylark 1 Woodpigeon Heading South F - Flying circa 90 Total number of species 11

Disappointment

2011-10-24T14:02:00.001+01:00

After getting c85 Woodpigeon over the back at around 0840 hrs I thought the SE,ly would bear fruit on Soil Hill and mebbe Ogden so orf I went. I was well wrong: SH 0945-1040hrs c14 Meadow Pipit, 1 Linnet, 6 Pheasant, c40 Fieldfare blogging. Ogden Res 1055hrs - juv Cormorant still present. 4 LBB among the small collection of small gulls, Only other thing worth mentioning c50 Goldfinch blogging and

Alanya Birds

2011-10-23T15:15:00.001+01:00

Blue Rock Thrush Willow Warbler

Blue Sky - Poor Birding

2011-10-22T14:22:00.004+01:00

Now I know a direct S'ly with Blue Sky and Sunshine is even worse than the well documented dreaded SW'ly. Lurvely day for perambulating, but by crackey it made fer grim birdin. Soil Hill 0945hrs - 9 Starling, Reed Bunting, c14 Meadow Pipit, c10 Linnet, Goldfinch, Kestrel. 8 Pheasant together were flushed from one small area of vegetation. (Jay over BS Garage on way up). Ogden Res approx 1110 hrs

Holiday Drama

2011-10-20T11:58:00.001+01:00

One of the most spectacular incidents on the birdin trip to Alanya took place one afternoon while walking along the extensive promenade. It involved a raptor known to birders worldwide and a bird that was a lifer for me, found in this part of Turkey, having spread westward recently. This Peregrine Falcon flew low down nearby and caught a bird in mid air which it carried up to the 9th floor of

Quiet Round Trip

2011-10-19T14:08:00.000+01:00

Had a tour round courtesy of DP to Ogden, Mixenden and Soil Hill; although quiet it had it's moments. Ogden Res approx 0940 hrs - juvenile Cormorant, 4 LBBG among the smaller gulls, Reed Bunting and a very tame Robin. The Lodge House feeders are obscured now by Hawthorn branches as well as the RBW Herb stems so it's going to be really hard work to nail any Bramblings there. Mixenden Res -

Very Small Humming Bird

2011-10-18T16:50:00.002+01:00

Alanya was swarming with these beauties OK this is supposed to be an Ornithological blog, but it is a kind of bird, isn't it?

Looking for Ogden?

2011-10-17T13:57:00.000+01:00

Soil Hill

2011-10-17T11:22:00.000+01:00

0830-0935hrs rather cool and somewhat breezy. Skylark, c23 Meadow Pipit, c28 Linnet, 6 Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Golden Plover calling overhead. 6 Fieldfare flew over > SW.

Polish-ringed Gull

2011-10-16T19:14:00.004+01:00

I thought you might like to know that I've just been told that the BHG with the white ring (T6NA), which was at Ogden on 1/10/11, was ringed as a pullus in Nowe Dwory, Poland on the 26/6/11. It had travelled 1021 miles to reach Ogden.

Kingfisher

2011-10-16T13:43:00.002+01:00

I had to travel 2000 miles to get this years annual Kingfisher. This one was working the rock pools on the beach; I probably got about 5 in total.

Sunny and Quiet

2011-10-15T15:10:00.000+01:00

Soil Hill 0945-1030hrs Bright blue skies so no sign of mass migration, which was confirmed by KM (Red Grouse) who had arrived earlier. Birds present: Kestrel, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Skylark, 2 Chaffinch, c20 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet and solitary Wheatear. I had seen a Wheatear at Mountain some 25 minutes earlier. Ogden Res 1045hrs - managed to get c35 Redwing here and a smattering of Woodpigeon. Deadly

Armenian Gull

2011-10-14T16:29:00.002+01:00

A new bird and gull for me - not taken at Ogden btw.

Brambling in Park Lane

2011-10-11T10:33:00.004+01:00

Our first one came in this morning. I only managed a couple of snaps before the Sparrowhawk dropped in and put everything up.

Round and About

2011-10-01T21:40:00.006+01:00

70+Common Gulls on the rugby field this morning at about 7:00It seemed pretty quiet at Ned Hill from 7:15 'til 8:00 with only 14 Meadow Pipits passing>S but there seemed to have been a bit of a movement of alba wagtails with 27 in 5 groups also >S. Some other groups were passing down by the road, but too far away for me.I dropped down to Ogden where today's interest was this white-ringed BHG

Ogden

2011-09-30T22:00:00.007+01:00

Amongst other things, I managed to see:10 Goldcrests, 2 Grey Herons,2 Chiffchaffs-one singing,5 Greylags that looked to be heading towards Thornton Moor,A BHG eating a Peacock butterflyand in keeping with the exotic weather- a Budgerigar.

Ogden

2011-09-29T10:55:00.002+01:00

Great Crested Grebe at Ogden this morning but it had gone by the time I left at 9:00am.

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

2011-09-28T21:43:00.003+01:00

A few months back I was excommunicated from the links of, er, shall we say a local large birding group; the reason is still unknown. I think it may be to do with the fact I posted my thoughts on a certain issue, pulling no punches in defending my stance. In return to show I am a fair minded man, I removed this groups link from my blog and website. End of what was a fairly mutual exchange of

Soil Hill Again

2011-09-27T11:12:00.002+01:00

Soil Hill 0825-0950hrs. The large Linnet flock has dispersed probably pro tem there being around 80 birds present. Meadow Pipit were on the move, thinly spread throughout and were hard to count but I estimate 90+ birds. Skylark numbers were at 20, with several bursts of song heard. A juvenile Sparrowhawk was hunting by the Radio Mast on arrival, flying so low it came over a wall top just 2

Queensbury Yellow Wagtail

2011-09-25T17:32:00.000+01:00

I'm beginning to like my back garden; was out cleaning boots from this mornings mudbath when a Yellow Wagtail flew over the back field at 1720hrs, calling twice. It was heading more or less due South, pity the long lumpy field grass isn't the sort that pulls them down to rest or feed.

Soaked to the Skin

2011-09-25T14:05:00.003+01:00

Twas hard to resist the offer of a trip to Soil Hill from DP this morning even though the clouds suggested rain was guaranteed. The thought of possible Autumn Snipe proved too tempting and we were greeted by a downpour on arrival at approx 1135 hrs. Ned Hill track proved disappointing with just 3 Meadow Pipit present so we checked the top field out. Here we encountered 10+ Skylark and a few more

Early Start

2011-09-23T14:04:00.004+01:00

I peered out of the hovel window this morning and decided it was a potential movement day so orf I went up to Soil Hill. From Albert Rd upto SH there was a thin trickle of Meadow Pipit on a broad front mainly heading W. They were still moving when I got home at approx 1225 hrs. Soil Hill 0725-0900 hrs. LBBG, c75 Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, c130 Linnet, c18 Goldfinch, Blackbird, Kestrel, Reed

Nowt Much Doin II

2011-09-21T14:01:00.000+01:00

By gum but it were bleak this mornin around t'local fields in Queensbury south. There were nobbut wind blowin, took me bleedin toupé off again - that's 27 I've lost since movin to this hell hole. If ever there was a time to give up birding and pick a new pastime this was the one. Oddly enough I passed a certain garden in Park Lane and guess what? It was chocablock with birds. Nowhere else was

Nowt Much Doin

2011-09-20T16:28:00.001+01:00

Ogden Res 1300-1355 hrs. The Goldeneye reported by DS yesterday has done a runner to be replaced by a Cormorant which appeared to disappear after 20 minutes or so. 5 LBBG were present among the paltry scattering of smaller gulls. Also Goldcrest, Treecreper, GSW, Swallows. Soil Hill 1405-1450 hrs top only. 1 Linnet! 10 Skylark, c12 Meadow Pipit, pr Blackbird, Grey Partridge calling. A Sparrer Ork