Some pics I took of the 1000's of Pink Footed Geese
that flew over Calderdale the other day, a fantastic
sight even the neighbours were impressed, also lots
of Redwing & Fieldfare were flying over, garden had
50+ Goldfinch and 2 Wren and the regular visitors,
2 Jay have started to be seen regularly in the back field,
and a Raptor what looked like a Harrier being harassed by
a Raven high up above Claremount, it was late so all I got
was silhouettes but the Raven could be heard Kronking.
Took a trip to Oxenhope watchpoint on Monday morning
to see the migration flocks after an invite by HC and I really
enjoyed it DB was also up there with his vast amount of
knowledge, 2 Raven, 600+ Redwing with a few Fieldfare
mixed in with them, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 16 Goldfinch, a
Juvenile Peregrine Falcon chasing Jackdaws and pigeons,
it was bitter cold but thanks for the invite and company HC.
The afternoon produced 3 Stonechat on Hag Lane and the
garden had LTT's , 20+ Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Chaffinch,
Wren, Robin, Mistle Thrush, Starlings, Blue, Great and Coal
Tits, 4 Greenfinch, Sparrowhawk in the evening, and a couple
of Blackbird.
This morning was a bonanza of the same birds in the garden,
a Jay flypast 3 times and 200+ Redwing flew over the back
field also known as Pepper Hill flying East towards Shibden
Park. also 2 Collared Doves and a Wren and Dunnock.
Took a trip to Collingham nr Wetherby on Wednesday
to look for a reported Hoopoe a bird that Ive never seen,
after tooing and froing whether to go or not I thought I'd
better have a go as I might never get to see one again, so
I set off hopeful and how glad was I that I made the effort
the bird showed as soon as I got out of the car, what a beauty
and such a compromising bird, had a half hour watching it,
until the throngs of birders and snappers turned up even blocking
the road so I thought its time for me to disappear, but what a
delightful bird and well worth the effort.
Had a report last week of a Black Redstart up at Soil Hill
so had to go have a look for myself, 3 birders were
already up there DjS, AT, GR was nice to see them,
bird showed at a distance the first 5 minutes up there,
but then had to wait an hour for it to return, was only
a young one but still nice to see even at distance.
Took a trip out to Studley Deer Park at Ripon
for a change with my mate Roy H., was surprised
how quiet it was for bird life though but was great
to see the deers. Popped into Staveley NR for half
hour on way home, lots of Cormorant seen and a
Red Kite flyover and a distant Marsh Harrier.
