Ossett today along the river Calder, attraction was a pair of Night Herons. Last time I saw these in the Huddersfield area was back in 2008 at Scout Dike reservoir, which I know believe was of dubious origin, so it would be good to get this firmly on the Huddersfield area list.
It was raining, there were few birds about, Mallards and Goosanders on the river, mermors from passing birders was that the one of the Night Herons had flown up river and the other was hiding somewhere in the bushes.
I didn’t find it on my first pad of the area, I was now the only one there, but I could see other birders arriving, I told them the news, and I was now wet.
I decided on another look-up river and to my relief someone had located the bird, happy days, twenty minutes of viewing the bird, a bit of video, before this one decided on flying up river too.
Other bird of note, my first Reed Bunting of the year, along with Willow Warbler and Blackcap
8th of April and members day at Cromwell Bottom, this takes in a guided walk around the site with a couple of people from the committee, also takes in the North loop, which is mainly a closed off area.
The guided walk was due to start at 10am, so I decided on a earlier start, before it got busy. Leaving the car park, the Heronry seemed very active this morning with quite a few Grey Herons around bringing in nesting material. Green Woodpecker was noticeable by its “Yaffling” call, but not seen. The feeders by the visitor centre were active with Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robins, and Chaffinch.
Down at the weir there was a single Grey Wagtail this morning, and nothing else, so onto the reserve. The main feeding station was a quiet today, only Robins seen with a nearby calling Chiffchaff.
A walk on down to the viewing platform were there was a male Teal and a Grey Heron. I came back via the river footpath hoping for that Kingfisher sighting, not today.
A Blackcap made itself known by its loud call around by the feeding station, a bit of a dull start, hope the walk is better.
The members walk started at 10am setting off down along the canal towpath with the aim of coming onto the reserve further down. we were off to a good start picking up a couple of Willow Warblers and three female Goldeneye, Oystercatchers and Goosanders (ski lake). Our next stop was the viewing platform where we heard a Little Grebe and found a male Reed Bunting, also a couple of Lesser Redpolls .Walking back along the river footpath a Kingfisher was heard but alas not seen.
After lunch we were allowed up onto the North Loop site, where we could see the plans being made for this area, a horseshoe shaped lagoon was was being made and eventually would be a good area for passing waders, with hopefully some stopping to breed. Meadow Pipit was up on this location with of course the breeding Barn Owls.
44 species seen or heard today
Bird List : Blackbird, Blackcap, Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Coot, Dunnock, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Tit, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Greylag Goose, Jay, Kingfisher, Lesser Black backed Gull, Lesser redpoll. Little Grebe, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Nuthatch, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Reed Bunting, Robin, Song Thrush, Stock Dove, Teal, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren
Well today’s plan was for Wombwell Ings early doors then on to Thorne Moors for Adders, when hopefully the day had heated up a bit for the adders.
Wombwell was quiet, a few Meadow Pipits along with Skylarks, the Water Pipit was a quick glimpse as it flew off.
Thorne Moors produced the said Adders, we managed five today, a couple of large dark females, a great experience. Birds we managed to see on site were, Stonchat ♂, a single Swallow, Marsh Harrier, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps,
We then decided on a visit up to St Aidans RSPB, as this site doesn’t shut early, like Blacktoft |Sands. Lots more to see at St Aidans, good start was the Little Owl, in its usual spot near the drag line. A long walk then to fin the Black necked Grebes, we managed to see four birds. Gorse bushes on a sunny day had me looking and finding Gorse Shieldbugs. Bittern was heard booming but not seen, another heard was Water Rail and Cetti’s Warblers.
A great day out with 68 species seen or heard, the Adders however stole the show today
Bird List : Bittern, Blackcap, Black headed Gull, Black necked Grebe, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Crow, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Collard Dove, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunnock, Gadwall, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jay, Lapwing, Lesser Black backed Gull, Linnet, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Owl, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pink footed Goose, Pochard, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Robin, Rook, Shoveler, Skylark, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Stonechat, Swallow, Teal, Tufted Duck, Water Pipit, Water Rail, Wigeon, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren
The return home day, after three great days birding in Norfolk. The plan was to return via RSPB Adwick Washlands on the way thru. finally arriving at Adwick at about 1pm to a full car park, so I had a wait of about 10 – 15 mins before a space became available.
Little bit of a steady walk down to the actual Marsh area, along Lowfield Lane, lots to se on the way down there, Chaffinch, Robin, Kestrel, Crow, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Canada Geese, Greenfinch, Long tailed Tit and Woodpigeon.
At the marsh area, first pool, plenty of Avocets along with Black headed Gulls, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Mallards and a couple of Redshank. I then moved off and had a look at the feeders, along the hedgerow in the left field, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed Buntings, Robin, Blue and Great Tits all to be found.
Further down the lane, another pool, again on the right side, there was a small number of birders assembled, looking at the bird I’d forgotten about, a drake Garganey, always a nice bird to see, a summer migrant to these shores.
Saturday and Day 3, the plan was to stop at Cley Marshes for the day, a place I hadn’t been to since September 2011, so long overdue a visit. A good start on arrival, I was buzzed by a Sparrowhawk as it went thru the car park. Five pound for a permit, purchased at the visitor centre, this includes the car park fee, centre opens at 10am, all a bit completed to me.
Anyway out on the reserve, my first port of call was to bishop’s hide, where there was a splendid Grey Wagtail along with a couple of Pied Wagtails. A few Ruff about, with no shortage of Avocet’s, and a couple of Redshanks in and amongst. Wildfowl included Mallard, Teal, a lot of Shovelers, Shelducks, Wigeon and a pair of Pintail, to finish off with Coots, Crows and Marsh Harriers.
After Bishops it was on to the East Bank, in the hope of seeing the star birds at Cley at the moment. The first bird was a no show on Arnolds Marsh , I walked down the bank to the call of Cetti’s Warblers, Redshanks and Curlews bubbling away, soon down on the shingle beach looking for quarry number two, they were soon located, with the help of other birders, always a pleasure in seeing Snow Buntings, Along with the SNOBS as some people like to cal them were, Meadow Pipits, who blended in nicely with the surrounding fauna.
The first of the rain moved in so I took refuge in the shelter at the bottom of East Bank, where I could look over the marsh, watching Brent Geese, Black tailed Godwits, and Ringed Plovers. After the rain ahd moved thru it was back onto the bank, looking for and finally finding the Long billed Dowitcher, very close as well. This is an American wader, a Snipe sized bird, with plumage and shape looking like a cross between a snipe and a Bar tailed Godwit. I’d managed to get some video footage just before the rain moved back in, press HERE but by the time I’d got back to the car for dinner I was cold and wet.
After a dry out, it was back over to Bishops Hide, mainly to avoid another down pour, I just made it into the hide before the heavens opened, we even had to shut the hide windows, as rain was coming in. When the rain eventually stopped I moved over to the Avocet, Daukes and Teal hides, I ended stopping here for the rest of my time at Cley, watching and photographing Redshanks, Black tailed Godwits, Ruff, Dunlin, Meadow Pipits, Avocets, Wigeon, Mute Swans, Teal, Pied Wagtail, Lapwing and Marsh Harriers and finally for the day a pair of Egyptian Geese, 41 species for the day.
Bird List :- Avocet, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Goldfinch, Great Black backed Gull, Grey Wagtail, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Little Egret, Long billed Dowitcher, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied wagtail, Pintail, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Rook, Ruff, Shelduck, Snipe, Snow Bunting, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Teal Wigeon, Woodpigeon (41)
Friday and Day 2, todays plan was to head out to a new reserve, I hadn’t visited before, called, Sculthrope Moor Nature Reserve near Fakenham.
On entering the reserve your soon upon the first hide, called Dragonfly Hide, here I saw Dunnocks, Nuthatch, Siskin, Greenfinch, Stock Dove, Chaffinch, Long tailed Tit, Blue Tit, heard a Song Thrush and Little Grebe. Moved away from the Dragonfly hide and made my way to the Woodland Hide, where the first surprise of the day was a paie of Muntjac Deer, feeding around the bird feeders, one female and one male, I ended up taking a few photos. Birds here included Blackbird, Bullflinch, Robin, Blue and Long tailed Tit.
I made my way slowly onwards taking in the scenery of Scultrope, a very wooded reserve along with areas of fen, meadows and wetland areas, I was enjoying the place. I finally came across the Whiteley Hide, there are seven hides in total, this is the place to see Red Kites and it wasn’t long before one was spotted over the tree tops, along with the Kite was a Common Buzzard and Rooks. Down at the nearby feeders were Long tailed, Blue and Great Tit, Male Reed Buntings, Chaffinch, Coal and Marsh Tit.
After a while I moved on to the new Wetland Area and the hide there, but on the my walk there I came across a roosting Tawny Owl, which was a nice experience of seeing one of these in the day time, nearby was a calling Chiffchaff. So from the Wetland hide, Common Snipe was a nice addition to the day list, along with a Common Redshank.
Sculthorpe Moor is a great place, one I think I could gladly spend all day there, lovely big hides, good reception area, clean toilets, and friendly staff, definitely be visiting again, 31 species encountered.
Bird List ;- Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Coot, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Little Grebe, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Red Kite, Reed Bunting, Robin, Rook, Siskin, Snipe, Song Thrush, Stock Dove, Tawny Owl, Teal,
Muntjac Deer
After Sculthrope I moved onto Heacham South Beach for the reported Slavonian Grebe, after about a 20min walk, thanks to another birder showing me the way and another birder on site we were soon onto the bird, it did give us the run around as it was moving up and down the river, I did manage a few distant photos of the bird.
After the Slavonian Grebe encounter it was then on to RSPB Titchwell were on arrival and just thru the hub, I had my first rain shower of the day, so I sat down at the visitor centre feeders watching Woodpigeon, and Dunnocks to pass the time away whilst the shower went thru.
After the rain I was onto and into the Island Hide where , Black headed Gulls, Shovelers, Avocets, Pochards, Mallards, Pintail, Marsh Harriers, Brent Geese, Mediterranean Gulls, Teal, and a few returning Sand Martins and Swallows could all be seen. Moving on then I soon stopped off at one of the seats along the pathway down to the beach which overlooks the reserve, from here I got to see ten Mediterranean Gulls in all, also Gadwall, Pied Wagtail, Avocets, Brent Geese, Shovelers and Greylag Geese.
On at the Parrinder Hide, ducked in here mainly to dodge another rain shower, bird highlights from here were a fine Male Pintail, three Turnstones, Redshank, and a single Ringed Plover. After the rain I headed down to the beach, stopping off firstly at the salt marsh to scope through some more birds, Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Grey Plovers and Curlews.
Finally down at the beach, I was greeted by a guy coming off saying “I had all the beach to myself, as there were no people and no birds to be seen”. Funny that as I found Red breasted Mergansers on the sea, on the beach were, but at a distance, Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Sanderling, and Bar tailed Godwits.
Itt was now late and I was getting a bit cold, so I decided on heading back to the car park, seeing Little Egret and more Marsh Harriers and Cormorants on the way. 42 bird species seen at Titchwell, plus another Muntjac Deer at the visitor Centre.
Bird List :- Avocet, Bar tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Brent Goose, Buzzard, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Dunlin, Dunnock, Gadwall, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Grey Plover, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Mediterranean Gull, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Pintail, Pochard, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Ringed Plover, Robin, Sand Martin, Sanderling, Shelduck, Swallow, Teal, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Wigeon, Woodpigeon, Wren
A couple of days birding into Norfolk, first port of call on the way down was to Willow Tree Fen, this year it was open, so I drove onto the viewing platform and parked up, time 9:30am, the weather was cloudy and very windy. On getting my gear together, one of the volunteers came over and asked if I was there to see the Cranes, of which I was of cause, with his help I managed to see five birds in total, with two fairly close to the viewing platform, he also pointed out a Great White Egret which was at a distance, and Marsh Harriers. Other birds about were plenty of Teal, with Woodpigeon,Stock Dove, Shovelers, a few Greylag Geese, a distinctive call from behind me draw my attention to some nearby trees, where a small flock of Fieldfare were hanging out. Back on the reserve a pair of Oystercatcher had come in, along with a pair of Pied Wagtails.
Bird List : Black headed Gull, Collard Dove, Cormorant, Crane, Fieldfare, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Red legged Partridge, Shoveler, Starlin, Stock Dove, Teal, Woodpigeon (21)
Common Cranes
After the great views of the Cranes I moved onto RSPB Frampton Marsh, which was about thirty mins away. I arrived at about 11:30am and had dinner before moving onto the reserve, however from the car park, in the close by field, were lots of Wigeon, a few Redshank, Gadwall, Shelduck and Ruff.
Moving onto the reserve then, it seemed the wind was getting stronger, no hope on small stuff the. Called in to the new visitor Centre, toilets stop, but from here I could see a few Great Crested Grebes, lots of Greylag Geese, Cormorants, Little Egrets, with a fair amount of Pochard. I then walked on down to the Reedbed Hide where very little was happening, but managed to see Spoonbill, and a couple of Grey Herons. Moving on then, I placed myself behind one of the screens close to the reeedbed hide, to keep out of the wind so I could view over the 360° hide fields. So out of the wind I could view Brent Geese, Avocets, Ruffs, Lapwings, Black headed Gulls, and Shovelers, without being thrown around.
Finally within the 360° hide I picked up on some Dunlins, Redshanks, and a party of five Ringed Plovers. After the 360° hide I had a hour down at the wash on the banking overlooking the Marsh, no raptors seen, not in this wind, but I saw Meadow Pipits, a few more Redshanks, a Little Egret, Black headed Gulls, and Brent Geese.
On the walk back down to the car park, more Ruff, a large flock of Dunlin, a pair of Blue Tit, a few Linnets and some Black tailed Godwits.
Bird List :- Avocet, Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Great Black backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Lesser Black backed Gull, Linnet, Little Egret, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen , Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pochard, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Shelduck, Skylark, Spoonbill, Starling, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Wren (40)
On arrival I started to scan the bushes along Dryham Lane near where i had parked the car, seeing Greenfinch, Dunnock, Lesser Redpoll (2), Cetti’s Warbler (heard only) and a single male Stonchat (Dryham Ings), on the left side marsh.
A good start, I decided on walking up Dryham Lane to the new workings, on the feeders on the right side were, Blackbirds, Tree Sparrows, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Out on Dryham Ings I found a Redshank and a couple of Black tailed Godwits. I tried looking for the Little Owl near the farm, but didn’t come across it, maybe too much activity from people at the time.
Looking over the new workings there were plenty of Black headed Gulls, a few Common Gulls, I scanned through them to try and pick up a Mediterranean Gull, but that was no go, a few Oystercatcher seen around here and a Treecreeper seen in one of the nearby trees. On my way back down Dryham Lane I found a single Chiffchaff along the hedge row, more likely an overwintering bird than a migrant bird.
After Lunch I decided on going on the footpath near Cliffe Road, stopping off in the East Hide (overlooking Village Lake), where I saw Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, and Canada Goose.
A change of plan after East Hide took me back towards Dryham Lane (Toilet Stop) and then back up Dryham Lane, Stonechat still in the same place on Dryham Ings. I took the footpath that takes up towards the Carp Lake and the Far Lake, a few Black headed Gulls and Pochard. I found a little feeding station down this footpath and a nearby bench, took the opportunity for a watch and saw Robins, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and a none bird species in the form of a Brown Rat. Behind me looking out towards South Carr Farm there was a Red Kite and a Common Buzzard sailing thru.
Island lake had the usual species of duck Mallard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Shovelers and Teal. and a flock of about c50 Curlews flying about,
I finally arrived down at the Turret Hide, passing the main feeders, thinking I’ll come back to those. Common Snipe was a nice find then I got of a shot of Bittern, so dashed to the other side of the hide to see a Bittern in the reeds, given a couple of minutes it gave itself up as it walk/swam across the channel, nice. After about a fifteen minute wait, hoping it would give itself up again a Water Rail dashed for one side to the other.
Call of Brambling at the feeders over the radio had me then setting off to see that, a twenty minute wait the male Brambling eventually gave itself up. Also at the feeders were Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrows, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and a Rook
Bird List for the day :- Bittern, Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Brambling, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Cettis Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunnock, Gadwall, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Greylag Goose, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Lapwing, Lesser Redpoll, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pochard, Red Kite, Redshank, Redwing, Robin, Rock Dove/Fearl Pigeon, Rook, Shelduck, Siskin, Snipe, Song Thrush, Starling, Stonechat, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Tufted Duck, Water Rail, Wigeon, Woodpigeon, Wren (57)
On arrival at the site I decided on a different approach to my usual route, taking the canal path first and entering the Nature Reserve further down. On the canal were mainly Mallard and Mute Swan, on entering the reserve I took a left turning towards the viewing platform and from here I saw a Grey Heron and a few Teal, overlooking the water ski lake I found mainly Black headed gulls with a few Common and Herrings Gulls, along with two male Goldeneye.
Decided then on walking down the path near the lagoon reedbed and onto the bottom footpath that runs along side the river and back towards the bridge over the river. Along this footbath I managed to find a couple of Lesser Redpoll and a couple of Goldcrest, with a small number of Log tailed Tit.
Back on the footbridge I scanned in the hope of Dipper and Kingfisher to no avail, but a guy did tell me where the Kingfisher was hanging out and had been for a couple of week, I headed straight over, but got distracted for ten minutes watching a good size flock of Lesser Redpoll and Siskins, after a couple of minutes, I heard a commotion behind, turning around I saw the back end of a Sparrowhawk chasing the Redpoll and Siskins thru the tress, on then to the Kingfisher.
No Kingfisher about when I arrived, there was already a small watching party. I eventually picked up the Kingfisher after about ten minutes and got interested parties on to it, a wonderful twenty minutes soon went by before it flew off, ending my day on a high note.
Small Video can be seen on You Tube by pressing HERE
A few hours to spare after work, so decided on a quick tour of Pugneys CP, main lake and nature reserve lake only. Out on the main lake, at the West side near the jetty, were Black Headed, Common, Lesser Black backed and Herring Gulls of various ages, Mallards, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Pochard, Great Cresyed Grebs and Cormorants.
Waled around then towards the Nature Reserve seeing a few Pied Wagtails on route but very little else, from the nature reserve hide were a very good number of Cormorants, Mute Swans, Grey Herons, Coots, Stock Doves and Woodpigeon.
Around at the next hide which overlooks the east side of the main lake were 3 female Goldeneye, more Cormorants, a Grey Heron which eventually flew to the hide area and located in the nearby reeds, a Water Rail was heard and unfortunately not seen.
Around the far side of the lake as I was making my way around to the car park over 70 Wigeon had amassed on the grass bank, it had now got around to coffee and cake time
No Photos today , just solely enjoying the birding time
Bird List : Black headed Gull, Canada Goose, Crow, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, lapwing, Lesser Black backed Gull, Magpie, Moorhen, Mute swan, Pied wagtail, Pochard, Robin, Shoveler, Stock Dove, Tufted Duck, Water Rail, Wigeon, Woodpigeon (24)
Huddsbirder 