Drumming - 31/01/06

I took Laddie out this morning and heard the first Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming of the year. He was on a tree at the end of the nearby field.

Big Garden Bird Watch - 29/01/06

I did the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch again, 8AM, results as follows...
Blue Tit (3), Blackbird (7), Robin (1), Great Tit (4), Chaffinch (3), Wren (1), Magpie (2), Carrion Crow (1), Jay (1), Dunnock (2), Bullfinch (2), Coal Tit (1), House Sparrow (3), Wood Pigeon (1), Collared Dove (1).

Stocks Reservoir - 28/01/06

Stocks Reservoir in the Forest of Bowland was a gem of a find considering we just went as we were in the area and looked at a road map. There's a decent hide (you really need a scope though, it's a big place), good feeder station, a variety of habitat and loads of walks.

Feeder - Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tits, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blackbird

Reservoir - Cormorant, Mallard, Widgeon, Pheasant (by the waters edge), Pochard, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck.

Walking - Robin and an LBJ I couldn't place... I'm currently checking the books trying to figure it out... it was like a plumper, pale Dunnock (particularly a greyish head) singing a "seep" call atop a small perch in a grassy area of the edge of the wood.

Brimham Rocks - 14/01/06

Red grouse, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Wren lots of Goldcrests, Reed Bunting, Bullfinch. This place is amazing but I wouldn't bother going in summer, it must be heaving with people.

Waxwings - 12/01/06

Success! BirdGuides told me the Waxwings were still there this morning so I jetted off at lunchtime (12:30) and indeed saw them. There are only 15 this year as generally reported and they are feeding on the same trees in the Bingo car park. I also saw them sitting on a tree just over the road. If I kept a yearly list that would be a good tick... but I don't :)

There were also a pair of Mistle Thrushes sat on a floodlight in the car park.

No Waxwings - 08/01/06

Waxwings (around 15 as opposed to last years 200-300) have been apparently sighted in the Bingo Hall carpark again but there is a poor crop of berrys there. I briefly visited today but there was no sign of them so I may have missed them this year :(

Garden Update - 08/01/06

Just a quick post to say how the garden is getting on. Well all the usual birds are still flocking in although the Great Spotted Woodpecker hasn't been seen for a few days (I ran out of fat cakes so he may be sulking) and hardly any Greenfinches. But there have been plenty of sightings of Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Nuthatch and Jay.

Kingfisher - 08/01/06

We took Laddie a walk along the canal near Elland/Sowery Bridge today and got he best views I've ever had of a Kingfisher. By that I mean it sat still and I could actually look at it through the bins rather than a blue flash hurtling off down the river. Wonderful bird :)

Mousey! - 05/01/05

I just glanced out of the window today and saw a little brown mouse scurrying up the street and then into a hedge! Just shows what you can spot by glancing out of the window.

Carsington Water - 01/01/06

The traditional Jan 1st birding day and a brand new location for me. As we were on holiday in Derbyshire we went for a potter around Carsington Water... Dabchick, Cormorant, Pochard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Lapwing (large flocks), Black Headed Gull, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Mute Swan, Robin, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Bullfinch, Great Tit, Dunnock and Tree Sparrow. That'll do :)

Cromford Canal - 31/12/05

A great walk along Cromford canal in Derbyshire to round of 2005 and it was packed (well 12) with Dabchicks. I've never seen so many in one place and hardly saw any other bird there except the Mallards scrouning bread from the tourists.

Albino Blackbird - 27/12/05

Saw a blackbird today while out with Laddie, feeding in a garden off my local patch. It had a completely white head, something which I believe is not THAT uncommon but a first for me :)

Local Patch Pheasant - 23/12/05

A new local patch tick today... Pheasant (in the lower field where the horses are). I've heard them before but it's the first time I've spotted one.

Garden Blackcap!!!! 12/10/05

A new garden tick today! A Blackcap joined the regulars at the bird table. Not seen him since mind but I'm glad he popped in!

Digley - 10/12/05

A few bits on a dog walk around the reservoir... Goldeneye (pair), Robin, Jay, Canada Geese, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit and Black Headed Gulls.

Denaby Ings - 02/12/05

Whoops. I forgot my RSPB card so ended up at Denaby Ings... where I used to go as a kid... rather than Old Moor. Saw a few bits though... Coots, Goosander(3m, 2f), Mallard, Gadwall, Black Headed Gulls, Teal (just 2), Moorhen, Grey Heron, Kestrel (perched on the far side opposite the hides), Shoveler (2m), Long Tailed Tits, Mute Swans and Blue Tits.





Also note, it seems I can no longer edit the dates of these posts so I'll have to manually add them to the titles... which is annoying.