Great to see the Nuthatch at the feeding station today.

Mark Avery talk!

Avoiding any personal opinion & not bringing up any politics about this subject here - Mark Avery will be coming to Ilkley & giving a talk about Moorland, Driven grouse shooting, & Raptor persecution.
As part of a Wildlife group I thought I would let you know when & where he will be & you can choose to go or not, & in a Democracy as we are - have your own opinions about the subject.


I am only pointing this event out & not trying to sway any bodies opinions, Just pointing out on a Wildlife loving blog that there is a "Talk" about wildlife!


Here is a link to the Ilkley Literature festival booking website & a short description of what it's about, of course "If you are interested".




http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/101-inglorious-mark-avery

NEW FEEDING STATION LAYOUT.

Just to let everyone know - We renewed the feeding area layout at the viewing station on Saturday. Wheeew! some of those big logs were HEAVY! Thanks Steve for the extra help.
New holes for food were drilled everywhere & a few finishing touches added on Sunday!
It was tested on Sunday afternoon as we arranged it so anyone without Binoculars can get a really good close view of all the birds, all visitors were very happy with the close views of Nuthatch.


The 2 local Nuthatches in that area are well impressed with their new "Runway", Siskins are also visiting along with many Coal Tits & one lonesome Male Bullfinch is popping in occasionally, & it's still September.


So come on down & have a walk, sit & enjoy a flask. or sandwich, at the viewing station & watch our new visiting Nuthatches.

Nuthatch

I think we may need to increase the peanut budget!!!!

Starting to get busy at the bird table

Nuthatches and Coal Tits

Lots of birds are begining to come to the Bird Viewing Area to feed. Those of us who have visted in the last week have especially enjoyed the feeding antics of the two Nuthatches we are seeing regularly.

Extra Work Day

There will be an extra work day this Thursday the 24th to cut some trees prior to the work to be carried out at the pond later. Please meet at the Cabin at 09:30. All welcome to come along.

Siskin and Nuthatch

Male and Female Siskins in feeding area Sat am.

My first sighting of a kingfisher not a great pic but hey never seen one live before

At the Feeding Station

A few images from yesterday afternoon.  Really good to see the nuthatch.  A jay and great spotted woodpecker also put in a very brief appearance, but no photo ops for those two.

Coal Tit

Male Chaffinch

Blue Tit

Female Chaffinch

Great Tit

Nuthatch

Robin

Bat Evening Saturday the 12th

We had a really nice evening walk on Saturday after the rather iffy morning fog and drizzle. Thirty four people including 9 children came along. Several bat detectors were put into good use. These were bought by an Aviva grant awarded earlier in the year.

Daubenton's and Pipistrelle bats were located in some numbers near the calm sections of the River Calder within the reserve. 

Some of the group of bat people

One of the children listens to some bats on the bridge

Allan with a detector

This moth,  possibly a male Red Underwing was collected and released.
If you know exactly then please let us know.

Bracket Fungus

This white bracket was seen at Cromwell Bottom last Tuesday

If it can be identified then please let us know.

Some of our recent visitors to the Bird Viewing Area.

Quite a number of birds are coming down for the food at the Bird Viewing Area.  The Coal Tits, as with the other Tits are very active. Great to see the family of Long Tailed Tits coming in for their snack. Lots on juveniles coming down to feed at the moment plus some Bullfinches and others that are in moult and looking rather scruffy. The Jay is checking things out, especially the fatballs.