Monday 30 January 2017

Bird Survey

Last Saturday 28th January a Bird Survey was carried out on the reserve. 
Despite the poor weather conditions initially, we compiled a reasonable list of species, 30 in total. Look at the list on the board in the cabin.

However because we did not have a lot of volunteers we were not able to cover the whole reserve and so missed out a number of common species, which was a pity. 
Our next survey is on Sat 18th February and every 3rd Saturday in the month for all year. Hopefully more people will be able to come on some of these days.
Photo GWH

You would learn more about ID of birds and take part in Citizens Science providing important information for the nationwide organisations of the RSPB and the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology); helping with the conservation of birds. Also it could be a lot of fun and meeting other like minded people!

Redwing  - One of the 30 species seen.

Sunday 29 January 2017

Siskin pics from Upper Calderdale

C. 40 Siskins were at Todmorden this morning. A few pics and comments are on the Calderdale Wildlife blog.

Thursday 26 January 2017

Cromwell Photography Day

Hi all

We have had a call from Matt at Kier today, the bridge will be closed Saturday and Sunday, however on Saturday we will be allowed to cross at around 10am with anyone for the photography day, so please meet in the car park by 10am.

The Cabin will be open for tea & coffee.

Wednesday 25 January 2017

Guided Photography at Cromwell Bottom Saturday 28th Jan.

Hi all
A reminder that we have our first Photography Day on Saturday the 28th of January 2017. All welcome.  Come along to expert photography tuition for all ages, abilities and camera types. Followed by: tea, coffee and home-made produce!

Please meet in the car park or at the Cabin at 10:00am on the 28th, the walk will finish around 2:00pm.  


See "Next Meetings" for next birdwatching and Photography dates.


Refreshments in the Cabin.  All Welcome.

Saturday 21 January 2017

Starling Murmuration at Brighouse


This large flock of Starlings has been gathering together in small parties to make one huge group to roost together in central Brighouse for at least a few weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA5rKP3rmjY


Thank you to Annie Honjo for posting her video on You-tube.

We were there this evening 4.15 to 5.00pm, along with eleven other people amazed by the spectacle.
A Sparrowhawk appeared twice but didn't seem to catch a Starling, though it was definitely trying!
A spontaneous round of applause went up when the birds finally settled into the trees.

The finale is when the trees appear to suck the flock out of the sky.
If you want to see it, go to the car parks at the bottom of town near the double-towered old flour mill. 

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Pond Dipping

Hi all

We will be on site this Thursday, Friday and Saturday to erect our pond dipping platform. If you would like to help us then please meet in the car park at 9:30. 

Refreshments in the Cabin.

Thursday 5 January 2017

Maybe a prompt to put nestboxes well away from paths - from "Birdguides" online.

A new study, published in open-access journal PLOS ONE, has found that high levels of human disturbance adversely affect nestling development in Blue Tits.
Nature recreation, which is becoming an increasingly popular pastime, conflicts with conservation. Where recreation is not regulated, visitors to natural areas may gather in large numbers — particularly at weekends or during holidays, when most people are not working.
Studying nestling Blue Tits at a recreational area in an oak forest some 60 km from Madrid, central Spain, where human activity intensifies during the weekends and public holidays, the researchers observed noticeable variance in fitness of nestlings from different nests.
In nests located near recreation facilities, Blue Tit nestlings that hatched during holidays developed slowly, and fledged with low body mass and poor body condition. However, nestlings that hatched outside of holidays and weekends in these nestboxes developed normally, eventually attaining similar phenotypes as those hatching in the surrounding undisturbed woodland. Within-brood variance in body mass was also higher in broods that began growing during holidays in disturbed areas.
The researchers' results show that early disturbance events may have negative consequences for wild birds if they overlap with critical stages of development, unveiling otherwise unseen impacts of human activities. It is hoped that these new findings may help managers better regulate nature recreation, as understanding the impacts of recreation on wildlife is crucial if management of natural areas is to align with both conservation and visitor expectations.

Tuesday 3 January 2017

Murmuration of Starlings

Has anyone noticed a murmuration that I have heard is taking place at dusk in Brighouse?
Attracting the gaze of the shoppers apparently.

Sat.7th - further to the above, Yes there is a large murmuration going on as the starlings (many thousands of them) go in to roost in the holly trees in Atlas Mill Rd. in Brighouse town centre. Very spectacular tonight at about 4.15 to 5.00.