Spring

A blast from the past down at Cromwell Bottom....


http://www.bbc.co.uk/bradford/content/articles/2007/04/13/cromwell_bottom_springwatch_2007_feature.shtml

Tansy info Required

Last August we trapped this Tansy Plume (moth) by the cabin - a first record for Calderdale. The identity is "beyond reasonable doubt" but it would be nice to find out if there was any of it's foodplant growing on the reserve to tie in with this record.

So, does anybody know of any Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) patches on the reserve or close by?

Orange Underwing

The first of the day flying moths are out at the moment , I saw 8 today at least flitting about the canopy in the lagoon area and in Pixie Wood. If you are patient they occasionally come down from the trees and rest on the path or bramble .

1st Chiffchaffs have arrived

I had a walk around the reserve this afternoon with some of the volunteers and was pleased to hear a reasonable number of chiffchaffs around. These are the first spring migrants I have seen this year.The beauty of this time of year is that we also saw a male siskin which is slowly making its way back to Scotland. There were also at least a pair (probably 2 pairs) of little grebe on the lagoon. A short visit to the bird feeding area yielded a surprisingly large number of bullfinches (at least 10) but few other species? Maybe the other species were checking out all the nest boxes that we have built and erected! A walk around north loop gave us a flock of ~20 linnets which suggests that the wild flowers are starting to attract good numbers of finches. Hopefully some will stay and breed. I know our chairman is hoping for breeding skylark.

There were various reports that there may have been lesser spotted woodpeckers about. If anyone saw/heard this elusive species then please let us know. I'm also on the look out for willow and marsh tit. We seem to have plenty of willow trees about so why are willow tits so hard to find?

Moth Night!

This Saturday 23rd March.

Actual kick off will be around 6.30pm due to getting lighter now, arrivals anytime after 6.00pm.

Usual rules - If cold wear warm clothing, If you fancy wood walking checking the goo, boots or wellies may be useful.

Lets try for even more new ones to the site list - Last time it was an Oak Beauty & this suspected Clouded Drab.

What new ones can we get this time?

Moth Night this Saturday March 9th

Another this Saturday usual place at the Cabin 5.30pm to 6.00pm start time assuming it doesn't lash down. Wear warm clothing & some boots or wellies if joining possible muddy wood patrol.
See if we can record a few more new to our List of species.

Bird sightings 28/02/2019

Had a couple of hours walking around the reserve this afternoon and spotted the following birds:
grey heron, grey wagtail, mallard, teal, goosander, moorhen, cormorant, black headed gull, Canada goose, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, long tailed tit, goldfinch, bullfinch, redpoll (30+), nuthatch, sparrowhawk, wood pigeon, reed bunting, chaffinch, wren, robin, blackbird, dunnock, carrion crow and magpie.

There were also reliable reports that great spotted woodpecker, dipper and kingfisher were present.

No summer migrants yet but shouldn't be long now.