SAVE THE DATE! Your favourite event is soon to be here: CROMWELL BOTTOM LOCAL NATURE RESERVE OPEN DAY!  (click the pages to enlarge the posters)

Not only do we have M.G.Leonard, the winner of many awards for children's crime fiction, especially the book TWITCH (based at Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve) but all manner of events - Birds of Prey are back, Pond Dipping is back, Guided Walks are back, as well as the raffle, stalls, you name it - join us for the event!  Meet the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Calderdale Badgers, and many other local groups!  Please share widely - invite family, friends, acquaintances. 

A DAY NOT TO BE MISSED!

Moth nights

 Obviously due to official cabin closure etc, moth nights wont be available this evening, as would have happened.

When the new gaff is sorted and officially open to public again, the cromwell bottom "bright star" will be shining in the darkness once more! And the bats can snack away again, when its left unattended for a few minutes.

It really will be 5* mothing then.

Temporary Cabin Closure

The preparation work for the arrival of our new cabin (aka our new modular building) is about to start.  Accordingly, the last day that the cabin will be open is this coming Sunday and from Monday of next week (20th June) it and the compound, including access to the toilets, will be closed.  We anticipate that it will be at least three weeks before the new cabin is able to operate.

Many apologies for any inconvenience this may cause – but it’s all in a good cause as you will see when our new cabin is installed.

Best wishes.

Robin

Moth night sat 18th

 Got to be 10pm start time now, with 9.30pm on, for arrivals.

Another 22 species were observed 2wks ago, all in pristine condition. Hope it's not windy or too cold, it should be a bumper crop!

See whoever then.

Hurricane flying over Cromwell Bottom Saturday afternoon

 

Bird Sightings May 2022

Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestre, Peregrine, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Swift, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch. With thanks to Jeff Milne, Mike Henshaw and David Sutcliffe for sharing their sightingsw.

Moth night sat 4th

 I think 9.30 arrivals for 10.00pm start this time, summer must be here! 

Last time we had a decent haul,

Tachystola acroxantha, large twin spot, green carpet, and straw dot, before it got dark.

Eudonia mercurella, flame carpet, pebble hook tip, white spotted pug, grey birch,poplar hawk moth, silver ground carpet, white ermine, pale tussock, flame shoulder, brightline brownleye, pebble prominent, clouded drab, ingrained clay, ancylis bandana, lesser swallow prominent, common white wave, and common swift, all came after dark and mostly around the lamp.

22 in just a couple of hours, it's that time of year now, anything can arrive and haul numbers are unguessable.

So sit watching the tv or go hands on with nature and get down for a moth night.

See whoever then.

Moth night sat 21st

9pm arrivals for 9.30pm start, usual clothing for weather and a torch is all you need.

Any mild nights now and they are out in numbers.

Just for the record - tonight was the first time SWIFTS are over my house this year. They arrived today!

See whoever on sat.

40 Years Ago at Cromwell - Brighouse Echo

 

Wheatear. April 28 th.

 

Whinchat. 07/05/2022 North Loop

 

Bird Sightings April 2022

Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Teal, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfishe, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Wheatear, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Tawny Owl. With thanks to Jeff Milne, Mike Henshaw, Allan Wolfenden and Dave Sutcliffe for sharing their sightings.

Moth night sat 7th

 Arrivals from 9.00pm for a start time of 9.30pm should do it. Usual clothes for weather and a torch.

Two weeks ago on a cold breezy night we had :

1 x herald, 1 x flame carpet, 3 x common Quaker, 1 x powdered quaker, 1 x small quaker, and 1 x early tooth striped.

Not too bad for the weather that night.

See whoever then.

CLICK HERE for our Spring/Summer 2022 Newsletter

Moth night 23rd

 Same as last week, 8.30pm arrivals for a 9.00pm start. Usual ... clothes for weather and a torch. Looking like it may be a good night again.

See whoever then.

Red Kite. Lunchtime today.Very high and drifting S/E

 

Moth night Sat 16th

 Yes we had one last week and there is another std one next week.

Its Easter, weathers looking good, so we are slipping one in this week for fun. Last time weather was good we had an eruption of early species, good chance of a similar night this time.

Arrivals from 8.30pm  for 9.00pm start.

If your doing nothing sat, get down and check the wildlife out, instead of watching naked attraction.

Clothing for weather and torch are all you need, net if you have one.

Last week was a bit brassic, little breezy and open sky with moon. We had 4 species last week:  aganopterix heracliana, hebrew character, clouded drab, and a totally battered pug, probably a brindled, but I'm not brave enough to call it.

See whoever then.

Bird Sightings March 2022

Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Raven, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting. With thanks to Jeff Milne, Mike Henshaw and Dave Sutcliffe for their contributions.

Moth night sat 9th

 Nearly forgot to post. 8.00pm arrivals for 8.30pm start. Clothing for weather and torch is all you need.

12 species last time on a near perfect night for it. Weather is a little uncertain this time.

See whoever then.

Moth night sat 26th

 7.00pm start this time, arrivals from 6.30pm. Hoping it stays mild until then and we should get some recently hatched specimens. Clothing for weather and torch is all you need.

Last time we had:

1 Common Quaker, 5 oak beauty, 7 aganopterix heracliana agg. And a red sword grass a new one for our list. Its picking up!

See whoever then.

Cabin today.

 

Moth night sat 12th

 6.30pm start, clothing and footwear for the weather, and torch for seeing.

Last time we had:

Aganopterix heracliana, satellite, and march moth.

See whoever then.

Bird Sightings February 2022

Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tea, Goldeneye, Goosande, Pheasant sp, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Hero, Red Kite, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting. With thanks to Jeff Milne, David Sutcliffe, Mike Henshaw and Will Griffin for their contributions.

Moth night sat 26th

 Start time 6PM, usual warm clothes, good footwear and torch.

 I'm at a wedding that day, so Daniel will see whoever that evening. No it's not mine lol.

Moth night sat 12th

 5.30 to 6.00m start. Usual warm clothes, stout footwear, torch, and your in.

2weeks ago we had:

acleris hastiana, and aganopterix ciliella, a heracliana variant.

Psst, dont tell those who came to the zero nights lol. They wont believe us!

See whoever then.

Bird Sightings January 2022

Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Pheasant sp, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhe, Woodcock, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Redpoll, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting. With thanks to Jeff Milne, Mike Henshaw, Dan Buckle and Dave Sutcliffe for sharing their sightings.

  

 

Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group are involved in linking with local organisations via the Active Partnership. This enables groups who encourage people to move towards a healthier lifestyle to signpost each other’s services and opportunities. We would like to guide you to the Better Living Service and the fact that anyone wanting support with mental health can google it or phone up on Hx 230230

 https://www.facebook.com/BetterLivingCalderdale

Moth night sat 29th

 I think 5 to 5.30pm this time, stays lighter a little longer now. Usual warm clothing, stout footware and torch!!!!!! Up to you but I like to see where I'm going.

See whoever then - cause I'll have a torch!

Moth night sat 15th

 Good footwear, warm clothing and TORCH. It can be useful seeing where you are going.

Start time 5.00pm, arrivals from 4.30pm. See whoever then.

December 2021 Bird Sightings

Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Wren, Great Tit, Coal, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jay, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch. With thanks to Jeff Milne and David Sutcliffe for their sightings.