The field next to Four Winds has had sheep in since spring and as such has a short swathe. It was a regular spot for breeding Lapwings, but in small numbers. In recent years it appears to attract feeding waders, especially in the evenings with Lapwings in small numbers, the most reliable spot for Oystercatchers and the Curlews (as well as rabbits, Jackdaws and Woodpigeons etc).
The numbers seen in this field are in excess of what I normally see locally. I think the birds come here purely to forage, although you can see the odd ones at any time of day, the larger numbers are always in an evening. I expect the nearby fields will have the grass cut for silage soon and then the birds may be more spread out
I do not come up here every evening now as I can "legally" go wider afield and add Eldwick Reservoir, Myrtle Park and Bingley Bog to the mix, but to show what I mean about groups.
Curlews counted in evening in this field:
15 May 7
17 May 18
21 May 9
9 June 8
But other trips up in the period only resulted in small numbers, I may have been earlier or it just wasn't the day to come. I was staggered by the 18 counted on the 17th May
I do not see Greenfinches in the garden, on the feeders, as often now, unlike the two Bullfinches that are almost resident. We seem to have had a stable, if not large, population locally and I expect to see birds on Lady Lane every trip, and Heights Lane near the Heights is another regular spot.
Phil Matthews
Utley to Silsden (River Aire)
The river was very busy with Kingfishers today, loads of sightings of at least five different birds. The water was very coloured, so they were probably having to work harder, hence easier to see.
The busiest of the three Sand Martin colonies was very quiet, only about four birds seen in ten minutes, but the one a little further up the river, which normally only sees about five birds, had at least 22 buzzing around it and sitting on nearby wires. A third colony even further up the river had six visible birds.
I counted around 40 swifts in all, but some of these could have been the same birds showing up at different points in the river. Buzzard, Kestrel, five Common Sandpiper, three Oystercatcher, five Curlew, two Garden Warbler, a Willow Warbler, a Common Whitethroat, seven Blackcaps, Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Lesser Redpoll, five Reed Bunting territories (including one with young) and a Goosander with four young. 42 species all together.
Josh Selfe
