Hare spotting

Lapwing chicks!

Whilst having a walk around the sheep and lambs spotted two lapwing chicks which were sitting very still in the grass.

Swallows Return!

Steve saw the first swallow of 2012 on the farm today.

Viewings from the Birdhide

12:00 hrs
- numerous lapwings and chicks (at least 4 chicks spotted)
- 2 x redshank on posts
- oystercatcher on nest
- 2 curlew flying overhead

Breeding Wader Survey No.2

Hi Alison, Stephen.

 Had another very enjoyable visit this morning, to do the second of this years breeding wader surveys. Results as follows....

 Lapwing – a total of 54 birds, suggesting 27 pairs – a slight increase on the fist survey visit (poss 24 pairs) – the field immediately in front of the hide today held 13 incubating birds – with the 9 nests from the first survey two weeks ago still all present – which is excellent. The smaller adjacent field also still held 5 incubting birds, the same as two weeks ago – this indicates good nest survival (note – getting these figures did not involve nest visits, just observation from the same vantage point !) A further 4 incubating birds were noted on other fields.

 Redshank – 2 birds seen calling and feeding

 Curlew – at least 3 individuals seen calling, in flight and some strong display seen.

 Oystercatcher – 4 birds noted.

Additionally, more wheatear were again noted, 5 in one field and 1 in another – these are most likely passage birds still heading up to the moors, but the dry stone walls on the farm could well attract a breeding pair. Lots of pied wagtails in various locations, and up near Delph Lane, redpoll and siskin again heard, and also other summer migrants – willow warbler and chiffchaff.

 Best wishes

 Andrew.

Bird Hide Viewing

Thank you, this is our fourth visit to the hide. It is pouring 'hailstones', however, very enjoyable. Did see lapwing. Thanks again.
Alex and Martin, Calder Vale

Lapwing Nests

I went for a walk this afternoon across the Wood Field and found 3 lapwing nests.

Breeding Wader Survey

We had our first visit from Andrew Gouldstone, RSPB Area Conservation Manager, this morning to survey the breeding waders on our land. This is his first report:

Lapwing - total of 49 birds, which suggests 24pairs – the two fields in front of the hide had 14 incubating birds.

Redshank – 1 pair calling together in front of the hide

Curlew – at least 3 birds, displaying and calling

Snipe – 5 seen in the rushy field above the ‘hide field’

Oystercatcher – 1 pair.

I also saw 5 wheatear on the hide field (summer migrants), 2 fieldfare (quite late for these now) and heard both redpoll and siskin up near Delph Wood.