Twite, Whiteholme/Flyflats

Started the day at 07:15 looking for Scandinavean Rock Pipit at Black stone edge Reservior with no luck.

Met Dave at Gate to Whiteholme at 07:30, as we drove up to the ringing site 3 Redshank came out of channel. Spent 4 hours there and proccessed 9 Twite, the majority of them were sat at the other site taking shelter from the wind. We moved on to Flyflats where there were up to 14 Birds, again the wind was hindering us so after 3 birds where proccessed ( 2 new birds 1 control} we called it a day.

Thanks to Dave again for all the time and effort.

Timble/ Friday 30 March

Went up to Timble with Theo in hope of getting some Siskin and Redpoll, no luck , the wind put dampers on the morningwith only a Chaffinch and a Robin, still good to get out.

33 Twite Deer Hill, Huddersfield.

After a slow drive in thick fog , i met Dave at 7:30 at the turn off for Deer Hill Reservoir. I had visited the site yesterday and on Sunday as it was getting up to 20 twite and it was a good site for the woosh net to be set up. As we got to the top of the reservoir the fog lifted. We sorted out where we thought the net would go and got underway. 6 Twite in the first five minutes, and it was pretty constant up until we left. 27 New birds, the majority being adult birds {6} also 6 controls. One was the spring 2003 bird {female}.

Ring combination for Deer Hill Reservoir is

Right Leg, BTO Metal

Left Leg top, yellow/Blue( time of year 2007 Jan>July) with Pink Underneath for Deer Hill

spring 2003 bird

A great Morning on a new site, thanks to Dave for traveling from Preston at some god early hour and to Yorkshire Water and Mike Denton and the man { who's name I have forgot} who puts the seed down.

Otley Gravel Pits

Early start for me and Andy, thank god the sandwich shop is open that time in the morning.

4 Nets up by 07:30. A trickle of Blue Tits and Great Tits , then a few Goldfinch a nice female Bullfinch and a Robin, quite a few Siskins about but none near us. And then we had a Kingfisher, a nice way to end the morning.

Twite at Whiteholme reservoir 21/03/07

Met up with Dave at 7:30 drove down tothe ringing site and had Twite straight away, 22 birds processed with a good mix of colour rings , mainly from Cant Clough, Lighthazzles, Withens Clough and Fly Flatts. 4 new birds as well. Also a bird with violet ring, one of the first caught in 2003, so a good morning. Thanks again to Dave for all his help.

Twite and Wheatear at whiteholme reservoir

Met David at Whiteholme reservoir at 7:30 in thick fog. As we drove up towards the reservoir, 2 Redshank came out of the channel on the right hand side. We started setting up the woosh net and as we did Twite were coming in to feed , a good sign we thought. The first catch we got 8 Birds. As we processed them back at the car Dave noticed a cracking male Wheatear on the rocks near the feeding station, the first one of the year for me. it hopped about near the rocks and the shore and was still about 20 minutes later. The first lot of Twite were on their way and Dave said " I've got a few little spring traps in the car with some meal worm, lets try for the Wheatear" no harm in trying. 4 Traps put out and within 10 mins he sat on top of one eating the worms from the floor and ignoring the one in the hairgrip. For 5 minutes he sat there eating and watching us and then off he went back to the rocks. Twite were coming in and out of the station and the next catch was 7 birds. We processed them and went to warm up in the car and have a coffee, as I got to the car the wheatear was near the trap by the steps the next moment the trap shut and there he sat. And what a fine specimen he was. 30 Twite processed the first one of the day was a Warley Moor reservoir bird we also had birds that were ringed over 4 years ago and a nestling ringed at Whithens Clough. 15 new birds 15 retraps and 1 mighty fine Wheatear.
Another fantastic morning, thanks to Dave again for all his help and encouragement.

Flyflats retrap

Adult Tail feathers showing the rounded edges

Male Wheatear

Twite at Whiteholme reservoir

I met Dave at 7:30 at the gate at whiteholme reservoir. As we drove down a Redshank flew out of the channel and circled us. We set up to the sound of Twite always a good sign although the last few times we have been birds have been around but not coming to ringing site{ must be getting used to the cars}

Ten Minutes later we were processing 7 Twite. 6 Retrap and 1 new bird.

Half an hour after that another 8 birds, 7 Retraps and 1 new Bird, one of the retraps was a 2004 Bird.

Another great morning , thanks again to Dave Sowter for all his help.

Photos showing different Rump patterns

Tawny Owl at Beecroft

Went out with Andy and check 5 Barn Owl boxes to no avail. Then set up at Beecroft for Tawny Owl. Owls Started calling just as it got dark about 6.15 by 7.15 we had are first success an Adult Male. What a bird. We left at about 8 there was up to 4 birds calling and flying over head.