Re: philm63
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 8:47 am
6 May 2018
Bradup - Afternoon
After a dull wet and cold spring it was my first time out for a while, with some decent weather. I headed up to Bradup on the edge of Ilkley Moor, here the terrain changes from well-grazed pasture to rough pasture then to heather moorland. I was hoping the Stonechats would be back on territory but I was a bit too early, however I heard my first Cuckoo of the year which was a nice bonus. The first butterflies were also in evidence with a few Large Whites and Green-veined Whites patrolling the verges and a single Peacock seen. Meadow Pipit numbers were still low so most had not moved up to the higher ground yet, even the Lapwings seemed to be in lower numbers than usual for this time of year. There was some compensation in a Red-legged Partridge showing nicely, a passing Buzzard and a male Reed Bunting showing well. Overall though it was much quieter than expected and I decided to head down into the valley
Bingley Bog North - Afternoon
Arrived at Bingley Bog North, a patch of open water and boggy ground right at the edge of the town, a feeder stream from the higher ground passes under the Leeds to Liverpool canal and runs into the fields here before finally entering the River Aire. Hundreds of people walk along the nearby canal but few side-track onto the public paths in the bog area, so it is usually quiet. I picked up three warbler year firsts, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap and three more butterfly year firsts in Orange Tip, Small White and Comma. No real numbers yet but nice to see them retuning for another year. Another Peacock was seen which landed on my main camera so had to whip out my second one to take the shots. After walking up to the top of the area I returned and picked up two nice female Roe Deer out in the field which was an added bonus
Bradup - Afternoon
After a dull wet and cold spring it was my first time out for a while, with some decent weather. I headed up to Bradup on the edge of Ilkley Moor, here the terrain changes from well-grazed pasture to rough pasture then to heather moorland. I was hoping the Stonechats would be back on territory but I was a bit too early, however I heard my first Cuckoo of the year which was a nice bonus. The first butterflies were also in evidence with a few Large Whites and Green-veined Whites patrolling the verges and a single Peacock seen. Meadow Pipit numbers were still low so most had not moved up to the higher ground yet, even the Lapwings seemed to be in lower numbers than usual for this time of year. There was some compensation in a Red-legged Partridge showing nicely, a passing Buzzard and a male Reed Bunting showing well. Overall though it was much quieter than expected and I decided to head down into the valley
Bingley Bog North - Afternoon
Arrived at Bingley Bog North, a patch of open water and boggy ground right at the edge of the town, a feeder stream from the higher ground passes under the Leeds to Liverpool canal and runs into the fields here before finally entering the River Aire. Hundreds of people walk along the nearby canal but few side-track onto the public paths in the bog area, so it is usually quiet. I picked up three warbler year firsts, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap and three more butterfly year firsts in Orange Tip, Small White and Comma. No real numbers yet but nice to see them retuning for another year. Another Peacock was seen which landed on my main camera so had to whip out my second one to take the shots. After walking up to the top of the area I returned and picked up two nice female Roe Deer out in the field which was an added bonus