-strict.dtd"> WILD WINDOW

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Common Buzzard yesterday




It's a real shame that this bird is not a breeder in Calderdale, it's success in other areas of the country (pretty much everywhere else) is stemed in this region by misguided people who still feel the need to shoot and poison birds of prey.

These birds eat mainly carrion (dead animals) and rabbits (we have plenty of these in the fields) and if Common Buzzards can not make a return to Calderdale then what chance do other birds of prey have. Species such as Merlin, Hen Harrier and Goshawk which are finding it harder in other areas of the country.

These birds are traditional moorland species which have all but vanished, in fact only the Merlin still breeds in Calderdale.

It's a real black mark on the face of Calderdale that we have ideal habitat for these birds and yet they are unable to survive due to the irresponsible actions of a few misguided people.

posted by Andrew Huyton at 9:42 am 0 comments

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

I TOLD YOU SO


Slavonian Grebe at Waters Edge CP Lincs, In full summer plummage a rare treat as normally this bird is only seen in it's winter plummage even then it's not a common bird on British Shores.

Weasel today at Welton Water E Yorks.


Bank Vole at Welton Water E Yorks today.


Taken today after a near miss with my car, this romantic couple seemed totally oblivious to the danger they were exposed to.

posted by Andrew Huyton at 8:58 pm 0 comments

2 THINGS NOT TO FORGET

First and most importantly keep your eyes on the road, the "common" toad (now seriously under threat in the Uk) has started to emerge and they are now crossing roads heading towards there regular breeding sites so please try to avoid them if you see any and if at all possiblegive it a helping hand (But remember, always help it continue on it's way in the direction it was heading.)

Secondly all of the pictures on this site are best viewed by double clicking on the image.

posted by Andrew Huyton at 7:21 am 0 comments

Monday, March 26, 2007

Some recent Photo's

Red Grouse at Cock Hill nr Hebden Bridge.

A first for the Uk a Pacific Diver from America turned up at Farnham GP near Knaresborough in Feb.

Robin at Bassenthwaite in the Lake District in Feb.


Brown Hare at Colden near Hebden Bridge.







Yellowhammer Bank Island NR North Yorks






Blue tit at Bank Island NR North Yorks






Great tit taken at Bank Island Nr North Yorks.






Male Sparrowhawk both this male and a female are now regular visitors. Only the other day the female took a Collard Dove.







Stock Dove latest new addition to the Garden list.

posted by Andrew Huyton at 10:54 pm 0 comments

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Mammal sightings today

As well as some excellant bird sightings today incl a year first Wheatear along the Wainstalls rd not far from the Crossroads Inn, I was also fortunate to have 2 excellant encounters with local mammals.

The first a Brown Hare at Colden came to within 12ft of the car allowing me to get some excellant photo's


The second a Stoat hunting nr the car park for Gorple Res & Walshaw Res, in the rocky field on your left as you head upto Lower Gorple. If you can make it out from this record shot it's towards the top of the picture just left of centre. The stoat showed for about 20mins, but didn't make any kills during that time.




For a full run down of the bird sightings please visit calderbirds.blogspot.com

posted by Andrew Huyton at 10:50 pm 0 comments

Thursday, March 15, 2007

RED DEER IN CALDERDALE


No unfortunately not a wild herd roaming the Moors but a deer farm nr Cross Stones at Todmorden and the young that this impressive stag fathers will nearly all end up on the dinner table at local and possibly national restaurants.
Let me put a political hat on here and say that I'm not against eating meat, especially that which is farmed. I am against over fishing, hunting species to the brink of extinction and the destruction of their habitat to feed an already grossly over fed developed world, human population.

posted by Andrew Huyton at 6:28 pm 1 comments

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A BIRD TABLE!!!


2 Rabbits have been regular visitors to the garden recently but this was the first time I'd caught one of them feeding from the bird table.

posted by Andrew Huyton at 6:20 pm 0 comments

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Garden Visitors

BROWN RAT taken at ringstone but also a garden visitor.

GOLDFINCH

BLACKBIRD

CHAFFINCH



MOUSE SPECIES (probably Field Mouse)




posted by Andrew Huyton at 10:46 pm 0 comments

EARLY MORNING SURPRISE

Just over a week ago I had my first Siskin visit the garden, it appeared to be hanging around with a small flock of Greenfinch and has hardly been seen since. So imagine my surprise when this morning I stared out the kitchen window to see 8 Siskin including 3 Males.Also around this morning Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Pheasant, Jackdaw, Robin, GT Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock.

The last 2 days have also produced 4 Roe Deer in fields directly down from the house, incl a buck with a very impressive set of antlers for a Roe.The feeding station has pulled in other mammals incl Rabbit, Brown Rat and a mouse sp. (guessing at Field mouse).

I do enjoy breakfast stood at the kitchen window only problem is dragging yourself away to goto work.

posted by Andrew Huyton at 10:43 pm 0 comments

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

FAO Matt

Posted via my Google account

posted by Nick Carter at 10:17 pm 0 comments