Flyflatts today

Posted this, not so good, shot of the Whinchat as is it a first for me. Pity I couldn't get a little closer.Wheatears were showing well.

St Ives Bingley

Another two male Black Darter Dragonflies, this time in bowl of Kettlewell res', today.

Several newt tadpoles, or Efts, in water showing they bred successfully. I don't think there is a way of telling the Smooth Efts from the Palmate.

Marbled White seen in Devon

Altar Lane area Bingley

Lots of Siskin feeding in Larch east side of Hollins plantation next to footpath from Altar lane

Big flock of House Martin feeding west of Altar lane, River Gorge to Druids Altar, since Monday at least.

St Ives today

Black Darter dragonfly, first one I'ne seen at St Ives.

Common Darter

Red admiral blackberrying

Goldfinches in my garden today

John o Gaunts today

Linnet and Meadow Pipit

Black Duck at Dowley

Australian Black Duck?

Is this an Australian Black Duck at Dowley Gap?

One of a pair

Red shank stop, Green shank go.

Eric Morecambe pool Leighton Moss

A male Common Darter at Raw Nook NR Low Moor

Juvernile Kingfisher at Raw Nook NR, Low Moor

An interesting puzzle for me in that I have noted over the years an increase in Kingfisher sightings here usually in the Winter period as birds move N from the Calder valley areas.

However, in the last couple of years birds have been arriving earlier and this bird is a female juv indicating local breeding.

There is no suitable habitat in South Bradford for Kingfisher so I can only guess that maybe some birds are moving more N and finding new habitats in the areas around Brighouse and Heckmondwike areas and then visiting the rich Stickleback populations swimming in Raw Nook Nature Reserve!!

Whetstone Gate this morning

Canal Crossflats

Pair of Mute Swans with 5 well grown Signets

Black Swan near to Micklethwaite swing bridge