Have been up Top O'th'Slate daily since my last report but not had very much to report. Anyway to touch base this is the present situation: All Warblers almost stopped calling, just the occasional call. I would have presumed that 4 Willow Warbler pairs have bred, 2 Whitethroat pairs, 1 pair of Blackcap. Sadly this year again no Grasshopper Warblers, however they did make at least a overnight stay. Blackbirds have done exceptionally well, this morning alone I had no less than 20 birds within the confines of the Slate. A pair of desplaced Lapwings have more than probably bred very closeby the new "panoptican" , I think they have been successful having watched there behaviour over the past few weeks etc. Linnet (one pair at least) have been successful in breeding on the Slate. Post breeding Meadow Pipits now starting to collect with a party of at least 20 birds. Local Swallows are going over constantly foraging for food and look like they have been very successful.
Our Swifts throughout this area seem to be doing OK and I think they now have active young within their parties. And as usual are now very vocal with their "screeching". Some vismig members tell me that Swifts this year on certain patches (mainly in the Bradford Yorks areas) have had a seriously bad year and that many birds have been displaced and seen on mass movements since mid June. Whether these birds are moving territory or have just left our shores, no one seems to clear!!
On Sunday last (8th) had a post breeding collection party of 17 Mistle Thrush quite close to Crowtrees (Crowtrees is where the houses are on the bad bend just before the entry to the lane leading from the main road to the Calf Hey Res). There where 11 Canada Goose on Calf Hey, along with 2 Moorhen (1 Juvenile) and there also seemed to be a immature or 1/2 moulted male Mallard, though did not have my glasses and could not be sure! Grasshopper W calling quite close to Priestentax, but none calling from Deep Clough, so whether this birds has simply moved 200 yards East? A pair of Stonechat close to Deep Clough, No Wheatears seen! usually have about 5-7 pairs along this area, wonder if they have moved on??
