Towards Luddenden Foot

Shackleton like I braved the snow and had a look at the heronry near Luddenden Foot in the snow and murk. Parts of the canal frozen.
Three herons on the nests at the site close to Clubendden Foot.
20 canada geese in filed near Brearley.
c20 jackdaws in trees close to Moderna site.
Titmice flocking close to Brearley-c20 great tits and c30 blue tits.
Mallard on the river and canal.
Usual corvids and gulls plus a bh gull with a black head.
1 grey wagtail close to the White Lion.
1 dipper near St Michael's church.
1 mistle thrush above Ludd Foot.

Plenty of snow and a brief glimpse of sun. Spring is on the way.

Banging female

I noticed some marks on my study window yesterday morning and thought that they were probably caused by a bird. Sure enough, later in the day I saw a female blackbird attacking its reflection in the window with great gusto, not to say reckless abandon. She made repeated return visits to attack the glass. Bird behaviour-fascinating and occasionally dangerous.
The window is a bit of a mess.

Cromwell Bottom-Dark and Wet

Monday. 2-3.15pm. Not a lot about. Visibility poor. Little bird song.
"Highlights":-
2 pochard m
1m, 1f goldeneye
coot
moorhen
mallard
usual gulls and corvids
coal, blue, great and lt tit
greenfinch
chaffinch
dunnock
robin
wren
mistle thrush
blackbird


Looked for signs of mustellids but no success.
Then it rained.

Biting poltical satire

Political satire, or a bit of a laugh?

Dander

Out this pm to Hardcastle Crags and Crimsworth Dean for a stroll of c6 miles. More walking than birding. Lots of people out, especially at the Crags, with plenty of dog walkers struggling to keep up with their dogs.

It was very quiet on the bird front and little bird song heard in the Crags.
Male tawny owl heard at 13.20
Mistle thrush
Titmice
Jackdaws
Dipper (1)
Chaffinch

EGP all is forgiven.

Out and about Sunday pm

After a late start I headed to Elland Gravel Pits Sunday pm which was busy with people but not busy with birds. It's a bit much that they have installed a turnstile to admit the crowds though as part of the recent improvements. It was cold and frosty.
Species seen:-
goldeneye
gc grebe
little grebe
tufted duck
coot
moorhen
cormorant
goosander
common gull
bh gull
mallard
blue tit
great tit
long tailed tit
wren
greenfinch
goldfinch
blackbird
song thrush
carrion crow
jackdaw
magpie
Exciting stuff what!

Also, a quick scoot up to Jay House Lane.
Species seen:-
sparrowhawk
5 tree sparrows
c100 fieldfare
plus the usual titmice, corvids and gulls.

Beware the ice on the road around the ford when the temperatures are low unless you like car tobogganing.