Murdering Crows

2 Carrion Crows murdered a magpie today in the field next to the house.They pecked it to death repeatedly smashing it in the head till it died,it put up a good fight for about 10 minutes it tried to get away,but in the end it was outnumbered.I got it in the scope for a while but it was too grusome to watch.......They didnt eat it,just killed it.................

Owl pellets

The top skull is puzzling and below various bird beaks found in LEO pellets from from site No2
There were 134 Field vole,1 wood mouse,1 pygmy shrew,1 Mole,5 bird sp(1 dunnock maybe),30 beetle Larva,1 Beetle,1 parasitic fly,3 caterpillar skulls and a full pot of things still to be id'd...all very interesting..

Little owl pellets

There were two species of ground beetle – Nebria brevicollis (F.) and Pterostichus madidus (F.), a scavenger water beetle – Helophorus sp., a dor beetle – Geotrupes sp., a leaf beetle – Chrysolina sp. (probably oricalcia (Muller)) and a ground dwelling weevil – Barynotus sp.

The Chrysolina is most interesting as, if it is oricalcia, it is very rare. Unfortunately there are only remains of the wing cases – a thorax or two would confirm it. If you have any further samples please drop them in the post and I’ll see what I can find.
Got this information from Mike denton today who analaysed the little Owl pellets beetle content,if any one is in the area of the Little Owl site and can find any pellets i would be very grateful for them.I have too much work on this week to do any birding .....Skylark singing yesterday

Long -eared Owl Pellets

An extensive search of an upland plantation with eagle eyed MH produced an astonishing 75 Long eared Owl pellets,the whole area was scattered with single pellets with two areas where the owl must roost as the ground was covered with pellets and old decayed pellets.
 The first 3 analaysed produced evidence of 3 Field Vole and 1 Pygmy Shrew.And a very interesting micro caterpillar.

First Skylark

First returning Skylark today along with a mixed flock of 14 redwing,4 fieldfare,2 Mistle Thrush and 25 starling..

Thursday

An excellent Woodcock flushed from the field was a nice suprise,along with 1 lapwing north first Linnet for a Long time ,6 Stock Dove and a few small groups of Goldfinch...3 different Song thrush in full voice around the village,,,

More Pellet stuff

                                                 Pygmy shrew skull found in LEO pellets

 Common shrew full skull and |jaw and pygmy shrew below for size comparison,both found in LEO pellets

i think these are from a rabbit found in Queesbury tawny Owl pellets,also Skin Moth larvae , large caterpillar skull and  frog legs found ...no french jokes please............................so far 50 Tawny owl(thanks Bri) .5 little owl and 6 Long eared Owl pellets have been collected

sSunny

Sat morning took me up to gorple to see Water Pipit some great flight views but not a good view on the deck.Woodcock, the first displaying Lapwings and Golden Plover,Grey and pied wags,kestrel and HH made for an excellent morning.owl pellets are mounting up with 5 Little Owl, 20+ Tawny Owl and a possible Long eared to sort through...Little Owl Pellet above showing ground beetle cases ,skull bones and snail shell...

Pellets update Thursday

Skulls 28 all Field Vole
Jaw Bones 37 , 35 Field Vole , , 1 Wood mouse,1 Common Shrew (bottom pic)
various ribs,teeth,pelvic bones and 1 caterpillar which will be interesting to see what that turns into.?

Garden killer

Queensbury Tawny Owl pellets

                                                Zig-zag tooth pattern of Field Vole lower jaw

                                   Common/pygmy shrew lower jaw, teeth tipped with red

                                                               Field Vole lower Jaw

Still plenty to go through ,but these two stood out amongst the masses of fur....
86 Lapwing at Shelf Moor today......

Winter Vis totals

On and off since 2004 i have realy enjoyed winter vis from in and around the house,not as hectic as autumn,
Pink footed Goose ------6540
Whooper swans-----------118
Woodpigeon----------- 72122
Redwing----------------12509
Fieldfare----------------10485
Bewicks Swan , Barn owl , Snow Bunting , Ruff and Waxwings have added a bit of colour..

On the way to work

Managed a quick detour round the back way ,Little owl showing well..

Waxwings

Waxwings in Brighouse

Waxwings in Brighouse

100+ there today when I arrived but soon left...................

Spring is in the air

Whooper 'tastic'

After a long walk and very little to report with a cold east wind keeping everything down , I had just put my empty camera battery on charge and looked out the window...geese in v formation was ny first thought...grabbed the bins...Whoopers..loads of um  ...46 in total,,,quick call to DJS who was luckily in his back garden and 2 minutes later they went right over his house,,,,,made my day...

Shibden park

Sunday

3 Skylarks in full song at Soil Hill , 15 Golden Plover,2 Skylarks , and 30+BHGulld at pellon

back garden blackbird

Pied wagtail at Shelf moor

55 lapwing,10 starling and 2 Pied Wagtails...this female shows all the classic features.

Pied Wags

4/5 Pied Wags,5 lapwing 4 carrion Crow at Shelf moor today

Rook and Bullfinch

mistle Thrush