Any readers who spend time around Leeds University should definitely keep an eye out for peregrines at the moment. Some potentially exciting news in the pipeline.

It's been months since I last saw one in Leeds, but this morning there were THREE peregrines together over the city centre. Fab!

Glad to say that the pied wagtails were still present in decent numbers yesterday evening (4.45ish), despite the noisy assembly of the ice rink right next to them. There were a few people stopping to watch them gather too.

Hi Tom

Had a quick look on Tuesday about midday. Nothing around unfortunately . Am using the train on Friday so will give it a try when going home about 5ish.

Thanks for letting me know. I am always interested in anything in Leeds. Gives me something to look out for when I am working.

Dave

Any joy Dave? I really ought to have pointed out that I have seen them there at ~4.45pm. Plus I noticed today that they are putting the ice rink up again, which I fear might scare them off.

Cormorant over Leeds City Centre this morning. Not seen any peregrines for months though sadly.

There've been ~30 waxwings outside the Psychology building (Leeds Uni campus) all this morning - a bush there with white berries, being fiercely protected by a mistle thrush (though it's fighting a losing battle).

-- Edited by tom willis on Monday 28th of January 2013 01:34:42 PM

Anyone at or close to Leeds University might be interested in taking part in the campus birdwatch on January 25th.

There will also be 2 walks around campus on the 24th (10am and 12.30pm) led by the RSPB to provide tips on identification and surveying.

Details here:
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity_birdwatch.html

2nd January 2013

There was a Red Kite flying over Chapeltown, Leeds all morning. Was great to watch it using its tail to steer itself. Made up for the boredom of the first day back in work .

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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tom willis wrote:

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100+ waxwings in trees in Hanover Square this morning (~1030).

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Leeds Tom?

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Oops, yes sorry Ian - Leeds is correct. In fact, according to twitter there were c250 in that area at lunchtime today.

tom willis wrote:

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100+ waxwings in trees in Hanover Square this morning (~1030).

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Leeds Tom?

100+ waxwings in trees in Hanover Square this morning (~1030).

Been all about the waxwings this morning: ~20 over Huddersfield Station (0745) and then ~15 on Victoria Terrace, Leeds

Sparrowhawk over St George's Crypt 0815 this morning

Pretty sure I've just seen my first waxwings of the winter: flock of ~20 over Clarendon Road

Also, pied wagtails roosting in their usual haunt in Millennium Square.

Two Leeds Uni campus firsts for me today: a Jay, and (sadly) a deceased Goldcrest. It was lying just outside the door of our department and presumably had collided with the big windows :(

Red kite over Leeds Uni just now (Business school/Hyde Park end) 1420

A Leeds city centre first for me this morning: Great Spotted Woodpecker in the trees outside Leeds Met Uni on Calverley Street

There was a female Common Scoter swimming round the Clarence Dock marina in Leeds Wednesday-Thursday last week.

Any readers studying/working at or around Leeds University might be interested in taking part in a campus birdwatch, Friday 27th Jan. Info here: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/greenimpact/climatewk/birdwatch2012.html

This week I've been on the lookout for waxwings as I believe that some have been sighted in Leeds. No success so far, but I've spotted the following:

~10 redwing, with a couple regularly guarding a bush laden with red berries
Blackbird
Blue tit x2
Flock of ~10 greenfinch
Goldfinch x4
Long-tailed tit x3
Dunnock
Collared dove
Magpie
Pied wagtail

At St James' Hospital earlier for a meeting and spotted a red kite over Harehills (I know there are loads around Harewood but I don't often get out that way so nice to see them closer to the Centre)

-- Edited by tom willis on Thursday 1st of December 2011 02:29:42 PM

Pied wagtail roost (c.30 birds) in small trees outside the St John's shopping centre in Leeds. In previous years they've gathered in the trees along Millennium Square but not noticed them there this year.

Hi Tom

I some times go in on the train and walk through from the town centre to Chapeltown. Will have a look next time I am there. Would be a good way to start / finish my day.

Cheers

Dave

Hi Dave,

A few months ago I was seeing 1 peregrine fairly regularly, usually around/on top of the Town Hall. Definitely worth keeping an eye out if you're in the town centre.

T

I have been working in Leeds for the past three years. Never seen any Peregrines but have seen numerous Red Kite over Chapeltown and Harehills. My work mates find it funny when I loose my thread having seen one through the office window.

Dave

It's been a while since I've seen any peregrines over Leeds but this morning there were two above the Headrow/Town Hall. I watched one unsuccessfully chasing a pigeon before I lost sight of them.

Very quick glimpse of large raptor disappearing over Parkinson Building this lunchtime, being harassed by a crow. I'm fairly certain it was a red kite. Hadn't previously seen one over Uni/city centre.

Not sure if this applies to anyone on here, but in case there is anyone else who works at Leeds University, there are plans for a campus birdwatch on Thursday May 5th. All the info I have so far:

Help to find out about the different wildlife that can be found across the University by signing up for the Campus Bird Watch on 5 May.

All you need to do is record any birds that you see from your office window, while you walk across campus or during lunch-times and breaks. Bird identification sheets will be available for you to record your sightings, which can then be emailed or sent via internal mail to the Sustainability Team.

We'll also be organising a lunch-time survey skills session on Wednesday 4 May for anyone who would like to learn more about identifying birds (places will be limited). Details about the lunch-time skills session, and where to find the bird identification sheets will be advertised from Tuesday 3 May.

The Campus Bird Watch is the first activity organised as part of the University's Biodiversity Action Plan. Details of the plan, which aims to encourage greater diversity of plants and animals on campus with the help of both staff and students, can be found at the University's sustainability webpages.

Bit late adding this but on Thursday evening (5-6pm) there was a flock of waxwings in Hyde Park again. Wonder how long they'll be hanging around?

love this walk eccup reservoir
on the ressi were 4 pair of great crested grebe,several greylags,moorhen,4 tufted and 4 teal. Red kites searching the fields for scraps along with buzzard and kestrel. Skylarks,finches,yellowhammers,tree sparrows, lapwings,curlew,oystercatcher,willow warblers,6 different chiffys singing and 2 great spotted woodpeckers drumming, nuthatch ,goldcrest and all the usual tits and finches. 2 swallow first for me and Mary this year lots of butterflies also on the wing.

-- Edited by Gary Gorner on Sunday 10th of April 2011 07:43:01 PM

Visit to Leeds city centre today:

On the canal:

Teal heard
goosander
Mute swan
grey wagtail

And a peregine flying round the cathedral!

30+ waxwings in tree on Clarendon Road - v close to Leeds Uni campus (1230pm)

Harewood grounds

had a nice morning walk with mrs g the weather was good and the birds were plentiful we were in awe of the red kites at least 40 birds about and some realy close views just wished they could come a little closer to home.
Other birds worth a mention were 4 buzzards ,1 treecreeper,3 greatspotted woodpeckers ,3 goldcrest amongst tit flock, 1 jay ,1 kestrel, 1 tawny owl ,2 waxwings and several siskin .

Had a mooch around the lake 20 goosanders,15 teal, 7 wigeon,4 goldeneye, greatcrested grebe, 4 herons and i think 2 egyption geese but only a quick sighting and they were flying.

~25 waxings on campus just now (1pm).
Also, pied wagtail roost spotted last night in trees around Millennium Square. Yet to see the peregrine this year, but I was seeing it regularly before Christmas, usually on the Town Hall roof.

Very excited - my first waxwings of the year! Thought I heard the call, couldn't see any, walked back towards office and spotted a flock (~20) at the top of a tree right outside my building (Food Science, near main car park). Gutted I didn't have my camera (first day in ages I'd not brought it). Tried to get a snap pn my phone but my waving it about appeared to spook them and off they went. I tried to locate them again but don't know where they headed. Will try again in a bit!

Another walk up around campus and a bit of Hyde Park just now (1400)

- Long-tailed tits x 4
- Blue tit
- Great tit
- Magpie x2
- Blackbird
- Goldfinch
The highlight = Treecreeper. First one of these I've seen in here, and great views too as I was able to get to within 2m of it. Lovely bird.

:Harewood along ottley rd

Had a trek around Harewood in 3inch of fresh snow with Vernon. We managed 6 red kites which were stunning in colours with the clear skies and white snow on the ground. There were also a few buzzards about with very pale underparts. Alsowe had a couple of whoopers fly over and 3 common mergansers. A mixed flock of 100 crows, rooks and jackdaws were waiting around ,no doubt looking for any scraps left by the red kites. A flock of redwings and fieldfares were hanging around the farm and a few pied wagtails.
The pick of the day was a pheasant but i prefered the Red and Fallow Deer in the park grounds stunning
Thanks for the toffees and cakes Vern but bring a map with you next time those sat navs drive me nuts

Ove the last couple of evenings I've noticed a Pied wagtail roost in the trees alongside Millennium Square

Just had a wander up to Hyde Park (University end), in the hope of seeing some redwings (or waxwings if I was really lucky). No joy on either count, and it started raining quite heavily, but I did clock up:

Robin
Several long-tailed tits
Blackbird x2
Several goldfinches
Pied wagtail x4
Mistle thrush
Magpie
Great tit x 2
Blue tit

Peregrine again over the Headrow 9am this morning

Apologies Gary, missed the word 'Little' out of there!

cheers again Tom will try that area next time what type are the owls to look for?

Great stuff Gary! I ought to go up there again sometime. The area around the New Inn up there is good for owls and kestrels (or at least it was a few years ago when I was last there).

After dropping son off at uni had a visit to the back of Harwood house on the otley rd and perfect timing the farmer was just ploughing his field and the buzzards and red kites where going mad for the worms counted 18 red kites, 4 buzzards and a kestrel. Red kites a lifer for me and Mary and fantastic looking birds we will definately be back for more.Surprised to see the kites landing in the field as was told they dont land at giggrin.

Cheers Phil and Mark this is why this forum is so good always a great response from friendly birders much appreciated

-- Edited by Gary Gorner on Saturday 11th of September 2010 08:48:47 PM