I was over at Malham Cove earlier this week and also had good views Redstart (including a superb male), spotted flycatcher and green woodpecker. I spent quite a while watching the juvenile green woodpecker feeding quite close. The place was packed with people and I thought I might be wasting my time but by following the bottom of the trees across rough pasture instead of going up the path to the top of the cliffs suddenly there's no people and this is where I saw all three species of bird.
There was also more spotted flycatchers, including what must have been a sizeable family, plus other woodland birds, in woods on the east and north sides of Malham Tarn plus more Redstart (probably young ones) on the wall at the eastern side of the wood that's on the north of the tarn, quite a long way up the hillside.
A cracking day at the cove yesterday. We went to see the young peregrines primarily, 3 this year, and they put on a fantastic show, chasing jackdaws, tagging each other and with some really close fly-bys.
Other birds seen of note included green woodpeckers, redstarts and spotted flycatchers.
Peregrine sat on its favoured perch but soon took flight.
Green Woodpecker - but not still long enough to photograph!!
Lots of Wheatear, Skylark, Meadow Pipit.
Pied Wagtails, one above the Peregrine in flight giving it some hassle.
Tawny Owl in conifer on way back to the car, it hooted as we passed so gave itself away.
Nuthaches clearing out a hole in a tree on way to the cove.
Kestrel
Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow.
Pheasant, Chaffinch, Wren, Blackbird
Swallows - my first of the year
Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies
We had a cracking day at Malham, Friday 20th June. Circular walk from Malham village, Janets Foss, over the top to the cove and back into Malham. After a cloudy start the sun came out around midday and stayed out. Birds seen included curlews, reed buntings, a wren, 2 redstart family parties, a spotted flycatcher, a kestrel, wheatears, skylarks, meadow pipits, 3 green woodpeckers, 5 peregrines, a grey wagtail and a tawny owl. On the walk over the moors, we witnessed a pair of wheatears mobbing a weasel beside a dry stone wall, it was fascinating to watch the weasel dart in and out of the dry stone wall. At the cove the peregrines have reared 4 chicks, and as we arrived they were putting on a fantastic aerial display, sometimes all 4 up together, soaring, diving, playing tag with each other and practicing landing, sometimes within 6 feet of us! Some of the chicks have become accomplished flyers, chasing swifts etc and it was a pleasure to watch.
Late post for 3rd May. Circular walk from Malham village, to Janets Foss, across to Malham cove and back to Malham village. Birds seen, (highlights) Curlews, lapwings, a single dipper, 2 pairs of redstarts, 3 green woodpeckers (heard only), good numbers of wheatear, a single peregrine and a tawny owl.
Absolute crackerjack of a day weatherwise was forecast, so we embarked on our first trip to Malham of the year. A circular walk from Malham to Janets foss, over the top and dropping down to Malham cove, then back to the village. Birds of note were as follows:- meadow pipit,two pairs of redstart, a pair of dippers feeding young, wheatear dotted about all over, (but not in as great numbers as expected) two adult peregrines feeding three young chicks, two treecreepers taking food into nest site, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, kestrel and a pair of tree pipits. I also saw a large brown raptor type bird gliding low, briefly, before disappearing behind a large tree. Could of been a tawny owl, but heard reports of a red kite earlier being seen off by the male peregrine. Another note of mention were the trees. A lot of the trees were still bare, which was slightly surprising. Also saw a cracking bouncing stoat. Anyone who fancies a nice walk, great scenery to go with a bit of birding, I would strongly recomend Malham.
Late post for Saturday 15th August. The peregrines have successfully fledged 2 young birds this year, both adult birds were present and can be viewed from the RSPB viewpoint which is there until the end of August I think. Also great views of the Green woodpecker, 1 adult and 2 juveniles. Good numbers of Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and wheatear still about. Other birds of note were 1GSWoodpecker, 5Grey Wagtail and a Kestrel.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 22nd of August 2012 08:51:41 AM
A four mile circular walk from Malham village up to Janets Foss waterfall, over the limestone pavement, down to the RSPB watchpoint, and back to the village:
2 Peregrines - both adults on view. They have successfully fledged three young.. 2 Pied Flycatchers 6 Spotted Flycatchers 4 Redstarts 20+ Wheatears 1 Little Owl 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Dipper 1 Kingfisher 3 Grey Wagtails 3 Kestrels
Nice Ramble today-not birdingJust Taking some Landscapes-But on our travels we saw- wheatear-Most I have ever seen,probably in the region of 50 pairs most with young in tow curlew Raven Peregrine with large young at the rspb watch site on the Cove chaffinch house and sand martin Little owl Jackdaws-100s grey wagtail-6 swallows willow warbler
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 15th of June 2010 07:03:10 PM
. Good numbers of Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and wheatear still about. Other birds of note were 1GSWoodpecker, 5Grey Wagtail and a Kestrel.
Just Taking some Landscapes-But on our travels we saw-