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.

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.

Several redwing on Uni campus too this week, Dave.

And had also been meaning to say that there's a pied wagtail roost in Millennium Square at the moment.

Leeds Uni holding a campus birdwatch again on Friday 24th Jan. Includes guided walks from RSPB staff. Details here:

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/sustainability/biodiversity_birdwatch.html

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

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

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.

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

Sparrowhawk over St George's Crypt 0815 this morning

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 :(

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

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

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 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

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.

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.

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

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

~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.

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.

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

Peregrine again over the Headrow 9am this morning

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

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.