Shelley Whins & Thunderbridge Meadows Birdsong & Wildlife Wander Feedback - Saturday 7th May

A small but keen group duly turned out to see and learn more about the wildlife on the above two sites. The event had also been advertised on the Huddersfield Birdwatchers’ Club Forum as last year.

Despite the excellent recent weather the morning was rather cool with some light rain by the end of the walk. As a consequence only a single Speckled Wood butterfly was seen due to the weather conditions.

A slow meander around both sites, which lasted around 3 hours, produced an excellent 38 species, our best ever on this event. The following species were noted, in no particular order:

Goldcrest – 2 singing, Wren, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Robin, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Swallow, House Martins, Swift – 3, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great-Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Treecreeper heard.

Plenty of Warblers heard including Willow, Chiffchaff and Blackcaps. A pair of Grey Wagtails showed well at Thunderbridge and breeding was confirmed with 3 juveniles present, one of which had its tail missing. Other sightings included a single Dipper, Mallard with 9 young, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on passage along with a single Black-headed Gull. One Lapwing flew East over the Whins along with a Cormorant.

We had a lovely walk and everybody who turned out was rewarded with some good views despite the weather.

Steve Graham
Wildlife Advisor
Shelley Conservation Group