Wheatear Migration

Dave has posted a fascinating insight into Wheatear migration on the Calderdale Birds blog.
Link.

New Phytopthera killing Juniper

We now have a new disease to add to the current worry about Phytopthera ramorum. A damaging plant disease that was until recently almost unknown in Britain has been confirmed in rare native juniper bushes at the Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve in the North Pennines of England.The disease is caused by Phytophthora austrocedrae, a fungus-like organism that infects the plant through the root system and causes the foliage to decline and eventually die.Juniper is a native conifer and a member of the Cypress (Cupressaceae) family of plants. P. austrocedrae infection was only confirmed in the UK last year on other trees from this family, at two sites in Scotland.

I have provided a link to this and there are other interesting reports on this page which many will find interesting. I have not come across this link before http://www.countryside-jobs.com/NewsArchive/Archive2012/06.html

Spring is round the corner

Pennywort - (New Lane) © Michael Sykes

Oak Apple Biorhiza pallida   © Michael Sykes

Michael took these pictures today on "The Rocks", Albert Promenade, Halifax 

Crocus © Michael Sykes

Library Consultation Cancelled

The proposed meeting at the Library this next Tuesday has been cancelled.
See Council announcement: 
http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/news/pressreleases/detail.jsp?id=24949

Courier Quote:

"THE council’s ill-fated attempts to get public backing for a new library in Halifax have ended in shambles."
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/halifax_library_consultation_will_be_re_run_in_june_1_4252181

Crocus at Manor Heath

Crocus   © Michael Sykes

Crocus in flower at Manor Heath,
Halifax.  February 15th


Picture: Michael Sykes

Kingfisher Video - Chris Burns

A brilliant video by Chris Burns of a female Kingfisher at Cromwell Bottom LNR
Click Link to video

Notice of A.G.M. of the Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group March 2012

Please Note Date Change. The first A.G.M. of the Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group will be on Tuesday
March 27th 2012    GWH   Link

The Halifax Scientific Society - Tuesday 14th February

A reminder of next meeting at the Central Library Halifax at 7:15pm. Finn Jensen talks about Climate Change. All welcome.

Volunteer Day

Just a reminder that there will be tree and bush planting
and nest box erecting at Cromwell Bottom tomorrow
11th Feb 2012.
Meet at the Fishermans carpark at 9:30 All Welcome
GWH

Halifax Birdwatchers' Club

      

Bird Report 2010


The bird report is now available at Woodlesford
News Agents, Pellon /Mount Tabor price £5.00.

Soil Hill Snow Bunting - Video

Up at Soil hill this morning in the fine drizzle searching for the Snow Buntings, found them then they obliged staying in one spot for a video, they had a good cleaning session in the drizzle, enjoy 3 minutes.

Chris Burns

Final Statement - Budget Proposals, Countryside Services

Hi all
Please find below a link to above Document: This is the final statement now sent to the Council and other recipients.
Very many thanks to those who attended meetings and/or signed the Draft Document. Special thanks to
Anthony Rae for compiling the Statement.

Document Link

Rescheduled Priority Species Workshop - 22nd February

Hello all,

The rescheduled Priority Species Workshop will be held on Wednesday 22nd February at 7.15 in the Mytholmroyd Countryside Services Office (above the library). The meeting will include an update on Calderdale's Biodiversity Action Plan and small discussion groups for different species.

It will be a opportunity to discuss actions for priority species in Calderdale for the coming year with Hugh Firman and other interested parties. If you would like to come along and contribute to the meeting please email Hugh to express your interest: hugh.firman@calderdale.gov.uk.

Anybody interested in helping conserve Calderdale's wildlife is welcome to attend.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Christine

Tree sparrows

Allan Wolfenden reports that tree sparrow has been seen on the feeder at Cromwell Bottom.
The Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group will be erecting bird boxes there this Saturday.
Volunteers very welcome.

Winters fingers

Hardcastle Crags © Michael Sykes

Michael Sykes took this photo at Hardcastle Crags on the 4th of February. 


This is one of the very few limestone flushes in Calderdale.

Jews ear

Jews ear.  Auricularia auricula-judae

Jews ear fungus at Cromwell Bottom on 29/1/2012 next to the canal.

Cromwell Bottom

Mick and Kath Sharpe have submitted this photo of a female kingfisher at Cromwell Bottom.

For more birds on site click here.

Not from Calderdale but I thought you might like to see it

Frost Flowers in Snowdonia on Monday. They are amazing and some look just like feathers.

They are created by thin layers of ice being extruded from the twigs and were also on branches on live trees.