Today's Wildlife Encounter

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Originally Posted by plodding bear

Between Burley Woodhead and the Cow and Calf, 3 red kites. I haven't seen them on Ilkley Moor before, although I know there's a few round Harewood, Bolton Abbey and so on.

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Saw one above Dick Hudsons last year. First and last sighting (so far) for me in that area.

Great day today for firsts, out for 8 hours on the hills and saw (pretty sure) first Pied Flycatcher of 2012, first cuckoo (heard but not seen previously), heard first Cricket Warbler - couldn't spot the little beggar though,
and first pair of Swifts. Not bad!

Seen swallows at work tonight. First time for me this year. Don't get too excited though - one swallow doesn't make a summer!

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Originally Posted by stevefoster

A Brown Owl in the woods near Norland Moor, first one I've ever seen round here.

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Was she with the rest of her troop!!?

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Originally Posted by The Navigator

My first swift of the year this morning. Summer must be here!

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Thats odd! We've had a fair few up here...North Cumbria and Dumfrisshire! Saw my first about a fortnight ago. House Martins too, need to see if Sand Martins are about on the Eden in Carlisle.

Dotterel on High Street plus Wheatear, Meadow Pipits. No Eagle tho!!!

.....Oh! and a pair of Ring Ouzel below Kidsty Pike. :)

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Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

Thats odd! We've had a fair few up here...North Cumbria and Dumfrisshire! Saw my first about a fortnight ago. House Martins too, need to see if Sand Martins are about on the Eden in Carlisle.

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Our swifts at the old house (mid Wales) always arrived 5th or 6th May
This is the earliest I have seen one here - only 30 miles away from before - maybe they've had a gentle following wind from Africa!!

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Originally Posted by molehill

heard first Cricket Warbler...

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I'm thinkin' that you meant to say Grasshopper Warbler?

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Originally Posted by wharfeego

I'm thinkin' that you meant to say Grasshopper Warbler?

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That's the one, made the same mistake before, ever since I first heard one on the Rhinogs and thought it was a cricket! Will probably call it a "cricket" again next year :o. Blame my age.