Today's Wildlife Encounter

[Llani Boy]

Saw two Barn Owls at the same time tonight. Magic.

[wharfeego]

One for Derby T; a couple of weeks ago I was driving past Chelker Res and spotted dozens of Oystercatchers sat atop the dam wall - a sight I would more expect to see in the early spring.

[Derby Tup]

Now then wharfee

Interesting sighting that. I’ve seen odd ones in winter (two flew overhead one year near Ilkley) but that’s odd that many so early

[MattPo]

Walking on the beach north of Barmouth on New Years Eve we found a dead porpoise. Bit sad, but the birds were enjoying a good feed.

[wharfeego]

...that’s odd that many so early

Just what I thought. Perhaps the benign weather has tricked them into believing that Spring is upon us. Or maybe it's just a sign of the changing climate. Or even that the Oystercatchers prefer to feed on invertebrates found in the green fields rather than probing muddy, salty estuaries. They know best.

[Derby Tup]

As I’m sure you know wharfee there’s a big (250-300 bird) curlew flock that overwinters regularly around Denton east of Ilkley. Oyks staying over kind of makes sense. And it has been a relatively mild winter so far

[Travs]

Spotted a white mountain hare on the south side of Bleaklow during the Trigger race. Disturbed it out of the undergrowth and it galloped off.

Exact same thing happened during last year's race on Kinder, which was a great sight. I must admit that when it happened this weekend, i was somewhat pre-occupied with my navigational issues and didn't really care!

[wharfeego]

As I’m sure you know wharfee there’s a big (250-300 bird) curlew flock that overwinters regularly around Denton east of Ilkley. Oyks staying over kind of makes sense. And it has been a relatively mild winter so far

I wasn't aware of those Curlews DT but thanks for the info.

[Derby Tup]

Early doors maybe October through say mid / late January is the time past the Tesco garage. They often roost together in the fields before the water treatment plan right hand side heading to Otley. The fields round Denton Hall are feeding grounds I’m led to believe

For me just as exciting if not more so than the far better known Harewood kites and the interesting thing is are they ‘local’ birds from south dales / Craven or from further afield. I always like to think they’re locals

[MattPo]

A taste of the tropics whilst I was walling up near Yeadon International Airport. Had a Parakeet around for a couple of hours. Very noisy. Not sure what I think about this - I had heard they are spreading north, apparently a pest in some parts of the south.