Wildlife Sightings

Male Blackcap in garden.

Fox walked from Leeds Road Stray across the A61 to Trinity Road and into the corner residence at 2.30am Couldn't take a decent photo. Dog walkers on the Stray beware of -and accept- the inevitable fox poo incidents. Foxes also sighted around Hookstone and Wetherby Road junctions in the past.

Two hawfinches seen this morning in top of tall tree behind Fountains Hall.

Eighty flew over this morning over the sheep field near the river heading east. Also later in the morning a Peregrine flew past.

190 Fieldfares have just flown west past the village.

Kingfisher flew down from the weir, under the bridge and stopped for a while on a downstream buttress, before flying off downstream.

A Cormorant swam downstream at great speed at 0930 this morning.

Buzzard over New Park roundabout midday-ish.

C. 80 flew over heading SE. Also still a small number of Swallows over the village and sheep field.

The Little Egret arrived in the pouring rain this morning and flew up onto a branch above his (her?) regular feeding place. He didn't seem to understand why the usual gently flowing clear, shallow water had become a deep, brown raging torrent !

Flock of 70, 80 possibly more geese flying NW high over my house, calling, in a laterally-spread skein. I think probably Pink-footed but hoping somebody else saw them as confirmation.

One single green parrot/parakeet type bird with a bit of red

This bird has been around Knox Mill for some days now.

Spotted in back garden Jennyfields property which backs onto Oak Beck behind David Lloyd Harrogate

A single Whooper Swan on West Lagoon at Staveley NR this afternoon. It was there last weekend as well. Black-Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and Ruff also present.

Male marsh harrier seen hunting over the reed beds mid-morning. Didn’t get a photo.

Nightjars seen and heard in Stainburn forest. Parked in Stainburn forest car park off Broad Dubb Road. Headed down tracks with Little Almscliffe Crags to the right and in sight at all times. At least 2 nightjars heard calling to one another and seen between 9.15pm and 10.15pm moving between plantations.

Two Silver-washed Fritillary and four Comma seen this afternoon in Mackershaw Wood between the deer park and the ford.

Seen on Yellow Sweet Clover : Melilots (Melilotus) that surrounds the fenced pond. Photo taken with Nikon Z6ii at 400mm zoom and identified by Obsidentify with 100% certainty.

Clear sighting of a kingfisher before it took flight across to the opposite bank of the reservoir. Approx 10 am

This dragonfly was along the East path on the South Lake.

A very inquisitive male allowed some in flight shots near the fisherman's cabin. Lots of Common Blue Damselflies also.

Early morning on a faded rose - a first for our garden. Rutpela Maculata, Yellow and Black Longhorn Beetle. The larvae live in old and decaying wood.

4 flowering specimens in various locations also C S orichids , Southern marsh orchids and Marsh Helborine

Great dismal especially if it’s ‘parachute’ flight

Possibly arrived a little late for the main flowering,just a few still out but very many in seed. Not altogether clear which trees were hosting ,but all the usual candidates were very close by - ivy,hazel, elm and poplar. Photographed alongside a yale key for size comparison. Overall, the spikes seem distinctly smaller than normal,about 10cm at best ,whereas most authorities describe them as rather longer. Have I got the id correct or is this colony a dwarfed variant ?

Nectaring on Spanish Bluebells. My most commonly seen species of butterfly this Spring by far.

Swallows House Martin's Nidd Sand Martins on the swale last week.

Two Goosander on water at 10.00am, Viewed from top deck of No.36 bus travelling north on A61

Rose ringed parakeet

We saw an otter swimming across the water stream / pond in Valley Gardens, Harrogate, daytime 16th March 2024.

A Barn Owl hunting over grassland and reedbeds at mid-day. The owl caught something, and while it was down in the grass, two Kestrels flew down to steal its prey. They must have been successful, as when they flew off, one proceeded to attack the other to steal the prey in its turn. Very exciting to watch. Bad phone picture of owl....

c. 70 have just flown over heading West.

The Mandarin is watching an Otter in the Oak Beck.

Around 150 flew over heading West this morning. Second time I have tried to post this message.

c. 150 flew over high this morning heading West.

Not sure what this is exactly, but it looks like the photos I’ve seen of London parakeets. Or an escaped pet?

Siskins have arrived a week earlier than last year.

Approx 100 waxwings

Seen today stood on a fallen tree

First time I have ever seen a Brambling in the garden; it has been coming for several days now.

One dead adult on the road near the village

Harris hawk seen in woodland at Hell Wath. It had a falconers anklet on one leg and a tracking device on the other. This is believe to be a lost or escaped falconers bird. It chased a blackbird into the woodland where I was walking but failed to catch it and then landed in a tree 15ft away and stayed there for 15 minutes despite dogwalkers walking by.

Harris hawk seen in woodland at Hell Wath. It had a falconers anklet on one leg and a tracking device on the other. This is believe to be a lost or escaped falconers bird. It chased a blackbird into the woodland where I was walking but failed to catch it and then landed in a tree 15ft away and stayed there for 15 minutes despite dogwalkers walking by.

South east Harrogate. Site seen withheld as it would be in appropriate for people to visit the site in numbers. Photos taken of site.

Nextdoor neighbour reports male Blackcap and Great Spotted Woodpecker at garden feeders.

Two pairs of kingfishers darting between the two ponds for a good hour. Seen one diving for fish.

One hawfinch seen this morning iin top of tall tree behind Fountains Hall

Filmed two otters in the car park at David lloyd Video to large

Large influx of Redwings and Fieldfares feeding in the area behind the woodland from the hide there .

One fishing from the nesting platform this morning. It caught two small fish before moving to the back spit.

Two sat under the Tern nesting platform until disturbed by the many geese.

One of four from the hide this morning.

Hobby at main hide. Midday

Several Jays were flying back and forth behind the hide this morning collecting and stashing acorns. This one was in front of the hide burrowing an acorn but decided to move it.

Three with five Pied Wagtails.in the sheep field behind the farmers yard on Midgeley Lane. c.300 Black -headed Gulls following the farmer ploughing. Lots of Swallows over the field after a downpour and three Red Kites and Buzzard low over the field.

The first I have seen (through a very wet window) since last September.

Two Silver Washed Fritillary seen in Spa Gill Wood this morning also 12 Comma, 3 Red Admiral,Holly Blue,Whites and Browns.

Two Silver Washed Fritillary seen in Spa Gill Wood this morning also 12 Comma, 3 Red Admiral,Holly Blue,Whites and Browns.

On Stachys Byzantina in the small park over the road from Waitrose side entrance - a male and female Wool Carder bee ( Manicatum).

2 x nightjars heard churring and then seen in flight around the deforested area with dead trees at Stainburn Forest

To young female Kingfishers arguing over the fishing rights

I’d noticed this week that rose leaves had been cut - then I was lucky to see a bee resting while carrying a section of leaf away.

Striking bird with russet coloured plumage, head black and white. Not seen in the area before. Sorry no photo

Mandarin with 13 young at 1430 today (only 12 in photo).

Little Egret fishing on the river nidd

Juvenile kingfisher Abbey Road by the nidd

Hobby soaring above my house enjoying the warm thermals and blue sky.

Hobby soaring above my house enjoying the warm thermals and blue sky.

Flying South from the stray near the hospital. 0725

A Cuckoo calling again on Midgeley Lane this morning as it has been the two previous Sundays. A Great Egret also flew past heading towards Knaresborough.

3 plants pathside, 2 in flower.

Several seen along riverside path next to Wetlands.

A male heard calling several times at the farmers yard and pond on Midgeley Lane this morning. A first for me on the site. Also a Mistle Thrush in the sheep field collecting food.

First time posting but it looks like a grey heron. Seen last week too. Ready to be corrected.

First time posting but it looks like a grey heron. Seen last week too. Ready to be corrected.

A fine drake shoveler seen in the Nosterfield area between Lingham and Flask lakes last week. 20.5.23

Grasshopper warbler call heard continuously early evening. Recorded and confirmed on Merlin ID app. Not seen.

During this morning's rush-hour, an adult female Roe deer dodged the traffic to cross Knaresborough Road from the Stray, heading towards Christ Church.

June Atkinson informs me that two adults landed this morning but we're chased off by the Black-headed Gulls.

Little Egret standing in the Oak Beck at 0800 Friday before flying off downstream. Annoyingly I wasn't quick enough with the camera.

First two swifts seen over Knaresborough this morning.

In full song by River Nidd

Just northwest of Copgrove church, alongside of the bridle path a farmer has created a new pond/reservoir. Spotted 3 avocet there. Very close to Staveley Reserve and they have been spotted there too for past month.

An Osprey was circling over Embsay Reservoir for an hour or so this afternoon, mobbed by various combinations of Gulls, Jackdaws and Lapwings. It dived three times, but drew a blank on each occasion.

3 kittiwakes landed on South Lake

The pair flew into the tree opposite my bedroom window 25 ft. above the ground but the female flew away before I could grab the camera.

Cuckoo heard calling at 12.30 pm. No sighting

Pair seen at different times today on Harrogate school field

A Fox showed well on the West lagoon this morning. Also a Black-tailed Godwit a Greenshank,11 Avocets and two Little -ringed Plovers.

Herring Gulls viewed from the bird hide

Chiffchaffs gathering nest material in front of the bird hide

Behind the bird hide at farnham Gravel Pits in the field lovely pair of pied Wagtails

Mmany more heard today, Easter Friday. They have been in the Uk for a while byt I only heard them locally this week.

Two flow over at 15.45 hr. in the direction of Staveley.

One solitary Swallow flying North 7.15am

Four lesser redpoll, four grey wagtails, two kingfisher and a brimstone seen this morning.

40 Whooper Swans Heading North

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Two singing this afternoon..

3 Meadow Pipits feeding outside the bird hide near mole hills

Male Stonechat infront of the bird hide.

A Pair of Goosanders fishing just beyond Chaffey Dam on the nidd Abbey Road Knaresborough

First seen since the same time last year.

A snapshot from the stunning starling murmuration seen yesterday evening (2nd March).

70 Whooper Swans north west over Scargill Reservoir this morning

Stunning starling murmuration with the bonus of a hunting barn owl.

A flock of 10 along the field edge. Also a pair of Red-legged Partridges and Greylags feeding next to the crop bird scarer gas gun!

Just below my bedroom window, this youngster did not seem to be bothering the other garden birds.

Pair of Goosanders fishing in front of the old mill at the Lido knaresborough

150 flew over this morning.

Common Redpoll Ripon Area

Tree Creeper enjoying the peanut mix

Male Goldeneye at Ripon Wetlands

Goldcrest looking for food in the shrubs at the side of the river Skell

6 Redpolls feeding at the side of the river Skell Ripon

One dropped in this afternoon on Island 3. A rare visitor to FGP.

This afternoon on the track round the western side of the North lake. Up to 30 Lesser Redpolls and 3 Siskins came down from the Alders to the ground to feed.

A stoat at the Carr Hide trying to catch a rat. It entered the tunnels but did not manage to catch one.

A Roe Deer (1of 3) this afternoon at the West Lagoon. The redhead Smew was still present.

Female Smew on West Lagoon this afternoon during heavy rain, very flighty, associated with resident Tufted Ducks

The only one I saw this afternoon plus four Redwings . The flocks have eaten most of the berries and moved on.

Female Blackcap on a Apple Tree The Paddock knaresborough

30+ Mandarin Ducks on the nidd near wooden bridge at Conyngham Hall knaresborough

Lovely Female kingfisher

Little Grebe by the cafes

Another visitor to the feeders this morning Female Sparrow Hawk vegetarians only on these feeders.

Birds now starting to use the feeders along with all the various tits, Greenfinch,Goldfinch Reed Buntings and the Great Spotted Woodpeckers regularly feed on the fat log

Redwings,Fieldfare and Blackbirds showing in trees near the gun club north lake

52 flew over in a Southerly direction.

3 Goosanders on south lake 1 male 2 females

A whooping group flew over last night in the darkness. They sounded to be quite low and heading South. 3rd attempt at reporting this.

Sat in a tree side of the Beryl Burton Cycle path

Lovely Male Kingfisher fishing above the boat landing @Marigolds cafe

Still showing this morning. 0930am

Two seen in tree tops from the West gate in the private entrance across from the car park. Also lots of Redwings and and some Fieldfares.

A few call here most years. Usually a week or so later and sometimes over Christmas! So far at least two. Together with Blackbirds, population of these boosted from Scandinavia. Thrushes scarce these last two years.

Viewed from Marigolds Cafe Warterside knaresborough a Male kingfisher sat on a gate post looking into the water and a Otter swimming fishing under the viaduct swimming towards the High Bridge

One with four Ruff and a Little Egret on the West y

We watched the otter for 5 minutes diving down for food. Not a very good picture I'm afraid. Phone on full zoom.

Juvenile Male Hen Harrier seen hunting east lagoon for a second day in a row, giving stunning views while targeting increasing numbers of Snipe, Bittern, Pintail, Ruff and Stonechat also present

A Little Egret successfully stalked minnows in the shallows as I watched at close quarters (I was obscured from its view by leaves and branches).

Taken from low bridge 3 little Egrets and a Heron enjoying the fishing in the low pools

A Little Egret this morning. Also a Dunlin briefly.

16 just flown over the house calling in a Southerly direction. 08.30.