Wildlife Sightings
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Informal Sightings
If you have any interesting wildlife sightings in our area then please let others know by submitting your sightings on the form above. Wildlife sightings could include animals, plants or fungi.
Formal Records
To submit a formal record to Society records or the Annual Report, please click the button below.
Please note that items on the sightings page have not been verified so will not necessarily be included in any of the Society’s formal records.
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Barn Owl and Kestrels
February 28 2024
Ginni Darbyshire
YWT Staveley
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....
Harris Hawk
December 20 2023
Stuart Wright
Hell Wath Nature Reserve Ripon
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
December 20 2023
Stuart Wright
Hell Wath Nature Reserve Ripon
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.
Yellow wagtails
August 27 2023
Michael Smithson
Goldsborough
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.
Caspian Tern
July 24 2022
Mike Metcalfe
Staveley Nature Reserve
Adult Caspian Tern found on the West Lagoon by Stephen Root was a fantastic record, gave stunning views down on an island among Lapwings, giving close flypast and Fishing on the East Lagoon, a new Reserve and Area Record, Thanks Stephen for sharing.
Swifts
July 17 2022
Malcolm Jones
Plantation Close, off Otley Road
For a few weeks ( June ) three swifts have been seen circling over Plantation Road Area. Not been able to see if they are using any local buildings. In the past they may have nested on one of the towers nearbye. Today they were joined by a group of seven. The two groups were circling for some time. Does anyone know if there has been a local group nesting up here on Harlow Hill in recent years.?
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