After my report of the Short Eared Owl, I have moor/more goodies to report. Yesterday after doing a bit of local research I discovered that there is an area not far from Huddersfield that is probably the best site for Twite in the UK, well that's what the lady at the local RSPB office told me. Armed with my instructions and full of enthusiasm, as usual, I made my way to a nearby reservoir to try for yet another "lifer", my first Twite. Twite are absent in my home county of Devon so this was going to be a great opportunity to see this interesting little bird that is quite similar to a Linnet.
The reservoir was approached up a very pot-holed road with signs everywhere telling me that it was a private road and I was a little worried about not being welcome but the lady at the RSPB had told me it wasn't a problem. Ahead, in the road was a small group of what, at first, looked like partridge. The birds were between me and the sun but I took a couple of photos of what, in fact was a female Red Grouse and 8 of her almost full grown chicks. Yet another lifer! I am looking forward to posting those photos when I return to base at the end of the week.
So, having parked the car, I made my way around the reservoir to where I had been told the Twite are regularly seen. I had been slowly walking and watching for over an hour and hadn't seen anything remotely like a bird let alone a Twite. I chatted to a lady dog walker who told me that yes, I was in the right place but she hadn't seen any Twite for a few days. But she knew all about them and the ringing project that is taking place.
Wandering back again and feeling a bit deflated I got excited when a finch flew over me and I guessed this might be a Twite, but guessing isn't part of this. Then at last, perched on wires above a typical Yorkshire stone wall was my first Twite. I crept closer and took a few photos, not the best but no doubting it was a Twite. In the end I saw several more and got a few more photos. Twite are very similar to Linnet, and in the winter can be hard to tell apart but Twite beaks are light at that time of year. At the moment beaks of both species are darkish. I have to say though, that having watched Linnet just before I left Devon, when I saw these Twites they had a different look about them, dumpier and well, just different.
I returned today to the same area in the hope of getting a good shot from the hide. My plan of action was to place the hide in a place which I hoped would be a good spot, next to the wall. Unfortunately I was not successful today but a young Meadow Pipit was just 7 paces away from the hide and I got some great views of this lovely species. I gave up with the hide after a couple of hours, and then a bird showed down the wall in silhouette. Murphy's law!
Also photographed today was a nice photo of a Common Migrant Hawker Dragonfly in flight. The new camera and 200mm lens worked really well to get these shots and again I will be able to post some good images when I get home.
Wildlife in a Suburban Garden 
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