Two of the earliest summer migrants come back to Rosedale each year, ring ouzels and wheatears.  Both are back on the moor and pairing up.  Ring ouzels nest on heather-clad steep slopes and wheatears favour open stoney ground.   Both can be seen from the old railway line.  Updale Natural History Recorder

Despite the atrociously wet weather some wildlife are managing to get on with things.  This mistle thrush is sitting on eggs way up in that tree.  Often a rather untidy looking nest with bits of all sorts she’s got some sheep’s wool loosely tucked in there.  Updale Natural History Recorder

To watch a female nuthatch preparing a nest hole is amazing.  She selects an old hole, often an old woodpecker nest hole as in this case and she transforms it.  She infills crevices and/or reduces the size of the cavity using mud and bits of rotten wood.  She will also use mud to reduce the size of the entrance to minimise the risk of predation.  The male, distinguished by chestnut red flanks, keeps guard during this process and will fend off any intruders.  Updale Natural History Recorder

Heavy snowfall makes our dale look even more stunning this February  Update Natural History Recorder

Tawny owls are very vocal in late autumn and throughout winter but we don’t often get to see them in all their splender. How lucky local residents Bob and Janet Morton were to have a tawny owl in their garden recently, on two separate occasions. Bob has captured the warm chestnut brown feathering, distinct facial disc and somewhat dumpy appearance beautifully.  Very many thanks Updale Natural History Recorder

To see five brown hares together recently on a morning which brought a hard frost was a real treat.  Who knows boxing might start soon! Updale Natural History Recorder

A couple of roe deer does showing themselves well in Hartoft during our wintery weather.  Roe deer are reddish brown in summer but adopt this dull brown coat in winter.  There appears to be an obvious light patch on the necks.  Updale Natural History Recorder

Fantastic to see these secretive and increasingly rare birds here in Rosedale.  At least five hawfinches are in and around the churchyard feeding on yew berries.  The hawfinch is the largest of our finches with a top-heavy look due to a large bill and thick neck.  With this powerful bill the hawfinch is able to crack open cherry stones.  They also feed on seeds from hornbeam and yew.  Autumn 2017 saw an unusually large influx in to the UK as a result of a crop failure in Europe and there have been a number of sightings in North Yorkshire.  But how lucky we are to get some in Rosedale and it certainly could be a first record for some time.  With great appreciation to Craig and Helen at Abbey Stores for the tip-off  and the best view of these shy birds.  Updale Natural History Recorder

Stunningly beautiful walk in the snow at dusk along the old railway line at Rosedale East.  The low mist adds to the atmospheric conditions as the light fades.  A pair of stonechats break the silence with their presence as do three wrens flitting together in the rushes  Updale Natural History Recorder

Sunday 12th November from 10am
Rosedale Church

All welcome.