Iain Manfield
iainmanfield.bsky.social
Iain Manfield
@iainmanfield.bsky.social
Patch birdwatcher in Leeds and around the Yorkshire Dales. Enthusiastic lister using BTO BirdTrack and contributor to BBS. Leeds Uni biochemist.
19 species around the River Wharfe catchment, esp. higher in the hills & upstream. A good proportion of the 28-31 species reported by the Wharfedale Nats annual review.
173 records for 394 individuals
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@yorkshiredales.org.uk
November 29, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Red admiral, Peacock, Small tortoiseshell and Painted lady but no records for Comma. Some over-wintered individuals in April? In the summer, feeding on Creeping thistles in the hills plus lots of nettles for caterpillars.
5/6
November 29, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Small copper and Wall brown. Looking like multiple (2) broods but I definitely need more data for these. Something for next year now I know where they are.
4/6
November 29, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Common blue - males are just so beautiful. Most of these records from a small sink-hole. Sheltered from the wind so warmer? Sheltered from sheep grazing so more flowers and perches for defending territories?
3/6
November 29, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Meadow brown, Ringlet, Small heath & Small skipper. Found in areas with different length of grass.

Small heath on grassland grazed short, by sheep but also/especially rabbits? Small skipper in a flower-rich meadow near Hubberholme looking good for other species too.
2/6
November 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
1. ✔️
4. ✔️✔️
2. and 3. Oops.
November 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I do a BTO Breeding Bird Survey (and Winter Bird Survey) above Malham, perhaps on part of this farm. Great area for Skylark and Wheatear. More Curlew would be nice - always good to have more Curlews.
November 19, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Not tempted by a twitch to the coast then?? 🤔
November 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Nice effort from Chiffchaff - the only migrant in the top 10.
November 13, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Thanks for this info. Sounds like there's lots more to BH gull migration biology than I was aware of at least. And more to be discovered through your sightings.
November 4, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I saw/reported 2E96 myself in Roundhay Park back in January this year. Nice to see it back.
November 4, 2025 at 7:23 AM
I've used a Nikon P510 for years - 42x zoom bridge camera. It goes with me everywhere, just about fits in a coat pocket too so it's close to hand. By the time I'm carrying a telescope, a flask of tea etc I wouldn't want anything bigger. Plenty good enough to check IDs and posting here.
November 1, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Super. Good to know they're around nearby. Any sign of the Little egret that was about a few years ago? I thought I might have seen one this week, but briefly and distant.
November 1, 2025 at 9:18 AM