Ring Ouzels have returned to the Nidderdale moors to breed after flying back from winter in the Atlas Mountains in North-West Africa.
The birds are a close relative of the Blackbird but are slightly smaller and slimmer with longer tails and a distinctive white crescent across the top of the breast.
In the UK, Ring Ouzels are of high conservation concern and are classified as ‘Red Listed’ after declining by almost 50% in the last 40 years.
The birds are known as the ‘Blackbirds of the mountains’ and enjoy eating juniper berries. The migration route of the birds follow where juniper berries grow.
Read more:
- ‘Somebody knows something’ — Killinghall peacock mystery deepens
- Meet the women behind Ripon’s royal miles of jubilee bunting
Nidderdale Moorland Group posted on its Facebook page that AONB gamekeepers work to ensure the ground-nesting birds can safely incubate and rear their young chicks when they arrive.
Nesting begins from mid-April when the female lays 3-5 eggs in a nest found on the ground or in moorland gullies, craggy screes or rocky areas.
The female will do most of the incubating, but both parents feed the chicks who fledge after 12-16 days.
AONB moorland gamekeepers recorded the birds’ distinctive call last weekend whilst watching a returning male on the moor.
The males like to find a prominent perch from which the strong, flutey song can be heard.
Listen below to the call of a Ring Ouzel.
Leeds Bradford Airport scraps plans for £150m terminalLeeds Bradford Airport has abandoned plans to build a new £150m terminal, blaming “excessive delays” around a decision on whether it could go ahead.
In February 2021, the airport was granted planning permission by Leeds City Council to build the facility that would have replaced its current terminal.
The airport said it would help increase annual passenger numbers from four million to seven million and extend flight hours.
The company claimed the proposals would “deliver one of the UK’s most environmentally efficient airport buildings” but the plans faced criticism from environmental groups, including Zero Carbon Harrogate.
Following the council’s approval, the government decided to “call-in” the plans, which meant it would have had the final say on whether it would go ahead.
A public inquiry was announced by the government’s Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, in January, but no dates had been set.
Read more:
- Harrogate couple spend 3 days in vain calling Jet2 to rearrange £824 holiday
- £500k in carbon reduction cash to be spent on Hydro instead of Convention Centre
LBA said “excessive delays” around the government’s decision to call in the plans led them to withdraw its plans.
Instead, the airport will focus on refurbishing its existing terminal.
Vincent Hodder, chief executive of LBA, said:
“It is with regret that we have made the decision to withdraw LBA’s application for the development of a new replacement terminal.
“As the travel and aviation industry continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, LBA needs to be able to respond to rapidly increasing demand within the next few years.
“Whilst this is a setback for our airport and region, we remain committed to investing in LBA to be an outstanding, decarbonised, modern airport for the future.”
Leeds Bradford Airport’s plans to build a bigger passenger terminal building have been recommended for approval.
The £150 million scheme would increase annual passenger numbers from four million to seven million and extend flight hours.
Leeds City Council will vote on the plans next week but the council’s chief planning officer has recommended approval.
If they are given the go ahead, the current building would be demolished and a new three-floor, 34,000 square metre glass building would be created on an alternative site.
Leeds Bradford Airport Limited estimates the development will support 12,650 permanent jobs across the Leeds City Region, as well as create 850 construction jobs while building work takes place.
The company claims the proposals would “deliver one of the UK’s most environmentally efficient airport buildings”. The current terminal building, which was built in 1968, would be demolished.
The scheme would also increase the times when flights can take place from the current period of 7am-11pm to 6am-11.30pm.
Read more:
The airport’s website says about the new terminal building:
“This will not only be more operationally efficient but will provide a gateway to Leeds and beyond and will greatly improve the passenger and employee experience and provide higher quality welcome for travellers to the city and the region.”
The proposal faces opposition from green groups, which claim it would contradict Leeds City Council’s climate emergency policy and increase CO2 emissions.
Leeds’ five MPs, who all represent the Labour Party, also object on environmental grounds.
There have also been almost 2,000 public objections, including more than from 100 people with a HG post code.
If approved next week, the redeveloped terminal building could open in 2024.