WEST YORKSHIRE BIRDING

Redwings on the move

2012-02-16T19:58:00.000Z

Heavy stuff at the garage feeders today

Pics taken through glass.

A dull but clear morning with a cool NW>5 at Foxhill but judging by the wind noise from NKs phone when he called me from Ogden and Soil Hill it was much stronger higher up. Heavy drizzle and rain moved in by mid afternoon.
See Nigels Queensburybirder blog for exciting news.
Redwings were my bird of the day today with 3 seperate flocks over high >NE in mig mode with a 12, 18 and 21 totally 51 birds. This coincides with a flock picked up in Halifax , see J.Ws report on Calderbirds.
Nothing else to report apart from a suprise visit from 2 Woodpigeons to the garage feeders.
Just had a tot up and my life list for the garage is 61 sp.
BS

More signs of movement

2012-02-15T20:13:00.000Z

The works Blackbird at the feeding station

Whetstone Gate masts on the horizon from Foxhill

A R.L. Buzzard has been showing well here for a couple of weeks now.

A bright clear day till mid p.m. when the clouds gathered leading to a grey finish.
Just ready for getting out of bed this morning when Lynda, who has the window side said ," Theres a Stork flying over ". Out of bed in a flash and to the window just in time to see a Heron off to the east. " Sorry says Lynda, I meant a Heron". Its not good to fly out of bed at my age.
Anyway, as it happened 3 more Herons were seen during the day all >E or >SE and very high in moving mode.
As I got to work a tight flock of 5 Meadow Pipits came over >NE which is unusual to see Mipits returning as they usually just appear on the moors having come in low in small numbers following the rivers unlike the mass exodus of birds in the autumn.
Otherwise quiet but I see there was a report of a Curlew over Calderdale today, see Calderbirds, so its all starting to kick off now.
BS

Rushing spring along

2012-02-14T19:37:00.000Z

A bit of a grey miserable day with a cold N>4-5 although temperatures were up around 6 deg out of the wind.
Gull numbers were back down to normal today with 8 Commons and 7 Black Headed around the rugby pitch and Foxhill park.
A jolt from NK today reporting Curlews at Knotford Nook made me look back at my last years records for late February and into March to find I had my first of the year Curlew at Cold Edge Dams on the 27th Feb with just a single, and later in the day 37 coming in to roost at TMR.
After this day Curlews were arriving daily on the moor bringing back some life into the area.
By the second week of March Curlew, Oystercatcher and Redshank were at Fly Flatts and on the 27th of March the first Wheatear and Little Ringed Plover arrived whilst a single Shoveler was on the water, a real mega tick for the area.
After this anything can happen with waders on the shore and Ospreys passing overhead and if the water level drops at Fly Flatts like last year we should have another cracking wader passage.
BS

The big thaw

2012-02-13T18:58:00.001Z

Flood conditions in the garage

Bring on the Whoopers

Small gulls congregating on the rugby field.

Before the weekend we were complaining at work about lack of water after 3 days of frozen pipes and this morning we were complaining about too much water with the big weekend thaw and a burst pipe.
The water must have been running all Sunday and when I opened up this morning the whole garage was awash with the ramp completely submerged in its well.
When I sent the ramp up it was like the raising of the Titanic.
With a quick pipe repair and about 300 buckets of water, 2 hours later it was business as usual apart from an aching back.
All pretty much quiet on the bird scene other than an influx of small gulls on the rugby field with 51 present at midday, mainly Black Headed and a small number of Commons.
Had it brought to my attention today by DJS that Birdguides were again reporting 12+ Snow Bunts on Soil Hill so consulted the site manager NK who had just returned from there reporting the usual 4 with linnets and Skylarks also present. See Nigels report on Queensburybirder.
BS

Views of Ogden from this morning

2012-02-12T18:10:00.002Z

Reflections

The feeding corner

Unfortunately no birding trip this afternoon due to having to look at venues for the second daughters wedding whilst Im still reeling from the first one. One of the best I liked had a clear view over Huddersfield moors for visible migration but Id better not let that influence me.
The views above of Ogden were taken from up above the top car park which will be an excellent watchpoint for vis mig this autumn looking right down the Calder Valley.
BS

Ogden on ice

2012-02-12T10:48:00.000Z

Adult Cormorant

Carrion Crow waiting for food

BH gulls on ice

Juv Cormorant on its favourite perch.

A calm mild morning with a slight N>3 and a steady thaw with 80% of the reservoir clear though walking was treacherous with solid ice around the footpaths and even across the promenade. Only walked half of the reservoir path with the west bank impossible to stand on, especially with 3 dogs pulling you along.
A good number of Mallard on the water and a few small gulls but otherwise quite. Two Cormorant were present and a small number of Tits etc.
Herring gulls were moving well throughout with numbers increasing late morning with a flock of 28 over the Raggalds. The Raggalds flood was still froze over and birdless.

Mallard.............................172 with several uncounted at the north end.
BH Gull............................15
Common gull......................2
Cormorant.........................1 ad 1 juv
Kestrel..............................1
Herring Gull.......................83 >NE
+ usual sp
BS

Fieldfares on the move

2012-02-11T19:58:00.003Z

A wintery Chapel Lane early a.m.

Foxhill Park floods

A beautiful red ball sunrise which quickly turned yellow by the time I got in a position to photograph it and shortly after that it was blanked by cloud for the rest of the day leaving it dull and temperatures below freezing.
By late afternoon the wind ,as predicted, had turned to the >N and a slight thaw was apparent with the ice covered branches on the trees beginning to drip although the pavements were freezing over. A grit wagon has just gone down so thats a sign of warmer weather coming as they dont usually come out in the cold.
Just spent over 1 hour stripping and cleaning all the bird feeders, I hate that job but it has to be done if you dont want grass growing out of them, not to mention infected birds.

Active skies this morning with firstly 46 Woodpigeons heading >S probably out of a roost but an unusual sighting for over the garage for this time of year.
Secondly a flock of 38 Fieldfare came over very high in migration mode heading >NE so it looks like the first birds are on their way.
A small flock of 4 Mistle Thrush flew over >S but these could be the same locals that I had 2 weeks previous ?
Otherwise 3 LBB gulls headed >NW and several Common gulls squabbled over food.
BS

Birds in the snow

2012-02-10T20:10:00.001Z

Blue Tit amongst the icicles

Blackie getting snowed on.

A timid Dunnock

Mother Blackbird getting snowed on.

Acrobatic Blue Tit

All House Sparrows, waiting for the Tree Sparrow

Rare for here, Coal Tit

All photos taken through a mucky garage window so excuse the quality.

Another poor day with steady snow all morning and all the ground like glass from last nights freezing rain.
A treacherous walk to work and almost made it till I ended up on my back down the high street just where all the cars were queueing for the traffic lights too, funny how you get up quicker than you go down then walk off as if nothing had happened.
The snow stopped by midday but the fog kept coming in not allowing the temperature to rise above zero and making the bird feeding station at the garage a busy place.
Suprising how aggresive Dunnocks are with 3 on the seed and not allowing anything else near until they,d finished, they were even seeing off Blackbirds and a Magpie.
At the seed were :-

2 Coal Tits
4 Blue Tits
11 House Sparrows
1pr Blackbirds
3 Dunnocks
1 Magpie.

Plenty BH and Common gulls in the sky.
BS

What a grey day

2012-02-09T19:57:00.000Z

Female Blackbird at the works feeding station

Photos taken through glass.

A real miserable grey murky day with rain and drizzle which turned into freezing fog by late afternoon.
Everywhere was shot ice and everything was entombed in an icy coating.
Foxhill park was void of gulls at midday due to the ground being frozen meaning no chance of feeding.
On the up side we,re now well into the second week of February so things will soon improve.
BS

Birds at work

2012-02-08T19:07:00.000Z

A common visitor, House Sparrow

Waste land by the garage

This small piece of waste land at the side of the M.O.T. station fetches several passerines with the help of some seed and fat balls.
A busy day here today with feeding :-
3 Blue Tits
1 Gt Tit
2 Coal Tits
3 Dunnocks
1 Robin
2 m Blackbirds
3 Collared Doves
8 House Sparrows
1 Wren
2 Greenfinch
Will have to get set up with some Nyger feeders to bring some new species, trouble is I can,t stop looking out of the window.

A dull morning today which brightened up early afternoon bringing clear blue skies and sunshine.
The temperature never rose above freezing today and dropped rapidly after dark.
No birds of note in the skies today.
BS

Up above the clouds, Queensbury today.

2012-02-07T19:39:00.000Z

Sunrise from Sourheads.

A bright clear morning as the sun rose up out of the valley mist. Queensbury for a change today was up above the clouds instead of in amongst them with bright blue skies leaving the grey mist down below in the valleys.
A lively morning with plenty movement up to mid afternoon when the murky grey mist came up from below and engulfed the village in freezing fog which hung around until 1900hrs before clearing.
Several Blue and Gt Tits, Robin, Wren and Blackbirds were active around the garage area whilst BH and Common gulls squabbled and chased each other around after food.
Birds moving were :-
6 Herring gulls............>NE
17 LBBs...................>NW
3 Mallard..................>E
2 Mistle Thrush........>S .. Suspect these as being locals.
5 Lapwing...............>N
BS

Snowy Ogden from yesterday

2012-02-06T18:28:00.000Z

Just a few snow scenes from yesterdays Ogden trip.
A lovely spring like day today with warm sunshine thawing a lot of the snow until last light when a heavy freeze started.
Despite the blue skies nothing reportable was seen and the Herring gull movement seemed to miss the village or I missed the birds.
Four Mistle Thrushes went over >S this morning but these were possibly locals, otherwise it was a day of small gulls and the usual resident sp.

Theres no Bunting like Snow Bunting. Soil Hill

2012-02-05T17:40:00.000Z

Smile for the camera

Rest Time

At home in the snow

Theres food here somewhere

4 Happy Bunts

Scratting out the seed

Time for a slurp

Yes, I got sucked in to another Snow Bunting shoot on Soil Hill this afternoon but the sky was blue, the sun was shining and the cold NNW>4 was not as unpleasant as usual.
The 4 Bunts were really at home in the snow, sometimes burrowing deep into the drifts or bathing in the icy puddles. Suprisingly there was not as much snow up there as expected probably due to the wind blowing it clear but the Buntings seemed to prefer the snowy areas as opposed to the clear.
Otherwise the hill was quiet, so you see, I was forced to take more photos, sorry, but soon they,ll be gone and we,ll all miss them.
BS

A snowy Ogden

2012-02-05T10:46:00.001Z

Several Lt Tit flocks

This Mink didnt mind the cold water

The poser Robin

A bright crisp morning with a good covering of snow and a cool N>4 which dropped to calm by 0830hrs.
About 30% of the reservoir was frozen and just held the usual Mallards and small gulls.
Tit flocks were lively with mostly Long Tailed but only 2 Goldcrests were spotted, a very poor year for them this time.
A first for me was a Mink below the bridge in and out of the water.

Mallard....................108
BH gull....................35
Common gull............16
LT tit.........................c 40
Goldcrest..................2
Mink.........................1
+ usual sp.
BS

Calm before the storm

2012-02-04T18:03:00.003Z

Sunrise this morning

Back ot mill.

Bright red ball sunrise with clear blue skies which were quickly taken over by cloud by late morning.
By midday the snow was coming down finely but soon started to cover and by dark things were starting to look a bit grim.
Hopefully not much will come down overnight and then we can get a decent mornings birding in.
Nothing happening today other than 2 Pied Wags low over Sainsburys car park this p.m. and 6 Chaffinch in the Rowans there.
Good article in the Halifax Courier tonight re-AH s Whooper rescue.
BS

Queensbury, another cracking day.

2012-02-03T19:58:00.000Z

Bit cool in the garage today but it did get up to 2 deg.

The waters very hard in Queensbury.

Back to the favourites

Another brilliant day with wall to wall sunshine in clear blue skies and a wind direction change to W>3 but still remaining very cold.
A lot of Jackdaws today hanging around the village after food, supposedly because the fields are frozen, watched out for ACs white collar bird but it was,nt amongst them.
At midday 2 large gulls flew >N up the Aire valley with the size and jizz of GBBs but at the distance and no optics couldnt be sure.
Sounding a bit bleak for Sunday birding this weekend if we get the snow promised but hopefully we,ll miss it.
BS

Queensbury Today

2012-02-02T20:26:00.001Z

Another old favourite, Common gull

Undercarriage down.

Heart beating stuff, raptor in silhouette.
Turned out to be a Common gull.

BH gull, hoods appearing nicely now.

Another cold but pleasant day up here in the gods with a light E>3 and mainly grey sky. An ideal day for moorland walking, thats if your not like me and stuck at work.
Herring gulls were on an early move >W before 0800hrs this morning with a 12 and a 3 close behind, no other big gulls were seen throughout the day.
Nice to hear DJS relocated the missing Soil Hill 4 today, thought they were moving on but it looks like they,ll stay till its time to return now unless heavy snow forces them away.
Just the usual in Foxhill park at lunchtime apart from one gut wrenching episode when a silhouetted raptor type bird was coming towards me low so with trembling fingers on the camera I waited until it suddenly veered off to re veil a Common gull, unbelievable, see photo.
BS

Foxhill Common Gulls

2012-02-01T18:32:00.000Z

What amazing birds gulls are

Still got the winter speckles

This bird is almost in summer plumage

What better way to unwind from work on a lunchtime than to mingle with the gulls.
A cold E>4 but dry and bright and a pleasure to get up in the park for 15 minutes at midday gull watching.
Its interesting to see them now in different stages of plumage, some Commons loosing the head speckles for spring and some of the Black Headed starting to get their summer hoods.
No signs of big gull movement today, just 2 Heron over looking for unfrozen water.
BS

Gulls on the move

2012-01-31T19:46:00.000Z

A murky dull day here in Queensbury with a sprinkling of snow this morning just enough to give us a white covering. An icy E>4 blew throughout the day but not enough to lift the low cloud.
As I opened up at 0800hrs a group of 11 Herring gulls came over >WSW closely followed by LBBs in 2s and 3s but heading >NW. LBBs continued to come over is small numbers most of the day but no more Herring gulls were seen.
At midday 2 Gt Black Backed could be seen in the distance from Foxhill park heading up the Aire valley >N.
Passerines around the garage were less active today with the lack of sunshine.
BS

A photo from Soil Hill yesterday.

2012-01-30T20:14:00.000Z

A snap of 3 Skylarks , or 2 and a wing, skimming over the bumps on Soil Hill yesterday like they had been shot out of a gun.
BS

A Birdy Day, Queensbury

2012-01-30T18:12:00.000Z

Local Blue Tit checking out a nest site

Black Headed gulls starting to get summer plumage.

A real lively birdy day today compared to yesterdays drab empty skies. Nothing special seen but around the garage Robins, Blue Tits, Dunnocks and a single Wren were busy feeding and flitting about around the conifers. A Blackbird kept on starting a few notes of song and there was plenty sky movement with Starlings, Woodpigeons and gulls with just 3 Herring gulls over >WSW at last light which came over unusually low skimming the top of the Victoria Hall.
Foxhill park at midday produced 7 Common gull, 8 BH gulls and 2 Grey Squirrels raiding a garden feeder.
BS

Yes, its more Snow Bunts.

2012-01-29T17:49:00.000Z

Bit of an eye problem with this bird.

With an hour to spare late afternoon I had the usual ,where shall I go thought, and decided on Soil Hill with the intention of ignoring the Snow Bunt area and concentrating on the NW corner of the hill looking for Goldies and big gulls coming in to Thornton Moor to roost but when up there the summit was empty and a misty murky sky blanked out any chance of skywatching so it was back to the SE end to save the day with the old faithful Snow Bunts.
After a bit of searching I came across the 4 feeding in the bumps. Oddly they were by the seed that has been put down but none were touching it, instead, pulling at bits of vegetation or pecking in the soil.
They were a bit fidgety as the machines and wagons were working the hill which is unusual for a Sunday and every time the JCB bucket banged the birds took off sometimes going so high they were out of sight,
BS

Nice skies, nice walk , no birds! Fly Flatts

2012-01-29T10:53:00.000Z

Sunrise beyond Queensbury, Drax power station.

Sunrise from Soil Hill over Queensbury

A frozen Ovenden Moor

Bleak

Water 80% frozen

A calm clear morning with a bright sunrise which was soon lost in the cloud. The mist was hanging in the bottoms so conditions looked ideal for a Pinkie movement but it was,nt to be.
The whole of the area was strangely void of birds and after 2 hours trekking I came away with 6 Red Grouse and 1 Carrion Crow. Just nothing on the water which was 80% frozen and not a bird in the sky, although it was pleasant up there without the usual fog or wind.
The Delvers held a few Chaffinch and a couple of Blackbirds, and 4 Mallard flew >E over Soil Hill on my way back.
Raggalds flood was also deserted, roll on spring.
BS

The Blackbird, by Eric Langford.

2012-01-28T19:49:00.001Z

Eric Langford, Queensbury is a keen poet and forwarded the following ,to be put on my blog, written by himself inspired by his love of birds, especially the Blackbird.

BLACK AND GOLD

Black as night

And wary too,

Into the shadows

He will retract,

Just as others

Who are wary do.

Yet he need not fear

This common man,

For he too, though

Majestic, proud and joyful too,

Is of common line.

Black as night

And yet eclipsed

By the sunshine’s glow,

That highlights features

Oh so grand.

In orange hue, echoing

The music of this,

Black Nightingale.

What artist with an eye

For bliss, and with an ear,

Would miss this song?

This icon in the midst of noise

This solitaire of wing.

Ploughcroft / Swalesmoor Rd / Shelf Moor.

2012-01-28T18:34:00.000Z

A quick buzz around late afternoon found very little at Ploughcroft with no signs of the usual Little Owls but nice to bump into AC doing his rounds.
Swalesmoor road produced the usual Linnet flock though smaller than usual as was the Lapwing flock at Shelf Moor.
A bright sunny day with some thawing in the sun but still plenty snow and ice this evening.

Ploughcroft.
2 Greenfinch
3 Goldfinch
3 seperate Herring gulls >W
Usual Woodpigs and corvids.

Swalesmoor Road
12 Linnet
1 Wren
1 Sparrowhawk
4 Fieldfare
Sev Corvids.

Shelf Moor.
18 Fieldfare
2 Mistle Thrush
120+ Lapwing, no Goldies.
80 + Starling
3 Canada Geese.
BS

Havoc in the snow.

2012-01-27T19:58:00.000Z

Chapel Lane this morning

The rugby field

Chapel Lane this evening

Christmas card material

Overnight snow left a covering this morning but the sky was bright and clear until early afternoon when the dark clouds appeared. By 1500hrs the snow was piling down with flakes the size of half crowns and by tea time the roads were at a standstill with no gritters in sight , once again.
Even the roads low down were for some reason grid locked with only a dusting of snow, it took the daughter from 1630 to 1930hrs to get from Bradford, through Shelf and across Halifax into Sowerby Bridge with every route being blocked, I wouldnt want to be her boyfriend when she finally arrived home , I,d steam from her coming through my mobile.
Even now cars are grid locked at Queensbury over the mountain, makes me realize how lucky I am walking to work.
I dont know how we,ll go on if we get the 4 weeks of Siberian weather that we,re promised starting next week!
After all that I,ve nothing birdwise to report other than the usual residents and an unusually high number of Starlings around the area.
BS

Snow for Queensbury

2012-01-26T19:57:00.000Z

No Tree Sparrows in the garden yet.

All quiet at Raggalds Flood today. Shipley Glen in the background.

A pleasant day with a mild SW>4 and plenty of sunshine. By late afternoon the clouds were rolling in bringing light rain at first then 1 hour of heavy snow giving the roads a covering and making our car struggle coming back from Morrisons through Bradshaw and up The Bonnet.
Nothing untoward today other than the garage Dunnock up in full song and a quick check of Raggalds flood midday found half a dozen small gulls,
With January almost out and daylight lengthening another few weeks and we should be able to get back to some serious birding.
BS

Spring feeling for the birds

2012-01-25T18:38:00.000Z

Yes, I,m afraid its gulls again

To be different this one has a blade of grass hanging from it.

You,ve got to admit they,re a handsome bird,

A bright spring like day with plenty sunshine and a warm SW>4 bringing the temperature up to 9 deg in the garage doorway and probably higher in the sun.
The conditions enticed the birds around the car park to get up and start some song going with Robin, Wren and Dunnock up on top of the conifers marking out their territory.
A pair of Collared Doves were cooing most of the morning and one of the resident Blackbirds was carrying nest material into its annual nest area.
Foxhill park at midday was quiet overhead with just the usual scattering of Common and BH gulls.
Dont let this lull in the winter weather get you too excited, we,ve never gone through a February without snow in Queensbury yet.
BS

Queensbury Today

2012-01-24T18:34:00.001Z

Common gull showing the pale winter plumage legs.

The scene in Foxhill park today

A miserable day with rain, drizzle and thick fog throughout with very limited visibility from mid morning onwards.
Due to the weather nothing was seen other than 11 Common gulls and 4 Black Headed gulls in the park midday, one of the Black Headed having nearly the full hood of its summer plumage.
Well done to JC and AH, ( Calderbirds ), for tackling Soil Hill in the poor conditions and re locating the 4 missing Snow Buntings.
BS

Some Cold Edge Dams pics from yesterday

2012-01-23T18:36:00.000Z

Bottom Dam last light

High tide, rough water

Top dam calmer but empty

A brighter day today with the wind dropped to W>4 with a mixture of sunshine and showers, the showers being rain, sleet and snow. Last light saw a cloudless sky and the daylight lenghtening showed well with last light at 1655hrs.
Apart from 5 Herring Gulls over the garage >SW at 0800hrs this morning nothing else reportable has been seen.
BS

Cold Edge Dams

2012-01-22T17:10:00.000Z

First Greylags of the year

1 m Tufted

1 f Goldeneye in the distance

Cold Edge Dams 1445 - 1600hrs. Cold NW>6 bright.

A bit blustery to say the least around the dams but dry and bright.
Haigh Cote dam was deserted with birds taking shelter near to the north banking of Leadbeater Dam whilst the Canadas skulked behind the island.
Other than Mallards the only ducks present were 1 male Tufted and 1 female Goldeneye whilst 5 Red Grouse were present on the moor. A small flock of 6 Linnet came in to the pines to roost at last light.
Nine Greylags were in the field at the opposite side of the track.
BS

Horrendous conditions at Ogden.

2012-01-22T10:35:00.000Z

Black Headed gull thinking it was on the North sea

Even the ducks were sheltering in the trees

Quiet on the Raggalds Flood

Atrocious conditions at Ogden with gale force NW>7 and torrential driving rain showers throughout. One of those mornings where you think I,ll not bother but luckily with 3 dogs you,ve no choice but to get out there and once out I enjoy it anyway, whatever the weather throws at me.
Gull numbers were up with 100+ Black Headed and 25 Commons although it was hard to check them out with high waves and white horses on the water.
The woods around the circumference were quiet but managed 5 Goldcrest, 6 Coal Tits and a few Blue and Greats mainly in Alders.
A check on Raggalds Flood on the way back found 2 Common gull, 8 BH gull and 7 Lapwing.
BS

Raggalds Flood

2012-01-21T18:30:00.000Z

A quick tea time check of the Raggalds Floods today after NKs report of several gulls present this a.m. proved poor with just 4 Commons, 2 Black Headed and 4pr Mallard. The wind was blasting across WNW>7 gusting 8 with showers in amongst the sunny spells. This site seems a dead cert for Wigeon with all the grazing area so we live in hopes.
Lower down and out of the wind Shelf Moor turned up a few Fieldfare and Redwings last light with 2 Mistle Thrushes in the Hawthorn field. The Lapwing flock seem to have moved on temporarily.
Looking a bit sad for the mornings session with still strong winds and showers forecast.
BS

Queensbury Today

2012-01-20T18:32:00.000Z

A miserable dull dark day with rain and drizzle throughout bringing birding life to a stand still. Other than the resident sparrows and small gulls all was quiet with nothing moving in the low cloud base.
One interesting report today was a lady dog walker who flushed a brown mottled pigeon sized bird with a very long bill from the rugby field near the ponds at first light. Question is have we had Snipe or Woodcock,if it was Snipe it will probably return whereas Woodcock would just have been a passing through bird but I,ll be keeping an eye out on my way past in the mornings..
I,m getting several reliable reports of Woodcock down the old station lately but have,nt had the time to get down myself.
Talking about the old Queensbury Station, for anyone interested, I know you are Dave, there are some interesting facts and photos on the Queensbury Village site from the link on this blog put on by local historian Eric Langford. I started my birding down there in the early sixties when the viaduct and some of the buildings were there but seemed to spend more time being chased off by the local farmer Squire Shoesmith, happy days.
BS

Queensbury, just the local stuff

2012-01-19T19:46:00.000Z

Common gulls in the park

The garden House Sparrows

A convenient perch

A mixed bunch of weather today with a cold W>5 bringing showers of rain, sleet and snow with some bright sunny intervals in between.
I thought the Herring gull movement was going to continue today with 5 over first light, (3) and (2) but no more were seen throughout the day.
Foxhill park was quiet at lunch time apart from the usual low numbers of Common and BH gulls of which Commons are on a record low count so far with a maximum of 23 which has now dropped to 12 instead of the usual 70 + counted at this time of year.
Up to 28 House Sparrows are using the garden feeders at the moment, 12 of which roost in the ivy.
BS

The Day of the Herring gull.

2012-01-18T18:25:00.000Z

Queensbury mud flatts.

Its the rugby field really

Starting to pick up several small gulls.

A much milder day with temperatures up around 8 deg with early mist and then heavy rain and drizzle till late morning. By then the rain had cleared leaving a not bad afternoon apart from the cool WNW>5.

Each day this week we,ve had a species movement with Pinkies, Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds and today was the day of the Herring gull. Several stragglers went over >W and >SW this morning and then dropped off before midday but this was rekindled when NK visited the garage pm and on his way out shouted back that Herring gulls were going over. After this I kept an eye out and got good numbers going over until dark. A phone call alerting NK found that he was getting the same so the birds were moving on a broad front.
Around 70 birds were counted all >W and SW but these were only casual observations from the garage so many would have been missed.
BS

Mistle Thrush morn

2012-01-17T20:06:00.000Z

Mistle Thrushes on the move

Plenty Blackbirds around

Sunrise

A bright red sunrise with temperatures below zero with clear, calm conditions.
Surprisingly Mistle Thrushes were on the move with 11 counted in 30 minutes bunny hopping through from roof to roof slowly heading >S and at midday 15 Blackbirds were in and around Foxhill park moving around the surrounding gardens. A show like this in Queensbury usually happens after an easterly wind but it has been calm the last few days.
The thick conifers behind the garage probably held a Tawny Owl this morning which would have been a site tick if only I could have seen it. Corvids were going mad mobbing the tops of the trees, which are about 20 ft tall, and these were soon joined by Blackbirds and Dunnocks and finally by 6 B.H.Gulls all making a right dim but try as I may I couldnt see anything in the thick greenery.
BS

Queensbury Today

2012-01-16T18:17:00.000Z

A bright clear crisp day with excellent visibility to the west but dark mist cloud to the east.
Nothing heard of Pinkies today but an exodus of Common gulls was taking place with a steady flow all day mainly >NW. A small number of LBBs moved >W first light but no signs of Herring gulls.
Herons were again moving looking for unfrozen water with 4 singles all >W during the day.
BS

Soil Hill

2012-01-15T17:25:00.001Z

3 of the 4

Poser

A late afternoon visit to Soil Hill today confirmed that we are now down to 4 Snow Buntings which were feeding together and then flew into the grass to roost at last light.
A couple who were just leaving reported 7 very flighty Snow Bunts on the grass hill but these turned out to be Skylark.
Nice to meet Mr P and Mrs S E Drake up on the hill .
BS

Grapevine strikes again. Ogden

2012-01-15T11:35:00.002Z

Pinkies moving >N

Hungry Kestrel

Gt Tit

Friendly Robin

Hard to snap Treecreeper

Fogged off at Fly Flatts so back down to old faithful Ogden which was misty but quick to clear.
The water was very still in the calm frosty conditions but still no Goldeneye, just the Mallard flock which is now up to 200+ and a few small gulls.
A single Treecreeper gave me the run around and otherwise all was quiet apart from a few tit flocks and 2 Stock Doves flying over.
A call from the grapevine got things moving mid morning when JW reported a large skein of Pinkies over Birstall heading our way. I called NK who was on Soil Hill then started to dash down out of the trees to get some clear sky . Before I got in a good position I heard the skein approaching so as they came through between Soil Hill and Ogden >N I could only see half of the group so was unable to do a count. Unfortunately for NK the mist was down so he got them on call only.
Thanks to Jim at Birstall and Dave on the grapevine for their quick reactions to get the message out.

THE GRAPEVINE.

I think I speak for all concerned when I say a big thank you to Dave and Jen Sutcliffe for keeping the grapevine active the last 12 months and continuing it on this year. Im sure we,ve all benefitted from the quick response and seen birds we would have otherwise missed.
The thanks also extends to all users of the system for sending the messages in quickly, its a great system and long may it reign.
BS

Queensbury, excellent sky watching conditions

2012-01-14T20:01:00.000Z

First light, clear skies

Last light, a hazy sunset from Roper Lane

Waiting for a turn on the feeders

On the lookout

A glorious day with low temperatures and wall to wall sunshine bringing clear blue skies.
Ideal conditions for Pinkie movement and several reports came in with mainly p.m. skeins but unfortunately none over my air space although Ive had a birding free day due to family commitments but it doesnt stop you gazing skyward all the same.
A quick look at Shelf Moor whilst passing found the Lapwing flock about the same size with 300 + birds and around 10 Goldies.
The fields along Roper Lane held a few winter thrushes and a party of 11 Goldfinch on the wires.
A bit murky up here in the gods tonight so hoping the fog keeps away for the morning.
BS

A second dinner time dip

2012-01-13T20:02:00.000Z

Ingleborough in the distance

Looking >W across the col

Clear blue skies

Roe deer enjoying the sun

Following a call from NK to say that the Teal had moved on, a text from DJS reported 2 Whoopers at Mixenden
so , thinking that was a fair substitute it was another rushed down dinner and dog walk then the car out and up to Causeway Foot Col where I knew Id be able to scope the reservoir.
On arrival it was clear that the swans had gone or possibly tucked under the near banking out of sight. I later got a text from DJS saying they had left before 1100hrs so I well and truly dipped yet again.
I had 10 minutes to enjoy the calm clear conditions though very little was about. Several LBB gulls were over TMR reservoir and 2 Herring gulls looked like landing but then continued on >W whilst a few winter thrushes were in the fields down near Syke Lane. A single Roe Deer lazed in the sunshine and was undisturbed by my presence being such a distance away.
Just getting used to enjoying the view then,bang, back to the garage.
BS

Dinner time Dash

2012-01-12T20:03:00.002Z

Looking over the old station to the brick chimney and Fox Brow.

A bright clear day only spoilt by having to work but a call from NK late morning gave me the excuse to dash out at lunchtime in search of a pair of Teal on Raggalds Flood, a rare local bird to get as well as a site and annual tick however, dopey me looked in the wrong area and with only 10 minutes spare I had to accept a dip.
On the way back to work, in order to try to save the day, I stopped off above the Dailies and looked down over the old railway station but other than a few distant winter thrushes all was quiet with empty skies, a nice flock of Pinkies would have done nicely but not to be so it was back to the garage to get those cars mended with an empty camera.
Did anyone get a photo of that cracking sunset tonight, I could partly see it but not in a position from the garage to get a photo.
BS

When are the Goldeneye going to appear ?

2012-01-11T20:22:00.000Z

Jan/ Feb 2011 Ogdens Goldeneye.

Has everyone got a shortage of Goldeneye this year or is it just this area where so far ones and twos have been reported but nothing in way of the numbers we usually get. The mild weather will play the biggest part of stopping them moving around but Ogden and Fly Flatts have usually had long staying birds by now. Maybe next weeks promise of sub zero temperatures will get the water fowl moving a bit.

A report to me today from a customer who lives near Mixenden reservoir said the Black Swan flew from the water at last light yesterday but he did,nt get chance to see if it had returned today and I,ve heard nothing about it but Im sure someone will be checking it out shortly.

The customer said he hoped it had moved on as if it remained it would probably end up getting shot with air rifles which is a bit ripe in the area.

Another drizzly low cloud day at the top of this hill so nothing untoward to report.

Lapwings moving in

2012-01-10T20:00:00.000Z

Fog engulfing the masts midday at Foxhill

A bright red sunrise but short lived as the clouds soon began to roll in bringing low cloud and drizzle by mid day hanging on till after dark.
Several Lapwings were overhead at various times today heading towards the Pepper Hill flock so whether these are new birds increasing the flock numbers or birds from the flock out feeding remains to be seen.
A single Skylark over the garage late morning >S was an unusual sight and a customer rang today to ask if I knew about the Black Swan on Mixenden reservoir, which we did of course, but he said the swan was on Ogden late Sunday afternoon. A touch of exotica for the area.
BS

Queensbury Today

2012-01-09T20:09:00.000Z

Local Carrion Crows checking out nest sites

A poor start to the day with heavy drizzle and low cloud but this soon cleared to leave a bright afternoon with some sunshine. Just been dog walking tonight and it is amazingly calm and mild with a full Bombers Moon.
Though the skies were clear at lunch time very little was moving other than the local small gulls and 2 Pied Wagtails going >W over Foxhill.
Carrion Crows are already checking out their annual nest site in the park before their rivals the Magpies get a chance to move in, this is an annual ritual between the two species.
On the way back to work a small flock of Starling type birds caught my eye but something looked odd about them, Waxwings flashed through my head but when they re appeared from behind a building they turned out to be 10 Redwings. Staring at these I walked straight into a low garden wall much to the amusement of the row of traffic waiting for the lights to change, they probably though I was the local druggy.
BS

The Magnificent 7 except theres 9,

2012-01-08T15:50:00.002Z

Thick fog and heavy drizzle this p.m. up Soil Hill but with work looming its ugly head tomorrow a man has to do what a man has to do so up I went. Strangely there were no birders up there after a visit by several this morning, or if there were I probably wouldnt have seen them in the fog.
First birds seen were 9 Goldies lift off and move to the other side of the hill. Almost immediately I was amongst the Snow Bunts on the SE flat area sticking around the waters edges with 7 all close together, the other 2 turned up later in the clover field right in the SE corner. These 2 have got to be from another location as they rarely mix apart from roost time.
Managed to get a few shots in the fog but after being knelt in the mud for 30 minutes my knees started to sieze up. Apologies for more photos but I can,t resist them and they are the first half decent ones this year.
BS

Fly Flatts, too far west.

2012-01-08T10:58:00.002Z

As good as it got, 2 Canada Geese

Hardy sheep on the moor

Fog rolling in over Dean Head

Wipe out.

Bright skies over Queensbury and to the east early morning but as I approached Fly Flatts the weather worsened finding it to be just on the edge of the western weather front with low cloud and drizzle then mist rolling in off the moor.

The whole area was again void of birds other than 2 Red Grouse and mid morning 2 Canadas landed on the water briefly before moving off south down the valley.

As I was walking back from the waters edge I firstly stopped thinking Id heard geese in the distance and secondly the noise of a Snipe drumming briefly but by this time the mist was down and the westerly wind was blowing hard drowning out the chance of listening.

NK rang me about 40 minutes later confirming that Pinkies were on the move but no tick for me today.

All the hazards of being an upland birder.

No birds at all at The Delvers

Lapwing Skies

2012-01-07T18:24:00.000Z

About two thirds of the Pepper Hill Lapwing flock

Shelf Moor late afternoon flying visit produced 15 Fieldfare and 11 Redwing in car boot field and an estimated 400 Lapwing flock finally settling in the helicopter field along with at least 6 Golden Plovers.
As I passed NKs house in the car at last light a small flock of about 15 passerines were flying from Park Lane trees and landing in the trees behind Nigels house, possibly Chaffinch but dont know, perhaps you saw them Nigel or are they regulars?
BS

Red Sky in morning, birders warning

2012-01-06T20:05:00.000Z

Early dawn, Chapel Lane

The Willows with Black Dyke in the background

Over,t mill

A bright red sky sunrise leaving a sunny clear day until mid p.m. when the clouds arrived bringing heavy drizzle and a strong W>4.
Birds were active today taking advantage of the dry calm weather with resident passerines filling the garden feeders.
Up to 36 House Sparrows were in and around my garden at midday and a feeder by Foxhill park held 4 Blackbirds and 7 Collared Doves.
Common and BH gulls were out in force but hanging around gardens rather than the parks grassed area whilst a steady flow of LBB gulls passed overhead >SW with at least 2 Herring gulls in tow.
A tight group of 15 Lapwings headed over the garage in the direction of the increasing flock at Pepper Hill.
Had 3 visits today at the garage and 2 phone calls asking for directions and where to find the Snow Buntings on Soil Hill. Apparently it is now out on Birdline as well as being published in last weekends Yorkshire Post, so I think we should erect a little shed up there for Nigel to sell tea and souvenirs out of.
BS

Queensbury .Calm and sunny, for now.

2012-01-05T19:41:00.002Z

Clear views east to Otley and Menwith Hill

The strange yellow thing in the sky.

After a night of gales reaching 78mph, probably 178mph on Soil Hill, the morning started wet and windy followed by a heavy snow shower but by mid morning the wind had calmed and the sky was blue.
By some miracle the Snow Buntings had survived on Soil Hill and all 9 were showing well today, NK,DJS.
Very little activity was apparent in the sky although 6 Mallard flew >S over the garage possibly from the Station Rd pond and 2 Pied Wagtails briefly visited the car park.
With clear skies today the lengthening daylight showed well with darkness falling about 1620hrs.
Many thanks to David James and Stuart Walker for putting my blog on the Queensbury Village website ,kindly put forward by Cllr Paul Cromie.
BS

When will the winds stop ?

2012-01-04T19:48:00.000Z

Another day of strong winds increasing by late afternoon to gale force WSW>7 with heavy horizontal rain.
Had to call at a customers at lunch time for some keys just in time to see NK being washed down Perseverance Rd after a real dousing on Soil Hill, dedication to the extreme, well done Nigel, at least we know that at least 1 Snow Bunt is still up there.
Only birds of note for me today were 6 LBBs heading >W early morning.
BS

Freak weather hits Queensbury.

2012-01-03T20:07:00.001Z

Garden House Sparrows

Today must be one of the freakiest days weather wise that Queensbury has had for a long time.
A gale force to severe gale SW>8 gusting 9 to 10 with heavy rain blasted me down the road to work and as I opened up at 0800hrs the rain was so heavy you couldnt see across the car park, just a white wall of water.
Some clear skies kept trying to show then another set of storm clouds would come over blackening the sky like night time and the rain, hail or snow would pound down.
I can,t imagine how birds survive in these conditions, especially the Snow Bunts on Soil Hill but it must,nt bother them or they would move on.
The poor House Sparrows in the garden had to cling onto the feeders for life today.
BS

Wintery scenes from Fly Flatts this morning

2012-01-02T20:28:00.001Z

Blue Skies

Early sun

Clouding up

Snow clouds building

Blue sky gone

Snow coming over the moor.

BS

Two hour field tour, Shelf Moor

2012-01-02T17:24:00.000Z

Goldies and Lapwings, very distant shots

1 of several Long Tailed Tits

The Burned Road Pied Blackbird, possible different bird.

A tour round this p.m. of the fields around Shelf Moor brought a good variety of birds though the Lapwings and Golden Plovers were keeping to fields out of photographic range.

Shelf Moor
300+ Lapwing
30+ Golden Plover
60+ Fieldfare
20+ Redwing

Burned Road
15 Long Tailed Tit
2 Pied Wagtails
8 Greenfinch
6 Redwing
2 Woodpigeon
1 Herring gull >W
1 Pied Blackbird.
BS

Fly Flatts/ The Delvers

2012-01-02T10:49:00.000Z

Goldfinch

Starling flocks

Redwings

Managed to get to Fly Flatts after a few weeks of fog only to find heavy snow showers and mist clouds rolling in off the moor. The area was deserted of birds both on the water and in the sky and other than a few Red Grouse and corvids nothing was seen. The snow was getting heavier and the road bad so made a fast exit after checking the Twite feeding area to no avail and was driving back disappointed until I got to the Delvers where the area was alive with birds. Finches, Redwings, Starlings and Blackbirds were feeding in the field but no signs of Brambling as yet but Im sure they,ll come.

Fly Flatts :-
Red Grouse

Delvers :-
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Blackbird x 8
Redwing x 6
Gt Tit
Starling x 60+
BS

Second dousing of the year, Soil Hill

2012-01-01T15:55:00.000Z

Distant shots in the pouring rain

No let up in the weather from this morning so it was stay in or Soil Hill, no contest.
When I got on the hill it was torrential rain driven by a W>5-6 but mild, this continued throughout the visit then clear skies were moving over from the west as I got home.
The Bunts made sure I got a good soaking before they let themselves be seen and it was nearly 1 hour of searching before I came across them at the northeast end of the bumps. All 7 were together but flighty moving short distances at a time around the hilly area.
Though absolutely soaked to the skin I came away with my new year tick although watching these birds feed they,ll be with us some time yet.
Also present were
3 cock pheasant
2 hen pheasant , probably driven up there from the sad mans xmas shoot.
5 Skylark
BS

First washout of the year

2012-01-01T10:27:00.000Z

If you,re going to get a total fogged off washout on a Sunday morning you might as well have it on Jan 1st and get it over with.
This morning was a shocker with fog on the tops and torrential rain elsewhere with a strong W>5 blowing.
Fly Flatts was a no go so back to Ogden for a reet good soaking.
Nothing of interest to report other than a few small gulls and the common garden stuff so the new year morning list which usually starts with about 40 species has taken a battering and started off with about 12.
The weather looks to be brightening a bit now so I may get an hour late afternoon depending on what her indoors has planned in the meantime.
BS

Looking back at Fly Flatts 2011

2011-12-31T20:22:00.000Z

Wheatear

Oystercatchers

Dunlin

Sanderling and Ringed Plover

Some of the 19 Ringed Plover

Looking back at 2011 it will always be remembered as the year the water dropped and the waders moved in to Fly Flatts. From April to September the shoreline was producing waders like never before.
Waders seen there were :-
Redshank
Golden Plover
Curlew
Common Sandpiper x 11
Redshank
Snipe
Oystercatcher
Sanderling
Turnstone
Grey Plover x 2
Bar Tailed Godwit x 2
Ringed Plover x 19
Little Ringed Plover
Dunlin
Also the water held :-
Teal
Goldeneye
Shoveler x 2
Wigeon
Plus the usual sightings of :-
Wheatear
Greenland Wheatear
Twite
Whinchat
Stonechat
plus a Yellow Legged Herring Gull.
Lets hope 2012 produces another summer at Fly Flatts like this one.

A couple of other things of note to me in 2011 were
White Stork low over Halifax 17/4
Raptor move day at Soil Hill with 1 Osprey and a possible Marsh Harrier though the latter I cannot claim
as not enough i.d. on it. 24/4.

Wishing you all a year full of megas in 2012....... HAPPY NEW YEAR.
p.s. Hope 2011 takes this wind ,drizzle and fog with it or my new year list tomorrow will have nothing but garden House Sparrows on it.
BS

Queensbury, bright start, foggy finish

2011-12-30T20:07:00.000Z

Early morn over the mill

Early morn over the Victoria Hall

Early morn in the village

A bright frosty start to the day with a pleasing sunrise and clear skies but by mid day the skies were grey bringing heavy rain and fog by late afternoon.
Good to hear that the Snow Bunts survived last nights gales with 7 showing on the hill today thanks to reports from NK, DJS and Muxy.
Only thing of interest today was a single Meadow Pipit heading >S over Foxhill park at midday, dont know if this was a very late mover or an over wintering bird on the move.
BS

Queensbury Today

2011-12-29T19:53:00.000Z

A collage of Snow Bunts.

Sorry about the Snow Bunt pic but Im a bit short of photographic material with this bad weather.
Last night was a real humdinger of a storm and I was suprised to awake this morning and find no damage other than bird feeders and fat balls all over the garden.
My garage and 2 of the neighbours garages had their doors swinging open this morning so either the wind came with a pair of bolt croppers to cut off the padlocks or it was a dirty little scumbag creeping about like a rat in the night looking for something to pinch. Luckily all he got away with was a bit of tackle and a large bag of Boneo dog biscuits from next door, hopefully he,ll choke on them.
A few big gulls were moving around this morning with about a dozen LBBs heading>SE possibly towards ACs spot but no Herring gulls were present, just a few small gulls going in no particular direction.
BS

Windy weather

2011-12-28T19:54:00.000Z

I hope those Snow Bunts on Soil Hill have got well down in the long grass tonight or they,ll end up in North Yorkshire with the wind as it is now.
The SW>5 has steadily increased all day and Ive just come back from dog walking in a howling storm force SW>9 and frightening to walk in, hopefully it will blow itself out during the night.
It looks to me as if the Soil Hill Snow Buntings are due to over winter up there now that they seem settled and spreading out over the entire hill. The Bunts that come and go always stay in tight flocks feeding and moving around together but these long stayers are splitting up and just coming together to roost.
Unless we get a heavy snow to cover all the vegetation they.ll hopefully stay on and possible attract more birds to join them.
BS

Soil Hill roost

2011-12-27T17:00:00.000Z

Got home from family things by 1500hrs with the light fading fast but went up on the hill anyway again hoping to get the roosting Goldies but again no joy.
As I walked up the track 7 Fieldfare landed on the wall near the mast before flying down into the roadside pine trees presumably to roost. Up on the summit 6 Herring gull came over >SW, another 9 had gone over Ogden this morning which I forgot to add to my post, then DJS had some p.m. so it looks like a bit of a move was on.
As I was watching the gulls disappear I noticed a Snow Bunting in the clover near to me so I backed away so as not to disturb it on the edge of darkness and apart from that Id probably get lynched if I posted any more pics.
I kept watching the area from a distance when suddenly 6 Bunts lifted up and kept flying a circuit over the hill and after a few minutes 3 more flew in from the north of the hill and joined them. All 9 then dropped down into the area of the longest grass in the SE corner and all went still, this supposedly being their roost.
BS

Ogden below the cloudbase

2011-12-27T10:54:00.000Z

The resident Cormorant.

A visit to Fly Flatts was aborted due to dense fog this morning so it was a revisit to Ogden which was just below the cloudbase but was grey with drizzle, at least the wind had dropped.
The whole area was quiet with no signs of yesterdays active passerines and still nothing on the water other than 4 Common gulls and 8 BH gulls. The now resident Cormorant was showing after being absent yesterday and several tits were around the lodge feeders.
Still fog on the top as I passed Soil Hill but KMs car was parked up there, probably hoping for a re enactment of yesterdays ordeal.
Looking a bit sad for me getting out again today with the list of family visiting Ive be told we.re doing and its back to work tomorrow but at least its a short week and another extended weekend.
BS.

Shelf Moor

2011-12-26T20:20:00.000Z

Shelf Moor, last light this evening held 400+ pre roost Starlings, 50+ Redwing and 30+ Fieldfare in the hawthorn field. No sign of the part white Blackbird.
BS

An amazing experience on Soil Hill

2011-12-26T17:27:00.000Z

Beware of this brown job, it can look like a Lap Bunt
from a distance, first noticed by DJS.

K.M. just managing to keep his hair on.

Apologies for the done to death Snow Bunt photos but can,t resist them and soon they,ll be gone.
An hour on the hill this afternoon in a WSW>7 gusting 8 near gale force wind but dry.
Hoping for some Goldie photos but the north summit was bear other than 4 Skylarks, so it was back to the Snow Bunts with 5 well spread out birds showing.
After Id got a few snaps Keith Moir appeared and we watched the birds before I started to walk off to leave with Keith going to check the grass area. As I neared the southern edge of the area I stopped dead when I saw 1 Snow Bunt 8ft away from me so I carefully knelt down with the tripod low to take some pictures but as I did so the bird kept coming nearer to me. Keith was by now stood to my right watching this develop as the bird carried on feeding towards me and even though I shut the zoom right down it was too near to focus. We both watched in disbelief as the bird passed me near enough for me to touch it and then along came another 2 which did the same. I felt like David Attenborough knelt there surrounded with Snow Buntings, what an experience with such amazing birds.
BS

Ogden, Boxing Day

2011-12-26T10:45:00.001Z

Christmas puzzle, Spot the Treecreeper.

A brighter, dry morning with a mild WSW>4 but not showing daylight till 0900hrs.
Ogden was very quiet with the water void of birds other than a few small gulls and the usual Mallards who,s winter numbers are much lower this year due to the mild weather.
A few small tit parties were around the edges of the water and 2 Goldcrest and a single Redpoll were present but very fidgety. The Treecreeper was teasing me avoiding the camera by keeping mobile and hidden in the branches meanwhile 4 Siskin flew out of the top of the Alders.

4 Siskin
1 Treecreeper
1 Redpoll
2 Goldcrest
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
plus usual sp.
BS

Christmas Party on Soil Hill

2011-12-25T15:45:00.000Z

At the risk of being a saddo I slipped out an hour on Soil Hill. After a hectic morning of presents and the other daughter getting a suprise proposal of marriage Lynda wanted a bit of time to mull through her presents so Soil Hill bound for me. Again the weather was dreadful with a howling W>6-7 with heavy rain and drizzle but its Christmas, who cares.
The Snow Buntings were oddly seperated in ones and twos scattered all over the hill and as you can see by the photos they were looking in a wet sorry state. Only 4 could be found ,3 of which were very mobile.
Two Lapwing were on the NW summit along with 9 Goldies which flew before I got within 100 yds of them.
A dozen Linnet were on the grass hill and 6 Fieldfares were in the field near the mast.
All in all, a Merry Christmas.
BS

Bad weather, good birds, good company. Soil Hill

2011-12-24T14:58:00.000Z

An early finish at work this a.m. left me 1 hour spare to visit Soil Hill.
On arrival the rain was pouring lashed by a cold SW>5-6, real atrocious conditions, but I wasnt alone, a lonely wet figure was walking towards me. I thought , who else would be mad enough to visit the hill in these conditions and on Christmas eve so that narrowed it down to either DJS or NK and it turned out to be NK.
After a lot of searching and watching several aerial displays from the 6 Snow Buntings we finally caught up to them feeding in the bumps and luckily the weather eased a bit to get the much wanted photos.
WISHING ALL READERS OF WEST YORKSHIRE BIRDING AND ALL BIRDERS AND REPORTERS OF SIGHTINGS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A CRIPPLING GOOD 2012.
Brian.
BS

What a grey day.

2011-12-23T20:05:00.000Z

A terrible day up on the tops today with heavy rain throughout and a strong >NW 4-5. By dark the sky had cleared and freezing was taking place so hopefully we could get a clear weekend but still the wind to contend with.
I,ve been told birding is off this Sunday for some reason but I,ll be back at it on my 2 days off, Monday and Tuesday to try and top up my annual local list which is about 4 birds down on last years.
Some commoners missing are Woodcock, Brambling, Whooper Swan, Stonechat , SEO and Waxwing.
Also did poor on waders during passage time, oh well, theres always next year.
BS

How the wind blew. Soil Hill

2011-12-22T20:09:00.000Z

This isnt camera shake, its hill shake

Nearly missed that one !

Just in case the Soil Hill Snow Buntings leave before the weekend I decided to make a dash for the hill at lunch time. The sun was out and a visit to the garage from NK telling me the birds were about clinched it so after a quick lunch and dog walk I set off up there with 20 minutes spare in which to find the birds and take the photos.
After a fruitless search of all the south and east summit I doubled back up the main track and saw the birds in the trenches to my right but they were very fidgety in the wind and kept moving around.
A quick look at the watch, 5 past 1 and start work at 1.15 with a 5 minute journey back, TIME UP !
A quick few half hearted shots in a W>7 gusting 8 with it near impossible to stand up, I was moving, the camera was moving and even the hill felt to be moving, the only thing not affected was the birds ?
Ever time I rush up for these birds on limited time they turn up in the last place I look when its too late, next time up I,ll look in the last place first, that,ll fool em.
BS

Shelf Moor conclusion

2011-12-21T19:36:00.000Z

Fields full of Starlings

The mystery of the Ring Ouzel/Blackbird was concluded today thanks to contacts through DJS. Steve Loveric was actually able to re locate the bird and identify it as a Blackbird but showing a broad white neckband. I shot down there at dinner time hoping for a photo but the field was empty and with only 10 minutes watch time I had to give up. Will get down over the weekend to try get a photo just out of interest.
Thanks to all birders that gave it a go, especially Steve for sorting it, see Calderbirds for report, and a big thank you to Mr Turner for being sharp eyed and reporting the sighting to me . He seemed suprised that his report was followed up as it was but the outcome could have been totally different and that is how rare birds are found,keep those sightings coming in, apart from owt it keeps us lads on our toes.
Whilst down there today 15 Herring gulls came over in the mist >W which was part of a big gull movement witnessed by AC, Northowram blog.
Also large flocks of Starlings were in the fields along with small gulls, seems like an area to watch for that rare winter thrush.
BS

Foxhill today

2011-12-20T20:25:00.000Z

Foxhill Common gull

Local Magpie

Sunrise back ot mill

A bright start with a red sunrise but deteriorating as the day went on with drizzle and low cloud.
Just the usual resident stuff about today apart from a single Jay over Grimstons field towards the station at midday and a flock of 15 Redwing in the same area feeding in Hawthorns.
Thought Id cracked it on the way back to work when I saw the silhouette of 6 birds feeding in a Rowan tree in the grounds of the Willows medical centre but after a short dash with camera at the ready they turned out to be Starlings and not what I was hoping for, Waxwings. This same tree held a small flock of Waxwings a few years ago, (NK).
BS

Shelf Moor Ring Ouzel ?

2011-12-19T20:11:00.000Z

A milder but damp foggy morning with rain and drizzle throughout the day.
The only bright thing today was a reliable source customers report of a probable Ring Ouzel in fields at Shelf Moor feeding with winter thrushes. The bird was described as a Blackbird with a white collar/breast band. It could have been a part white Blackbird but to strengthen the sighting another Ring Ouzel was reported in the Manchester area also today.
Thanks to the Calderbirds lads that went out in search of the bird and thanks to Mr Turner for the sighting, lets hope its there tomorrow when you take the dog. See also report on Calderbirds for area.
Well done to NK for tackling Soil Hill today in the fog and rain to check on the Snow Bunts, see his report on Queensburybirder.
BS

Fly Flatts/Soil Hill

2011-12-18T11:45:00.001Z

Road shut off due to ice

Arctic conditions

Water starting to freeze

The Nab

An icy cold morning at Fly Flatts with a freezing NNE>5 but bright clear skies after early mist.
The whole area this morning was void of birds both on the water and in the sky apart from 1 Red Grouse and a few Corvids.
On the way back The Delvers field held 9 Chaffinch and 3 Greenfinch as well as Robins and Blackbirds but no sign of Brambling as yet.
Dropped the dogs off at home and a quick shoot back to check Soil Hill but after three quarters of an hour zig zagging the whole summit nothing was found.
Out of time I headed back via the SE corner and the only place I had,nt checked was the grassy area so, thinking there,s no chance of them being there I ventured in and after 3yds 1 Snow Bunt flew up in front of me followed by the other 8. They did a circuit of the hill and came down in the sun somewhere near the mast but time had run out so still no photo, at least we know that they are still there.
Nice to bump into Jim Welford on the hill.
BS

Shopping and birding combined

2011-12-17T20:03:00.000Z

A mainly bright day in the village with just a few snow showers in the morning but plenty sunshine although heavy freezing all day.
Shopping in Halifax found 3 Pied Wagtails on the library roof, 11 Black Headed gulls around Sainsburys along with 1 Grey Wagtail, about my second this year, and 6 Chaffinch in the Rowans.
Looks like it may be good for a change in the morning but Im not holding my breath.
A customer rang me to say he had been up Soil Hill this morning but no sightings of the Snow Bunts.
BS

Less snow, more ice.

2011-12-16T20:15:00.000Z

A night of heavy freezing leaving a bright clear day until late afternoon when dark clouds came over bringing some short lived snow showers then back to freezing by dark. Only 5 days now to the shortest day and then we,re on the long but steady road back to lighter nights.
Four early morning geese came over >W making me think Pink Footed but as they came over in part darkness they were seen to be Canadas probably looking for unfrozen water.
A single Heron, probably on the same idea, went over >E.
Plenty male Blackbirds about at the moment but strangely no females, is anyone else finding a shortage of females?
An unconfirmed report through NK of a Lapland Bunting on Soil Hill earlier in the week( B.O.G.) but this was neither reported or put on the groups blog site?
Weekend again so lets see what goodies it turns up other than the dreaded Christmas shopping, or is that just me thats turned into Ebenezer.
BS

Snow Joke in Queensbury

2011-12-15T20:17:00.000Z

First light and a shock

A wintery garage

Man the shovel

The joys of living on top of the hill

No gulls in Foxhill park today

View east with no snow on Baildon Moor

A heavy overnight snow storm left us with a decent covering this morning although the temperature was up slightly,4 deg in the garage, so a steady thaw took place all day. By mid afternoon drizzle followed by light rain fell shifting some of the snow and leaving the rest in a sloppy mess, just nice for dropping off the underside of cars and down the back of my neck.
Of course this morning for 2 hours all the roads through Queensbury were gridlocked and it was even on the national news that the Halifax to Bradford roads were at a standstill. We,d be better getting rid of these computerized summer only grit wagons and go back to how it was in the days of Queensbury Urban Council with our own gritters, ploughs and salt pile and ten times more snow, the roads were always kept clear. Even the dustbin men were out shovelling and salting the pavements, those were the days.
Birdwise things were quiet with garden birds frantically feeding ready for a cold night ahead and my seed feeders have had to be filled twice today.
Its strange to me why our local House Sparrows put up with our severe weather in Queensbury when they could fly 15 minutes away to lower greener habitat but I suppose you could say that about people that live up here.
BS.

Sun, snow and ice

2011-12-14T19:46:00.000Z

A bright clear sunny morning with the overnight gales dropped leaving a light SW>4. By 1100hrs grey clouds were taking over the blue and with them came some very heavy snow showers on and off all afternoon clearing by dark leaving clear skies and heavy freezing.
Big gulls were on the move mid morning with a constant flow of LBBs all >S and at least 4 Herring gulls heading in their usual direction of >W.
Hopefully the gales forecast for Friday will waft things about for the weekend for us so watch those gull flocks and local waters, we could do with a mega to see the year out.
A nice find for AC today with a Woodcock on Soil Hill along with the 9 Snow Buntings, see Northowram blog for his report.
BS

How the wind blew.

2011-12-13T20:04:00.000Z

Foxhill Gulls

A wild day up here at Queensbury today with the wind increasing steadily as the day went on getting up to gale force SW>7 gusting 8 to 9 which in Queensbury terms is, nobbut a stiff breeze. At least it remained dry throughout apart from one or two half attempted snow showers.
The puddles are frozen over tonight but the gritter has just been down the road so thats a sign of good weather, they dont come out if its bad.
Just the usual gulls in the park to give me something to photograph but its not easy in a howling gale.
Well done to DJS for tackling Soil Hill today and picking up 9 Snow Buntings for us, good job he had his heavy boots on or I,d have seen him soaring over the garage.
BS

Good start, bad finish

2011-12-12T19:56:00.000Z

Lighting up time by the garage.

A decent start to the day with a cool W>4 but plenty of sunshine and remaining dry until late afternoon when, as forecast, the wind increased W>6 with heavy rain which is promised to go on through the night and into tomorrow.
NK confirmed on Soil Hill today what I suspected last night , that the 3 Snow Buntings have gone from the area following the other 3 birds that departed last week.
Common gulls again returned to the park now that the snow has gone and a Pied Wagtail was on the bottom pitch.
Thirty two House Sparrows were on and around the feeders midday today, surely a Tree Sparrow has got to get mixed in with them one day?
BS

Another soggy Sunday

2011-12-11T10:24:00.000Z

A now, whats come to be the norm, lousy sunday morning with early fog and mist and horizontal drizzle blown across with a W>5 only to be replaced mid morning with heavy rain.
A once round Ogden reservoir produced very little other than 2 m Goosander >E and a single f Goldeneye was on the water along with 2 LBB gulls and a scattering of Commons and Black Headeds.
The winter Mallard flock has now got to around 180.
We,re sure to get one good Sunday morning out of the two thats left this year, are,nt we?
BS

Snow and bright skies + a dip at Soil Hill

2011-12-10T20:04:00.000Z

Chapel Lane top this a.m.

Looking down New Park Road

Sunrise beyond the mill

Interesting skies a.m.

A bright start to the day with interesting cloud formation and red sky soon to be taken over by cloud and
snow showers until midday when the temperature started to rise allowing a thaw to start which continued on until after dark.
Very quiet skies although the gulls that have been absent for a few days were more in evidence today.
A quick dash up Soil Hill at 1500hrs proved fruitless with no sign of Snow Bunts although to be fair I did only get chance to search the SE area including the lumps and bumps and had to leave the northern end due to rapidly fading light. The pair of Pheasants were present along with 3 Skylark.
BS

More Snow

2011-12-09T20:18:00.000Z

A Typical Queensbury winter scene

Gridlock on the main road

A quiet inaccessible garage.

A day of heavy snow showers and sunny intervals up here in Queensbury with 2 hours of gridlocked roads this morning courtesy of Bradford council looking after their salt pile.
No customers could get near the garage until late morning and unfortunately there was very little in the skies to
watch to pass the time on.
Lunchtime produced a single GBB gull over very high and >W closely followed by 3 LBBs in the same direction.
The local Sparrowhawk passed through the garden twice today according to Lynda but went away hungry.
Hope this weather improves for the weekend.
BS.

Horrendous Weather

2011-12-08T20:03:00.000Z

A damp windy morning, then by late morning the wind increased to gale force >SW 7 with torrential rain and sleet showers.Dog walking at lunch time was horrendous with waves of white water blowing across the park in the strengthening wind. By early evening the wind had risen to severe gale force SW>8 gusting 9 and seemed to peak around 1900hrs dropping slightly with less frequent rain showers.
Needless to say no sightings to report today but well done to NK for tackling Soil Hill and coming away rewarded, see Queensburybirder for his report.
BS

Queensbury Today

2011-12-07T19:53:00.000Z

A better day road wise up here on the tops with overnight rain shifting most of the snow.
A strong SW>5 throughout the day with rain showers and some snow which quickly melted in the rising temperatures.
Common gulls were back in Foxhill park, now that the snow has gone, with 28 at midday. Must be that they can,t feed through the snow.
A flock of 11 LBBs flew over >NW in v formation making me believe that they were geese until they got closer and 8 Collared Doves are back around the park area.
A kestrel was hovering over Grimstons field.
BS

What a Day

2011-12-06T20:07:00.002Z

1 of 5 Skylark on Soil Hill

A lovely bright clear morning so at lunch time I broke the land speed record of walking home , getting my dinner and walking the dogs before flying up to Soil Hill for a Snow Bunt photo session and back to work within the hour.
My thoughts were that if the Snow Buntings were in the SE corner where they prefer Id have time to get some photos in the perfect conditions but as I arrived with 15 minutes to spare no birds could be found and then in the last 5 minutes I saw the 6 fly across the NW corner so time up and back to work with just a photo of a distant Skylark in the snow.
To make matters worse, Ollie our Llaso Apso was at Thornton for his hair cut and when I finished work at 1715hrs I had to pick him up.
By this time the snow was piling down and all roads out of Queensbury were gridlocked with traffic queueing for miles in all directions stuck on the sheet ice and snow, well done Bradford Council for cocking up once again, we should get a rate reduction in Queensbury.
There will have been some head of traffic nerk looking out of his window in Bradford seeing the rain and not being wise enough to work out that it could be snow higher up.
Anyway, I ended up walking over to Thornton and most of the way back before I was rescued by Stuart the son in law from Shelf and even then at 1930 he couldnt get all the way back as traffic was still stuck and still is now at 2000hrs.
BS

Snowy scenes

2011-12-05T19:42:00.000Z

Chapel Lane, a.m.

Chapel Lane, p.m.

Shot ice on the roads up here last night then snow showers through the night and throughout today leaving the main roads gridlocked most of the morning. I was sure the council said they were ready for it this year but I think because of health and safety the grit wagons can only come out in Queensbury during good weather.
There has been some nice sunny periods with clear blue skies between the snow which gave birders from Halifax chance to get up Soil Hill to find at least another 3 Snow Buntings have arrived up there, what hardy little birds these are.
Otherwise things have been quiet with unusually no gulls in the park this lunchtime.
BS

Another salvaged photo

2011-12-04T19:30:00.000Z

This one,s a male

On a second look at the photos there seems to be 2 males and 1 female.
BS

Soil Hill Re visited

2011-12-04T17:23:00.001Z

A bit of a clear window in the weather when we got back from the dreaded christmas shopping this p.m. so it was back into my still wet from this morning birding clothes and head for the hill.
Almost immediately I saw the three Snow Bunts fly from the far side of the summit and drop down towards the bottom of the hill but I was hopeful they had gone full circle and returned.
After 1 hour of a full scale search and rapidly running out of light I decided to call it a draw after 1 final sweep on the way back to the road..As I neared the SE corner a movement caught my eye like a mouse running across one of the ruts and there it was, a Snow Bunting, then another, then the third.
By now the light was well on its way, hence the poor photos , so out of about 30 taken at 400mm these were the best I could salvage, the rest being blurred.
At least perseverance had payed off and I had my photos but now I want some better ones, roll on next weekend.
BS

Another Sunday Soaking

2011-12-04T11:28:00.002Z

First stop Ogden 0800-0900hrs in heavy rain and NW>4 with nothing to report other than a few small gulls on the water and the usual Mallards. Passerines were near non existent apart from a few tits and Robins.
Dropped the dogs off at home then back to Soil Hill in an aim to photograph Snow Buntings which turned out to be mission impossible.
The conditions were atrocious with near gale force NW>6 and heavy rain turning to snow. Each time the weather cleared slightly the next bank could be seen heading down from North Yorkshire.
The 3 Snow Buntings flew from the top field lifting high and doing a circuit overhead before dropping low towards the SE corner but disappearing into the squall. Another hour of trudging about in the flooded ruts failed to re locate them although in the conditions I could have walked within a few feet of them.
Hardy Skylarks were present along with Mipits, Pheasant and Grey Partridge.
3 Snow Bunting
7 Skylark
4 Meadow Pipit
1 Common Snipe
1 Pr Pheasant
5 Grey Partridge
1 Very wet birder.
BS

Shelf Moor

2011-12-03T20:44:00.000Z

A terrible day with blustery SW>5 veering W>6 and heavy showers throughout the day.
Shelf Moor at last light held 2 Greylags and a Canada by the pond and around 200 Fieldfare moving around from field to field favouring the area opposite the gorse field. This was probably a pre roost flock possibly heading for the trees around the golf course.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
BS

Wild and Wet

2011-12-02T19:58:00.000Z

Looks like we,re back to the gales and rain for the weekend again after a deteriorating day today. All the cars at work this morning were entombed in ice and then we had a short snow shower quickly turning to rain. On the bright side its only 19 days to the shortest day and once we get christmas and new year out of the way we,re heading in the right direction.
Gulls were on the move today with several LBBs heading >NW and at least 3 Herring gulls went over >W, gulls are the only birds that dont seem to mind the winds and look to enjoy tacking into the wind.
A Green Woodpecker was a rare sight over Foxhill at midday dropping down towards the old station whilst a charm of about 12 Goldfinch were feeding on weeds behind the Pineberry Inn.
Check those supermarket Rowans this weekend for Waxwings and sift through any numbers of Greylags, there seems to be an influx of White Fronteds around the area.
BS

Foxhill Common Gulls

2011-12-01T20:24:00.000Z

Common gulls in the park.

A cold but dry day with rain appearing after dark. Some nice blue skies early on but these soon clouded blanking out the sun and dropping the temperature. A few snowflakes were in with the rain around 1800hrs giving Queensbury its first threat of winter.
The daughter Belinda, who works as a computer analyst for Morrisons, is at the moment at their I.T. office in Israel and rang me today whilst sat having her lunch on the beach, I told her to get ready for a shock when she comes home tomorrow!
Quieter skies today with only 3 Fieldfares seen over although this morning a flock of about 150 Woodpigeons came over >S at around 0750hrs which must have been a roost breaking up.
Had a play with the camera at lunchtime harrassing the Common gulls.
BS

Bright and busy skies

2011-11-30T19:53:00.000Z

A bright morning sky behind Black Dyke

Bright skies from the word go this morning clouding early afternoon with a strengthening SW wind.
The problem with gazing skyward whilst walking to work in the wind is I have to keep setting off to chase my cap down the road, maybe I should try bluetack.
The skies were alive with birds early a.m. with winter thrushes moving over >S in small flocks and then several single Fieldfares kept coming over in the same direction.
A group of 4 Pied Wagtails headed >SW and unusually a single jay flew from the direction of the old station and headed off to the >W.
At midday 3 Herring gull flew high over the park >NW and a single Pied Wagtail was on the top pitch.
Just one month to go now for you to top up those annual lists and then its back to the start and do it all again.
Im afraid that once again this year my life species list has,nt altered with no new birds for me but thats one of the penalties for sticking to local birding although on that rare occasion when you finally get a lifer in your local area the pleasure is much greater than if you go off to see someone elses bird on a twitch somewhere,
BS

Watch for those Snow Buntings

2011-11-29T20:04:00.000Z

Poor but record shots of Soil Hill Snow Buntings from
11/11/2007

Snow Buntings are being reported well in the area at the moment with birds found by NK on Soil Hill, see Queensburybirder, then re located today in atrocious conditions by DJS, Calderbirds.
Another report was rung into me this pm of a single male near the Duke of York between Thornton and Wilsden. This is a strange place for Snow Bunting as the area just comprises of green fields but I had a single female there myself several years ago whilst driving past. The bird was sat on the wall and dropped down into the field where it remained for 2 days.
Nothing doing up in the heights of Queensbury today with a strong SSW>6 blowing increasing to SW>7 and torrential rain by early afternoon.
The daughter Rachel , who lives at Shelf, called in at lunch time and said, how can anyone live in such a god forsaken place as this, I think that was because she,d just had her hair done and by the time she,d got back in her car she looked like she,d been dragged through a hedge backwards.
BS

Queensbury Today

2011-11-28T20:05:00.000Z

A choppy Ogden taken yesterday

A Foxhill Black Headed

Several Gt Tits about

Plenty winter thrush activity this morning with several flocks of both Fieldfare and Redwing over in various directions , probably most would have come out of the Queensbury Station
hawthorns where they seem to like to roost each winter.
Midday saw 28 mixed small gulls in the park and several Gt tits on surrounding feeders. A single Heron went over >E and a kestrel was hovering behind the Pineberry Inn.
BS

Soil Hill

2011-11-27T18:38:00.000Z

A hazy sunset, Soil Hill

Fieldfares moving around the fields.

A little less windy on Soil Hill last light with a cold NW>5 and very hazy to the west.
Fieldfares were very mobile moving from field to field whilst a small flock of Linnets are still hanging on in there.
Seven Grey Partridge were present plus the usual Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.

7 Grey Partridge
42 Fieldfare
17 Linnet
3 Skylark
4 Meadow Pipit.
BS

Blustery Ogden

2011-11-27T11:39:00.001Z

Goldfinch enjoying the Alders

Another poor Sunday morning with strong NW>6 gusting 7 and early rain showers. As predicted the morning brightened after 1000hrs but the wind remained.
Certainly not a photographic morning with the branches of the trees swaying about making photos of the Goldfinch like hitting moving targets.
The water was quiet with high waves and white horses and just held a few Common and BH gulls whilst the outskirts of the wood was quite busy with several tit flocks with Goldcrests mixed in.
A flock of 11 Siskin flew over heading towards the giants tooth and 2 Redpoll showed briefly amongst a charm of 20+ Goldfinch feeding in the Alders.
A single Cormorant went over >E.
20+ Goldfinch
5 Goldcrest
1 Cormorant
2 Redpoll
11 Siskin
7 Coal Tit.
+ usual sp.
BS

Gale force winds and Fieldfares.

2011-11-26T20:06:00.000Z

A breezy damp morning deteriorating by midday with gale force SW>7 gusting 8 and heavy rain continuing on into the evening. Looking sad for morning unless theres a rapid improvement overnight. The weather says its to brighten late morning which is too late for the early birders.
Late afternoon today at last light on the way to Shelf Moor several Fieldfares were coming in to roost in trees at the top side of the golf course with 1 flock of about 50.
Three Mistle Thrush were on wires and a flock of Chaffinch were mobile near the old bacon factory with some suspicious looking birds amongst them which were possibly Brambling but they disappeared behind the helicopter hangar out of site, will have to try find time to check them out tomorrow.
BS