A prize at Fly Flatts

 

                                    A calm clear morning at Fly Flatts

                                    From the NW end of the west bank.

                                        1 of 2 Oystercatchers

                                    Star prize, Drake Common Scoter

                                    Keeping well at distance

A bright clear morning at Fly Flatts with full cloud cover on a light SW>2 at a cool 3 degrees. Dense fog hanging down in the Aire Valley.

    With work going on in the boat compound I walked the length of the west bank which turned out to be a good move. Plenty Canada and Greylag geese on the water as well as Mallards but as I got half way on and scanned the water through the bins a drake Common Scoter was in the NE corner of the water. A dash on to the NW corner of the water for a few very distant photos as well as putting he call out to DJS. Apparently a few Scoters are on the move at the moment but have been a scarce visitor to this area over the last few years.

    A single Pied Wagtail was on the west bank as well as 4 Meadow Pipits and 2 Oystercatchers whilst several Lapwings and Curlews were in the air. The Ringed Plover was still present but staying put at distance on the east bank.

    As I got back to the south bank DJS was steaming along the top road and a phone call to him confirmed that he had the Scoter in his scope. A few minutes later he rang me back to say he had 2 Redshank on the north shore which, with guidance from Dave, I managed a distant view of their heads above the grass banking. At last, decent weather and decent birds at Fly Flatts.

    A surprise this afternoon when dog walking in Foxhill Park when a sudden call and a Common Snipe flew over my head and dropped down into the Grimston field. Almost immediately it was in the air again dropping down behind Foxhill school. Probably one of the Dailie fields birds but a first for me over Foxhill.

   A cloudy day given for tomorrow and chance of showers with unfortunately a rise in temperature to 6 degrees on a light SE which is a perfect recipe for fog.

BS

     

Back to Ogden.

 

                                    Low cloud over the tops

                                    Grey Wagtail in the overflow

                                    3 LBB gulls present

                                    4 Common gull

                            Plenty Long Tailed and Blue Tits on the feeders

An overnight sprinkling of snow at Queensbury and fog on the tops. Ogden was very dark and wet with rain followed by drizzle before drying up by 0915 hrs. A light N >3 at 3 degrees.

    Another dog walking session at Ogden with, once again, birds non existent. The water held 3 LBB, 1 Herring, 4 Common and 8 Black Headed gulls along with the Mallard whilst a single Grey Wagtail was down in the overflow.

     A walk along the west bank as far as the NW corner produced a Robin and 2 Blue Tits and that was it. The only active birds were several Long Tailed and Blue Tits on the feeders.

  On the way back from an afternoon shopping spree at Keighley I drove past the Flappit and Haworth Road gull fields with not a gull to be seen. What has happened to all our birds this winter ?

     Looking slightly better for tomorrow with cloudy sunshine on a light SW kicking off at 1 degree which will hopefully eliminate any morning hill fog.

BS

     

    

    

    

Out in the fog. Leeshaw

 

                                    As good as it got

                                    Redshank in the fog

                                    2 birds present

Dense for at Qby this morning so I headed to Leeshaw reservoir hoping to get below the fog. This didn't happen as it was just as thick at Oxenhope which is unusual for this site. A very light SE>1 at 4 degrees which made it pleasant walking as long as you didn't want to see anything.

   Luckily, my target bird for the morning, Redshank, flew over my head landing in a nearby field whilst a second bird was on the dam wall banking just on the edge of visibility.

   Only other birds seen were a few nearby Greylag and Canada geese as well as Lapwings. Several Curlews were heard as well as Oystercatchers but not seen in the conditions and the water remained invisible.

     Afters yesterdays completely wrong forecast of a bright sunny day the forecast for tomorrow is cloud and chance of light rain on a light northerly at 3 degrees. Looking down into the valleys at the moment there is a ton of fog which will probably develop on the tops overnight.

BS

Ogden reservoir, just a dog walk.

 

                                    Bright and clear at Ogden

                                       Fog on the tops

Dense fog to start the day due to a light SE>2 at 3 degrees so grounded to Ogden below the cloud base where it was bright but bird-less.

   A full circuit of the water produced nothing in the trees other than the expected common woodland species and a single Song Thrush.

    The water held 1 drake Tufted duck, 2 Canada geese, 2 Herring gulls, plus a handful of small gulls.

Once again marred by the early morning fog which looks like the same for morning with a bright sunny morning clouding by p.m. on a light SSE at 4 degrees. Haze already hanging in the wings which will probably leave another foggy start.

BS

Fly Flatts / Mixenden reservoir

 

                                    Bright skies at Fly Flatts

                                    Surprise visitors 1 pair Goldeneye

                                    7 Oystercatchers 

                                    Several Lapwings

                                    as well as Curlews

                                    Single Ringed Plover

                                Pied Wagtail sat on my car roof

                                    Ringed Plover

                                    Mixenden, 13 Whooper Swans

As promised, a bright sunny ay with wall to wall sunshine on a light NE>3 at 3 degrees.

    Unusual to get Goldeneye at this site with a pair up at the north end of the water as well as 7 Oystercatchers on the east bank. The Ringed Plover was still present on the south bank before flying over to the east bank but keeping at distance.

    Several Lapwings are now settled in the area around the Flat moor and holding territory. Canada and Greylags are pairing up with around 100 Canada and 12 Greylag including the 2 whites. Only 2 gulls present were 2 LBBs briefly on the water before heading off >SE. Very few Red Grouse at this site now.

   As I was walking back to the car a Pied Wagtail was on the car roof  waiting for its photo taking. Pied Wags breed every year at this site rearing 3 broods last year.

   On the way to Fly Flatts early morn I checked Mixenden reservoir for Whoopers with just a few gulls present but as I was tackling up mid morning, a text from Bradshaw John reporting 13 at Mixenden so a quick stop off on the way home.

   As I arrived John was just leaving, with the Whoopers still present. A peer through the top gate and a few very distant photos but good to see Whoopers on the move. Thanks for the call John.

   Another day of the same tomorrow weather wise with plenty sunshine on a light SE at 3 degrees.

BS