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

Ogden Reservoir

 

                                    Ogden early morn.

                                    Good count of Treecreepers

A pleasant enough walk around Ogden early morn being sheltered from the moderate SW>4 with full cloud at 6 degrees.

   Bird-wise it was quiet on the water with just a single LBB gull and around 20 small gulls plus the resident Mallards.

    The west bank fared better with a good count of at least 8 Treecreepers in the same area along with 2 very mobile Redpoll s well as Blue, Great and Coal Tits. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was hammering away at a tree but kept out of sight.

    Otherwise, just a Raven overhead, along with the usual expected common woodland species.

 No reports yesterday or today of the local Iceland gull but the long staying Roundhay Park bird is still on site. A good report from MC with c 44 Whooper Swans on Fewston reservoir yesterday, a rare sighting locally so far this winter with reports that large numbers of Whoopers have stayed near their breeding grounds this winter due to mild weather.

    A good looking forecast for tomorrow with lots of sunshine on a light NE turning N then E at 3 degrees. Hopefully the low temperature will keep the eastern fog away.

BS

Horton Bank Top x 3 / Wibsey Park.

 

                                    Horton Bank Top

                                    Several Herring gulls

                                        2 Mute Swan

                                        3 singing Song Thrush

                                    Wibsey Park

                                    10 Herring gull

                                    Single LBB gull

                                    Usual Moorhens etc

                                    18 Tufted

                                    Greenfinch, a rare find recently.

A bright sunny morning with some cloud on a light SSW>3 at 5 degrees. By midday the wind had increased with full cloud cover.

   With 2 reports and photos of a 1CY Iceland gull on the water at Horton Bank Top yesterday I felt that I had to go check it out today. I'm not into twitching other folks birds but being only 5 minutes down the road I thought it was worth a try.

    Nothing showing early morn other than 12 Herring gull, 4 LBB and several small gulls. A single 

Great Crested Grebe was present in full summer plumage but otherwise just the usual 2 Mute Swans, Coots, Moorhens and Mallards whilst 3 Song Thrushes were up singing in the trees.

   On then to Wibsey Park where 10 Herring and 1 LBB gulls were present along with around 50 Black Headed.  A good count of 18 Tufted duck as well as 2 Mute Swan, Greylags and Canadas plus the usual park lake species. Another singing Song Thrush here plus a surprise to find a single Greenfinch.

   Still thinking Iceland gull, I stopped off at Bank Top on the way home for another check but very few big gulls present.

   Thinking afternoon is the best time for gulls I extended the afternoon dog walk back for a third check but despite 23 Herring gulls on the water, no sign of an Iceland. That's enough chasing around for Iceland gull, I'll wait for one to come to me at Ogden now.

    A mostly cloudy day for tomorrow with a moderate sou'westerly at 7 degrees and chance of rain after midday.

BS