Soil Hill pm visit in near gale force E>7 winds with clear blue skies and good visibility.
The slight smouldering seen this morning on Ovenden Moor had tonight broken out into a full blown moorland blaze being rapidly pushed west in the near to gale force easterly wind. Up to 6 fire tenders were there as well as some specialist vehicles. The fire engines kept leaving the scene heading for town then returning, presumably to restock with water. The whole fire was surrounded with beaters who had all on in the strong wind keeping the fire to one area.
Did a search of every inch of the hill and satisfied myself that no Dotterel were present as yet though havent heard any reports of any sightings either at the 12 Apostles, Ilkley, or Pendle Hill.
Otherwise the skies were quiet in the wind and the hill held just the usual Mipits, Skylarks and 4 Wheatear.
BS