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
WEST YORKSHIRE BIRDING. BRIAN SUMNER. I am based at Queensbury and bird a patch within a 10 mile range of home incorporating 16 stretches of water, several plantations, a belt of woodland, stretches of river and canal and good areas of moorland. I specialize in upland birds, reservoir and sky watching. My local patch is Fly Flatts reservoir. Any reports can be sent by text or call to 07771 705024 or see profile for e mail address. All images on this blog are copyright.(2024).