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
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.(2025).