All the above photos were taken some years ago on the first digital camera I owned.
At that time, maybe about 8yrs ago, Stonechats were common moorland breeders and could be found at all the common moorland sites along with regular reports of Ring Ouzel. Soil Hill held at least 3 pair of Stonechat throughout the year and Ring Ouzel could always be found Spring and Autumn.
Most of the local moors had regular sightings of Short Eared Owls quartering the area for voles whilst Wheatears were on every wall top, both Northern and Greenland during spring and autumn passage.
Counts of 20+ Wheatear were commonplace on Soil Hill and if I remember correct I think AC once had a fall of 50+.
Twite were found regular in flocks of 70+ and now we,re struggling to get more than 4 at the Fly Flatts feeding station.
Its now got to the 11th April and most birders, myself included, are struggling to get the first Wheatear when we usually start ticking them off in March.
Its not all doom and gloom, several birds that were scarce are doing well and Im sure this is just a phase that we,re going through and another year the moorland birds will be back to full strength.
As you may expect with me writing that article the skies have been quiet today over Queensbury, the only bit of excitement was as I was walking back to work at lunchtime a message from DJS reporting a large raptor over Southowram heading north which made me do a quick detour along Sourheads where there is an open view out over Southowram but all I got was a good soaking as the heavens opened, thanks for that Dave!
BS