It started with a text from Danny, Cullingworth Birder reporting the amazing find of 35 Barnacle Geese at Leeshaw reservoir, see his report and pics on Cullingworth birder. This was followed by several grapevine messages from DJS of skein after skein of Pink Footed geese moving up the Calder Valley. I alerted DCB at Oxenhope who went to see the Barnacles and he also reported over 1200 Pinkies seen by himself and HC.
On the way back from shopping in Halifax pm, a text from DJS reported a skein of 300 Pinkies reported by AC heading towards the Calder valley so a quick diversion up Roper Lane to watch across the valley. Within a few minutes the skein was visible but far out to the SW of me , then a text from Tracy with another skein that she was watching. This skein of c200 came over but still distant but headed over Fly Flatts followed by a 3rd skein of c150 following the same track.
Had to leave it there, something to do with the wifes freezer stuff thawing but after a quick dog walk it was off to Leeshaw for the Barnacles whilst there was enough light.
On arrival at Leeshaw the water was void of wildfowl other than a few Mallard, and a scan of the fields produced just 9 Pheasant. Just as a depression was setting in DCB rang and guided me to the area they had last been sighted early afternoon. Sure enough there they were hidden in a field top with an amazing
44 Barnacle
7 Pink Footed
10 Greylag
8 Canadas
On the way back to the car a Dipper flew across the front of me in the fading light and disappeared into the conduit.
What a day!!!
Thanks to Danny for starting the ball rolling, DJS for doing a splendid job keeping all the text messages rolling, Tracy for the text and DCB for saving me from a mega dip plus everyone else in todays mega move.
BS