A ridiculously hot day with temperatures hitting 30 deg in the garage this p.m. with cloud this morning clearing to clear and blue by midday. Gulls and Starlings were behaving strangely high in the sky and whilst working on a truck in the garage car park I soon found out why. Swarms of flying ants were around both in the air and on the ground and the birds were having a meal of them high overhead almost hovering to catch them.
I believe this only happens with flying ants once or twice a year but not sure, I think DJS knows about this subject.
A walk down Station Rd at lunchtime found a few Linnet but nothing like the flocks around in the past, hopefully the Dailies Gorse bushes will come back to life by next year .
A quick visit around Shelf Moor this evening found Lapwings trickling back with 9 in Tracys field, which should be getting Wheatear shortly, and several BH gulls in fields around the Green Lane area .
Swifts are strarting to move >S and will soon be gone for another year . whilst the Little Owl was in the edge of the mistel.
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).