With hot sunshine and clear blue skies I was,nt excited about going out this evening but after a touch of gardening curiosity got the better of me so I harnessed up the dogs and headed for Soil Hill via the Ned Hill watch point.
A few Swallows were heading >S through the col and about a dozen Common gulls headed >NW but the track itself held nothing whereas a few years back it was alive with Wheatear and Stonechat.
Up on the hill was a disaster with 1 Skylark and 4 Meadow Pipits the only signs of bird life that I could find.
Moving on to the Raggalds Flood hoping for Yellow Wag but came away with 2 Stock Dove and a single Black Headed gull.
Corporal Hill held a few BHGs in the fields along with the usual corvids and the Green Lane Little Owl was peeping from behind the rails, still no photos.
Last chance now for any photos was on to the Goldfinch field which was deserted other than a few Woodpigeons and 2 Magpies so back home, camera still unused.
Now for the annoying bit, as I got home and put the camera down in the kitchen I went back out to get the dogs in when a cracking female Sparrowhawk drifted low and slow overhead with the sun full on it which would have made the photo of the year, oh well, just one of those nights.
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).