Amazing how the day of a birder can change with one text message.
This morning Woodpigeons were the birds of the day with up to 1000 birds over in one hour.
This started with a call from HC, Oxenhope telling me of a flock heading my way consisting of C 350 Woodpigs. I was walking to work at the time and this amazing flock came over like a cloud. After that several large flocks came over >S along with a flock of C70 Fieldfare. By 1000hrs the fog was down so job over.
I had my late afternoon planned after town shopping to see the Lapwing flock at Shelf Moor then up to Soil Hill to check for Snow Buntings but a text from DJS changed all that.
DF had found a Firecrest at Ogden which was showing well so it was head for Ogden when I got home which was around 1500hrs with a good hour of daylight to spare.
As I arrived the dark clouds came over with torrential rain showers and several birders wandering about unable to re locate the bird. DS, DF, NCD, AC et al were present and despite the conditions we stuck it out checking every Goldcrest but to no avail.
Suddenly NCD shouted, its here, and there hovering 20yds from us was the Firecrest. After a quick snap of cameras the bird was gone , not to be seen again, so with dark approaching it was time to leave.
At least we got some record shots and DF got some stonkers earlier in the afternoon sun, see Calderbirds.
Well done to DF for this bird, looks like Denise will have to pass on the Golden Bollocks award that she got last year for the Yellow Browed Warbler.
Another mega find for Ogden.
BS