With all the movement today of Woodpigs, Cormorants and Pinkies I thought Soil Hill has got to be worth a try to see if anything had come over with them, first bad decision of 2014.
It was 1510hrs by the time I got up there and already the weather was deteriorating with a strong WSW>6 with heavy horizontal drizzle and the cloud base lowering.
As I got to the west summit the rain was lashing and only the lower section of the mast was visible but by this time I was drenched through so may as well carry on.
After a trudge across both summits and the mounds I searched the top of the northern slope where the Jack Snipe was yesterday but all I had to show for my efforts was 1 Meadow Pipit. Even the mad Fieldfare had abandoned the hill which goes to prove that it may be mad but not as mad as me.
Raggalds Flood had thawed out but no signs of life and the water still seems to be receding.
As I got home dripping wet and took the dogs up Foxhill the weather was of course improving slightly although the daylight was almost gone at 1610hrs,
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).