With 30 minutes to spare I threw the dogs in the car and headed to the nearest location, Ned Hill watch point only to find a nugget walking around the west slope of Soil Hill with a shotgun. With time ticking away it was down the hill to Ogden for a quick check of the water.
Unfortunately it was the drug dealers convention night and the place was alive with unsavoury characters , the sort of place where they check you for knives at the gate and if you have,nt got one they,ll lend you one.
I felt a bit silly with my 3 dogs, a Poodle, a Yorkie and a Lhasa Apso when everyone else had Akitas or Staffies in leather studded harnesses.
Not keen on leaving the car long it was a quick check of the water ,which just held 9 Canada Geese + 6 young and the usual Mallards, luckily there was nothing worth photographing as I would,nt have dared take the camera out of the bag.
A quick exit before it got to my turn for the Hubble Bubble pipe and off to the safety of Raggalds Flood.
Just to finish the trip off the flood was dried up but did hold a record number of 22 Woodpigeons and 9 Stock doves. It can only get better.
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).