Its amazing how a slight change of wind direction and a small rise in temperature can effect bird movement. Yesterday morning the skies were buzzing with winter thrushes, woodpigeons and finches whereas this morning the skies were completely empty. Even the Oxenhope lads pulled stumps and knocked off early with nothing moving.
A trip to Ogden to check the water late afternoon today proved a bad idea as even at 1600hrs the place was heaving with more cars than Brighouse auctions. After a good 10 minutes of shouting and swearing trying to even turn round, never mind park, I managed to get back out of there and head for the peace of Ned Hill track and Soil Hill.
A quick look on the summit just found the usual Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and a couple of Lapwings so back to the Ned Hill watch point to see what was moving through the col.
Common gulls were plentiful all heading >SW into the strong wind whilst 3 Kestrels were up making use of the wind coming up the hillside.
A short billed Curlew flew over the turbines >NW getting me thinking but it politely called dismissing any thoughts of Whimbrel.
Otherwise it was down to a few BH gulls over Ogden, probably trying to find a space to land in, and a distant group of 5 Canadas flying across the sun towards Fly Flatts.
Sounds like it,s going to be a blustery morning but at least it will keep the fog away.
BS