A pre work check this morning of the Wheatear hotspots, Old Guy Rd, Raggalds Flood, Roper Lane and Shelf Moor trailer park produced no Wheatears in the cold NNE>4, just Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Lapwings.
Back at work a call from HC, B.O.G. reporting a Red Throated Diver circling Fly Flatts and looking like landing until it gave up and moved off >SW, well spotted to HC and thanks for the call.
Another early morning call from Cllr Paul Cromie with 2 Canada geese on his garden pond which is unusual.
A late afternoon trip to Soil Hill was a damp squid with a nugget on a scramble bike on the summit so thinking I could get my first Teal of the year on the NK pond off I strode only to find the farmer down there digging trenches and a birdless pond.
With time running short it was off to the next nearest venue, Ogden, which was full of people but low in birds.
Yesterdays Tufteds had gone leaving Mallards and small gulls plus 5 Canada geese and the Barnacle showing itself up again by coming out of the water to accept bread, it obviously enjoys the easy life.
Passerines were none existent in the cold wind.
On a good note, a flock of around 60 Meadow Pipits were around fields by Syke Lane looking fresh in.
Looking at the weather it may be 6th time lucky for me to bird Fly Flatts in the morning unless the fog decides differently.
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.(2024).