A deteriorating day with a grey drab start turning to drizzle and low scud clouds blown in on an E>4 my midday.Late afternoon was a little brighter.
Several good size flocks of Redwing came over high and >W first light along with 3 smaller flocks of Fieldfare totalling around 240 Redwing and 18 Fieldfare.
Lunchtime in Foxhill park produced 9 bounce back Redwings heading >E into the wind whilst
4 Alba Wagtails headed >W.
With these winds and cloud and going by the BTO blog we could be in for an interesting weekend, fog permitting.
A bit of a shake up this morning which broke a dull morning at work when NK called me with an interesting duck right out in the middle of the water at Ogden.
With poor light and no scope Nigel knew the duck could have been one of a few species not common to Ogden so I put it out on the grapevine to see if any scoped up birders were local.
Luckily DJS was at Swalesmoor and dashed over there by which time the bird had been driven nearer the shore by a gull and was identified as a female Teal by NK.
Nigel later text me apologies for the Teal for which there was no need. Anyone finding themselves in such a situation thinking there is chance of the bird being rare to our area should immediately call for the cavalry to see if any help is nearby. Better to be sure than let a mega slip by.
Well spotted in the first place to NK and thanks to DJS for the fast response.
Have an interesting weekend.
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).