Back to reality this evening with a quick visit to Ogden with the hopes of another passing Tern or even better a Common Scoter but neither materialized along with anything else other than the usual Canadas, Heron and Mallards, Gull wise there were 3 LBBs , 1 Common and 11 Black Headed.
On the way home from Halifax at tea time a Buzzard was soaring over the Oats Royd area but by the time I,d turned up Roper Lane and got to a good vantage point the bird had disappeared. Hopefully we,ll be getting more raptor reports shortly when birds start to move.
Think I,ll have to get back to the other side of the col tomorrow, time permitting.
As AC commented on yesterdays blog, time to start checking those gulls for an early Mediterranean with July birds possible as they start to move through.
Though most July Meds are picked up through sea watching as they pass along the coast, inland sightings do occur in July with reports peaking in October and November continuing through the winter until March. Oxenhope reservoir is the best bet but sifting through around 10,000 gulls in the winter gull roost at last light is no easy task.
The only local reports last year for my area in July was 1 at Lower Laithe reservoir 23/07/15 KM and the same observer picked out another 2 Meds at Cullingworth fields November and December.
Once a mega rare bird for Britain, only breeding in USSR and pockets of europe, some summer sightings are beginning to materialize with 1 reported, again by gull expert KM, 26/05/15 at Redcar Tarn and Med gulls have attempted breeding with Black Headeds over previous years as close as Wheldrake and Fairburn Ings .
Meds inter breeding with BHGs has led to some Hybrids but thats just another gull I.D. problem to contend with.
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).