Instead of heading >NW towards Oxenhope late afternoon I decided to head >SW to Cold Edge Dams and Fly Flatts, bad decision. Fly Flatts was birdless other than a few LBB gulls whilst 1 hour spent searching Cold Edge did me no favours at all.
Haigh Coat dam held nothing, even though there were no boaters present, whilst Leadbeater Dam provided 1m Tufted, 4 Mallard and 3 BH gulls.
Nothing on Spring Dam but the 2 resident Little Grebe were diving away on Spring Mill Dam.
Quiet skies above other than a few Meadow Pipits heading >W and the highlight of the trip being a flock of around 50 mixed Goldfinch and Linnets. Looks like I,ll be heading back NW in the morning.
The best part of todays birding was this morning whilst I was at work. My phone was red hot with calls and texts of birds on the move whilst the bit of sky watching I managed provided a group of 5 Jays >W and a steady flow of Meadow Pipits in migration mode also >W
Vis Mig
First decent move of Meadow Pipits in groups of 4 to 8.....................>W
5 Jays..................>W
Steady flow of Swallows..............>SW
1 Buzzard .......................>SE from Oxenhope towards Queensbury HC.
This bird was probably sighted over Northowram by AC but waiting for photo confirmation from HC as Andys bird had a Primary or Secondary missing on its right wing.
Several Wheatears and Meadow Pipits blogging, Raggalds and Old Guy Rd, DS, NK, DW.
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).