From first light this morning after a bright red ball sunrise thing soon started to transpire with Woodpigeons piling over continuous in flocks of 20 to 30 but none of the massive flocks usually seen.
Next to appear was Fieldfares with some decent flocks of 50 to 60 birds reasonably high.
Walking to work at 0745 hrs I was going down the High Street and saw what looked like a large black cloud about to disappear over the mill , this was actually a flock of Fieldfare tightly packed looking like a cloud of roosting Starlings. By the time Id grabbed the camera they were lost from view over the roof tops. This has got to have been the largest flock of Fieldfares I have ever seen and a quick call to HC at Oxenhope confirmed he had scoped them at distance and estimate at least 1800 birds, thats a lot of Fieldfare in one go.
A call to NK who was also getting Woodpigs over plus Long Tailed Tits , some of which dropped into trees behind his house.
Woodpigs and Fieldfares continued coming over the garage along with several Chaffinch and Meadow Pipits whilst a group of 18 Siskin flew low over my head followed shortly by 3 then another 2 dropping into conifers at the back of the car park along with Coal tits.
Whilst all this was going on I had a count of 18 Herring gulls >W and several LBB gulls >NW.
By 1030 hrs the flood gates closed and all was quiet.
What an amazing morning.
Thanks to HC, NK and DJS for running reports.
Vis Mig from home then casual obs to and at work.
Woodpigeon......................................c1500 >S and >SW
Fieldfare............................................c 3000 with 1800 in one flock ..............>S and >SW
Meadow Pipit...................................39 >S
Siskin.................................................28 >S 18 2 3 5
Chaffinch............................................123>S
Coal Tit...............................................7 >S
L.T. Tit................................................2 >S
Herring gull........................................18 >W
LBB gull.............................................21 >NW
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).