As I passed Raggalds Flood on Sunday morning on the way to Leeshaw I noticed that the water level was well up after an absence of 9 months but with the excitement of the Pintails at Ogden I failed to give it a check out. However, a text from DW today via NK reported 10 Teal on the water there so after lunch I shot up to find 8 Teal still present showing what an important site this is to be dry all summer then as soon as it collects water it pulls in 10 Teal. Lets hope the water stays awhile and the farmer leaves it alone.
A pleasant last 30 minutes of light on Soil Hill in clear conditions and a light WNW>4 failed to produce much but at least it satisfied me that there were no Snow Bunts sneaking through.
A Common Snipe followed by the long staying Jack Snipe flushed from the east summit near Dunlin pool but too fast for pics and I only saw the Jack as I was trying to home the camera in on the Common.
Otherwise it was down to 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 cock Pheasant and 2 Red Legged Partridge avoiding the guns of TMR.
Amazing that the pair of Pintails have stayed at Ogden for a third day, see NKs blog for some stonking photos , although, as with the Mandarins , I would have expected them to stir up much more excitement being such rare and important birds for this location.
A few Fieldfare over the garage this morning as I was having a word with DP but its looking like the autumn vis mig is now drawing to a close.
BS