1515 hrs before I got out today with another afternoon of watching the Goldfish swimming round in the St Lukes waiting room.
Right on the edge of dark and damping I knew Id be drawing a blank but still worth a Snow Bunt check as this sp ground feed right up to dark and beyond. In previous years I,ve had them scurrying about like mice barely visible on the edge of darkness as I,ve been leaving the hill.
With the summits, mounds and track checked to my satisfaction I decided to try to save the visit with a roost watch for the last 20 minutes of light. This is another aspect of birding I,ve done in the past and was just brought back to mind a few evenings ago when I bumped into DJS on the hill who mentioned about when he used to do it.
Watching from the NW corner over the Causeway Foot col proved interesting with good numbers of Chaffinch and Goldfinch coming across from Ogden and dropping into the Back Lane plantation along with at least 8 Blackbirds.
A few Siskin/Tit type sp did the same but ID now was using jizz alone with the light well on its way.
16 Fieldfare flew overhead dropping into the same area but disappointing not to get my first Waxwings of the year as these can usually be spotted when they have been in Halifax coming up the col to drop down in the Ogden plantation.
A Little Owl was calling from the Ned Hill track area and a Kestrel was having a last attempt of hunting before dark.
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).