A mid afternoon trek around Soil Hill found it in a better mood with a light SW>4 and plenty sunshine. Overhead skies were blue but hazy sunshine to the west and low misty cloud to the east made scanning difficult.
Unfortunately the mega move of trans Pennine Pink Footed Geese that took place this morning had ended by the time I finished work at 1200 hrs so none seen from Soil on the afternoon visit.
The hill however was again busy with 2 new visiting species which was encouraging to find. Two Goldfinch were busy feeding on seed tops whilst 4 Chaffinch flew over dropping briefly on the western summit before continuing >W.
It may seem strange to non Soil Hill birders getting excited over 2 Goldfinch and 4 Chaffinch but as Daniel B said to me yesterday, "any bird is a bonus at the moment on Soil Hill ".
A single Lapwing was flying around and landing on the west summit which made me think of spring, whilst the female Stonechat and 1 male Reed Bunting made a brief appearance. Overhead 23 Fieldfare headed >W as well as 5 Herring gull all of which continued on over Fly Flatts.
BS