With Soil Hill a priority to be checked with Snow Buntings on the move I headed up there at 1430 hrs today armed with another 2 bags of Nyjer seed and the small camera, the conditions being too bad for big Bertha.
The hill was throwing all it had at me with a near gale force W>6 to 7 and a mix of heavy horizontal rain then drizzle. Thick scud clouds piled across bringing mist one minute and clear the next, a real mixed bag.
Despite the conditions birding was good although no target bird I got second prize with a Redshank down by the NK pond which called as it kept moving from the pond wall to the excavation area. I thought this bird was early but looking at previous records I,ve had them in Jan , Feb. and March previous years at Fly Flatts.
Plenty big gulls were heading for Oxenhope with several Herrings and 2 Gt Black Backed in with the Lessers.The gull roost will soon be breaking up there anytime now.
The feeding areas were heaving with 2 Stock Doves , 8 Meadow Pipits , 4 Skylarks and 2 Carrion Crows whilst around 40 Mipits were grounded in the mast field.
I always find it amazing why these birds stick it out in such conditions when they could quite easily head down to better weather in the lowlands but I suppose you could say the same for me birding up there, it must have a magical pull.
Good to see that a handful of hardy birders braved the conditions this morning to see the Ringby Snow Bunting, I,m sure they all found it worthwhile to see such a rare and beautiful bird in our area.
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).