A bright sunny morning and then, as per norm, black clouds and an increase in wind by 1500 hrs when I got to Soil Hill. Dark clouds rolled over on a cool SE>5-6 and to make things worse, Dan B had just left the hill and was walking down Taylor Lane with a despondent look on his face which later passed on to me.
Two Skylarks flushed from the second feeding area as I approached to get more Nyjer down whilst a single male Reed Bunting was taking shelter in the mounds. The other pair of Reed Buntings have,nt showed for a while and seemed to have moved on.
The NK pond had a Heron on the banking, another bird which has been absent for a time, whilst a single Teal was on the water skulking under the south shore.
Two Meadow Pipits flushed from the north slope as I checked the area for Woodcock and Snipe and a small flock of 7 Fieldfare headed for Ogden.
Looking unlikely now that we,ll have any Snow Buntings this winter but if its any consolation its been the same throughout the country with some of the east coast sights having their worst winter for the species in a long time. By next year ,if the hill is left untouched, I think we,ll be looking for different species up there with another year of growth on the ground and its surprising how many tree saplings are growing.
On the way back a check on Raggalds Flood , which has plenty water, just produced 4 Common gulls and 8 Lapwing whilst around 60 Lapwing were on the hillside above the Raggalds but a scan through found no Goldies.
Hope the weekend provides you all with something special.
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).