A gusty showery day as I arrived at Leeshaw 1445 hrs only to run into disappointment as the new camping site in the farmers field above the reservoir is now up and running with a dozen tents in today all complete with screaming kids.The campers seemed to think the reservoir grounds are part of the site with several in the grounds and on the shoreline so no birds present and nothing in the sky in the strong winds.
A walk for the dogs then over the tops to Fly Flatts which was unworkable in the near gale force W>6 gusting 7 along with horizontal drizzle. The water was empty apart from hardy wind surfers steaming across the waves clinging on for dear life but with good news that so far there seems to be no Grouse shoots again this year as I suspected with very few Grouse around.
Preparation is underway for Red Legged Partridge with keeping pens being erected for birds brought into the area ready for the start of the season September 1st.
Next stop was Mixenden reservoir for a quick check on the way past to find several would be fishermen scattered around the water and just a few BH gulls and Mallards present.
As a last resort to save the blog a walk along Ned Hill track looking for migrants down in the small area of trees below the track but in the strong wind they were all keeping well down, if they were even there at all.
A group of 28 Canadas flew through the col but by now Id lost the will to live so did,nt even bother to take a photo.
Tomorrow looks promising for the wind dropping so I,ll have another dabble then.
Until then , heres some of my first arrival dates for the autumn, something to look out for :-
Brambling..............7/10
Black Redstart........15/10
juv Cuckoo.............29/08
Fieldfare.................25/09
Firecrest.................02/11
Green Sandpiper....03/08
Goldeneye.............23/10
Grey Plover...........29/08
Gadwall................15/09
Greenshank...........29/08
Jack Snipe.............16/10
Med Gull...............04/08
Osprey...................13/08
Pink Footed Goose.18/09
Pintail....................04/09
Ring Ouzel............16/10
Redwing................30/09
Snow Bunting.......02/11
Shorelark..............02/11
Turnstone.............19/08
Whooper Swan.....12/10
Wigeon.............. .28/08
Waxwing............ .15/11
Yellow Browed Warbler..29/09
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).