A bright frosty day with wall to wall sunshine and a light SW>4 . A planned visit to Fly Flatts had to be quickly aborted with a call from DJS reporting a possible Lapland Bunting in with the Meadow Pipits at Ringby Lane . 1430 hrs and got up there to meet Dave along with John Marsh but no sign of either the Bunt or Mipits . Dave checked Ringby Top whilst I scoured the fields around but it soon became obvious that the bird was not going to show so another to add to the list of cun av bins.
Rather than waste any more daylight I shot home, threw the dogs in the car and headed for Ogden where around 150 small gulls were on the water but only 1 LBB. A good check through the Mallards for strangers then back to the car park where a Nuthatch was again on the feeders and around 30 Goldfinch mobile over the car park preparing to roost.
On then for a Lapwing check where around 100 Lapwing were on the Shay field below Soil Hill along with a small group of 13 mobile Golden Plover.
The Raggalds Flood held 19 Lapwing but nothing on the water whilst Pit Lane football pitches had around 150 Lapwing and 200 Starling.
The snow is falling thick and fast this evening up here in the Gods with already a good covering on the roads. I hope Fly Flatts doesnt get cut off for the weekend.
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).