Mid afternoon and a free hour whilst Lynda looked through her presents so off on my usual Christmas Day pilgrimage to Soil Hill. As I set off the sun was just showing amidst black clouds but as I got to the summit of the hill the heavens opened with torrential rain lashing across the hill on a near gale SW>6 - 7. Just time to check the east summit and the track with a look down onto the shay fields before a quick scurry back to the shelter of the car.
Two Common Snipe took off from the ne corner of the east summit whilst the Shay fields held around 100 Lapwing, 150 + Starling and about a dozen Golden Plover. The hill now to me is just a sky watching vantage point with all the feeding areas overgrown with long grass and weeds with even the track disappearing. Other than the chance of Jack Snipe and Woodcock I,d say very little else will be found up there apart from the spring Skylarks and Meadow Pipits whilst Id say its down to around 10 % chance of attracting Snow Bunting although I hope I,m proved wrong.
I got a good soaking and wind blown but at least it got me out. I,m like a caged bear when Im in the house pacing up and down and looking out of the window. Even the dogs are tired they,ve had so many walks up in the park today.
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).