the trees.
1500 hrs and back to Ogden, this being the nearest venue with the most time to watch caused by the early lack of light.
An icy cold minus 1 deg but bright blue skies with the sun already below the tree tops and heavy freezing on the north of the water.
The Moorhen had ventured into the duck feeding corner for some easy food along with a Grey Wagtail which usually sticks to the sluice gate area.
Out on the water were around 50 small gulls and 3 Herrings whilst at least 5 Bullfinch were active through passerine alley.
A female Teal flushed from the waters edge by the west bank watch point and headed straight across to the east banking.
Plenty Goldfinch in to roost this evening but no Chaffinch.
Bird in a box.
A young lady ( Lauren ) rang me this morning from Illingworth saying she had found a racing pigeon near the Keighley Rd which seemed to have injured legs. The bird had a leg ring so I rang Dave, a customer that races pigeons and he gave me the number for the British Racing Pigeon Society who would supply the owners contacts.
Lauren rang them but the bird was unregistered so she brought it in a box to the garage for Dave to pick up and attend to it,
Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to find this :-
Silver metal ring 6233828 Stavenger N Norway, left leg.
Another call to Lauren who had contacted Hirds vets who said if possible they would treat it, this service is free for wild birds etc, so its in their hands now. To me the outlook is grim as its legs appear to be broken, possibly being frozen to the ground overnight and struggling to get free in the morning ? Thanks to Lauren for her concern who just needs to brush up on her bird I.D.
BS