A 1500 hrs check on the water at Ogden in rain, sleet and snow driven horizontally over the water on a W>5 but a slight rise in temperature and all on the off chance that something may have appeared on the water. With very little daylight left and a boggy track around the water ,not wanting to bath the dogs, I stuck to the promenade and overflow areas where I could scan both the water and the sky.
Around 40 gulls were out on the water, 75% Black Headed and 25% Common with Black Headeds still coming in until last light before heading off to the Oxenhope roost.
A single Cormorant was on the water before circling round and heading off in the usual roost direction of >NE.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over towards Mixenden along with 4 Greenfinch which are a bit unusual for this venue.
After a quick word with JL it was back to the car park area to check the treetops but with the rain getting heavier now there were no passerines showing.
A good passage of Herring gulls was obvious over the village this morning all >NW along with 2 Great Black Backed.
A check on Raggalds Flood on the way home found it still well frozen over but there will be a good expanse of water come the thaw.
A report today from Skipton Gordon was interesting with a Green Sandpiper showing well at Long Preston.
Apologies to Vicki J for the late grapevine message of 20 Lapwing over the Piece Hall in Halifax today. The message got delayed coming through for some reason, probably frostbite in my phone.
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).