First light this morning saw a build up of Winter Thrushes and Woodpigeons moving south through our area in perfect grey sky conditions and by 0800 hrs the birds were piling over.
A text from HC at Oxenhope then DJS at Lee Mount saying they were getting the same with the birds moving on a broad front right across, and well beyond, our air space.
Unfortunately I was at work but first off was Woodpigeons and Redwings over the garage in massive flocks soon to be joined by Fieldfare.
Woodpigeons dwindled by 0930 hrs but Redwing and Fieldfare flocks kept piling over until late morning, my last flock seen being 1135 hrs.
The largest Redwing flock I saw held 93 birds whilst one flock of Fieldare was uncountable with well over 100 birds spreading as far as I could see overhead, an amazing sight. The birds were coming over on 2 levels, some skimming the roof tops whilst others from further afield were very high.
One disappointment of the morning was by mid morning several reports of Pink Footed geese were coming in from all around the region but yet again , none visible from my position in Queensbury.
Geese were reported from both sides of the village with skeins over Thornton, Clayton, Boothtown, Lee Mount, Claremount Road Halifax and Northowram but leaving me without seeing a single skein this autumn.
Pinkie skeins do occasionally come over the village but very rarely, probably due to the geese not wanting to waste extra energy climbing to a higher altitude to pass over the village when they can quite easily skirt around it.
Late afternoon at Fly Flatts and the aerial show was all over and back to empty skies with birds on the deck much the same as yesterday but with no signs of the Ringed Plovers.
The Golden Plover flock was still present but spread out across the large mud area at the north end with a count of 18, though AC found all 22 early evening.
Just 8 Lapwings were in among them whilst 48 Mallard were on the peninsular , this number rising to 60 a couple of hours later, again seen by AC.
Otherwise there were just 2 Black Headed gulls on the water and a few blogging Mipits on the south shore.
Thanks to all for the welcome reports sent in during a mega movement day.
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).