A glorious day until I arrived at Fly Flatts late afternoon to dark skies and light rain showers on a light NE > 4 . The conditions were pleasant enough but far from being a photographic day and possibly the last calm weather for a few days with 2 weather fronts heading our way.
The reservoir has risen considerably over the weekend with the east shoreline now under water apart from an area in the NE corner whilst the south shore has almost gone leaving a few ponds in the SE corner making the reservoir into a much greater expanse of water hopefully making it more tempting for winter wildfowl.
Nothing special today, the highlight being a steady flow of Herring gulls >W with a count of 31, these being all adults which was unusual.
The Mallard count was up to 83, all mainly on the water with their favourite peninsular area now underwater whilst 9 Teal were along a mud ledge near to the NE corner.
The remaining piece of north shoreline held 12 Lapwing but no sign of Golden Plover , and 4 noisy Canada geese were in the same area. Otherwise it was down to 3 Kestrels and 2 Carrion Crow.
More grapevine reports today of trans Pennine Pinkies on the move though the forecast weather fronts may put a hold on it for the next few days.
The Shelf Moor trailer park fields this lunch time held around 80 Lapwing and approximately the same number of Black Headed gulls plus several Starlings.
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).