With a day of thick for up here in the gods partially clearing by late afternoon my usual visit to Fly Flatts was aborted due to it being still well in the fog.
Next thought was to check the Chaffinch roost at Ogden to see if Bramblings were mixing in with them as yet now that thousands have arrived in the country. Im always reluctant now to visit Ogden other than early morning but I thought Monday afternoon and no school holidays, I can,t go wrong, think again Brian.
After struggling to even drive on Ogden Lane the car park was like Blackpool front on a wakes weekend with cars and people everywhere and I was getting wound up like a 10 bob watch so a quick turn about and get out of there with the little voice in my head saying " I told you not to come".
By now it was 1515 hrs and the end of daylight getting nearer in the already dark skies so where next. Mixenden was out as the dogs were with me so Coley church sprung to mind , somewhere I generally keep an eye on over winter for winter thrushes etc.
On arrival it was very dull and dank but below the cloud base and birdable but not worth attempting to get any half decent photos in the conditions. Redwings were everywhere in the Hawthorn and Holly bushes but only 5 Fieldfare present, possibly due to the lateness of the hour, as the fields are usually alive with them at this time of year.
A little group of Brambling flew from the hedges but kept mobile flying circuits over the fields before settling in the tree tops to be joined by a flock of around 40 Chaffinch eventually all dropping down into a large holly bush, possibly to roost.
Otherwise it was down to a couple of Mistle Thrush, 3 Pied Wagtail and the usual corvids.
15 Brambling
c 40 Chaffinch
c 80 Redwing
5 Fieldfare
3 Pied Wagtail
2 Mistle Thrush
+ usual sp.
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).