The day started off well with a group of around 80 Fieldfare over the garage >S as soon as the fog lifted around 0845 hrs though these were probably post roost birds from down in Queensbury station going by the height and direction of them. Vis Mig has all but drawn to a close now with most winter thrushes seen being feeding parties or bounce backs.
Next off was a Peregrine harassing feral pigeons above North Bridge in Halifax this afternoon before landing on a building in Dean Clough.
After that it all went pear shaped.
A late visit to Fly Flatts arriving at 1515 hrs in very dark sky conditions and light drizzle on a SW>4 which deteriorated throughout the watch turning to heavy drizzle then heavy rain with fog eventually rolling over the moor and darkness by 1600 hrs.
A quick trek along the west bank to the NW corner only produced the usual Mallard flock with no sign of the Golden Plovers or Dunlin although it was too dark to scan the east bank thoroughly. Back under the shelter of the car tailgate a single Black Headed gull flew over >S whilst a hardy Stonechat flitted around on the boatyard fencing, those Stonechats must be made out of real tough material.
So there we are, a start with ups and a finish with downs although I never regret going as if you dont go you dont know and it can be horrendous evenings like this where that special bird can turn up as we found out one September evening back in 2013 on an evening just like tonight at last light when myself, DJS et al stood on the west bank at Ogden watching a Common and Arctic Tern with the gulls on the shoreline at Ogden. Dave went away with a waterlogged phone .
Another example going back even further was at Fly Flatts , again on the edge of dark and pouring rain with a Shore Lark on the west bank track on 2nd November 2002 with several birders arriving to twitch it including the late Tony Gough. The bird eventually flew as 2 Snow Buntings called heading >NE where it joined them over the water.
So you see, its always worth a dabble whatever the weather, although it doesnt always seem like it at the time.
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).