This afternoon was yet another day when shopping out weighed birding by producing more ,or better birds, than the morning and afternoon birding sessions put together.
First was a Sainsburys Halifax shopping expedition where the Rowan trees in the car park are now clear of berries with one despondent Blackbird alone in a tree wondering where his winter supply of berries had gone.
As we came out of the store 2 Buzzards were over the car park heading >NW very high and direct.
On then to Matalan where 2 Brambling were briefly in a tree there in the car park before heading across the road into the grounds of the Parish church. A move on then to B & M with a Pied Wagtail in the car park and several Goldfinch in the trees. This was the worst shop as we came out with rolls of wallpaper and tins of emulsion, looks like someone is going to be busy.
Many years ago my Mother bought some tins of emulsion and one evening my Dad said, " Do you want me to start on the decorating tonight" ? to which my mother replied
" Well it waint jump out ot tin an put itsen ont wall will it", I,ve never forgot that.
So, on the drive home 4 Pinkies flew overhead at Crow Point appearing over Ringby Top and heading >W. A good afternoon birding without going birding.
1430 hrs and conditions at Fly Flatts were as this morning but clear visibility and a strengthened SW>6.
Still pretty quiet but more showing than this morning although the decent move of Pinkies around the area had dried up.
3 Raven
2 Buzzard
8 Red Grouse
1 Cormorant high and >NW. an unusual sighting for this area.
3 Herring gulls >W
By 1530 hrs the sky was black as night and the rain came down in stair rods.
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).