right between the bright setting sun and me
although it did light its wings up nicely.
A double dabble at Fly Flatts today attending first and last light on a cracking spring like day with only 20% cloud cover , blue skies and sunshine with a light NW>4 at 3 degrees.
This mornings visit was mega quiet seeing only 1 pair of Mallard , 2 Carrion Crow and a few Red Grouse but luckily the situation improved slightly on the late afternoon visit.
Two Reed Buntings and a single Stonechat were present but mobile around the boatyard whilst a steady flow of all 1st winter Herring gulls was taking place overhead all heading >SW.
A single Raven flew over the Fill Belly Flat spooking around 30 Golden Plover which lifted but quickly settled back down out of sight.
Just in time to save the day a Short Eared Owl appeared quartering the moor at distance and right in front of the bright setting sun making getting any sort of photos difficult.
An amazing day to be up on the moor although birding at present is very difficult with no winter wildfowl on the move leaving the water at Fly Flatts empty other than Mallards and the occasional Teal . At this rate the spring migrants are going to be turning up before the winter birds.
Welcome to local Bradshaw birder John Little ( Bradshaw John ) to the Calderdale grapevine with members now up to 46. Hope you concur with this figure Dave.
BS