Oh to be a birder around Harrogate.
I had to pick the son in law up after a weeks training course in Harrogate this morning so I set off early with Big Bertha ,giving me time to look for Red Kites and call at one of my old stomping grounds, Knotford Nook.
It all started half way down Pool Bank when a Red Kite flew low over the road in front of the car, you can imaging what I said ,but unfortunately there was nowhere to stop for a photo as it slowly drifted over the fields.
At the bottom of Pool Bank a second bird was drifting low over the house tops giving stonking views but again no where to stop in the heavy traffic.
On then to Knotford Nook which I used to visit regular back in the days when it was one of Bradford birders flagship sites until it was eventually taken over with an angling club. Both lakes are now surrounded with a high wire fence with thick foliage around to keep prying eyes out. We always used to fall out with the anglers there so when they bought it they made sure we couldnt use it any more. Phil and Mick Cunningham even ended up battling with the anglers at one point.
Peering through the bushes I could see the lakes were full of wildfowl with Wigeon, Mandarin, Gt Crested Grebe, Pochard and Gadwall along with large numbers of Tufted. A single Whooper swan was with the Mutes. I remember watching a brilliant white male Smew here many years ago.
Time up so on to Harrogate with Red Kites showing all the way, some high whilst others were low drifting near to the roadside but no stopping places on the busy narrow road. One place I did stop with a good vantage point produced 2 Buzzard but no Kites.
On the return journey it was the same with several Kites giving amazing views. This will have to be a park and walk visit for me at some point to get some good Red Kite photos.
Late afternoon and back to earth at Fly Flatts on a low expectancy visit in the strong SW>6 and very dark skies. The water was empty with windsurfers present and , as always in a strong SW at Fly Flatts, the whole area was silent with no sign of yesterdays Wheatears or Mipits and not even a Curlew or Lapwing up.
The only birds moving were several Meadow Pipits high and >W in the grey sky. Down by the feeding station a pair of Stonechat were present but very flighty in the wind.
I was going to miss Fly Flatts in the morning if the SW continued but the forecast is cloudy and a light >NW which could be interesting.
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).