An easterly wind is what birders yearn for in the autumn to bring in the rarities but not so in the spring. Fly Flatts today had the freezing cold strong E>5 early morning and continuing through the late afternoons watch stopping any chance of spring migrants dead.
The skies remained empty other than the locals plus a few big gulls through >N whilst the water just held the usual Canadas, Mallards and a pair of Greylags.
A full scan of all the shoreline produced 2 Redshank, 2 Teal and a single Snipe whilst on the passerine front there was just the one male Wheatear . This p.m. 2 Grey Partridge were down the track and a Buzzard flew low over the Crossroads Inn.
The easterlies are forecast to keep going until at least next Thursday so I may have to try another venue till the conditions change , although I vowed after this mornings poor watch not to go back up there in the afternoon but I still did !
Around 300 Canada Geese
2 Greylag
2 Redshank
1 Snipe
3 Raven
2 Grey Partridge
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
2 Teal
5 Herring gull................>N
7 LBB gull....................>N
+ usual Mipits, Curlew, Lapwings etc.
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.(2025).