A good morning to be out with sunshine and blue skies at 3 degrees and a WNW >5 making it chilly but pleasant. By late afternoon the wind had turned and increased to NW>6 blowing at 26 mph making it feel much colder even though the temperature was up to 6 degrees
Bird wise, morning and afternoon ,were the worst sessions I,ve had for a long time with nothing on the move. The skies were empty other than 2 Herring gulls, 2 Crows, 3 Raven and a single Kestrel. The only birds on the deck were 3 Stonechat and 2 Meadow Pipits with nothing on the water. Even the Mallards had deserted the area.
I,ve got areas of Nyger seed now from the top of the track to the bottom with the hopes of inviting something in after having hopes raised when the 3 Twite appeared and then re located by the Withins. The original feeding station has temporarily been abandoned with extensive work below the west bank plus the south shore is now unusable due to thick mud where the diggers drive up and down. I managed a walk along there and the west bank at the weekend whilst there were no workmen present and the ground was frozen solid.
My 2 Snow Buntings last year were the beginning and end of December on the west bank which is going to be a problem to check this year, hence the seed down the track where I can check daily.
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).