Another day, another fog bank over the tops with a visit to Leeshaw Reservoir just below the cloud base but dark and drizzly till the last 15 minutes then starting to clear up. The temp was 5 degrees on a light SE>3.
A much quieter morning in the heavy drizzle but enough to keep me alert throughout the watch. The water just held 2 pair of Goosander, 12 Mallard and around 50 small gulls whilst 4 Herring gull and 1 Great Black Backed headed west up in the murk.
No Greylag flock today with just 3 in the field along with 2 Canadas and a single Lapwing which was calling as it flew making it sound like spring. A Heron and Pied Wagtail were down by the stream but the Dipper and Kingfisher have been absent a few days now.
The sight of the morning was around 300 Woodpigeons coming up out of the wood by the north farm where they roost nightly. They flew a circuit but very distant before splitting up and going off in several directions.
Another very dark and dismal late afternoon at Fly Flatts but dry and a very light S>2.
A walk the full length to the NE corner on the very slippery cobbled banking only produced 38 Mallard by the island whilst the only other bird seen was a female Merlin fast and low over the field to the east of the boat yard. No work going on up there for 2 weeks now with only the security guards present but impassable along the south and west bank until we get some freezing conditions to harden up the mud.
The 21st December has always been the shortest day (winter solstice) but for some reason they,ve made it the 22nd this year but whatever, we,ve only just over another week to get over then we,re on our way, hopefully looking forward to some brighter, colder weather and a slow return to more daylight and more birds.
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).