A cold 1 degree start to the morning with a white frost then heating up to 12 degrees on a cooling W>3.
The usual Pit Lane, Raggalds Flood , Roper Lane plantation and Oats Royd.
With the Dailie fields having to be withdrawn from the venues it was disappointing to find Raggalds Flood now down to a muddy puddle and no sign of bird life. I,m slowly getting backed into a corner here with another venue gone until we get some heavy rain.
The best I could muster today was a Heron over Pit Lane, 2 Willow Warblers on Roper Lane plus a fleeting sighting of what I thought to be a Spotted Flycatcher as it darted out from a distant tree below the plantation then flew straight back in but to the far side of the tree not to be seen again. It had the colour and jizz of a Spotted Fly but with not enough on it, plus at least a good 2 weeks early, that will have to go down as a 'Cud av Bin'.
Oats Royd had less disturbance today but again it was a warm sunny afternoon visit with very little up and singing.
At least 5 Willow Warblers and a couple of Chiffchaffs were present but very elusive, flitting about in the lower foliage, whilst 4 Swallows were over the valley >N.
A distant Buzzard was over Ringby Top as well as a few LBB gulls.
Who,s going to come up with a April Swift? Reports are starting to come in with the nearest so far being Sheffield, unless you know different. My earliest was 30th April .
Keep safe, B.S.
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).