A bit of all sorts weather wise this morning with heavy to torrential rain showers, drizzle, fog patches
and very light SW>2 at 14 degrees. The rain and mist passed over by 0945 hrs, then by the late afternoon watch it was cloudy sunshine.
A very quiet start to the morning with not a single bird of any description seen by 0900 hrs, after which a few decent sized groups of Mipits came over the water as well as a handful of Swallows.
A single Teal was on the water along with 2 Mallard but no sign of any passerines and the Black Redstart moved on.
0930 hrs and I decided to call it a do, when a final scan of the water produced a flock of ducks towards the NW corner of the reservoir. First thought was Mallard, but unusual for so many this time of year at this site, and then when they spread out in a straight line alarm bell started to ring thinking Scoter or Wigeon.
All thoughts of calling it a do now gone, I set off along the west bank in a race against time as the boats and windsurfers were ready for launching.
Half way on the bank I could see there were 26 Wigeon which had just appeared on the water from nowhere but were very unsettled and ready for off. A couple of minutes later they blasted off doing half a circuit of the water before disappearing into the misty sky >SW. A good end to a pleasing, if not wet, morning.
Mid afternoon and my usual pilgrimage to Doe Park once again failed to see the Osprey but never the less an interesting afternoon with my phone on melt down with messages about the bird.
First a message from MD reporting the Osprey at Hewenden, as suspected, and also a Wigeon there on the water.
Several messages followed either reporting the Osprey at Hewenden or asking for the whereabouts of the bird.
By 1500 hrs I was leaving and several watchers set off for Hewenden in hopes of a sighting including Haworth birder Caroline et al who text me as I arrived home to say they just arrived at Hewenden in time to see the Osprey leave for Doe Park.
From then I received several text to report it at Doe Park but within 10 minutes it was on its way back to Hewenden.
Very frustrating for the birders that had traveled to see it including a birder from Castleford who had dipped on an Osprey yesterday over St Aidens. The joys of birding.
On a sour note... I was made aware today by the sailing club of a so called birder who yesterday entered the boat compound whilst the sailors were there, this being strictly private and all secured except when members are there. He was very inconsiderate to members that approached him asking what he was doing there until one of the elder members found he was looking for the Black Redstart.
The birder was asked to leave which he did but this sort of behavior looks bad on all birders giving them a bad name. Yorkshire Water have just erected all new Private, No Public Access signs so there is no excuse plus the fact that permits can be easily obtained, at no charge, to bird there in designated areas.
As this reflects back on me for advertising the bird on my blog and putting my position in jeopardy any rarity or bird of great interest found at this site will not be published on my blog until the bird has left the area.
Its a shame that once again the majority have to suffer for the minority but it like the old saying goes' Among every bed of roses you get a few pricks'.
Fly Flatts vis mig
115 Mipit...............>S
4 Swallow..............>S
3 House Martin.....>S
26 Wigeon............>SW
Present
2 Mallard
1 Teal
Doe Park
2 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
1 Cormorant
2 Moorhen
2 Greenfinch... a rare bird these days
+ usual sp
BS