Early morn with fog on the tops but clear at Leeshaw with full cloud on a light SW>3 at 6 degrees.
Hoping to see November out on a high I did the rounds today but nothing out of the ordinary at any site other than a single Pink Footed Goose in with the Greylags at Leeshaw which will probably see the winter out at this site.
Around 80 Greylags and 12 Canadas were in a distant field whilst around 200 small gulls and 48 Herrings were present but way over on the far NW shore so all checked by scope and out of camera range. Several small squadrons of Starlings were still moving >NW in migration mode.
Late afternoon, in a last of the month desperate attempt I checked Wibsey Park, only to find it much quieter than usual with only a handful of BH gulls plus the usual good count of Tufted along with the usual duck pond species. No sign of the drake Shoveler which usually winters here annually and no specials after a check through all the Mallards and geese etc.
On then to Bank Top CP with a few nice species but nothing to get the adrenaline going with
2 drake Goosander, 2 Mute Swan and a single Cormorant, the latter being a rare visitor to this site though NK reported one at this site on a previous visit.
Around 40 BH gull along with a single 1 Herring then, once again down to the usual Mallards, Coot, Moorhen .
Thank goodness November is out of the way after a very poor month, especially up on the tops with both my upland reservoirs providing nothing on the water although Fly Flatts only had 2 visits this year, mainly due to fog.
Most of the month has been spent at Ogden which started off well in the first couple of weeks with,
Siskin and Redpoll flocks, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, 4 Ring Necked Parakeets and an adult Med gull but after that it spiralled rapidly downhill . To make matters worst , the melted snow topped up the reservoir, covering the weeds on the east banking, just as the Chaffinch flock was building up so it looks unlikely for Brambling again this year at this site.
Just December and January to get rid of now before I start all over again waiting for waders, though the next highlights should be some wildfowl movement, if the weather gets colder, plus trans Pennine Pinks should be showing anytime now, followed by returning Whoopers in the early new year.
I remarked yesterday how Gt White Egrets were being reported more now around the area, when yesterday MC, on a visit to his old stomping grounds, text me to report one by the river Wharfe near Addingham. It was 18th Oct 2017 when I reported the first for Calderdale, as it flew over Fly Flatts, and 5th May 2003 when I reported the first Little Egret for Calderdale with 2 at EGP. Since then both species have taken of around this area and are becoming more and more a commoner sight. Its a shame its not the same for Cattle Egret which refuse to come into this area.
A moderate SW and rain for morning.
BS