Another bright sunny morning with some fog stuck down in the Aire valley and hazy mist over the moor. Clouding by 0945hrs on a light ESE>3 at 7 degrees.
Local birders were spoilt for choice this morning with Whooper Swans on Mixenden and Ogden along with a Ring Ouzel on Soil Hill and a pair of Goldeneye and 9 Redshank on Fly Flatts.
On route early morn I stopped at the top of Whitegate looking down on Mixenden reservoir when I spotted Whooper Swans on the water. Some were hidden below the east bank so I got a count of 20, to be corrected later as 23 by DJS. On my return journey at 1015 hrs there were no sign of the swans unless they were close to shore below the east bank.
Fly Flatts was once again lively with a count of at least 9 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers and 1 Ringed Plover plus several Curlew and Lapwing.
A pair of Goldeneye were a surprise on the water, the second sighting at this site this month of a rare species on this water. Meadow Pipit numbers are building as well as Reed Bunting whilst 3 Pied Wagtail were present as well as the breeding pair. A raven was over the quarry whilst 3 Heron were spread around with plenty of frogs and spawn showing.
Just 2 LBB gulls over >NE, otherwise down to the Canadas, Greylags and Mallards. Thanks to DJS and Nick Small for the messages this morning.
Plenty sun tomorrow on a light SE at 6 degrees with, once again, a report of early morning mist.
BS