With dense fog from midday on up here in the Gods the late afternoon birding session was more like a midnight walk around Ogden which was just on the bottom edge of the cloud base making it very dark and dismal. Visibility was just possible across the water but everything from half way up the plantation was blanked out.
As I walked down by the prom 6 ducks were drifting in a tight bunch in the centre of the water making me think Wigeon due to the size but as I got onto them they were Mallards. The group stayed as they were in the centre even though the resident Mallards were being fed in the SE corner. Another check , not believing Mallard would act this way,so all I can think is that they are a rogue group dropped in from elsewhere brought down by the fog.
Around150 small gulls were on the water but no large gulls.
A female Sparrowhawk shot through the feeders disappearing into the wood at great speed weaving through the thick trees and branches, how do they do that ? but it had the same luck at finding birds as me.
So that was the size of it, once again being thwarted by the dreaded fog, lets hope it clears for the weekend.
A midday check on Raggalds Flood as we passed before the fog came down produced 38 Lapwing and 6 Mallard. Unfortunately the reeded area that the Snipe are drawn to is still under water.
Hope you all have a good weekend, fog permitting.
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).