Queensbury to Mixenden

0835-1150 hrs. Another poor session  in the main which was enlivened by one very good species sighting at half time.
c30 Lapwing at Mountain and a horde of gulls on the football pitch, mainly Common.
Raggalds Flood is demoted to pond at present.
Soil Hill: 9 Meadow Pipit, 2 Dullard only.

Ogden was hard work with visitors all over the joint. However in the W shore Alders I encountered c26 Lesser Redpoll busily feeding. I managed to check em out for grey/white chest/flanks & rump and am satisfied these were all Lesser. Inevitably along came Mr & Mrs Glomp and the Glompingtons and with a crash bang wallop and a scream or two off flew the birds without a by your leave or a kiss my ass.
Apart from the gulls there was a GSW and a Grey Wagtail noted.

I set off to Stod Fold and checked the trees there but didn't get anything at all.
The f Goosander was still on Mixenden Res along with an epidemic of gulls incl an adult LBBG overhead.

So in local terms on a personal basis when all the shouting is over, out goes a below average 2018 on a high note, thankfully.

Surely This Is An Ogden Bird?

BBC News: Madagascar pochard: World's rarest bird gets new home. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46703335

Queensbury South

Approx 0950-1130 hrs with grey skies and a notable W'ly blow; again patchy but more rewarding than yesterday.
1 adult Herring Gull in flight and several small gull sp.
c24 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch ditto Blackbird. A minimum of 70 Redwing. 1 singing Mistle Thrush.
4 Snipe.

Soil Hill to Mixenden

A  really poor session; no birds but an amount of depression
Soil Hill: 3 Mipit & a passage of c26 small Gull sp. > W which I didn't raise the bins for.

Ogden: Eeeewwww! 4 LTT were the best on muster. The gulls have started roosting on the overflow railings now that the drink is topped up. I checked for leg rings but no such jewellery seen. 3 Moorhen in the plantation.

Mixenden Res just coughed up the f Goosander pr Mistle Thrush, Moorhen and the Gulls.

Soil Hill to Mixenden

A very patchy session that improved near the end of the game.
Soil Hill: pr Snipe, 8 Meadow Pipit.
Now for the patchy bit; Ogden. The plantation was dead and the reservoir just about still having a pulse. 1 Herring Gull among the smaller ones and a very nervous female Tufted Duck that departed toward Cold Edge after splashing down near the W shore.

At 1205 hrs I was stood below the wood at Stod Fold when a skein of Pink-footed Geese flew over > E between Mixenden Res and Hunter Hill calling loudly. The  trees obscured the view to such a degree I couldn't estimate the number of birds but I don't think it was a large flock.
Also here were 4 Mistle Thrush and 1 each of GSW & Blackbird.

Mixenden Res held 1 Cormorant and a female Goosander that kept company with a pr Goldeneye. Among the many gulls there appeared a very large sub-adult phase job that I concluded could only be a GBBG.

Local Annual Review

2018 has been the strangest year since I started to bird this area in AD 2000. Not only have species sightings declined but migration patterns too, e.g only one winter sighting of a Pink-footed Goose skein and far less Fieldfare flocks than previous years.
Two species that stand out like a sore thumb in not being recorded are Merlin (3 years without) and Jack Snipe; the latter particularly galls given my regular sightings on Soil Hill up until two years back.
Other bad actors in not showing up are: Snow Bunting, Barn Owl, Little Ringed Plover (I know!) and Tree Pipit; the latter was almost a certainty at Ogden Giants Tooth or the golf course rough.

On the bright side, I'm certainly happy with the Buzzard count, the majority of this species coming from just down the road apiece. Grey Plover on Soil Hill in early spring is very satisfying and the Ruff again down the road even more so.
4 Green Sandpiper at Fly Flatts was a great record which leads me into the battle for the best species this year. Male Black Redstart at Queensbury cricket pitch or female Hen Harrier carrying prey over moorland? Bit of a struggle but the HH pips it.

Anglers Country Park

Courtesy of DW along with DM. We also looked at Cold Hindley Reservoir.
A few Goldeneye, several Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Goosander. GC & Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Coot, Moorhen.

Blackbird, Redwing, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Coal & LTT
c15 Redpoll, 2 Siskin, Tree Sparrow, Lapwing, Mute Swan. Greylags & Canadas, Pied Wagtail.
Despite failing to see the 3 Scaup that were recently reported it was still a good morning out.

Cracking views of a Buzzard perched on a roadside grass verge on the route home.

Swillington Ings

Courtesy of DP a pleasant session on a sunny calm day.
Waders: c240 Lapwing, 7 Curlew, 1 Redshank.
Wildfowl were numerous, including hundreds of Canadas and Greylags. Several Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, and Gadwall. Fair counts of Shoveler and 3/4 each of Pochard and Goldeneye.

Others present: 2 GBBG, c13 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron ditto GCG, 2 Little Grebe, 5 Reed Bunting similar LTT, 13 Goosander,  Buzzard heard. Numerous smaller gull sp., Coots, several Moorhen.

Round Up

Pellon Lane HX Monday 17 Dec 

Courtesy of DP. Arrived at 0920 hrs and got really lucky - a Waxwing was perched atop a tree as Dave parked the car. When we got out it had flown and within a minute or so 3 others flew after it but we never relocated them. Subsequently DW had travelled to the same site and failed to see them.

There were lots of Redwings plus a few Blackbird and Fieldfare feeding on berries.

Brighouse Rd Sunday 16 Dec
DP reports getting out of bed at an hour I thought was fictional 0300 to investigate a Tawny Owl blasting away. Turned out it was in the trees on the opposite side of the frog n toad where I found a deceased one a while back.

Soil Hill and Ogden Friday 14 Dec
Cold Bright morning good for walking and some cold weather movement - the birds having all moved out the area.
SH c7 Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Wren, Kestrel.
Ogden Res: Moorhen, 2 Nuthatch, 5 Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk.

Low Moor Dams

1030 hrs in a cold E'ly wind. The quietest visit ever and the shortest.
2 F Goosander on Harold Park Lake, 1 Herring Gull 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Wagtail and small Gull sp.
Park Dam: 1 Cormorant, 2 GC Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Pied Wagtail, c54 Canada, 1 LBBG & small gulls. Suppose I'd better throw Coots & Moorhens in at both sites.

Several Lapwing in the field above High Cross Lane, Kestrel nr trailer park.

Queensbury to Mixenden

0955 hrs 24 Lapwing at Mountain & c30 Common Gull over the road on the sports field.
Raggalds Flood was unadorned.

Soil Hill was almost barren apart from a Kestrel but it did afford me my first winter skein of  Pink-footed Geese eventually. I may have had 2 skeins as I first heard several calls but the distance and haze prevented a sighting. Then about 12 minutes later after more calls at 1045 hrs I got c120 birds flying W from bottom of TMR to similar Fly Flatts.

A pr Wigeon were feeding at Ogden Res and several Chaffinch were present; 3 of them feeding in a flycatcher manner. Otherwise it was down to all gulls and Dullards. A Moorhen was in the plantation as were 5 Pheasant.

The walk from the golf course to Mixenden Res was putresence enshrined, there weren't even any cattle or sheep to frighten. Things did pick up at Hunter Hill bottom where a pair of Stonechat were pottering about.
The reservoir just had a f Goosander, Pied Wagtail, many gulls, GSW & a LTT.

Rare Queensbury Visitor Embarrasses Birder

I couldn't resist the clear skies this morning so despite my earlier promise to quit local birding, I set off around Queensbury South from approx 1005-1210 hrs. As a result I was hoisted by my own petard albeit with great satisfaction!
After trawling Littlemoor Park, I decided to survey the boggy corner of Cross Lane. Five minutes into the field, a medium sized wader took off from the edge of a patch of Willows. I got sight of it as it dropped down into a slightly more open area and immediately thought of an odd Redshank. As I was halfway through circling round to get a better view, the bird took flight again, this time with a very significant call before dropping down again in a far corner. It was a Ruff! I decided to leave the bird alone and departed the field; it must have been exhausted to have chosen such a small patch of localised tundra in which to to rest.

In Green Lane it was difficult to escape a pr of Buzzard flying around and above my head before they caught the attention of the local Crows. Even a Jackdaw flock decided to join in the fun and half-heartedly mob them at one stage. A Sparrowhawk was also doing the rounds at Corporal Lane.

Other birds encountered: Kestrel, pr Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, few Chaffinch & Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Bullfinch, 3 Blackbird ditto Pied Wagtail.

Low Moor Dams

1030-1145 hrs SW'ly fresh wind cold but dry. Another satisfactory walk with one particularly rewarding Wildfowl sp.

Harold Park: 10 Tufted Duck, 3 Goosander ditto Herring Gull. Many small gulls, 1 GC Grebe, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 singing Mistle Thrush. Coots & Moorhens.

Park Dam: 3 Little & 2 GC Grebe, 14 Tufted Duck, 1 Pied Wagtail. Kingfisher, pr Mute Swan, 2 Herring & many small Gull sp. Coots & Moorhens.

A f  Shoveler was feeding in the shallows; this is both a local rarity and a personal site tick.

Starling with white tail - left foreground

The c75 Lapwing flock were in the field above High Cross Lane on the return trip, lending themselves to a few reasonable photos. Also in among them was the white tailed Starling which I first saw some faded brain cells ago.

Park Lane

Hi Nigel,

Further to my previous comment about looking out for rings, this Chaffinch came in with the latest influx. It's Norwegian-ringed and part of a flock of 25 Chaffinches and a single Brambling which we've been seeing for the last few days. I've managed to piece together the ring number from photos and sent the details off this afternoon. The white-headed Blackbird is back again; it's been here each winter since 2014.

Denise

Bretton Country Park Revisited

Courtesy of DW who wanted a second crack at the f Smew which was reported again on Birdguides.
Regretfully once more the bird failed to appear but we saw some other good birds and a fascinating incident involving a Grey Heron and a Perch.
The Heron had siezed the fish which appeared to be of substantial size and after stabbing it a few times picked it up and sent it down it's gullet head first in one gulp. Said bird then drank from the river for lubrication but a minute later said fish was regurgitated and spat back out on to the river bank and abandoned when the Heron flew off.

There were 1 each of Great White Egret and Little Egret present plus another 8 Grey Heron. Waterfowl represented by Shoveler, Teal, Dullard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, pr Mute Swan.
Further entertainment provided by Kestrel, GSW, Bullfinch, Blackbird, Redwing, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Nuthatch.

Sunday and Monday Walks

Sunday 25/11 approx 1015-1125 hrs short version of Queensbury South.
Not great (did I say that?). Cold damp with an E'ly breeze. No movement at all other than the Starling flock.
2 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, Mistle Thrush singing, Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird. Down by the trailer park were 2 Snipe, several BHG & the sizeable Lapwing flock.

Monday 26/11 Hard Work throughout. Raggalds Flood 1010 hrs 6 BHG only.
Soil Hell 1 Grey Heron, 8 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch.

Ogden plantation and the reservoir a real non event. 1 each Kestrel & Herring Gull. On seeing me arrive the warden, Chris told me I had just missed c80 Lapwing resting on the W shoreline. Of course I did; wouldn't have it any other way.

The stretch to Mixenden was abysmal; nothing seen nor heard. The Res itself was a repeat of my last visit: 1 each Moorhen & Tufted plus the 2 Goldeneye. Roll on Doomsday.

Raggalds to Mixenden

Raggalds Flood was occluded by mist, I could only just see the water.

Soil Hill: 1 Blackbird & 1 Woodcock which was flushed from top field by edge of N slope.

Ogden Res: not much. 4 Blackbird, 5 LTT, 1 GSW.

Mixenden Res: 1 each Moorhen & Tufted Duck. 2 f Goldeneye.
Nearby were a few Chaffinch & Goldfinch, 1 Jay & a pr calling Little Owl.

Re White Crow

Hi Nigel,

Photo DS

It seems to have taken up residence in this area and has been visiting the garden on an almost daily basis for the last couple of years. It likes the softbill that I put down for Blackbirds and now has its personal dish into which I add the odd bit of dog food when it gets cold. I have, in the notebook, details of it coming into the garden since the end of 2014. I don't know how old it is but I remembered seeing a picture you'd taken of it on Birdguides. I checked and it was from April 2013.  My neighbour's son remembers seeing a white Crow-presumably the same bird-when he went to school in Queensbury and he's now 30. It has a distinctive call and seems to be a dominant bird-the three others that come in, presumably family (one has some white feathers), don't argue with it and it gives short shrift to Magpies. It does seem to be showing its age a bit and is sometimes a bit tottery. I assume that's why it doesn't venture so far afield.

 

Photo DS

I still have one Brambling. I hadn't seen any for a few days but heard one when I looked out for the geese  and heard and saw it again this morning.

Denise 18/11/2018

Redcar and South Gare

DW kindly invited me on a trip to Redcar for a crack at the Black-crowned Night Heron seen in Locke Park on Sunday. Several birders present on arrival reported that the bird had not been seen and a subsequent Birdguides report confirmed our fears that a dip was in order.
A watch on the rather rough sea turned up c22 Common Scoter, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Turnstone, numerous Lapwing and a few Golden Plover present in a nearby field.

At South Gare c50 Twite were watched flying around several times and another sighting of several Common Scoter occurred. Also here were a pr Redshank, 4/5 Oystercatcher and a couple of Shag.
Not forgetting the cormorants and gulls of course.

A Red Kite was seen soaring low above the A1 M edge on the way up and on the return journey. Also in the same vicinity on the homeward trip numerous Greylags were airborne.

Queensbury South

0955-1115 hrs. A walk of two halves both topographical and ornithological. Park Lane and Littlemoor Park was crawling with birds; nothing too beaucoup however, a Nuthatch and White Crow in DS garden coming out tops.
There were plenty of Tits, a Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, few Goldfinch, Chaffinch and c7 Blackbird seen and heard.

Once I hit open countryside the bird life collapsed like a deck of cards. 1 Kestrel, c72 Lapwing, few BH & Common Gull. I decided to give any Snipe in the Cross Lane field the day off. Lanes Corporal and Green were bereft and just a few Goldfinch were heard by the golf club on the trek home.

So You Think I'm A Bad Boy?

This link is relevant to a former BOG birder from the early days, known to several of us old buggers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-46235130

PS From DS today at 1107 hrs:

I've just heard and caught the tail-end of a group of Pinkfeet. They were just to the south of the garden and heading west.

Denise

Good job Denise glad someone gets Pinkfeet these days, I've forgotten how to identify them 😞

NK

PPS From DM in Shibden Valley - A flock of PFG in V formation seen at 1305 hrs high up heading in direction of Swalesmoor/Ogden. Also 3 Bullfinch & several Redwing seen.

Why did I chose to stay in Today? 😢

Music For Bad Birders - Speakers Up!

Queensbury South

15/11 1500-1510 hrs. A shorter walk through the park up by the golf course then along to Shaw Lane. Quiet again with birds at a premium mainly; buoyed up by one good species count.
Littlemoor Park: 2 Bullfinch, 1 Chaffinch, few Goldfinch, 1 Coal Tit.
Cross Lane: 1 Pied Wagtail, 13 (thirteen) Common Snipe at the roost site. c70 Lapwing & a few BHG in the fields along with several Starling.

Rodley Nature Reserve

Courtesy of DM & DW. A very enjoyable walk in clement weather.

c16 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 4 Teal ditto Goosander, several Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe.
Few Goldfinch, 1 each GSW & Greenfinch,  2 Jay.

3 Grey Heron,  ditto Cormorant,  pr Kingfisher,  c40 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Blackbird, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail.

Photo DW

Queensbury to Mixenden

Another session with long patches of avians in absentia. Around 42 Lapwing were a sheltering from the wind at Mountain. Raggalds field is still driza bone and c20 Sheep at Small Tail Farm surrounded me not for my good lucks I hasten to add, more likely the poor buggers thought my rucksack contained grub.

Soil Hill disappointed just for a change; I thought I'd managed a dip but a Mipit ruined the hour.
Nothing in Ogden plantation except a flyover Kestrel, however a few woodland birds livened the reservoir up.
Green Woodpecker, pr Treecreeper, 1 Bullfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Blackbird a la continent type & few Tit sp. 1 Herring Gull on the drink.

7 Fieldfare were near the now risky Mixenden stile (parts missing) but nothing else was.
Mixenden Res just had 2 Goosander, 1 Cormorant ditto Moorhen and a few gulls.

Catch Up Ogden & Low Moor

Saturday 10/11 0950-1125 hrs Low Moor Dams. Harold Park Lake was the more appealing of the two stretches of H20 for a change. 1 LBBG, 3 Herring Gull & several smaller gull sp.

The highlight was undoubtedly a record count of 17 Goosander, nearly all females and or juveniles.

1 each Grey & Pied Wagtail, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 GSW, many Coot, few Moorhen.

Park Dam: 3 Cormorant, 2 GCG, 4 Little Grebe, pr Mute Swan, 34 Canada, 4 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock, 15 Tufted Duck, c22 Coot, 8 Moorhen, few BHG.

31 Lapwing in corner field High Cross Lane opposite Jackson Hill.

Thursday 8/11 another depressing non event. Soil Hill 1 Common Snipe, 2 Mipit, 2 Dullard.

Ogden plantation was torpid and the reservoir fared only a little better with 5 LBBG among the smaller Gulls. 1 Kestrel ditto 1 Jay, couple LTT same Goldcrest, 5 Chaffinch.

A Pathetic Show

One of those many days in this area where optics are superfluous. Soil Hill was supergash; 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel. 2 Dunnock in Persecution Rd.

Ogden Plantation was a non event; I would say the same for the reservoir but c23 Fieldfare flew over from the NE close to mid day. Another Kestrel was present, hopefully not the one seen on the hill. 3 Jay were showing very well instead of flashing then scarpering.

The next publication of Birds Of Queensbury Area is due out in 2020; I've heard it's now down to 4 pages instead of the usual 6.

Bretton Country Park

Courtesy of DW in intermittent fog that took some time to clear giving way to grey skies. A busy interesting bird rich session bringing a couple of annuals to us both.

Photo DW

Great White Egret, several Grey Heron (there is a small Heronry here)  Goosander & Cormorant. Kingfisher, fair numbers of Teal & Tufted Duck, c10 Gadwall similar Shoveler, 2 Pochard.

Brambling showed fairly well with c16 birds being seen both in flight and perched for short spells. Also GSW, LTTs, Grey & Pied Wagtail.

We then went to Fairburn for a crack at the Great Grey Shrike but were informed that the bird has moved on. However a Cattle Egret and another Great White Egret were some compensation. A Cettis Warbler called just once but characteristically very loudly. Other birds include numerous Lapwing and a few Mute Swan.
The Cattle Egret is the first I have ever seen in the UK but Mr W has seen others in his travels.

Email From My Enemies

Hello you English Cochon

I haf just read your latest pathetique headline publication and want you to know I am still active in the cause of stopping migrant birds from reaching votre sad little bit of UK. Unless you rescind votre link diabolical, I shall also cut off your supply of Roquefort cheese, Croissants au Chocolate, Merlot Magnifique et Courvoisier Formidable.
If I ever see vous again in le Dordogne, Je shall attack vous with every gramme of Griffon Vulture merde at moi disposal.

Merdemanger, Pierre. Capitaine deuxieme Regiment de L'Oiseau, L'egion De Honneur Francaise.
Fin

Guten Tag Schweinhund

Ach so! Du still vant nichts to do mit der EU; Ich suggest du think about your position so schnell. Mit immediate effect: no more schwartz Pumpernickel, Bratwurstchen Bayerische, Erdinger Wheatbier Pils, und Jaegermeister Kopfblaster.
Entry to der Black Forest fur Schwarz Woodpecker, Drei-toed Woodpecker, Grau-headed Woodpecker ist verboten!

Wiedenbrucker, Karl. Oberfeldwebel viertel Regiment de Sauerkraut, Deutsche Stadt Polizei.
Fertig

Thanks guys. You've just cut off your supply of Yorkshire Pudding, Pork Pies, London Gin and Tetley Bitter; on second thoughts you can keep the latter.

Kerwin, Jeosophat. Head Toerag, Queensbury's Finest.
End

Queensbury South

Approx 1305-1440 hrs good start, slow middle, good ending.
Park Lane including immediate adjacent area of Littlemoor Park was rotten with birds. 10 plus Blackbird, few Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 m Bullfinch on feeder, Grey Wagtail over E, Tits sp., Woodpigs, Maggot Pies.
Then it pancaked until I got to the trailer park where c75 Lapwing were lurking and a Pied Wagtail. A Grey Heron flew over > SW.

In Green Lane a Buzzard came out to play for almost 15 minutes.
Another Pied Wagtail was hanging around as were a pr Mistle Thrush.

On arrival home a Grey Wagtail flew overhead with a Goldfinch or two out back.

Stainland Ringstone Circular

Courtesy of DW along with D Brambling Miller on a bright sunny breezy morning. A slow start but the birds eventually proved satisfactory.

Two finches flew up from the deck in an area where Beech trees were prevalent. DM was onto them with his new bins and confirmed them as a pr Brambling. I'm happy to settle for the fleeting glimpse I got with hope for the future.

At Ringstone Res were a good bunch of Lapwing & Golden Plover along with usual Gulls, 2 Pied Wagtail & many Starling.

A Little Owl called a couple of times but we couldn't nail it.

Other birds include Jay, Kestrel, Blackbird, several Fieldfare & Redwing, LTT, Chaffinch, Goldfinch in fair numbers.

From Park Lane

Here is an extract from an email I received today. NK

I had a couple of Bramblings in last Wednesday but thought I'd leave it to see if it was just another drop-in but there have been a couple here again over the last couple of days and today there were 5 so they could be hanging about in the area. Redwing here too.

We had a Pheasant in a couple of days ago. Haven't had one since 2012.

We've gained a couple of Song Thrushes and a few Blackbirds this week so I'm checking for rings.

Denise

Soil Hill to Empty Mixenden

Soil Hell 2 Common Snipe on top field also a Kestrel here.
15 Golden Plover on bottom field N slope.

Ogden was hard work, pr Bullfinch. Fast moving Tit Flock including Coal & LTT. 1 LBBG among the smaller Gulls.

The stretch from the promenade to Mixenden was awful just 1 Jay and a Kestrel which was outmanoeuvered by the odd bird pictured below above Hunter Hill.

As for Mixenden Res refer to the post title.

Walshaw Dean & Gorple

Courtesy of DP with some good sightings on a cold crisp mostly bright morning.
Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, Jay, Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit.
5 Crossbill calling in flight at Walshaw plantation, 12 Fieldfare overhead.

Over at Lower Gorple: 50 Fieldfare low overhead, 1 Mistle Thrush perched, 3 Crossbill perched. 1 each Chaffinch & Pied Wagtail. The reservoir just held c14 Dullard.

A recent visit to Soil Hill

Great Big Story: Tracking 13 Million Birds of Prey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwHbrK8nqwM

Queensbury to Mixenden

Third session this week of poor birding; nothing moving and again long stretches of wondering why I didn't bring a rope to throw over a tree branch.

Soil Hell: 3 Mipit.
I may as well mention that the N slope bottom has now been cleared of all sedges and shrubs and looks as though somebody is building a massive vehicle park (birders won't  need it).

Ogden Res: 2 Herring & 5 LBBG among the small stuff. 1 Cormorant ditto Bullfinch, 3 Blackbird, Moorhen.
Also few dogs, several people and a couple of Cretins.

From there to Mixenden Res boredom won the hour, just a few Goldfinch and nothing in the water save 2 Moorhen. I'm almost at the stage where I could salivate over a Dullard or two.

Week Catch Up

After a nightmare 22 hours setting up the latest version of Windows 10, I practically galloped out of the house for another quick short walk down south. The blustery wind ensured I didn't get ambitious and extend the walk, along with the paucity of birds of course.
In a certain garden: 3 Greenfinch, similar Golfinch, Coalt Tit & Treecreeper which is always good to see, especially round these parts.
Any Snipe that were lurking in Cross Lane were left to it: I couldn't bring myself to flushing anything sheltering from this crucifying wind. c70 Lapwing, few BHG, numerous Starling & 1 Pied Wagtail.

Very weak it was too on Monday 22/10; one of the lousiest days I've had while birding in this hell hole.
Soil Hill 1 Kestrel, 7 Fieldfare, 4 Mipits, 1 Grey Wagtail.
I'd like to blame the hordes of homo sapiens at Ogden Res for the lack of woodland species, truth is Ogden Plantation was just as barren and I was the only idiot in there.
From the res right across to and including Mixenden it was dire: I've seen more action in a mortuary.

Queensbury South

1010 hrs a good hours worth through Littlemoor Park passing the golf course and then down to Cross Lane and back home.
Started off on a downer: opposite side of the frog n toad flattened remains of Tawny Owl.
1 GSW, 2 each Nuthatch & Coal Tit, several Blue Tit, few Goldfinch, 1 Grey Wagtail.
c70 Lapwing, c110 Starling, c20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Common Snipe.

Low Moor Dams

Harold Park Lake 0955 hrs. Not good so just had a cursory 10 minutes.
GCG, 2 Tufted, 5/6 Mute Swan, small gulls, Coots etc.
Other: 1 each Jay & Blackbird.

Park Dam fared better but not exhilarating apart from a female Tufted showing pretend f Scaup white at base of bill, the swine.

1 each Greenfinch & Grey Wagtail, 2 GCG, 3 Little Grebe, 6 Moorhen, c21 Coot, 8 Tufted, 1 Mute Swan, 6 BHG.
A party of c8 small finches were too quick for me to Id.
This area is a stronghold for House Sparrow.

Fly Flatts to Cold Edge

An unexpected offer from DP for a quick visit to FF proved worthwhile.
On the way up a flock of Fieldfare went over at Nolstar with a party of Mipit close by.

Fly Flatts: 1 Peregrine, 4 Golden Plover, 1 Teal, few Mipit.

Return trip Cold Edge: a larger flock of Fieldfare, 1 Pink-footed Goose, few Greylags, several Canada.

It was good to watch 4 Stonechat flit from wall  to bush to fence here, a bird that has been rare for me this year.

Much appreciated Dave.

Queensbury to Mixenden

Soil Hill 16 Meadow Pipit, 2 flyover large Thrush types unid. c30 Lapwing, 3 Common Snipe & 3 flying Dullard.

Ogden Plantation coughed up 8 Redwing, 2 Moorhen & several Chaffinch. 

2 Jay were in the trees by the side of Ogden Res which appeared to have a sub-adult YLG in among the small gull species. The mantle was too dark for Herring but not as dark as graeslii let alone fuscus; the legs appeared to be yellow. The only other large gull here was an adult LBBG, also 1 Cormorant present. Woodland birds were active, Chaffinch being the most notable; a Bullfinch was heard.

1 f Reed Bunting was near the golf course.
Mixenden stile was was busy with birds;10 Goldfinch, 1 f Reed Bunting, 3 Blue & 1 Gt Tit, 4 Meadow Pipit. However the reservoir was poor; 2 Cormorant & a bunch small gulls.

Also 2 Magpie harassing Kestrel Hunter Hill.

Queensbury Bramblings

I just received an email from DS informing that 6 Brambling were in her garden yesterday afternoon, Sunday.
A couple of fine photos were included which I shall post later today after I return from my usual dip trip locally 😍

Photos: DS

Thanks Denise, a bird I didn't do too well on in 2017.
NK 1545 hrs.