Wednesday, 1 January 2020

New Years Day 2020 - Soil Hill etc

13:40 - 15:15

Abi and Emma with us today but I left them watching Paddington Bear II this aft. in favour of a saunter up to and around Soil Hill.

The best of the sunny weather was over for the day but it was dry if a tad dull.

Birds of Note were:-

2 Raven.
1 Little Owl.
Herring Gulls in groups calling.

Along Ned Hill Track a short high pitched one-note call stopped me in my tracks.
The bird was > WNW towards Fly Flats Area.
I think the bird is a Duck sp.
A mega distant photo of the culprit was all I could manage!
No doubt the bird was a Mega!!!

Not a bad do for such a short outing, to an area that is difficult in the winter months.





Original Photo of Unid Duck?




Cropped from above Ned Hill Track/Soil Hill Mega Distant Duck?









2 comments:

  1. One of those that got away by the look of it John. Maybe a long shot but shortish rounded wings suggest possible Woodcock. On the down side they are usually silent with a quiet call and in flight with the bill pointing at an angle downwards. Maybe never know for sure - just a suggestion(??)

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  2. Thanks for the comment Dave.
    Woodcock is a rare bird locally for me with just 2 possible sightings that I can remember.
    1 Taylor Lane.
    1 Walking the Calderdale Way near Norwood Green.
    Never got a photo of either.
    Like you say one that got away.
    with the unusually distinctive one note high-pitched call, you would probably have nailed it, if you had heard it.
    I'm not great in calls!!
    John

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