Sue made a visit to Elland this morning (on the way we spotted a Heron in flight over Illingworth) , and she dropped me at Elland Bridge so I could enjoy some birding along the canal and river to end up at Avocet Works, Brookfoot.
Quite cold, murky and damp in Bradshaw this morning, but quite mild and fairly clear along the walk.
4 Whoopers were reported , on the grapevine , at Ogden by CS as I was walking along.
Sue picked me up later and after a sarnie in Kershaw's Café and a visit to Halifax we popped into Ogden's top car park to try for the Whoopers, which amazingly, were still here in the mist.
Presumably these birds are heading North - a bit early?
Birds:-
3 Kingfisher (1 Elland Bridge, 1 on the river by the large 'railway wall' opposite the dipping ponds, 1 on the river just south of Avocet Weir).
2 Goosander 1 Male ? see photo.
9 Mute Swan (inc. 5 younger birds).
Some ring numbers seen on the Mute Swan:-
4Y75, 4Y76, 492, 4Y79.
Singing Song Thrush.
2 Mistle Thrush.
1 Nuthatch.
3 Goldcrest.
7 Tufted Duck (5 Drakes) could have been others on the very south end of the ski lake).
4 Heron.
3 Moorhen.
Top of the shop for me was a Little Grebe.
(Very dull wearing it's winter coat blended well with the colour of the river).
Ogden:
4 Whooper Swan (2 Adults, 2 Juvs).
Elsewhere a Peregrine was seen.
Doing well for Kingfishers this year John. Nice L Grebe too and nice to see some Whoopers !
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave. I thought the Whoopers would have left by the time we hit there. Little Grebe was a bonus, hiding at the side of the river in the gloom. Good do you got the Whoopers - lovely birds. Hope CS comws up with some other Wildfowl on Ogden. John
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