Mixenden - Redshank

Another very windy day with frequent showers.

It took a long time today for me to shift my fat rrrrrrrr's and find a small piece of birding enthusiasm.

After lunch I decided I would try Mixenden Reservoir ......  later......

Anyhow a  Calderdale Birders WhatsApp message came  through from DJS - NK had found a Redshank on Mixenden Reservoir - no more procrastination, so off I set in my car.

As I got to the top gate, the rain arrived at the top gate as well, and a man was walking a dog along the reservoir banking - just B great!

I was hoping to scan from the top gate so as not to scale the wall.

For one - I've only size one legs - and for two -  I was wearing my big numb wellies -  and for three - I had forgotten my new Amazon , Paper mâché lightweight foldable step ladder. 

After looking longingly through the top gate in the rain and and not seeing anything "red" - scale the wall was the only option -  luckily no one was watching my efforts.

Coming soon to Mixi.

It was very windy with squally showers.

I walked the 'west coast' then the 'north coast' then the 'east coast' then the 'south coast'.

When I got back to where I started a bobbing Wader was on the stones by the water's edge - nice - a redshank that made it all worthwhile. 

Cheers Nigel.

It 'flushed' when it saw me - making it more 'red' ? ho ho and flew to the far NE corner.

It was flushed a little later by 2 new dog walkers but landed again on the east side rocks.

Birds:-

1 Redshank.

c30 Gulls at one point included 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common and Herring Gulls.

5 Mallard.

Small flock of Long Tailed Tit.

A few very, very flighty Goldcrest flitting about in the west side conifers.

Mistle Thrush singing,

Chaffinch. Robin.