A nice early returning migrant surprise this afternoon with a male Common Redstart working the fence line hedge. It's usually a spot for autumn migrants where they often stay for a few days. I'm pretty sure this is my earliest ever in Calderdale.
Nearby 22 Curlew, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Swallows around Stodfold Barn.
1 of 3 Wheatears: this bird has a mostly black mask, with a brownish-grey back and brown wings - making it a 2cy male.
And I had 2 Ravens circling overhead, with one of them calling: one of those moments which are the reason we go birding. (And one that did not have to follow many wasted hours looking at tarmac).
40 years ago Phil Cunningham told me the First Law of Thermo--, no - sorry, of BIRDING: "The more you get out, the more you see".
The last thing I expected this morning as I walked up to Carrs Beck at the lower end of Ogden golf course was to hear, then see a flock of 27 Whoooper Swans. They were quite high, approaching from above the golf club house and heading in the direction of The Withens / Fly Flats. They were gone before I got an accurate count, (quick text to BS at Fly Flats but before I sent the message they returned so aborted that idea) it was a real surprise as they appeared a few minutes later and this time went towards Mixenden.
I managed a short video into the sun but from it I managed an accurate count of 27. I 'dashed' ! on to Mixenden , suspecting they might have come down there but no sign, so suspect they just headed straight over >W.
Perhaps the last to be seen locally until the autumn now as they spend the summer months in Iceland and maybe beyond.
