Various sites (am)

Lee Mount - The day got off to a cracking start with 8 Crossbills over the back garden and away over Shroggs Park heading west at 7.30 and giving lots of noise.

Then just after 8 am I got a call from Andy to say 22 Pink-footed Geese had just gone over Northowram heading west - a few minutes later they were coming over to the west of Swales Moor heading over Ovenden. (Thanks Andy - I gather you got a Crossbill over as well)

Swales Moor mid to late morning did not disappoint either. As I got towards the top it was evident there were things still on the move with c20 Chaffinch, 12 Greenfinch and 8 Skylarks all heading over >S as well as a few Mipits. This looked a good time to get the scope out on the top with the weather looking and feeling so good. I stayed till after 12 and moving birds included
c150 Pink-footed Geese over towards Ogden and the wind farm, heading west at 10.20
3 Cormorant north at 10.30 towards Thornton Moor
5 House Martins south
3 Common Buzzards very high heading south and a Hobby (looked a juvenile) went straight over me at 11.45 again drifting south towards Beacon Hill and beyond.

In comparison Cold Edge was very quiet this afternoon but it was good to see 3 Peacock and 6 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies near the Withens. 2 Wheatears were at Withens Head and a Little Owl along Cold Edge Road.