Fly Flatts etc.

Late afternoon with BS patrolling the west bank in the westerly gale I viewed from the comfort of the car on the top road !

Strong wind, choppy conditions and with sunlight glistening on the wet mud it made viewing difficult from both sides of the reservoir. Nothing doing for a while, other than 13 Teal on the edge of the mud and a buzzard >W.

Managed to get rather a poor view of a duck, larger than the Teal. As soon as I got the scope on, it took off and I followed it, with difficulty, until it landed in the choppy water near the south west corner. Immediately thought - Pintail which was later confirmed by BS as he went to and fro trying to get a decent photo of the bird.
He did well in the conditions - see West Yorkshire Birding blog - confirming an eclipse male Pintail. Quite a scarce bird for Calderdale with only one or two records annually.

Also from AT this afternoon - 3 Ring-necked Parakeets in the Pye Nest area.