Around and about....

Ogden
More Whooper Swans with 4 this morning thanks to a call from Chris first thing. Though the mist was down it cleared slowly and the birds moved off >NE around 10:30 (BS) see West Yorkshire Birding blog for some nice pictures.

A skein of c60 Pink-footed Geese came over Lee Mount >W at 08:45, only just visible in the mist but always good to see, and hear their contact calls. They move at quite a pace.

This afternoon it was a bit of a surprise to find Widdop Road closed at Heptonstall Slack. I parked up there and walked on to Blake Dean along Widdop Road. A lovely cool bright afternoon to be out and admire the views over Hardcastle Crags and the moorland. Lots of Lapwings and Curlews, a few Oystercatchers and a Redshank at Blake Dean.
Other fields produced around 150 Fieldfare and a few Redwings.
2 Grey Herons came over high from the Gorple direction as did 4 Greylag Geese.

A nice surprise on the way back as Andy drove by and gave me a lift back to the car after checking Walshaw plantation. Bramblings and Siskins there among'st other species. It's always a worthwhile spot check.