Oats Royd

I went down there this morning in the hope of Yellowhammer but there was no show. Several Willow Warblers, Common Whitethroats, Bullfinch, Linnets and Long-tailed Tits plus a few other local species. A pair of pipits gave me the runaround constantly landing in the tops of hawthorn. The hope of Tree Pipit was soon dispelled  though it was still nice to find a pair of Meadow Pipits feeding young.

I was just about to head back up the hill when a falcon appeared from the direction of Bradshaw. A Hobby, catching and eating insects as it flew above and beyond me. I was unable to determine adult or immature as it was always in silhouette and I couldn't get colour though I did manage a few distant shots once the camera locked on ! It flew off in the direction of Shibden Head.
An adult was also seen earlier in the day over Northowram (AC).
Great birds to see though they usually just whiz past !

As I left, around 30 Swifts appeared over AmblerThorn. These seem still to be in low numbers locally this year though SB reported up to 30 over Sowerby Bridge yesterday late afternoon.