Stodfold and Hunter Hill

It turned out to be quite a morning after early morning mist was slow to clear. The small conifer plantation just off Lane Head Lane was 'buzzing' with activity. It was impossible to count the number of birds working the tree line and wondered if they had arrived overnight and got grounded in the mist and light drizzle. Coal and Blue Tits formed the bulk of the birds along with Great and Long-tailed Tits, even Goldcrests, Nuthatch, Great-spotted Woodpecker and a few Chaffinches. There were a good number of phylloscs with them, again impossible to count, including both Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff. The prize birds were two Spotted Flycatchers. 

Everything was moving so quickly and in and out of the trees, an amazing sight but not easy to get to grips with or get reliable counts with so many birds present.

I left them to it and headed up Carrs Beck. Big raptor heading over the golf course and up towards Hunter Hill at 09:55 - cream crown Marsh Harrier. Quick text to BS who I guessed would be up the top there somewhere and managed to get the bird over the moor a few minutes later. Well done Bri.

Can things bet better - well they did today- with an Osprey over at 10:45, heading high along the east side of Hunter Hill towards the gap in the hills at Balkram Edge. Also over there -  1 Swift, lots of Swallows and House Martins, Goldfinch and Linnets and Green Woodpecker.

No camera today... bins and scope enough to cope with though I did get a distant video of the Osprey but it's just come out as a speck !

Certainly a morning to remember - it's not often like this birding in Calderdale !