Wintersett Saturday

Overnight rain followed by a brisk westerly wind (f3-4) with cloud all morning and sunny spells through the afternoon. Highlights of the day went to the vis migging team on the hill (most birders here);- a dark Marsh Harrier went south at 09.40. It carried obvious tags on its wings (white on the right, yellow-orange on the left at the carpels) and hopefully we'll be able to trace its origin from these. A Common Buzzard went east (in addition to 7 local birds). Two adult Hobbies flew south together at 12.55. The highlight was a Osprey which was picked up circling towards Wakefield (Pugneys way)and as it gained height the strong wind pushed it our way before it obviously gained enough height and glided off southwards over Haw Park at 15.50 to 15.55. Two Swifts and around 50 Swallows were the only other birds moving during a ten hour watch! Greylag Goose 131 and Canada Goose 483 were on the park lake. A Spotted Flycatcher was on the west bank of the Top Res and 6 Swifts are still feeding over there.