Mixenden to Hebden Bridge

4 Whooper Swans at Mixenden Res'r this morning (2 adults with 2 juveniles)

Crimsworth Dean - upper valley

Autumn colour in Crimsworth Dean near Hardcastle Crags car park

We went over the moors from Mixenden via Cold Edge/Fly Flatts/High Brown Knoll/Crimsworth Dean and Hardcastle Crags.

Not entirely unexpected, with the cold air and northerly air stream, the site of 4 Whooper Swans on Mixenden res'r was a nice surprise. We had no further reports from Mixenden later in the day so we are not sure if they have moved on, or if so what time they left.

A fantastic day for Fieldfares with a massive movement across our area today with flocks ranging from small groups, up to larger flocks of up to 300 birds. From leaving Mixenden at 9.30 to High Brown Knoll at 1 pm we counted just short of 1,300 - all were travelling NW, with some flocks low across the moor and other groups high up. Other sites in West Yorkshire were also noting similar arrivals including Queensbury (BS) and the Oxenhope vis mig site. We only noted single Redwings in one or two flocks with a maximum of 8 individuals. The only other birds moving were a few small flocks of Starlings - again NW - with a total of no more than 100 birds.

At Fly Flatts 9 Twite were present at the feeding station.