Dowley Gap

Sunday 18th January a.m.
A cold icy start to the day with sub zero temperatures as we set off for Dowley Gap at Bingley.
On our arrival the sun was brightening things up with a temperature of -1°C, as we walked over the bridge we had a quick scan of the canal & saw five Goosanders.We headed along the tow path but by the time we got to them there was just one female left but there were a couple of Mute Swans on the canal.A Great Tit posed for us briefly & a Robin was singing away, a Sparrow Hawk flew high past us then we caught sight of our first Kingfisher of the year.
 We turned back going under the bridge towards the Dowley Gap Locks, stopping to scan this part of the water works seeing BH Gull & a Grey Wagtail, the field the other side of the lock was also full of BH Gulls with a few Commons.Moving down the track near the water works there was a large number of Pied Wagtails & good to see three Meadow Pipits in the filter tanks.Also in this area nearer the river we saw an over wintering Chiffchaff flitting about in the trees.We headed back seeing a Redwing fly into the hedge then something disturbed the Wagtails & we were able to estimate their numbers as they all lifted.A little further on we saw two Reed Buntings before heading back along the canal where we saw our second Kingfisher of the morning.By now the sky had clouded over & snow flurries started so we headed off home.

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting posed for a while for us

Great Tit

Meadow Pipit

Pied Wagtail

First Kingfisher of the year

Second Kingfisher

Grey Wagtail

female Goosander

Mute Swans

Canadas flying over

Dowley Gap 18/1/15