Sunday 31 July 2016

Cullingworth

Sunday 31st July a.m.
Another bright start to the day with a temperature of 13°C as we set off for a walk to the NW side of the village.House Martins are still feeding over the houses and garden near us and often over our garden these were the first on our list as we set off.A single Swift was also seen and good numbers of House Sparrows in one of their normal spots.As we walked on we saw a GSW and then another two appeared good to see them, Swallows were overhead in this area.We moved on seeing Willow Warbler,Blackcap,Greenfinch,Song Thrush and 16 Canadas flew over.Higher up near the moorland a couple of Linnets were in the distance and a high number of Woodpigeons were feeding in one field. More Willow Warblers were seen and a Kestrel was on a wall with some prey,possibly a mouse,or vole.Nearby was a juvenile Pied Wagtail and further along was a Pheasant and above a pond flew a Grey Heron.As we came back into the village there were now ten Swifts in the usual area.
Kestrel



GSW

Linnet

Juv Pied Wagtail

Song Thrush

Swallow

Willow Warbler

Canadas

Cullingworth 31/7/2016

Saturday 30 July 2016

Harden Moor

Saturday 30th July a.m.
A bright sunny morning but a strong wind blowing with a temperature of 12°C as we parked up in our usual spot on the edge of Harden Moor.Our first bird was a distant Kestrel hovering as it was looking for food.An Oystercatcher was over the quarry where we also saw a Little Owl and the Sand Martins.As we walked along a Green Woodpecker was spotted and Blackcaps were feeding on a small patch of wild Raspberries.We also saw a couple of Willow Warblers and we had the bonus of a good view of a couple of Garden Warblers, we were too slow to get a snap though.Heading back we scanned a sheltered area behind some trees near the path and caught sight of a couple of birds flitting about.We watched for a while to our delight a couple of Redstarts, also here several Linnets and a couple of Whitethroats.We moved around our usual spots seeing Mipits,Goldfinch, another view of the Green Woodpecker,Swallows and a Swift overhead. Eventually we ended up in another area where we picked the Redstarts up again and were able to get close enough for some decent snaps although they were very flighty,we think they were the same birds seen earlier.The morning was rounded off here when we saw a couple of Bullfinch fly into some trees nearby.The final sighting though was a family of Weasels crossing the road near our car.
Redstart








Kestrel

Linnet

Weasels


Harden Moor 30/7/2016

Sunday 24 July 2016

Park Dam

Sunday 24th July a.m.
 We followed our earlier visit to Harold Park by moving the short distance down the road to Park Dam where the temperature was still at 18°C.On approaching the lake we saw a pair of Little Grebes feeding five young chicks which were able to watch for quite sometime. Canadas flew from a nearby field on to the lake and there were several broods of Coots along with Moorhen & Tufted Ducks.A pair of Gt Crested Grebes were on the other side of the lake with three chick and flying above were Swallows and Swifts.It was also good to see a pair of Grey Wagtails fly past us & land on the overhead wires where we were able to get a snap.
Little Grebe with chicks





Little Grebe chick




Little Grebe chicks

GCG with chicks

Coot with chicks

Grey Wagtail

Park Dam 24/7/2016

Harold Park

Sunday 24th July a.m.
A cloudy but dry start to the day with a temperature of 18°C on our arrival at Harold Park.We headed for the lake where there were a pair of Mute Swans with four cygnets.The pair of Great Crested Grebes still have four chicks which have grown well since our last visit.One adult was resting with one chick whilst the other adult was busy feeding three hungry chicks.There was also the usual Canadas,Mallards,Tufted Ducks,Coots & Moorhens.In a tree on the island was a Grey Heron and nearby was a Collared Dove.Higher up in the park near the bowling green a Pied Wagtail was feeding a juvenile.
Mute Swan Cygnet



GT Crested Grebe chick


GCG with chick


Collared Dove

Grey Heron

Pied Wagtail

Mute Swans and GC Grebes 

Harold Park 24/7/2016