Leeming Reservoir

Monday 29th October p.m.
A bright sunny afternoon so off I went to Leeming Reservoir where the birding was not quite so good to start off with.The temperature was only at 6°C, the gantry to the pump tower had BH and Common Gull on it and there were c20 Mallards around.That was my lot walking to the top end of the reservoir but things improved on the way back, firstly seeing a Cormorant in the water.Further along I saw two distant Grey Wagtails at the waters edge and even further away a Pied Wagtail.On the dam wall a Mistle Thrush appeared and saving the best till last a Little Owl was on a distant wall below the road.
Nigel.

Little Owl

Mistle Thrush

Cormorant

distant Grey Wagtail

water levels still low

Leeming Reservoir 29/10/2018

Rodley Nature Reserve

Sunday 28th October a.m.
 I decided to pay a long overdue visit to Rodley Nature Reserve where it was sunny with a temperature of 6°C.This reserve is a stronghold for Gadwall ducks and there were a good number on show as well as Wigeon,Shoveler,Tufted and Teal.Also seen were Grey Heron,Little Grebe BH and Common Gulls.I made my way up to the hide overlooking the bird feeding area which was unusually quiet with just a Chaffinch on show, however a Reed Bunting made a brief appearance to make the long walk worth while.I headed back seeing a couple of distant Buzzards overhead, then calling back in to the other hides where I got the highlight of the morning getting a Kingfisher in a couple of them as it moved around the reserve.
Nigel.

Kingfisher

Little Grebe

Reed Bunting

female Shoveler

Teal

Wigeon

Chaffinch

Common Gull

Gadwall

Rodley Nature Reserve 28/10/2018

Yeadon Tarn

Sunday 28th October a.m.
 A bright sunny morning again with a temperature of 6°C on my arrival at Yeadon Tarn where I headed straight for the Lake.Here the usual species were on the Tarn BH Gulls,Canadas, Coots, Moorhen and Tufted Ducks.The pair of Mute Swans were still present with their four juveniles, the parents were busy keeping the other three Mute Swans that were on the Tarn away from their juveniles.Others seen were two Collared Doves in a tree on the island and a flock of twenty Starlings flying over.
Nigel.

Mute Swan

Mute Swan Juvenile

Tufted Ducks

BH Gulls

Collared Dove

Moorhen

Mute Swan with Juveniles

Parent of Juveniles seeing off another Mute Swan

Charge them if they don't take the hint

Mute Swans at Yeadon Tarn

Yeadon Tarn 28/10/2018

Dowley Gap

Saturday 27th October a.m.
 On arrival at Dowley Gap the temperature had risen a notch to 5°C with low cloud overhead making taking decent pictures difficult.A walk on the canal side brought two Mute Swans(Yellow Tags 153 &154),Mallards,Moorhen,Jay and an obliging Grey Heron.At the water works there were c50 BH Gulls,Jackdaws and Magpies,I counted 20 Pied Wagtails in the filter tanks and a single Meadow Pipit.On the way through Hirst Wood Blue Tits,Blackbirds,LT Tit and Robins were seen,the River Aire was quiet with just a few Mallards present.
 I walked back to the canal where the highlight of the morning came when I saw a Kingfisher fly past in to the trees.I caught up to it but in poor light picture taking was not easy, it moved a couple of times  before flying off.
Nigel.

Kingfisher

Grey Heron

Jay

LT Tit

Meadow Pipit

Mute Swan

Pied Wagtail

River Aire through Hirst Wood

Mute Swans at Dowley Gap 27/10/2018

Stockbridge Nature Reserve

Saturday October 27th a.m.
A chilly start at just 4°C and grey skies as I sat in the hide on the BOG Stockbridge Nature Reserve.
Here it was fairly quiet but good to see Reed Buntings visiting the feeders along with Chaffinch, Dunnock,Blue Tits and Robin.There was a Grey Heron at the edge of the water for a while, a Goosander also appeared and a flock of 45 Canadas flew over the reserve.
Nigel.

Grey Heron

Goosander

Canadas flying over