Sunday 24 February 2019

Redcar Tarn

Sunday 24th February a.m.
There was a lot of fog around this morning but conditions up at Redcar Tarn were good with sunshine and a temperature of 7°C.There were c100 BH Gulls with six Herrings, three LBB and two Common Gulls with c75 Canadas and just three Greylags. Also a good count of 28 Tufteds along with two Oystercatchers on the island with a Pied Wagtail and twelve Rooks,
Nigel.
Oystercatcher


Rook


Tufted Duck

Herring Gull

LBB Gull

BH and Herring Gulls

Chaffinch

Greylag

Canadas

Redcar Tarn 24/2/2019

Dowley Gap

Saturday 23rd February a.m.
A sunny start with a temperature of 4°C as I walked alongside the canal, looking into the water works there were two Oystercatchers among the BH Gulls.In the filter tanks there were c25 Pied Wagtail and nearby a Wren was singing and near the River Aire four Grey Wagtails were seen.I went in to Hirst Wood seeing Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Jay and Bullfinch before going back to the locks on the canal and in the nearby field seeing Greylags and Canadas with the bonus of a single Pink-footed Goose.
Delay in posting this due to internet problems.
Nigel.
Wren

Pink-footed Goose



Greylags with PFG in centre


Canadas

Greylags

Jay

Long-tailed Tit

Oystercatcher


Pied Wagtail

Treecreeper

Dowley Gap 23/2/2019

Sunday 17 February 2019

Rodley NR

Sunday 17th February a.m
 By the time I arrived at Rodley Nature Reserve it was a bit warmer at 9°C with some sunny spells, where I started off with a couple of Oystercatchers near the River Aire.I moved to the first hide overlooking the Lake where it was noticeable most of the vegetation had been removed from the islands.On the island there were three Cormorants, further along I got Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Tufteds and Pochards.I heard the drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker while I was in one hide and I came out finding it in a nearby tree, also seeing LT Tit, Reed Bunting,Song Thrush and Bullfinch.
The next hide Brought the highlight of the morning when a pair of Kingfishers landed in a distant tree staying for a while.
Nigel.
GSW

Kingfisher


Pair of Kingfishers

LT Tit

Oystercatcher


Reed Bunting

Song Thrush

Teal

Wigeon

Gadwall


Pair of Kingfishers at Rodley NR 17/2/2019

Yeadon Tarn

Sunday 17th February a.m.
 It was foggy on the top of the moors as I travelled towards Yeadon Tarn this morning but fortunately it had cleared when I arrived but still cloudy with a temperature of 6°C.A couple of Reed Buntings were seen and a good number of Tufteds as well as fourteen Mute Swans.The highlight was five Pochards near the island.
Nigel.
Pochard




Reed Bunting

Mute Swans

Plenty birds at Yeadon Tarn 17/2/2019

Saturday 16 February 2019

Leeshaw Reservoir

Saturday 16th February a.m.
A cloudy start to the day with a temperature of 7°C but soon brightening up as the sun appeared.A good start at Leeshaw with four returning Oystercatchers and also a flypast of my first Curlew of the year.There was a flock of c100 Lapwings and also two Cormorants were present.
Nigel.
Oystercatcher


Cormorant

Lapwing



Leeshaw Reservoir 16/2/2019