Wharfedale Tour

Saturday 7th December a.m.
 A cloudy morning with some light drizzle during the tour and a temperature of 8°C as I met other BOG members at Yeadon Tarn.Goldfinch and Bullfinch were seen in the car park then on the way to the Tarn Redwings and Greenfinch were added and a fleeting glimpse of a Kingfisher as it flew past us. We soon caught up with the male Shoveler which was good to see again, over thirty Tufteds were seen, Cormorant,Canadas, Greylag,Mute Swans and Goosanders were added as we did a lap of the Tarn.
 We then moved on to Knotford Nook where we started off with Fieldfare and Redwings and soon Wigeon were heard and they flew overhead. We walked on the road between the two Lakes and through the restricted viewing (Bushes and fencing) saw five male and one female Goldeneye. Others were Goosander and Great Crested Grebe and coming back more Wigeon on the water and Goosanders. A field held c100 BH Gulls with several Commons and a couple of Herring Gulls.
 Then finally on to Otley Wetlands which is a permit only site with BOG members given permission to visit this morning. A quiet visit here as we walked around the muddy track but we were treated to a fly over by a Red Kite, a bit too dark for a good picture but a couple of record shots were obtained. The best spot was on the main lake but the birds were very distant these included Cormorant, six female and a male Goldeneye, Goosander and Wigeon.

Goldeneye

Shoveler

Cormorant

Mute Swan

Red Kite

six female Goldeneye

distant Wigeon

Wigeon flyover Knotford Nook

Cormorant & Wigeon Otley Wetlands

Yeadon Tarn 7/12/2019