Sunday 31 May 2020

Harden Moor

Sunday 31st may a.m.
A bright sunny morning with a start temperature of 12°C, it was good to hear the Cuckoo again and get a couple of sightings although struggled to get a decent picture. Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler were all up singing, the latter in reduced numbers as activity now concentrated on breeding. Others seen were Song Thrush, Kestrel,Swallow and Mipit.
Whitethroat



Cuckoo


Garden Warbler


Blackcap


Song Thrush

Harden Moor 31/5/2020

Saturday 30 May 2020

Leeming Reservoir

Saturday 30th May a.m.
 After some early morning mist a bright sunny morning with a start temperature of 12°C as I walked round Leeming Reservoir. House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows were seen flying around the reservoir and a Swallow was seen collecting mud which they use for building their nest.There were c30 LBB Gulls on the water and a Cormorant was on the valve tower, a Grey Wagtail was distant on the banking below the dam wall with a Pied Wagtail in the overflow area. It was good to see a Common Sandpiper, others seen were Canadas and Tufteds.
Common Sandpiper



Pied Wagtail


Swallow collecting mud

Tufteds

Canadas

LBB Gulls


Leeming Reservoir 30/5/2020


Monday 25 May 2020

Harold Park & Park Dam

Monday 25th may a.m.
A bright sunny morning with a temperature of 12°C at Harold Park where I headed for the main Lake and was rewarded with a pair of Mute Swans who had six cygnets. It was quiet here other than a G.C. Grebe, a couple of Tufteds and a visit from a Grey Wagtail. The smaller Lake had Canadas with goslings and Moorhen.
 Down the road at Park Dam there was another G.C.Grebe, four Swifts overhead, couple of Tufteds and a Coot with some young chicks, a quiet morning but good to see the breeding season going well.
G.C.Grebe




Mute Swans with Cygnets


Cygnets


Grey Wagtail



Canadas with goslings

Goslings

Coot with chick


Harold Park 25/5/2020

Thursday 21 May 2020

Harden Moor

Thursday 21st May a.m.
 A cloudy visit with a temperature of 15°C, a good start though seeing a Little Owl on top of a Telegraph Pole. The conditions kept most of the Warblers down but I still saw Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler, a Song Thrush was belting out a tune  and a Green Woodpecker was seen in the distance, others were Bullfinch and House Martin.
Song Thrush



Whitethroat


Willow Warbler


Harden Moor 21/5/2020

Wednesday 20 May 2020

Swillington Ings

Wednesday 20th May a.m.
 A sunny start to the day as I arrived early at Swillington Ings with the initial 11°C temperature soon rising. A good walk round the Lakes and Reed beds hearing Bitterns booming, Cetti's Warbler and briefly seeing Bearded Tits and a Red Kite flying over.The highlights for pictures were Reed Warbler,  Sedge Warbler, Common Tern and Reed Bunting.
 Plenty other birds were also present with Canadas, Greylags and Coots already with young, others included Gadwall, Gt Crested Grebe, Willow Warbler, Pochard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Wren.
Reed Warbler




Sedge Warbler



Shoveler

Common Tern




Greylags with goslings

Gt Crested Grebe

Pochard

Red Kite

Reed Bunting


Canadas with goslings

Wren

Good morning for Reed Warbler

Swillington Ings 20/5/2020