Tuesday, 30 December 2025

A look back at 2025

 Tuesday 30th December

This year was notable for the long dry spring followed by a dry summer meaning the local Reservoirs got very low and hose pipe bans were introduced.  This caused some problems with a local Reservoir not accessible  and others too low for the wading birds.

However I still had a good year which started off well at  Leeshaw Reservoir with a Red-necked Grebe on the 2nd January.  This bird was in the area for a few weeks and a lifer for me.

Red-necked Grebe

On the 26th March I went to Swillington Ings and headed to Lowther Lake where a bird had been seen for some time. I was fortunate to find it a Red-Crested Pochard my second lifer and what a great bird.

Red-crested Pochard 

On the 1st May I went to TMR where access was a problem with Yorkshire Water and their contractors doing some work.  As I drew closer to the Reservoir a bird was feeding in the edge of the water which was at a lower level than usual.  As I walked round the Reservoir so the sun was on the bird I could see it was a Wood Sandpier. This rare bird was great to see locally and another lifer for me.

Wood Sandpiper

On the 31st July I had a walk along the fringe of Cullingworth and was rewarded with a special bird a Wood Warbler another lifer.

Wood Warbler

Finally returning to Leeshaw on the 11th August I saw three birds locally for the first time, Black-tailed Godwits, areal treat.

Black-tailed Godwits 

 

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