Tophill Low Nature Reserve

Saturday April 6th
 We set off this morning heading for the Tophill Low Nature Reserve North of Beverley
in the East Riding of Yorkshire.On arrival we paid for our day permit; the sun was out with
a temperature of 5°C, there are two reservoirs here D & O named due to their shapes.Also
here are several smaller ponds with various types of habitat, which meant we did a fair bit of
walking to get to all the hides & viewing points. We started in one of the hides looking over the
D reservoir seeing,Goldeneye,Goosander,Tufted Duck,Wigeon,Pochard & Mute Swan, we were
told later that there was a Black-necked Grebe here which we sadly missed.Walking round we
detoured into some woodland to a pond hearing & seeing our first Chiffchaff of the year also in this
area Chaffinch,Robin,Wren,Siskin,Pheasant,Goldfinch & Woodpigeon.Walking back at the side of
the River Hull we saw a bird emerge from the side of a tree carrying some prey,a Barn Owl a great
first for us and by itself making the visit well worthwhile,also here Lapwing & Reed Bunting.
 We passed the closed visitor center & looking at some more smaller ponds added Little Grebe &
Greylag to our list.Then to the O reservoir viewing point seeing many of the birds already mentioned,
then a distant view of a Red-necked Grebe another first! We walked quite some distance round here
stopping at several hides looking over out lying lakes & ponds adding,Cormorant,Teal,Gadwall,
Redshank,Shelduck,Shoveler,Moorhen,Coot,Jackdaw,Canada & Mallard.All in all a good mornings
birding with two lifers & many birds seen,not the best spot for my little camera but we did our best.We
then moved across to Hornsea Mere hoping to add to our list.

Shoveler

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe with a fish or frog

Barn Owl,with mouse or vole

Shelduck

Pheasant

One of many Lakes at Tophill Low

Tophill Low

  

Leeshaw Reservoir

Wednesday April 3rd p.m.
 With some free time this afternoon we decided to try out Leeshaw hoping it would be
accessible with the recent thawing of some snow.On arrival the sun was out with a
temperature of 5°C but feeling colder, we parked up leaving a longer walk with still a lot
of snow piled up on the narrow track. There were two pairs of Oystercatchers on the dam
wall, a Pheasant in the field with Lapwings some of which were displaying.There were no birds
on the water but we did see Canadas & Greylags feeding between the snow drifts in the fields.
Higher up the track were more Lapwings and several Curlew, heading back we saw a couple of
Mallard at the edge of the water & more Pheasants in the fields at the other side of the Reservoir.
35 - Canadas
5 - Curlew
4 - Greylag
40 - Lapwing
2 - Mallard
4 - Oystercatcher
5 - Pheasant
9 - Woodpigeon

Lapwing

Oystercatcher

Pheasant

Canadas & Curlew

Curlew

Tricky in a vehicle round the bend

Greylags & Canadas

Local Walk

Wednesday April 3rd a.m
 Another nice morning so we decided to take the dog for a walk round Hewenden
Reservoir,in the early morning sunshine after another frosty night,just 1°C as we set off.
A couple of Canadas flying over our house was a good start as we made our way to the
Northern Trail & towards the viaduct seeing Collared Dove,Dunnock,Goldfinch,Greenfinch,
LT Tit,Robin,House Sparrow,Starling & Siskin along the way.We turned down the track
towards the Reservoir seeing a couple of Oystercatchers,Meadow Pipits & a Jay flew over.
At the Reservoir were Canadas,Greylags,Goosander,Cormorant,Grey Heron & Gt Crested
Grebe we then headed back across the viaduct to the woods at the top end of the Reservoir.
Walking along the path we flushed a bird which had a long bill was dark brown on top with
a light under side,we were fairly close to it as it took flight moving 50 meters away from us and
back to ground under cover.I'm convinced this was our first Woodcock, being perfect habitat
for them and a good sighting of the bird.We headed back along the side of the Reservoir seeing
a couple of Cormorants fly round and perch in the trees on the opposite bank. We had a good
walk with a good selection of birds seen.
28 - Canadas
2 - Greylag
2 - Gt C. Grebe
4 - Cormorant
4 - Goosander
3 - Grey Heron
2 - Oystercatcher
1 - Jay
10 - Meadow Pipit
1 - Woodcock
plus other common species

Collared Dove

Dunnock

Starling

Oystercatcher

Meadow Pipit

Goosanders

Canadas & Oycs

Hewenden Reservoir

Still snow drifts to avoid

emerging from the wood at the far end of the Reservoir

St. Ives

Tuesday April 2nd p.m.
 Some sunshine this afternoon so we decided to pay a quick visit to St Ives near Bingley,
the temperature up to a balmy 4.5°C.Fairly quiet here with Canadas,BH Gulls,Mallards,
Coots & Moorhens on the water  & with no food in the bird feeders very little to see at the hide.
We walked round the Coppice Pond seeing a Robin & the highlight of our visit a Treecreeper.
This was just in front of us starting at the bottom of a tree & searching every crevice in the bark
for food,never staying still as it made its way up the tree making it difficult to get a decent snap of.
 Back home the slow thaw of snow continues & a few flowers are emerging with an Iris adding a
bit of spring colour.

Treecreeper

searching every crevice for food

  

Iris adding some spring colour

Roundhay Park

 Tuesday April 2nd a.m.
 A trip to Roundhay Park near Leeds this morning some early sunshine but clouding
over later with a temperature of 4°C.We started off walking round the Upper Lake
seeing,Tufted Duck,Mallard,Goosander,Mute Swan & BH Gull on the water.There
was loud drumming from a GSW but we didn't see one,there were a couple of Rooks,
Treecreepers & a Stock Dove.
 We then went down to the large Waterloo Lake and walking round we saw several
Great Crested Grebes,Canadas,Common Gulls & a female Goldeneye as well as more
of the previously mentioned birds.This is a large lake and it was quite a long walk round
but good to be out in the fresh air.

Gt C.Grebe

female Goosander

female Goldeneye

Treecreeper

Mute Swan

Roundhay Park

Waterloo Lake

Upper Lake

Local Walk

Monday April 1st a.m.
 A cold start with yet another frost but dry & sunny at 1°C as we took the dog for a
walk this morning.As we walked up our road we heard a GSW drumming, it was close
behind us so we turned back to have a look. There it was at the top of a telegraph pole,
but with a tree obscuring the view we needed to get closer for a snap. Yes you guessed it
saw us coming & off it flew but a good bird to see for the start of our walk, seeing the usual
species along the way until we got to Hewenden Viaduct.Here we saw Canadas,Mallards
Cormorants,Grey Herons and as we viewed these another pair of birds flew under the arch
of the viaduct then back to the water, Goosanders a first for us here.We went down nearer to
the water spotting the Goosanders on the dam banking enjoying the sunshine,on the far bank we
also saw an Oystercatcher.We walked under the viaduct and alongside Hewenden beck crossing
the road & taking the path to Hallas Bridge.This section of path was still covered in deep snow
drifts & was very heavy going but we persevered seeing a Great Tit,Pheasant & Robin. I think
this time last year we had Chiffchaff here but like many migrants the cold weather is holding them
back.When we got to Hallas Bridge we were rewarded with a Grey Wagtail & up Hallas Lane we
saw a Stock Dove another first for us in Cullingworth.
P.S. Internet has been down today so post is later than planed.

Goosanders enjoying the sunshine

Grey Heron

Cormorants

record distant snap of Gt C. Grebe

Grey Wagtail

Hewenden Viaduct

Hewenden Reservoir