Cullingworth and Hewenden Reservoir

Saturday 5th March a.m.
A frosty start with a temperature of 2°C and cloudy overhead but brightening up later in the morning with some sun breaking through.Several common species were seen on our route to Hewenden Reservoir, when we reached the viaduct we saw two Oystercatchers in the fields below.On the reservoir were Canadas,Tufted Ducks,Cormorants and Mallards.At the other side of the viaduct we saw a Pied Wagtail, we then went through the woods and round the top end of the reservoir not seeing too much along the way. Coming back along the path on the other side of the res we saw two pair of Goldeneye on the water with the Drakes displaying.Also along this path a Mistle Thrush was seen and a dozen Redwings flew out of a Holly tree to a field above us.Another two Pied Wags were seen near the farm  and as we headed home a feeding party of nine LT Tits were seen in a tree near the main road.

Goldfinch

Redwing

Robin

Cormorant

Oystercatcher

Oystercatchers, with what looks suspiciously like the blur of a Grey Wagtail in the background

Pied Wagtail

Goldeneye pair

Goldeneyes with Drake displaying

Two pair of Goldeneyes

Hewenden reservoir from Viaduct

Hewenden Reservoir 5/3/2016

Yeadon Tarn

Sunday 28th February a.m.
 A cloudy start with a temperature of 2°C on our arrival at Yeadon Tarn but the cloud soon broke up allowing the sun to come out, two decent days at the weekend at last.We did a circuit of the Tarn seeing good numbers of birds including Canadas,Tufteds,Mallards,Mute Swans and good to see six Pochards.The GC Grebes were present with others including Greenfinch,Goldfinch and Chaffinch, there was also a Thrush in the distance that we think was a Mistle Thrush.A great morning where the sunshine gave the feeling of spring with more birds arriving soon to look forward to.

Pochard

Mistle Thrush

House Sparrow

Mute Swan

GC Grebe

male Pochard

Yeadon Tarn 28/2/2016

Morning Tour

Saturday 27th February a.m.
A dull morning with a temperature of 1°C, but a dry weekend day at last & not feeling too cold with no wind to contend with.Our first port of call was to check out a local spot where we hoped to find a special resident and we were pleased to see a pair of Peregrine Falcons.

Peregrine Falcon

Redcar Tarn
We then moved on to Redcar Tarn where we found the usual assortment of Geese,Ducks and Gulls with some good additions in the form of c25 Lapwings and a pair of Pied Wagtails.

Pied Wagtail

Canada

Common Gulls first Winter

LBB Gull

Redcar Tarn 27/2/16

Damems Keighley
We next moved to Damems which is part of the Keighley area and walked along side the River Worth seeing a pair of Grey Wagtails and a Jay.

Grey Wagtail

Jay

Leeshaw Reservoir
Our final stop where we found the water unusually still like a mirror, just a couple of Mallards and a Cormorant were in the water.We were pleased to see our first pair of local Oystercatchers this year and the Lapwings were back in good numbers spread out over the surrounding fields.

Cormorant

Oystercatchers

Redcar Tarn Pond, partly frozen but still plenty of gulls here

Dowley Gap

Thursday 25th February p.m.
A keen overnight frost but a wonderful morning with clear blue skies, I was at college but my dad had an hour to spare this afternoon so here is his report.
 By the time I reached Dowley Gap this afternoon the clouds had started to appear and soon it became quite overcast with a temperature of 6°C. A quick walk alongside the canal produced Canadas, Greylags,Mallards,Mute Swan & a pair of Goosanders.By the water works the usual Pied Wagtails & Grey Wagtails could be seen in the filter tanks, as well as Wren,Dunnock & Robin nearby.Walking back a Grey Wagtail landed near the canal giving the chance to take some pictures.N.P.

Grey Wagtail

male Goosander

female Goosander

Canada

Greylag

Mute Swan

Canadas on the canal

Dowley Gap 25/2/2016

Redcar Tarn

Saturday 20th February a.m.
A dull morning with a temperature of 6°C, as we parked up at Redcar Tarn it began to rain so we remained in the car.Plenty BH Gulls trying to stay on their feet in the strong blustery wind they faced the wind which seemed to be the best bet for them.Some of the Gulls were gaining their chocolate coloured head summer plumage a couple of them looked to be in summer plumage already.There were also some Common Gulls and a couple of LBB Gulls along with the usual Canadas,Mallards, Coots & Tufted Ducks.

LBB Gull

BH Gull

Common Gull first Winter

BH & Common Gull