Yeadon Tarn

Sunday 8th May a.m.
Another misty start to the morning which had cleared by the time we reached Yeadon Tarn where the temperature was 11°C.We headed for the Tarn hearing Chiffchaff and Willow Warbleron on the way, when we got to the water it was great to see two Common Terns back at the airport end.Also around here were some work has been done clearing some over grown vegetation from paths & a couple of ponds a Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling.A look over the reed like area near the airport boundary revealed a Reed Warbler which was singing also a Skylark could be heard.There were Reed Bunting about too with Swifts overhead along with the other usual species.There was also three Greylags,a Mallard chick was seen and even better a pair of Canadas with six goslings, a coot also had a couple of young chicks on its nest.

Common Tern

Coot with chicks

Goldfinch

Greylags

Mallard chick

Canada Gosling

Canadas with their Goslings

Great to see a close view of the Common Tern

Yeadon Tarn 8/5/2016

Otley Wetlands

Saturday 7th May a.m.
A murky start with a temperature of 10°C as we met up with other BOG members at Otley Wetlands,
fortunately the temperature soon rose as the sun broke through.This is a permit only site but BOG had been invited to visit for which we were pleased to attend.The site is a former gravel quarry which is now looked after by Wharfedale Naturalists with lakes,ponds,reedbeds and woodland making for a diverse range of species.
 As the sun came out the Warbles got into full song with views of Reed,Garden,Willow,Chiffchaff, Blackcap,Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler was also heard.Flying above were c20 Swifts,Sand Martins,
Swallows,Common Tern and Cormorant. Raptors also showed up in the form of Buzzard,Red Kite,
Sparrowhawk with a Kestrel calling and seen perched in a tree.Waders were also seen with Lapwing,
Oystercatcher and Curlew, other birds like Great Crested Grebe were seen on the water and around the site a few Reed Buntings were seen.In the wooded area we added Treecreeper,Jay along with other common species around the site we noted a total of 40 species and another great morning birding.

Willow Warbler

Reed Bunting

Reed Warbler

Buzzard

Common Tern

Cormorant

Curlew

Great Crested Grebe

Oystercatcher

Otley Wetlands 7/5/2016

Swillington Ings

Friday 6th May a.m.
 Another trip although not as far to Swillington Ings which is an area of lakes and reed beds giving for a good variety of species.I only looked round a small part of the reserve which is probably the nearest site with the large range of species it holds.I started off with a Chiffchaff singing near the car park, quickly followed by a Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat.On the Astley Lake were four Avocets,Common Tern,Gadwall,Shelduck,Pochard, and Oystercatcher just to mention a few.Soon after I was delighted to hear the boom of a Bittern for the first time, too elusive to see though.There were Linnets flitting about in the Gorse bushes and also loads of Sedge Warblers which also kept popping out of the Reed Beds.I saw several Reed Warblers but they are a more skulking bird so a picture was difficult and it was also good to see the Black-necked Grebe again along with Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe.On the main Lake were a number of Cormorants and also I spotted a Common Sandpiper,overhead were Swallows and a couple of Swifts were also seen, what a morning birding.N.P.

Black-necked Grebe

Avocet

Chiffchaff

Common Tern

Cormorants

Linnet

best I could do for the skulking Reed Warblers

Sedge Warbler

Whitethroat

several vocal Sedge Warblers were seen

Swillington Ings 6/5/2016

Bempton Cliffs

Thursday 5th May
Making the most of this spell of decent weather I decided to have a run out to Bempton Cliffs on the East coast of Yorkshire.By the time I arrived the sun was well up with a temperature of 10°C which steadily rose through the morning.Always amazing the spectacle of thousands of sea birds clinging and nesting on the high cliff face.The usual suspects of Gannets,Kittiwakes,Guillemotts,Herring Gulls,Puffins and Razorbills, plus I was able to pick out several Fulmars flying about which we usually miss.The grassland on the top of the cliffs had Linnets,Reed Bunting,Blackcap,Skylark,Tree
Sparrow and even a Wheatear turned up, a Kestrel briefly hovered above.I had a great time hope you enjoy some of the pictures I took below.N.P.

Puffin

Fulmar

Fulmar above a distant boat

Gannet

Guillemot

Kittiwake

Razorbill

Kittiwake left and Fulmar right

Wheatear

Bempton Cliffs 5/5/2016