Leeshaw & Leeming Reservoirs

Saturday 13th August a.m.
A dull cloudy morning with spells of drizzle and a blustery wind and a temperature of 13°C as we arrived at Leeshaw Reservoir.We were rewarded immediately as we looked across the water seeing two Common Scoters,great to see these birds inland, our first of the year.There were Canadas and a couple of Greylags in the surrounding fields, just a single Oystercatcher flew across the reservoir and a Cormorant was on top of the valve tower.Otherwise it was fairly quiet but it was good to see a Hare.
 On to Leeming Reservoir with the same weather conditions, here there were two Grey Herons and a Cormorant.Flying above were House Martins and a good number of Swallows,Goldfinch were on the Thistle Seeds and several Willow Warblers were around.

Common Scoter

Common Scoters

Cormorant

Hare

Grey Heron

Willow Warbler

Goldfinch

Lister Park

Sunday 7th August a.m.
A dull start to the day with a blustery wind but we had a bit of shelter at Lister Park with a temperature of 17°C. There were good numbers of Canadas,Mallards,Tufted Ducks and BH Gulls on and near the lake,one of the Gulls having a yellow tag number 2FKS. It was great to see a female Tufted Duck with three young chicks , the speed these little ones could move across the water was surprising,they were already diving for food which they do instinctively as soon as they hatch. Higher up in the Park where there is a wooded area with a stream there were a couple of Grey Wagtails which flew into the trees if you got too close.Also here a Coal Tit,Nuthatch,Robin and Song Thrush amongst other common species.

female Tufted Duck with her chick

keeping a watchful eye on her three chicks

Tufted Duck chick

male tufted Duck in eclipse

Grey Wagtail

moving to tree when we got too close

Song Thrush

BH Gull with yellow tag 2FKS

Lister Park 7/8/2016

Denholme Clough to Doe Park Reservoir

Saturday 6th August a.m.
A sunny start to the day with a temperature of 14°C as we set off through Denholme Clough heading to Doe Park Reservoir.Plenty of Willow Warblers around but all keeping their distance which was the way the morning went with the Species we saw.A Dipper wised past us Swallows,House Martins and a single Swift were overhead.As we walked towards the old railway track bridge along side the beck a Grey Wagtail flew by and a Bullfinch was seen.As we looked over towards the Reservoir we could see the farmer in the field getting the hay ready for collection and a Cormorant flew over.Also flying over was a steady trickle of BH and LBB Gulls.On the way back our attention focused on the many Butterflies and getting a couple of snaps as the temperature was quickly rising.We did see some bird life as the Swallows had increased in number and a couple of Stock Doves were on the overhead wires.

Large Skipper

Small Tortoiseshell

Stock Dove

Willow Warbler

Doe Park Reservoir 6/8/2016

Redcar Tarn

Friday 5th August p.m.
An afternoon visit up to Redcar Tarn where it was cloudy with some sunny spells and a temperature of 17°C.Here there were good numbers of BH and LBB Gulls also it was good to see a Common Gull, some of the birds were on the water and others were in the surrounding fields.Also in the surrounding fields were several Lapwings, there were a few Pied Wagtails around one landing on a wall and posing for a good snap.Both Coots and Moorhens had young chicks, no doubt having to be careful of a Grey Heron that flew over.There was just one male Tufted Duck but we had a good count of 65 Canadas, also overhead Swallows,House Martins and four Swift still hanging on before they fly South.

Pied Wagtail

BH Gull with summer plumage fading

Common Gull still in summer plumage

Coot chick

Coot with chicks

Grey Heron

LBB Gull

Moorhen with chicks

male Tufted Duck

Canadas on the move

Redcar Tarn 5/8/2016

Cullingworth

Sunday 31st July a.m.
Another bright start to the day with a temperature of 13°C as we set off for a walk to the NW side of the village.House Martins are still feeding over the houses and garden near us and often over our garden these were the first on our list as we set off.A single Swift was also seen and good numbers of House Sparrows in one of their normal spots.As we walked on we saw a GSW and then another two appeared good to see them, Swallows were overhead in this area.We moved on seeing Willow Warbler,Blackcap,Greenfinch,Song Thrush and 16 Canadas flew over.Higher up near the moorland a couple of Linnets were in the distance and a high number of Woodpigeons were feeding in one field. More Willow Warblers were seen and a Kestrel was on a wall with some prey,possibly a mouse,or vole.Nearby was a juvenile Pied Wagtail and further along was a Pheasant and above a pond flew a Grey Heron.As we came back into the village there were now ten Swifts in the usual area.

Kestrel

GSW

Linnet

Juv Pied Wagtail

Song Thrush

Swallow

Willow Warbler

Canadas

Cullingworth 31/7/2016