Dowley Gap

Saturday 22nd December a.m.
 A cloudy start with a temperature of 8°C as I made my way alongside the canal and looking across at the water works there were c100 BH Gulls and two Herring Gulls.It then started to rain and as I turned round to look at the canal there was a Kingfisher perched just in front of me.With the rain now heavier the camera had to stay in its case but the Kingfisher didn't mind the rain, it dived into the water coming up with a small fish.I watched for a while hoping it was just a passing shower but no such look so I moved on.
 I didn't find some shelter until I got to the railway bridge that crosses the river I stayed here until the rain eventually eased.Walking back to the water works there were c75 Pied Wagtails, I spotted just one Grey Wagtail but was pleased to see a Chiffchaff, a Dunnock posed for a picture.When I got back to the canal the kingfisher was still present so I was able to get some pictures.
 I walked through the wood at the other side of the River seeing 12 Grey Heron,Jay,Goosander and a flock of 15 Siskin before heading back to the car.
Nigel.

Kingfisher

Chiffchaff

Dunnock

Goosander

Grey Heron

Jay

Pied Wagtail

Siskin

Fast flowing River Aire

Rainbow over Dowley Gap 22/12/2018

Cullingworth and Hewenden Reservoir

Sunday 16th December a.m.
A much better morning with some early morning sunshine and a temperature of 3°C as I headed through the village.On my way I saw a flock of Starlings,Collared Doves and Goldfinch as I headed for Hewenden Viaduct.It wasn't until I got to the top end of the reservoir that things livened up with two Goldeneye and four Goosanders on the water with Tufteds,Mallards and a single Cormorant.In the top field there were c 100 BH Gulls with a few Commons and c 50 Canadas, a few Fieldfare were also seen, with a Kestrel nearby and passing the farm a pair of Pied Wagtails.
Nigel.

Goldeneye

Goosander

Jackdaw

Kestrel

Pied Wagtail

Blackbird

Canadas and Gulls

Cormorant

Fieldfare

Hewenden Reservoir 16/12/2018

Cullingworth Fields

Saturday 15th December a.m.
On the edge of Cullingworth there are fields where you get a build up of gulls during Winter so I decided to check them out on my way home.The sky was still cloudy and the temperature was 0°C as I pulled up to the first field where there were around 250 Gulls.With these were c50 Lapwings and c50 Starlings.I moved to the next field where there were c500 Gulls mainly Black-headed but good numbers of Common and Herring with less LBB Gulls.Also in this field were Jackdaws and Rooks.The large numbers made quite a spectacle and even more so when they occasionally lifted blocking out the sky.
Nigel.

Lapwing

Common Gull

Herring Gulls in the foreground

Herring & BH Gulls

BH,Common & Herring Gulls

Rooks & Jackdaws with the Gulls

Cullingworth Fields 15/12/2018

Redcar Tarn

Saturday 15th December a.m.
It was bitterly cold up at Redcar Tarn this morning with a strong biting wind, cloud overhead and a temperature of -1°C.The Tarn was about a third covered with ice but the Lapwings,BH,Common, Herring and LBB Gulls seemed to be coping with the conditions.I had a quick walk round the tarn seeing Muscovy and Tufted Duck, with plenty Jackdaws and Rooks, a Pied Wagtail made a brief appearance as I quickly got back to the car and try and thaw out a bit.
Nigel.

Lapwing on the ice

Muscovy duck

Pied Wagtail

Tufted Duck

Jackdaws

BH Gull

Common and Herring Gull

Gulls & Lapwings

Redcar Tarn 15/12/2018

 

Rodley Nature Reserve

Sunday 9th December a.m.
 It was a beautiful sunny Winters day as I strolled to the first hide at Rodley Naturer Reserve with a temperature of 7°C.The range of ducks met expectations with Goldeneye,Gadwall,Pochard,Shoveler, Teal,Tufteds,Mallards all on show as well as Goosander and Little Grebe.
 In the nearby field Canadas and Greylags were grazing and back on the Lake Mute Swans and Cormorants were seen.I was lucky to see Kingfishers in several spots as I moved around the reserve, I think there was more than one otherwise it would have been  a very busy bird.Other birds of note were Reed Buntings,Jay and a flock of Long-tailed Tits, I had a great morning here.
Nigel.

Kingfisher

Goldeneye

Pochard

Shoveler

Teal

Gadwall

Cormorant

Little Grebe

Reed Bunting

Rodley NR 9/12/2018