Harden Moor

 Friday 1st May a.m.

A bright sunny start to the morning with a temperature of 7°C, a good number of Whitethroats were up singing and also several Garden Warblers were singing.  The Willow Warblers are quieter now no doubt busy nest building, a couple of Chiffchaffs were heard.  The Cuckoo was calling from a distant tree and Skylarks were still doing their thing and I was surprised to hear a Tawny Owl briefly, others were Song Thrush, Stonechat, Linnet, Lapwing, Sand Martin & Meadow Pipit. 

Garden Warbler

Cuckoo

Skylark

Stonechat

Willow Warbler

Linnet

Meadow Pipit

Whitethroat

TMR

Monday 27th April a.m.

A sunny morning with a temperature of 11°C as I visited TMR where access is limited to BOG Members.  A couple of Red-legged Partridge got me off to a good start soon followed by a Wheatear and overhead Curlews were moving around. There were four Oystercatchers plus Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Grey Wagtail, LRP, Sand Martin & Pied Wagtail.  There was a Cuckoo calling from the other side of the res which was briefly seen in flight later, at least three Redshanks were seen and also Red Grouse. On the water were a few LBB Gull, Canadas, Greylag & Teal. 

Redshank

Grey Wagtail

LRP

Reed Bunting

Wheatear

Red Grouse at TMR 27/4/2026

Harden Moor

Saturday 25th April a.m.

A lovely sunny morning with a temperature of 11°C which started well watching a singing Whitethroat soon followed by the call of a Cuckoo, which I saw later as it flew around.  Others were Stonechat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Oystercatcher, LBB Gull, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Wren & a couple of Green Hairstreak Butterflies during an enjoyable walk. 

Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

LBB Gull

Meadow Pipit

Song Thrush

Green Hairstreak Butterfly on Harden Moor 25/4/2026

Leeming Reservoir

Wednesday 22nd April a.m.

After a cloudy start the sun came out so I went to Leeming where there was a strong wind blowing with a temperature of 8°C.  Overhead were Sand Martins & House Martins, as I passed the overflow there were a couple of Grey Wagtails & Pied Wagtails.  Going along the path at the side of the res a Swallow flew low over the water, on the water tower there were two Oystercatchers and a Cormorant.  There were several Willow Warblers up singing but all were elusive, a Chaffinch was seen and a Peacock Butterfly added some colour. Heading back as I approached the dam wall a Common Sandpiper landed at the waters edge soon followed by a second bird.  These were some distance away but patience was the key in waiting for them to make their way closer to me for some good pictures.

Common Sandpiper 

House Martin

Oystercatchers 

Grey Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Cormorant 

Peacock Butterfly 

Common Sandpipers at Leeming Res

In stark contrast to last year a full Leeming Reservoir 22/4/2026