Harden Moor

Monday 23rd March a.m.

A few sunny intervals this morning but dry with a temperature of 8°C as I had a stroll across Harden Moor.  A Chiffchaff was singing and determined not to have it's picture taken which it succeeded in doing despite my best efforts.  There were a few Lapwings in the quarry area which  continues to be filled in which could cause problems for some nesting birds on their return.  There were several Meadow Pipits seen and a couple of Skylarks were up singing, a good surprise for me when a Red Kite flew over.  Also seen was a Kestrel and a couple of distant Buzzards plus Grey Heron, Jay, Wren, Blackbird & Robin.  As I came through a wooded area a couple of male Pheasants were fighting with no quarter given.

Red Kite

Skylark

Buzzard

Meadow Pipit 

Pheasant

Feathers were flying as these Pheasants had a set too, Harden Moor 23/3/2026

Rodley NR

 Sunday 22nd March a.m.

After my visit to Yeadon Tarn I drove the short distance to Rodley Nature Reserve where it was more cloudy with the temperature 8°C.  A good number of Gadwalls here with Teal, Tufteds and four Oystercatchers.  There were also Cormorants, Lapwing, Snipe, Little Grebe, Chiffchaffs were singing as was a Song Thrush.  A walk on to the River Aire was rewarded with a Grey Wagtail and walking back a couple of Cetti's Warblers were heard and a Kingfisher was perched at the edge of theReeds.

Lapwing

Little Grebe

Oystercatcher 

Chiffchaff 

Cormorant 

Gadwall

Grey Wagtail

Kingfisher

Snipe

Teal

Rodley N.R. 22/3/2026

Yeadon Tarn

 Sunday 22nd March a.m.

A dry morning with some hazy sunshine and a temperature of 6°C, here there were 17 Mute Swans and 12 Tufteds.  Good to see a Great Crested Grebe and a couple of Cormorants,  others were Canada, Moorhen, BH Gull, Coot & Mallard.

Cormorant

G.C. Grebe

 

Tufted

Mute Swan

Mute Swans

Yeadon Tarn 22/3/2026

Thornton Moor Reservoir (TMR)

Thursday 19th March a.m.

A sunny morning with a temperature of 8°C and a visit to TMR which has restricted access to BOG Members.  Good to see a couple of Oystercatchers and a Redshank which was determined not to have it's picture taken, flying 40 yards every time I got close.  A Grey Wagtail however was much more friendly and I got some good pictures.  Others seen were Curlew, Goosander, Teal, Canada, Greylag, Meadow Pipit, Herring Gull, LBB Gull & Pied Wagtail. 

Grey Wagtail

 

Pied Wagtail

Oystercatcher

Goosander

Greylag

Canadas

Curlew

Herring & LBB Gulls

Grey Wagtail at TMR 19/3/2026

Swillington Ings

Wednesday 18th March a.m.

An excellent morning at Swilly with birds being dominated by 1,000 plus BH Gulls across the site.  I started well with a singing Chiffchaff, then at Astley Lake added Little Egret, Cormorant, Pochard, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing, G.C Grebe, Shelduck & of course my mystery bird.  I had a good walk between the Reedbeds hearing over 20 Cetti's Warblers and spotting half a dozen of them.  Others added on the walk were Goldeneye, Shoveler, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Reed Bunting & good to hear the Bitterns booming.

Gt. Crested Grebe 

 

Chiffchaff

Cetti's Warbler 

Little Egret

Goldeneye

Gadwall

Shelduck

Redshank

Pochard

Reed Bunting

Shoveler 

Myster Bird?

Swillington Ings 18/3/2026