Hewenden Reservoir

Monday 13th April a.m.

A sunny morning with the temperature at 7°C when I set off on a walk round Hewenden Reservoir.   The numbers of Swallow are building with several seen, Chiffchaffs & Willow Warblers were heard but remained elusive.  A couple of Buzzards were high up some distance away, a couple of Oystercatchers were near the water and good to get three Sand Martins.  A couple of Red- Legged Partridge were spotted plus a Kestrel, on the water there were Canadas & a Mute Swan. 

Swallow

 

Kestrel

Buzzard

Oystercatcher 

Red-legged Partridge 

Swallows around Hewenden Reservoir 13/4/2026

Slippery Ford

 Thursday 9th April a.m.

After a misty start by mid morning it was overcast but clear with a temperature of 12°C, so I decided to check out some birds reported at Slippery Ford yesterday.  There was another birder who arrived at a similar time as me and we were able to locate a Ring Ouzel in the distance, and soon after a second bird. After the other birder had gone I saw more Ring Ouzels making a total of four.  The distance was about 200 meters away so only record shots with the camera, but still delighted to see the birds as I headed off.

Ring Ouzel 

Ring Ouzels at Slippey Ford 9/4/2026

TMR

 Wednesday 8th April a.m.

With more sunshine this morning  I was soon out of the door and on my way to TMR where the start temperature of 8°C soon rose.  This site has limited access so after successfully opening the locked gates closing them behind me I parked the car in the usual spot.

  The first birds seen were two Wheatears milling around and a couple of Oystercatchers flew on to the Reservoir wall.  There were also a few Meadow Pipits around plus a few Willow Warblers were singing, I spotted two in distant trees.  On the water were Tufteds, Canadas and about a dozen LBB Gulls came in briefly before moving on.  From close to the hide I saw a pair of Goldeneye near the opposite bank, also a Snipe was drumming as it displayed high overhead.  I could hear Red Grouse calling and then spotting one in the distance.

  As I headed back a Pied Wagtail landed on the wall and further along a pair of Reed Buntings, then two Swallow appeared flying over the wall and circling over the water.  Then I spotted one of two Redshanks at the edge of the water which on this occasion I was able to get some pictures of.  Finally as I headed back down the track I spotted a pair of Stonechats, rounding off an excellent morning.

Redshank

Wheatear

Oystercatcher 

Pied Wagtail

Red Grouse 

Reed Bunting

Stonechat

Goldeneye

LBB Gulls

Redshank at TMR 8/4/2026

Harden Moor

 Tuesday 7th April a.m.

Sunny again but feeling chilly with a temperature of 5°C, plenty of Skylarks & Meadow Pipits around this morning.  A Reed Bunting was singing as were a couple of Chiffchaffs, a small group of LT Tits were seen.  Others were Curlew, Oystercatcher, Bullfinch, Blue Tit, Pheasant & Robin. 

Skylark 

  

LT Tit

Reed Bunting

Meadow Pipit

Harden Moor 7/4/2026

Redcar Tarn

Monday 6th April a.m.

A sunny morning with a temperature of 7°C, there were c100 large Gull with a mixture of Herring & LBB Gulls,  there were also some BH Gulls.  A couple of second year LBB Gulls stood out having me thinking if they were something different, the C 20 Tufteds were well spread across the water.  Also Canadas, Greylags, Moorhen,Coots & Mallards were on the water.  It was good to see a couple of distant Buzzards, a couple of Curlew also passed over calling as they went.  A couple of Mipits were seen in the surrounding fields, others were Pied Wagtail, Jackdaw & Rook. 

Pied Wagtail

Rook

Female Tufted

Male Tufted

Buzzard

Greylag

Mipit

Moorhen

Herring Gull

LBB Gull

2nd year LBB Gull

Redcar Tarn 6/4/2026