Haworth

Wednesday 26th February
 A day of sunshine & showers with a temperature of 6°C, were on half term holiday
this week which meant we were able to go with my granddad to Haworth.We went up
the cobbled Main St. to a sweet shop which sells old fashioned sweets.We then went
down to the station to see some trains, there was an old steam engine which I Took a
few snaps of along with some others.
 There was plenty coal in the yard to feed the hungry engines, my Grandad was familiar
with the yard as he used to deliver coal from here to peoples houses.This was many years
ago before the advent of North Sea gas which spelt the end of these type of services.My
dad told me he could remember when all the houses had to have their gas appliances
modified so they could use the new gas instead of the old town gas.Here are a few snaps
I took today.

Harold Park & Park Dam

Saturday 22nd February a.m.
 A dull start to the day with frequent showers & a temperature of 5°C, things started well
bird wise with a female Bullfinch & two Greenfinch on our garden feeders.We started out
by taking the dog for a walk to Hewenden viaduct where there was a good selection of birds
in the reservoir.We saw the pair of Goldeneye still present with Canadas,Mallards,Cormorant
& an additional three Goosanders making for a great start to the morning.
 We got to Harold Park where it was beginning to brighten up as were the pair of Great Crested
Grebes which were much more colourful than our last visit now in their breeding plumage.Others
here included Mute Swans also in breeding frame of mind, Canadas,BH Gulls,Moorhen,Coot,
Mallards & Tufted Duck.
 We moved down the road to Park Dam where there was another GC Grebe with the BH Gulls,
Tufted Ducks,Common Gulls  & Canadas. We had a record count for us at this location of 14
Goosanders that was great to see. There was also a large Gull present which was not an adult
but 2nd or 3rd winter bird it was the size of a LBB Gull but we wern't sure as Herring may also
be possible with its pale mantle.
 We had a bit of time left so decided to go a few miles along Halifax Road to Shibden Park to
see if the Kittiwake reported on  the blogs of B.S. & N.K might still be there.We soon found it
with the Mallards in the roped off area, boats were out on the other part of the lake in this
popular weekend spot.It was great to see the bird in the local area, it was eating food that people
were throwing in the water. It wasn't flying around with the BH Gulls but hopefully it is well
enough to carry on its journey when it's ready.

Mute Swans

Great Crested Grebe

male Goosander

female Goosander

Goosanders,BH Gull & large Gull possible LBB or Herring

Kittiwake at Shibden Park

Park Dam Goosanders & Gulls

Park Dam 22/2/2014

St Ives

Friday 21st February p.m.
 An afternoon of sunshine & showers with a temperature of 5.5°C as we walked
round the Coppice pond at St Ives near Bingley. On the water were Canadas,Mallards,
BH Gulls,Moorhen & on the island was a Greylag.A visit  to the hide produced plenty
Grey Squirrels,Stock Dove,Coal Tits,Robin & Dunnock. The highlight of our visit came
here too as a male Great Spotted Woodpecker came to the feeder,our first of the year.

male GSW

Stock Dove

Grey Squirrel

Robin

male GSW - always a good bird to see

St Ives Coppice Pond

Local Walk

Sunday 16th February a.m.
 A cloudy start to the morning which quickly brightened as the sun got stronger,the
temperature was just 2°C as we set off on our walk.We took the dog heading through
the village to the Northern Trail & on to Hewenden viaduct.Along the way we saw
Collared Dove,Goldfinch,Greenfinch & Robin with BH Gulls flying over.At the viaduct
we could see three Mute Swans on the reservoir along with a smaller white bird which was
too far away to ID. A Cormorant flew over the viaduct & went in to the water, we headed
through the wood to the top end of the reservoir.Here we now got a better view of the
white bird which was a male Goldeneye & there was also a female with it.We also got
a Grey Heron here & a couple more Cormorants.Heading back round past the farm we
were on the look out for wagtails & got a nice surprise when it was a Grey Wagtail that
we spotted.In this area we also had a Wren appear on top of a wall long enough for a snap,
which rounded off our walk well.

Wren

Robin

male Goldeneye

Goldeneye pair

Mute Swan

Three Mute Swans

Grey Wagtail

Hewenden Reservoir from viaduct

View from top end of reservoir

Dowley Gap

Monday 10th February p.m.
 With another afternoon free & Danny at school again I decided to make the most of
a dry afternoon with some sunshine & a temperature of 4°C.I headed for Dowley Gap
to have a walk along the canal where there are usually a good selection of birds to see.
The first seen were Redwings near the parking area then two Mute Swans,Greylags &
Mallards on the canal.Also seen were Jay,Blue,Great & LT Tits,Mistle Thrush,Greenfinch,
Pied & Grey Wagtails.The star though was a female Kingfisher on a branch at the side of
the canal,our first of the year, who was looking for fish so stayed while I got some Photos.
It was great to see her dive in to the water & catch a fish which she moved back deeper in
the branches to eat.
 On my way back I decided to call in at St Ives where the usual water fowl were present &
good to see a see a Coot hear again.There were several blackbirds at the bird feeding area
where it was good to get another annual with a Stock Dove.
 I went home via Harden Moor where a quick walk proved very light on bird life where the
best on offer were some Goldfinches, there were also a couple of  Pied Wagtails in a distant
field.I did have the bonus of seeing a Fox which seemed to be on the look out for Rabbits
which are plentiful here.N.P.

female Kingfisher

Kingfisher with a fish 

Blue Tit

Mistle Thrush

Mute Swans

Stock Dove at St Ives

Blackbird at St Ives

Fox on Harden Moor

Damems Dippers

Saturday 8th February a.m.
 The morning started bright with some sunshine & a temperature of 5.5°C but there was
a strong blustery wind blowing making it feel cold.We headed for the River Worth at
Damems with hope of getting our first Dippers of the year.We found two straight away
but they were very flighty as we tried to get closer to them,they moved upstream.The
river was very fast flowing after all the recent weeks of rain & the track was flooded so
we turned back with just a few snaps taken.Other birds around were Mallards,Blue Tits
& LT Tits.

Dipper

Mallards

fast flowing River Worth

Damems Dipper