Dannysbirds: Cullingworth & Hewenden Reservoir

Sunday, 17 January 2016

Cullingworth & Hewenden Reservoir

Sunday 17th January a.m.
We had snow yesterday evening so it was a cold start at -2°C as we set off through the 6cm of snow on the ground with the extra hazard of ice heading through the village to Hewenden Reservoir.A good number of common species were seen on the way with the addition of Jay & Kestrel as we approached the viaduct.From here we could see Cormorants,Mallards,Tufted Ducks,Goosanders & a possible Goldeneye.At the other side of the viaduct we got a better view of the corner of the reservoir where we saw a male & female Goldeneye.We watched these for a while the male dived and came up almost immediately several metres away, we wondered how it managed to do that. After watching it do it again the penny dropped, there must be two males & eventually they popped up to the surface together with the female.We decided to go down the snowy hill side to get a closer look, they moved away so we re-located to a more central spot.The three Goldeneye moved to some more & after a while watching we had a total of eight Goldeneye,five Goosander,four Tufted Duck & four Cormorants.We were well pleased with this as we climbed back up the hill ,as we approached the wooded area we heard a honking sound then got our bins on two Raven flying low across our path & away, another result & a first for us here.
Quiet round the the wooded area & the top end of the reservoir but coming back on the other side we got some Redwings & a couple of Pied Wagtails as we approached the farm.Another look at the reservoir taking some snaps the Goldeneye were all distant now we managed to get six in one picture as they moved around the reservoir which was around 25% frozen.We should also mention the c100 BH Gulls & 15 Common Gulls on the ice.