Cullingworth & Hewenden Reservoir

Monday 29th August a.m.
 A good bright start to the morning with the sun rising quickly as did the temperature from an initial start of 12°C.We headed through Cullingworth seeing 15 House Martins overhead and we went along the Great Northern Trial to Hewenden Viaduct.Here a look at the reservoir was a bit disappointing with just a single Canada on the water.As we got in line with the over flow into Hewenden Beck there was more to see in the form of 6 Grey Wagtails,Dipper,2 Moorhen and  4 Mallards all just in range of the bins but only poor record snaps.
 We headed off along the trail seeing a charm of Goldfinch on the thistle seeds in a nearby field and then down Station Rd where there were more House Martins and Swallows overhead.We went a short way down the road seeing some Starlings on the overhead wires then a scan of the fields saw c25 BH Gulls rise up and head off.Gulls were on the move overhead the whole of the morning, we then saw a bird in the distance on a wall, through the bins we saw it was a Wheatear a first for us in this area.We soon found another one and ended up with a count of four a great result for us.
 We headed through the wood and round the top end of the reservoir and round the other side heading back.We didn't see much except for two Peregrines, always a bonus to see these birds even though well in the distance.Coming back we found a sunny spot where it was lively with birds around a few spread out trees one in particular caught our eye when we saw a Spotted Flycatcher perched on a low branch.This was one of three birds which we watched for some time as it flew off a short distance then back to its perch no doubt after catching some flies.We went to the other side of the tree where the birds were also seen along with Whitethroat and Willow Warbler,more Goldfinch,Blue,Great & LT Tits plus a Greenfinch.
 We moved on with more Swallows & House Martins overhead who were all scattered as a Sparrowhawk glided through them.At the farm there were 10 Pied Wagtails which completed our eventful mornings birding.

Spotted Flycatcher

Wheatear

Adult Goldfinch feeding juvenile

Swallow

Starling

Juv Pied Wagtail

Great to see more Spotted Flycatchers

Hewenden Reservoir 29/8/2016

Harden Moor

Saturday 27th August a.m.
 We followed on from our visit to Leeshaw to Harden Moor where the temperature had risen to 14°C, it was still sunny but later in the morning some cloud developed.As we made our way along the footpath near the quarry there was a charm of c30 Goldfinch feeding on the thistle seeds we also had a first as a Snipe flew past us from the quarry area.Up above were Swallows and House Martins as we walked round we soon heard the call of a Redstart but it was a while before we located the bird, we heard another bird call but only got one bird to snap.The bird was a bit flighty and so it took a while to get some snaps.Other birds were around too including Blackcap,Chiffchaff,Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Little Owl,Linnet and Mipit.The morning was rounded off when we saw a Spotted Flycatcher as we headed back towards the car.

female Redstart

Spotted Flycatcher

Chiffchaff

Juvenile Goldfinch

Whitethroat

Redstart on Harden Moor 27/8/2016

Leeshaw

Saturday 27th August a.m.
 A sunny start feeling warmer than the temperature of 9°C with no wind blowing making the reservoir very calm.We saw 30 Canadas in the top field and there was a Cormorant on the valve tower, a Grey Heron was looking for food at the waters edge.At the top end of the reservoir were some Mallards and a Goosander, there were also a couple of waders behind them but out of range to get an ID.A walk up the hill provided Collared Dove,Robin,Mipit and Starling, we also chased a Green-veined White Butterfly in order to get a snap.We also saw Pied and Grey Wagtails and a few Swallows were feeding over the water and the surrounding fields.

Cormorant

Collared Dove

Starling

Grey Heron

Canadas

Green-veined White Butterfly

Leeshaw 27/8/16

Redcar Tarn

Sunday 21st August a.m.
 We were back on the local area this morning with a trip up to Redcar Tarn high above Keighley, it was cloudy with some sunshine trying to get through with a temperature of 15°C.The highlight of the visit was seeing three Snipe fly around the nearby fields and the Lapwing flock up to c200 birds.Others included Tufted Duck,Grey Heron and Swallow.The clouds were building though as a Rainbow showed the rain had started so off we went as the rain increased.

Lapwing

Gulls and Lapwings

Lapwings in the gathering clouds

Redcar Tarn 21/8/2016

Bridlington

Wednesday 17th August
Our final instalment from our recent holiday comes from Bridlington on a lovely sunny day around the harbour area.There were a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls one of which was trying to eat a crab, the other was having a paddle in the sea.There were of course numerous Herring Gulls and a good number of Turnstones along with Redshanks in the harbour mud.
 It was good to see a report from BS of three Turnstones at a local reservoir yesterday and a Ruff today well done to him.

GBB Gull

GBB Gull having a paddle in the sea

It's Crab for lunch

Herring Gulls

Redshank in the harbour mud

15+ Turnstones seen

Turnstone, a great little bird

Bridlington 17/8/2016