Rodley Nature Reserve

Sunday 28th May a.m.
 I moved on from Yeadon Tarn to Rodley Nature Reserve an RSPB site which lies just outside the BOG recording are but is a great reserve to visit, on the way seeing a Red Kite.In the first hide there is a good view of the lake where there are three pontoons for birds to nest on, fortunately a pair of Common Terns occupy one of them.These wonderful little birds are always a treat to see although they get harassed by the BH Gulls and others.There was a Little Grebe which was feeding near the hide and in the distance a pair of GC Grebes had three chicks.There is a Sand Martin wall for them to nest in and there was a good number of them making use of it with Swallows and Swift also overhead.
 At another hide I heard a Sedge Warbler and soon was able to spot it and get a few pictures, others were Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.A few Reed Buntings were seen and a group of six Grey Herons,Lapwings,Gadwall,Tufted Duck and Mute Swans were also seen.
Nigel.

Common Tern

Sedge Warbler

Little Grebe

Reed Bunting among the Flag Iris

Gadwall

Grey Heron

Lapwing

Rodley Nature Reserve 28/5/2017

Yeadon Tarn

Sunday 28th May a.m.
A cloudy start to the day with a temperature of 13°C at Yeadon Tarn where there were 25 Swifts, 20 House Martins and 10 Swallows flying over the Tarn.On the water were two Mute Swans(Yellow Tags 433 & 693), Tufted Ducks, Canadas, Coots and good to see the return of 4 Gt Crested Grebes. Others included Goldfinch,Greenfinch,Willow Warbler and Reed Bunting.
Nigel.

female Reed Bunting

GCG

Yeadon Tarn 28/5/2017

Harold Park

Saturday May 27th a.m.
A hazy morning with a temperature of 16°C as I arrived at Harold Park where I headed for the lake.As I approached the lake I could see in the distance a pair of Mute Swans(Tag yellow 468) with young Cygnets, as I got closer I was able to count seven of them.Others here included Tufted Duck, Coots with four nests,Canadas, GC Grebe and a Mistle Thrush.
 A quick visit to Park Dam where a pair of Coots with five chicks which had to make a quick exit from their nest as a Carrion Crow came in trying to nab one for breakfast.There were also three GC Grebes,Tufted Duck and Sand Martin above the water.
Nigel.

Mistle Thrush

Mute Swan Cygnet

Coot with chicks at Park Dam

Mute Swans and Cygnets at Harold Park 27/5/2017

Cullingworth and Hewenden Reservoir

Friday May 26th a.m.
A bright warm start to the day with a temperature of 14° as I started my walk heading towards Hewenden Reservoir.It was good to see House Martins above the village, with some of them nest building on the House walls where there is a overhang from the roof so they have some cover.At the viaduct there were 12 Swifts overhead with Swallows and more House Martins over the Reservoir.A couple of Oystercatchers flew in settling for a while on the dam wall.It was also good to hear the distant call of a Cuckoo, there was a Grey Heron at the edge of the reservoir.I could also hear Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat, I manged to see the Whitethroat at the top of a tree some distance away.
 At the top end of the reservoir I got two Cuckoos calling and later saw them in flight, as I came to the farm I stumbled on Swallows and House Martin collecting mud for nest building.This gave a good chance to take some pictures, they were briefly joined by a Grey Wagtail looking inquisitively.
Others seen included Mistle Thrush,Tufted Duck,Canada,Pied Wagtail and Pheasant.
Nigel.

Swallow

House Martin

Grey Wagtail

Oystercatcher

Swift

Swallow & House Martin

Hewenden Viaduct

Hewenden Reservoir 26/5/2017

A Swift visit to Redcar Tarn

Sunday 21st May a.m.
A cloudy morning up at Redcar Tarn with a temperature of 10°C which was dominated by c50 Swifts above the Tarn and my attempts to get a picture of one, which I have to say is a difficult task with a bridge camera.There were also good numbers of House Martins and Swallows, a Moorhen was on the island with a chick.It was good to see an LRP drop in for a drink, others included Lapwing,Greylag, Oystercatcher, BH and LBB Gull,Rook,Pied Wagtail and Tufted Duck.
Nigel.

Swift

House Martins

Swift & Rook

LRP

Moorhen with Chick

LBB Gull feeling tired

Swifts over the Tarn

Redcar Tarn 21/5/2017