Yeadon Tarn

Sunday 27th May a.m.
A bright sunny morning with a temperature of 16°C at Yeadon Tarn where I had a good walk around the water.A Chiffchaff was singing and soon after I heard a Willow Warbler which I spotted high in a tree and also close by a Reed Bunting singing.There were a couple of Swallows over the water who were joined by a couple of House Martins also a Swift made an appearance.It was good to see a GC Grebe here again and a Shoveler was keeping the Tufteds company, others included Mute Swan, Canadas and Mallards.
Nigel.

Reed Bunting

Shoveler

Willow Warbler

GC Grebe

Mallards

Yeadon Tarn 27/5/2018

Harold Park & Park Dam

Saturday 26th May a.m.
A sunny start with a temperature of 13°C on my arrival at a quiet Harold Park with the star birds being three returning Swifts overhead.A pair of Coots had a family of five chicks on the top pond,
others seen here were Mistle Thrush,Collared Dove and Mute Swan.
 Down the road to the nearby Park Dam things were quiet again but there were fifteen Swifts overhead along with two Swallows.Others here were Tufteds,GC Grebe,Kestrel and Mute Swan.
Nigel.

Great Crested Grebe

Coot with five chicks

Mistle Thrush

Swift

Tufted Ducks

Harold Park 26/5/2018

Bolton Abbey

Monday 21st May a.m.
 There was a lot of mist about this morning but fortunately it had cleared by the time I got to Bolton Abbey where the temperature started off at 13°C in the sunshine.From the Cavendish Pavilion I headed upstream hearing a Cuckoo which got me off to a good start.Looking down at the water I saw a Goosander with seven chicks which was great to see, only fleeting glimpses of Dippers as they flew past which was unusual.Several Grey and Pied Wagtails were seen and also Nuthatch,Treecreeper and Oystercatcher. A couple of Common Sandpipers were also seen as were Sand Martins,Swallows and later five Swifts near the Priory.A male Mandarin looked his usual colourful self and later a female was seen with eight chicks, another great sight.
 I went as far as Barden Bridge then headed back on the other side going down stream and it wasn't long before I heard a Pied Flycatcher singing which i was fortunate to locate on his perch and get a couple of pictures.I caught up with the Mandarin and Goosander families again and completed a very enjoyable and productive walk.
Nigel.

Pied Flycatcher

Common Sandpiper

Grey Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

male Mandarin

female Mandarin with eight chicks

female Goosander with seven chicks

Bolton Abbey 21/5/2018

Harden Moor

Saturday 19th May a.m.
 A sunny start with a temperature of 10°C, overhead flew five Oystercatchers heading towards Leeshaw Reservoir.Another two were seen in the quarry area later on, there were Willow Warblers and Whitethroats up singing and flying around were Sand Martins,House Martins and Swallows.A pair of Bullfinches were seen but the regular yaffling call led me to two Green Woodpeckers.
Nigel.

Green Woodpecker

Oystercatcher

Whitethroat

Bullfinch

Dunnock

Willow Warbler

Green Woodpecker on Harden Moor 19/5/2018

Harden Moor

Monday 7th May a.m.
A warm sunny start with a temperature of 14°C as I started by checking out the Little Owl sat on its favourite wall with a second bird on the wall at the other side of the field.As I was watching them the distinctive sound of the Curlew was overhead as three went past.
 The Sand Martins were making frequent visits to their nesting site and there were several Willow Warbles and Whitethroats seen as they sang from prominent positions.A Chiffchaff was in full voice and I got a good view although I was too slow with the camera.It was also good to hear the melodic sound of the Garden Warbler with at least two birds singing and I got glimpses of both birds.The Cuckoo also made a couple of appearances during my visit with brief views on both occasions and of cause the distinctive call.I also briefly saw a couple of Red-legged Partridge for the first time at this location and also for the first time the Skylarks were up singing as they soared in to the sky.
 Other birds seen were Kestrel,Goldfinch,Chaffinch,Swallow,Rook and Meadow Pipits.
Nigel.

Willow Warbler

Whitethroat

Chaffinch

Curlew

Goldfinch

Little Owl