Denholme Clough to Doe Park Reservoir

Sunday 22nd July a.m.
 Its been a while since I walked through Denholme Clough to Doe Park Reservoir so today I decided to put that right although cloudy there was a decent temperature of 16°C.As I walked through the Clough there were Swallows,House Martins and a couple of Sand Martins overhead.There were several Goldfinch on the Thistle seeds and a pair of Bullfinch in a distant tree.When I reached the reservoir the water level was low with plenty of mud for any passing waders, there was an Oystercatcher making use of the conditions.As I lined it up for a picture a Common Sandpiper passed it, later a second Oystercatcher appeared.On the way back I had to negotiate passed the cows which always make me a bit nervous but I was later rewarded with four Grey Wagtails.
Nigel.

Grey Wagtail

Common Sandpiper & Oystercatcher

Oystercatcher living up to its name

Common Sandpiper

Bullfinch

Goldfinch

Doe Park Reservoir 22/7/2018

 

Redcar Tarn

Saturday 21st July a.m.
 A cloudy morning up at the Tarn with a temperature of 15°C where the number of LBB Gulls was up to 61.There was also a flock of 83 post breeding Lapwings in the nearby field.Among the Mallards was a nice surprise in the form of a female Mandarin Duck, others included a juvenile Pied Wagtail, Jackdaws,Rooks,BH Gulls and House Martins.
Nigel.

female Mandarin Duck

Jackdaw

Rook

Pied Wagtail Juv

BH Gull

LBB Gull

Lapwing

Redcar Tarn 21/7/2018

Cullingworth and Hewenden Reservoir

Sunday 15th July a.m.
Th warm sunny weather continues with an early temperature of 15°C as I took the dog for a walk through the village.Overhead was c30 Swift, juveniles building up along with adults ready for the long journey South in a couple of weeks. There were several groups of House Martins also feeding for their later journey.
 I then walked on to the viaduct overlooking Hewenden Reservoir where there were more Swifts,Swallows and House Martins.A Kestrel was in a tree looking for food and a Sparrowhawk flew down to the reservoir overflow where there was a couple of Moorhen.There were ten BH Gulls on the dam wall and at the other side were Canadas and Mallard plus a Mute Swan.A walk round the reservoir produced GSW,Linnet,Bullfinch,Goldfinch,Jay and Willow Warbler.
Nigel.

Swallow Juv

Canadas & Mallards

Goldfinch

Kestrel

Moorhen

Mute Swan

Mute Swans

distant Sparrowhawk

Peacock Butterfly

Small Tortoiseshell

Hewenden Reservoir 15/7/2018

Harden Moor

Saturday 14th July a.m.
 Another sunny start to the day with a temperature of 15°C on Harden Moor which has escaped the nearby fires on Catstones moor on the edge of Cullingworth.The Sand Martins are still in the quarry also overhead a few swallows.I was kept occupied during the morning by a pair of Green Woodpeckers and their two juveniles, interesting watching them as they flew around making plenty of noise.Others seen were Whitethroat, Blackcap feasting on the wild Raspberries, Willow Warbler,Goldfinch,Robin and Song Thrush.
Nigel.

Green Woodpecker Juv 

Geen Woodpecker

Green Woodpecker with Juv

Bullfinch

Bullfinch Juv

Goldfinch

Robin

Song Thrush

Warbler after the Rasperries

Whitethroat Juv

Willow Warbler

Harden Moor 14/7/2018