Sunday 30 September 2018

Lister Park

Sunday 30th September a.m.
 A dull cloudy morning with a temperature of 10°C as I made my way to the Lake at Lister Park where the usual birds were present.This included c100 Canadas mainly feeding on the surrounding park grass,27 Tufteds,Mallards,Moorhen,Coots and BH Gulls.The walk higher in the park to the stream and gardens was proving very quiet with just Robins on show until I reached a spot where I could hear birds but not see any.I was able to follow a path behind the tree which proved to be a good move as a small stream also runs down here.I stood and watched for a while and then noticed birds coming to bathe here including Blue Tits,Gt Tits,LT Tits, Coal Tit,Goldfinch,Chaffinch and Song Thrush.Pictures proved difficult in poor light and overhanging vegetation, a Grey Wagtail also appeared then went to the main stream where I followed and was able to get some decent pictures in better light.It was good to see plenty of Cyclamen flowering brightening up the dull morning a couple of Nuthatch were also seen.
Nigel.
Grey Wagtail






Tufted Duck


BH Gull Juv


Blue Tit having a Bath

Canadas

Cyclamen

Grey Wagtail at Lister Park 30/9/2018

Saturday 29 September 2018

Denholme Clough to Doe Park Reservoir

Saturday 29th September a.m.
A frost overnight but still a lovely sunny crisp morning with a temperature of 5°C as I started off with a Song Thrush on the roadside before going into Denhome Clough.The sun shone on the trees up the banking of the Clough helping me to pick out Blue Tit,Gt Tit,Goldfinch,Robin & Greenfinch.I had a quiet walk for a while until in the distance a skein of 100 plus Pink-footed Geese flew over.
     In a field at the side of the reservoir 12 Canadas were feeding before they flew off and landed on the water where there was a Cormorant on a buoy in the water,Mallards and a few BH Gulls.Then the plot thickened as I saw twelve Wigeon on the water, who soon took off doing a few laps overhead before heading off...
 I headed back through the Clough not adding to my tally so decided to call in at another local Reservoir going through a couple of locked gates(BOG access by agreement with Yorkshire Water) before walking alongside the reservoir.Here were LBB and BH Gulls,Mallard,Tufted Ducks and a Kestrel made an appearance.I spotted eleven Wigeon in a group,with two different looking birds which I think are Pintails.
 Another look at my pictures from Doe Park Reservoir confirms a Pintail in with the Wigeon as the flew round which ties things up nicely.
Nigel.
Song Thrush

Through the tunnel towards the reservoir

A few Toadstools on the ground

Canadas

Cormorant

Wigeon


Wigeon & Pintail third from left

Spot the Pintail


Two Pintail at the back of the Wigeon, second Reservoir

Another view at the second Reservoir

Skein of 100 plus Pink-footed Geese

Doe Park Reservoir 29/9/2018

Saturday 22 September 2018

Park Dam

Saturday 22nd September a.m.
 It was a dull morning with a temperature of 8°C at Park Dam on the southern side of Bradford where I started well seeing Little Grebes after a long absence.Also here two adult Gt Crested Grebes each with a juvenile , one parent was hard at work catching fish for the juvenile.Also there was a pair of Mute Swans ( Tags Yellow 468 & Red 514Y) along with BH Gulls, Canadas,Coots,Moorhen and Tufted Ducks. There were ten House Martins feeding over the small wood in the distance and a Grey Heron flew past.
Nigel.
Little Grebe



Little Grebe Juv

Mute Swans

Mute Swan & Little Grebe

Gt Crested Grebe



GCG Juv

Time for some food

down in one

Coot with Juvs

Coots and GCG

Park Dam 22/9/2018

Sunday 16 September 2018

Redcar Tarn

Sunday 16th September a.m.
Sunshine and showers with a strong blustery wind up at the Tarn this morning where the temperature was 13°C.The field which is being developed in to a crematorium held c150 Lapwings, 25 Starlings and 35 Canadas.There were c100 BH Gulls and just five juvenile LBB Gulls on the water along with Coots and Mallard and the usual odd ball Ducks. One of these stood out as a possible Pintail, see what you think from the pictures below.There were also a few Rooks and Pied Wagtails about.
Nigel.
Lapwing


Pied Wagtail


Rook

Possible Pintail

Good comparison with Mallard behind

Anybody confirm one way or the other?

Rainbow at Redcar Tarn 16/9/2018