Local Reservoir Gull Roost

Monday 26th November p.m.
 With light starting to fade and the temperature dropping to 4°C I decided to call in at a local reservoir to see the Gulls coming in to roost.I walked alongside the dam wall watching gulls coming in joining an estimated 1,500 already present. I would say 90% of these were BH Gulls with a good number of Commons and the remainder being LBB and Herring Gulls.It was quite a spectacular sight and well worth the visit an added bonus were six Goldeneyes with one coming close to the hide for some pictures.Also a couple of Goosanders and Mallards.
 An added bonus as dusk began to fall and I made my way back to the car I saw a Barn Owl in the distance, first of the year for me.
Nigel.

Goldeneye

Record shot of distant Goldeneyes

Gulls on Dam Wall

More Gulls arriving

Local Reservoir Gull roost 26/11/2018

St Ives Coppice Pond

Monday 26th November p.m.
 A much brighter day with some sunshine and a temperature of 6°C as I made my way to the Coppice Pond on the St. Ives estate near Harden.I was surprised to see ten Mute Swans (Red Tags 626Y, 981Y, 983Y and 984Y), some having brown feathers suggesting young birds maybe 2nd Winter. There were also eight Tufteds and two Goosanders keeping up their recent regular appearances along with BH Gulls,Mallards,Moorhens and Coots.
 On the island a couple of Moorhens were squabbling with a Carrion Crow with what looked like the remnants of a fish carcass.The viewing area from the hide was again disappointing with a Grey Squirrel the only thing attracted to the bird feeders.
Nigel.

Tufted Duck

BH Gull

Grey Squirrel on the bird feeders

Moorhen

Moorhen,Goosander and Tufted Duck

Goosander

Mute Swans

Carrion Crow and Moorhens with a fish carcass

St. Ives 26/11/2018

Lister Park

Sunday 25th November a.m.
Still with the gloom this morning with added drizzle which was interspersed with a few dry periods to take some pictures, the temperature was 5°C.The bird of the past couple of weeks has been the Goosander and the Lake at Lister Park did not disappoint with five males and three females which kept the camera occupied in the dry spells.Others were c100 Canadas, c150 BH Gulls, Common Gulls, Tufted Duck,Mallards,Coots,Moorhen, Grey Heron and Feral Pigeon.
 In the wooded area with the stream Jay,Nuthatch,Goldcrest,Treecreeper and Long-tailed Tits were seen.
Nigel.

Goosander

Grey Heron

Common Gull

Tufted Duck

Record shot of Goldcrest

Jay

Nuthatch

Canadas

Lister Park 25/11/2018

Dowley Gap and Hirst wood

Saturday 24th November a.m.
 A very dull start to the day with low cloud reducing visibility but clear enough for birding with a temperature of 7°C.On the canal there was a pair of Mute Swans (Yellow Tags 153 & 154),there were three Goosanders, Mallards and Moorhens were also seen.A Kingfisher flew in to the trees at the side of the canal, at the water works there were BH Gulls and a LBB Gull overhead and I counted 30 Pied Wagtails in the Filter Tanks, with two Grey Wagtails.
 I walked into Hirst Wood and saw another four Goosanders  on the River Aire, a Grey Wagtail and another Kingfisher was seen.Heading back when I got to the car a Redwing was seen with several Blackbirds.
Nigel.

Goosander

Pied Wagtail

Five Pied Wagtails

Grey Wagtail

Pied and Grey Wagtail

Mute Swans

Dowley Gap 24/11/2018