Birding Review of 2019

 Another enjoyable birding year although there seemed to be more interruptions due to poor weather than in other years. A good selection of birds seen as usual and a new one for me which was the Cetti's Warbler. Here are my top ten of 2019 as the New Year approaches, lets hope the birds keep coming.
Happy New Year.
Nigel.
10. Wheatear - I always look forward to seeing the arrival of migrants in the spring this bird was passing by at a local reservoir.

Wheatear - Local Reservoir 11-5-2019

9. Gadwall - This is not a bird I see much of in the local area so I was really pleased to catch up with this one at Redcar Tarn.

Gadwall - Redcar Tarn 18-3-2019

8. Kingfisher - The Kingfisher is my favourite bird so I have to find a place for it in my list.

Kingfisher - Dowley Gap 12-1-2019

7. Little Egret - This is another bird I don't see much of locally seen here at the Stockbrdge NR.

Little Egret - Stockbrdge NR 14-12-2019

6. Water Rail - This bird was also seen on the BOG members Stockbridge NR on the same day.

Water Rail - Stockbridge NR 14-12-2019

5. Spotted Flycatcher - Towards the end of Summer the migrants begin to return from their breeding grounds on the journey South, I caught up with this one at Denholme Clough.

Spotted Flycatcher - Denholme Clough 24-8-2019

4. Goldcrest - During Winter the number of Goldcrest increase as Northern birds over Winter in our milder climate, always difficult to get a picture of though as they move quickly, so this had to make the top ten.

Goldcrest - Lister Park 3-3-2019

3. Reed Warbler - A bird which returns annually during Summer to breed, rather camera shy so I was pleased with this effort.

Reed Warbler - Swillington Ings 7-6-2019

2. Cetti's Warbler - This was a lifer for me, they seem to be spreading North so hopefully will see more of them in future.

Cetti's Warbler - Swillington Ings 17-4-2019

1. Dunlin - I was delighted to get close enough to this bird at a local reservoir to get a good picture making it my number one for 2019.

Dunlin - Local Reservoir 25-5-2019

Lister Park

Sunday 22nd December a.m.
The dull grey skies continued this morning but it was dry with a temperature of 5°C at Lister Park. Here the Lake held c75 Canadas, C100 BH Gulls, 40 Tufteds, Common Gulls, Herring Gulls, Coots, Moorhen and four Mute Swans. There were two Goosanders and walking round the Lake I added a Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail. Walking up neat the stream I added Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Robin, Wren and LT Tit along with some other common species.
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy and peaceful New Year.

Goosander

Mute Swan

Herring Gull

LT Tit

Treecreeper

Grey Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Robin

Wren

Lister Park 22/12/2019

Redcar Tarn

Friday 20th December a.m.
 A cloudy dull morning with grey skies and a temperature of 6°C up at Redcar Tarn where there were c100 BH Gulls and c50 Canadas. There were also a few each of Herring, Common and LBB Gulls, as well as 22 Tufteds, a Pied Wagtail and a Grey Heron with some other common species.

Grey Heron

Pied Wagtail

Tufted

Herring Gull

LBB Gull

BH, Common and Herring Gull

Redcar Tarn 20/12/2019

Stockbridge NR

Saturday 14th December a.m.
 A poor morning with heavy cloud cover and heavy showers and feeling cold with a temperature of 3°C as I sat in the hide on the BOG Nature Reserve at Stockbridge in Keighley. The view from the hide cheered me up with a Little Egret looking for food in the Lake and catching some small fish.The feeders had regular visits from House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Dunnock and Robin. A couple of Greenfinch were after berries on the reserve and a male Pheasant and two females were present. Just before I left a Water Rail made an appearance which was a real treat to see one of these elusive birds, so a good morning despite the poor weather.

Water Rail

Little Egret

male Pheasant

female Pheasant

Reed Bunting

Robin

Greenfinch

House Sparrow

Little Egret at Stockbridge NR 

Stockbridge NR 14/12/2019