Doe Park Reservoir

Sunday 30th May a.m.

 A sunny start to the morning although mist kept rolling in from time to time stopping any birding for short periods, the temperature was 8°C.  On the way walking to the Reservoir there were a dozen Swifts over Hewenden Viaduct and a Green Woodpecker flew past.  At Doe Park there were two Common Sandpipers on the jetty, one briefly came under the Dam wall.  Sand Martins and Swallows were flying over the water and Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were vocal.  A Song Thrush was also vocal, others seen were Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Jay, Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Pheasant and Wren. 

Kestrel

Common Sandpiper

Pheasant

Song Thrush

Willow Warbler

Wren

Bullfinch

Chaffinch

Orange Tip Butterfly

Small White Butterfly

Doe Park Reservoir 30/5/2021

Redcar Tarn

Saturday 22nd May a.m.

 A poor morning with cloud and rain up at Redcar Tarn , the temperature was just 6°C but I was pleased to see some House Martins feeding over the water with Sand Martins and Swallows.  A pair of Coots had four chicks and a Mallard was with seven chicks, others were LBB Gull, Pied Wagtail, Canadas and Rook.

Swallow

House Martin

Mallard with seven chicks

Coot chick

Coot with chicks

 

Harold Park

 Sunday 16th May a.m.

 After early morning fog cleared it had brightened up by the time I reached Harold Park with a temperature of 10°C.  A Mute Swan was chasing Canadas away, the reason soon became apparent when it returned to its mate and seven Cygnets.  There were four Swifts high up above the water, not much else though with Tufteds, Moorhen, Mallards and Coots making up the numbers.

Very quiet down the road at Park Dam with just two Swifts and a Gt C. Grebe worth mentioning.

Mute Swan

Mute Swans with seven Cygnets

Cygnet

Tufteds

Gt C. Grebe

Mute Swans at Harold Park

Harold Park 16/5/2021

  

Harden Moor

 Wednesday 12th May a.m.

 A good bright morning with a temperature of 5°C a bit wet underfoot though after recent downpours.  The usual birds were seen on Harden Moor with Garden Warbler, Cuckoo, Kestrel, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler being the most notable.

Kestrel

Cuckoo

Garden Warbler

Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

Two Cuckoos on Harden Moor 12/5/2021

Doe Park Reservoir

Tuesday 11th May a.m.

  A sunny morning with a temperature of 5°C as I walked from home to Doe Park Reservoir seeing a Grey Wagtail as I reached the Reservoir and a Grey Heron departing.  Just a couple of Canadas and a Great Crested Grebe on the water but there were eight Sand Martins flying around, later joined by a couple of Swallows.  Chiffchaff could be heard and Whitethroat and Willow Warbler were seen, a LT Tit was carrying food and a Blue Tit posed briefly.  A Mistle Thrush was singing and an Oystercatcher flew over the water briefly stopping before moving on.  The highlight of the morning was seeing a Common Sandpiper which was next to a Mallard, others were Kestrel, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Song Thrush and Chaffinch.  A couple of Butterflies were around a Peacock didn't want a picture taking but a Small Copper was more obliging.

LT Tit carrying food

Common Sandpiper

Grey Heron

G.C.Grebe

Mistle Thrush

Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

Blue Tit

Bullfinch

Small Copper Butterfly

Common Sandpiper & Mallard

Doe Park Reservoir 11/5/2021