Tuesday 30th December
This year was notable for the long dry spring followed by a dry summer meaning the local Reservoirs got very low and hose pipe bans were introduced. This caused some problems with a local Reservoir not accessible and others too low for the wading birds.
However I still had a good year which started off well at Leeshaw Reservoir with a Red-necked Grebe on the 2nd January. This bird was in the area for a few weeks and a lifer for me.
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| Red-necked Grebe |
On the 26th March I went to Swillington Ings and headed to Lowther Lake where a bird had been seen for some time. I was fortunate to find it a Red-Crested Pochard my second lifer and what a great bird.
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| Red-crested Pochard |
On the 1st May I went to TMR where access was a problem with Yorkshire Water and their contractors doing some work. As I drew closer to the Reservoir a bird was feeding in the edge of the water which was at a lower level than usual. As I walked round the Reservoir so the sun was on the bird I could see it was a Wood Sandpier. This rare bird was great to see locally and another lifer for me.
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| Wood Sandpiper |
On the 31st July I had a walk along the fringe of Cullingworth and was rewarded with a special bird a Wood Warbler another lifer.
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| Wood Warbler |
Finally returning to Leeshaw on the 11th August I saw three birds locally for the first time, Black-tailed Godwits, areal treat.
Black-tailed Godwits
