Bridlington Trip.

Friday 18th April
 A frosty start to the day as we set off to Bridlington on the East coast of Yorkshire.
On the way as we passed the Harewood estate it was good to see a total of four Red Kites
a couple of them coming close to the car but we were not able to get any snaps. Also on
route a couple of Kestrels were seen hovering over grass verges.
 When we arrived the tide was still in but there were plenty Herring Gulls about, there were
also a good number of Turnstones on ledges on the sea wall.There were also a pair of birds on
the wooden posts some distance away, which I think were Dunlin.I added a couple of snaps so
if I'm wrong hopefully some one will tell me.
 As the tide went out the Turnstones moved onto the sand and we went on a few rides before
having some lunch.There were a few boat trips around the bay,speed boat or pirate ship we
decided not to risk the old sea legs.The tide had now gone out leaving a muddy harbour for
c100 Herring Gull which were joined by a count of 10 Redshanks.
 After the obligatory Ice Creams, very nice they were too we headed home the temperature
now up to 10.5°C & the sun still shining.As we approached the Harewood estate we again
kept a look out for Red Kites,soon we saw our first quickly followed by a second.The numbers
kept rising and there was the amazing site of 15 in the sky together, what a note to finish on.

Herring Gull

Herring Gulls

Dunlin I think

Turnstone on the sea wall

Redshank

Pirate ship

Turnstone

Herring Gull at Bridlington 18/4/2014

Bridlington

Harden Moor

Wednesday 16th April a.m.
 A cold frosty start to the day but good sunshine with a temperature of 3.5°C on Harden
Moor.Some good signs of spring with a flock of c25 Sand Martins returning,Wrens singing
and even a Green Woodpecker calling.Great to see some Linnets too along with Bullfinch,
Goldfinch,Little Owl,Kestrel,Stock Dove,Pied Wag & Mipits.A good birding start to the day
which warmed up with blue skies.

Linnet

Little Owl

Wren

Linnet in the early morning sunshine

Morning Tour

Saturday 12th April a.m.
An early morning start in search of Wheatears at Nab Water Lane just above Paul Clough,
you never know what you're gonna find a Ring Ouzel could well be in this area.Well the
conditions were not favourable with dull skies, a strong blustery wind & a temperature of 5.5°C,
but despite no sun to pose in we did get two female Wheatear both distant views.The other bird,
well writing it, is as close as we've got to one of them, but we keep trying. Others seen here were
Lapwing,Curlew,Kestrel,Mipit,Pied Wag,Canadas & Pheasant.
Leeshaw
 The usual suspects were on parade at Leeshaw, still no Wheatears here though, a couple of
Stock Doves were a site first & three Swallows were our first of the year. Always good to see
the first ones of the year & what an effort they make returning from South Africa.Flying
thousands of miles with the Sahara Dessert to cross they are a remarkable little bird. A couple
of LBB Gulls in a field at the other side of the reservoir stood out too.
Leeming
 A quick call in at Leeming reservoir on the way home turned up a Dipper in the stream below
the reservoir over flow.In the over flow area was a Grey Wagtail other than these still quiet at
this location, and with the water level so high not looking good for waders passing through.

Oystercatcher

Curlew Nab Water Lane

Lapwing at Leeshaw

LBB Gulls

Pied Wags at Leeshaw

Distant view of female Wheater on Nab Water Lane

Grey Wag at Leeming

Dipper at Leeming

Distant Dipper

Leeshaw

Saturday 5th April a.m.
 It was a dull morning when I arrived at Leeshaw without Danny, who was going to his
school Fair, temperature was 8.5°C. Nothing too exciting happening but good to see the
old favourites including Mipits,Lapwings,Oystercatcher,Pheasant,Curlew,Little Owl,
Pied & Grey Wags & Redshank.I did get a new tick for us at Leeshaw, as I was driving
along the track two Red-Legged Partridge were walking along in front of the car before
deciding to fly off. N.P.

morning Little Owl

Meadow Pipit

Oystercatcher

Pied Wag

Grey Wag

Redshank

Little Owl in the usual spot

Garden Visitors

Thursday 3rd April
 Another gloomy day with thick fog all day.We did have some birds visiting the feeders
in the garden with a male Pheasant & a Redpoll brightening the spirits.

male Pheasant

Redpoll

Male Pheasant to brighten up a dull day