Redcar Tarn

Tuesday 27th December a.m.
When I arrived at Redcar Tarn the area was full of the usual Gulls,Mallards,Coots,Tufteds and Canadas which was great to see.In with the large number of BH Gulls were Commons,Herrings and LBBs and with c200 Lapwings flying around before landing in a field there was plenty to see.Jackdaws and Rooks were also present one of the Rooks posing well for a picture bringing a good morning to an end.

Rook

BH Gull gaining its spring hood already

Common Gull

Herring Gull

LBB Gull

Tufted Duck

Lapwings

Canadas and Gulls

more Canadas and Gulls

Redcar Tarn 27/12/2016

Leeshaw Reservoir

Tuesday 27th December a.m.
 I decided to go to Leeshaw Reservoir this morning before going on to Redcar Tarn, I've not been for a while but you never know what you might find.It was cloudy with a temperature of 5°C and as I pulled up I saw another car and it was good to see it was BS with his birding team of two dogs.We talked for a while but there was not much birds to discuss other than Cormorants,Greylags,Canadas and Mipits.
 I did n't stay long but as I headed towards Haworth on Marsh Lane I noticed a couple of birds in the trees and so I stopped nearby getting the camera and bins out of the car and headed back towards them.Through the bins I confirmed four Waxwings as I got nearer in camera range off they went but at least I had a late annual tick.Looking at a couple of the trees they were laden with berries so maybe they will be back although I spotted a couple of Mistle Thrush that might beat them to the berries.The field opposite where I had stopped held another surprise in the form of a mixed flock of c100 Redwing and Fieldfare. After this distraction I carried on through Haworth and Keighley and up to Redcar Tarn.Report to follow...
Nigel.

Mistle Thrush

Cormorant

Greylags

Redwing

Fieldfare

View of Haworth on approach from Marsh Lane

Lister Park

Sunday 18th December a.m.
 A trip over to Lister Park near Bradford this morning for Danny and I in mild conditions with a temperature of 8°C but cloudy skies overhead.We started off as usual at the Lake where there were large numbers of BH Gulls with a few Commons mixed in.There were nine Goosanders with the Canadas,Tufteds etc and an odd looking Greylag. As we were walking round Danny spotted a large fish in the water,we don't know the species but have a picture below. We walked up to the stream seeing a Grey Wagtail a Jay and five Goldcrests.
 I've noticed we reached the 100,000 views earlier this week so a big Thank You from Danny and I to all who read our blog and hopefully you will enjoy it and continue to visit in the future.Nigel.

Goosander

Common Gull

Grey Wagtail

Oddball Greylag

Large Fish ID?

Goosanders and Gulls

Lister Park 18/12/2016

Redcar Tarn

Saturday 10th December a.m.
 I had a quick visit up to Redcar Tarn this morning where it was cloudy but mild with a temperature of 9°C.The Lapwing flock was up to c300 birds also good numbers of Gulls which included c40 Commons.More than usual Tufteds with a good count of 40 birds, there was also four odd ball ducks which someone said maybe domestic ones which have been left here.The normal couple of Pied Wags turned up and there were c50 Canadas so plenty of birds to see even though nothing out of the ordinary.Nigel.

Lapwing

Lapwings & Gulls

BH Gull

Canadas

Common & LBB Gull

Four odd ball Ducks with Tufteds in the background

Redcar Tarn 10/12/2016

Harold Park and Park Dam

Sunday 4th December a.m.
Another cloudy start to the day but brightening up as the morning went on, there was a temperature of 5°C as I parked up at Harold Park.Here there was the usual mix of birds with the addition of three Goosanders on the main Lake.Two of these flew up to the smaller pond higher up in the park where I caught up with them and two Juvenile Mute Swans(red tags Y277 & 278Y).Near here there was also the unusual sight of a pair of Collared Doves building a nest.
 From Harold Park I went down the road a short distance to Park Dam where there were nine Goosanders, four Little Grebes,a Cormorant and c50 Canadas arrived.
Nigel.

Juv Mute Swan

male Goosander

female Goosander

Little Grebe

Moorhen

male Tufted Duck

Canadas arriving at Park Dam 4/12/2016

Dowley Gap and Hirst Wood

Saturday 3rd December a.m.
A dull morning with a temperature of 5°C as I pulled up at Dowley Gap where the bird life was also the same as I walked along side the canal.A couple of Goosanders kept their distance and Moorhen among the trees were the best I could do.Walking back down to the water works things livened up a bit with c30 Pied Wagtails & a couple of Greys.Through into Hirst Wood and down to the River Aire where there was a Grey Heron then a Dipper arrived and soon after a Kingfisher flew by.The Dipper kept moving around but stayed in the same area so I could get some pictures.Walking back a flock of c30 Redwings were flying around a couple in the trees  stayed long enough for a picture.Then the Goosander was near the road bridge so i had another go at a picture following it for a short distance but it was too camera shy.Then a flash of blue as a Kingfisher flew past and into the trees on the other bank of the canal.Then after playing hide and seek if finally came out and posed for a few pictures sending me home with a smile.
Nigel.

Kingfisher

Dipper

Grey Heron

Redwing

River Aire through Hirst Wood 3/12/2016