Redshank at Redcar Tarn

Friday April 20th p.m.
 A cloudy afternoon with the odd heavy shower and some sunny intervals, the temperature was
just 5.5°C as we pulled up at Redcar Tarn. Things could't have got off to a better start as two
Redshanks landed just in front of the car giving us a great view of them. We stayed in the car so
as not to frighten them off, but they didn't stop long before going into a nearby field. We also saw
our first Swallows of the year flying about, there were the usual Gulls and Ducks and as we walked
round the Tarn we saw the Redshanks in the next field and were able to get some snaps.
c75 - BH Gull
4 - Common Gull
12 - Coot
2 - Curlew
4 - Jackdaw
6 - Lapwing
1 - Mute Swan
2 - Oystercatcher
6 - Pied Wagtail
2 - Redshank
10 - Swallow
16 - Tufted Duck
plus other species.

Redshank

Pied Wagtail

Tufted Ducks

 

Local Walk

Sunday April 15th a.m.
 A cold frosty start just 2°C,but blue skies as we set off towards Hewenden taking the dog for a walk,
first bird of the morning was a Blackbird, then three Long-tailed Tits flitting between bushes in the
gardens. There were several Collard Doves on the roof tops and we saw several Jackdaws, a
couple of them carrying nesting material. We walked along the track down to Hewenden Reservoir,
seeing a Grey Heron, which soon took flight as we approached, there were good numbers of
Carrion Crow in this area and also four Pied Wagtail and a Mistle Thrush. At the side of the water
were six Canadas and three Mallards whilst on the water a first for us here were three Great Crested
Grebe, great to see them so close to home.
  We headed back up the track and towards the viaduct along the Northen Trail where birds were
singing including Blackcap,Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and we also spotted several Goldfinch.
Looking from the viaduct there were now four Grey Heron in the fields and a flock of over 50 birds
lifted from trees at the edge of the reservoir and headed West towards the Cullingworth.I couldn't get
a positive ID on them but being white underneath and black appearance on their back they were likely
to be Swallows or House Martins. Heading back we saw Robin,Wren,House Sparrow,Greenfinch and
a few other usual species, an enjoyable walk with plenty birds to see and hear the song of returning
migrants.
 On another note congratulations to my sister who attended the national grading for Taekwondo
yesterday and was successful and received her black belt.

Willow Warbler 1

Willow Warbler 2

Blackcap

Goldfinch

Grey Heron 1

Grey Heron 2

Pied Wagtail

Mistle Thrush

Great Crested Grebe 1

Great Crested Grebe 2

Local Walk

Wednesday April 11th a.m.
 We took the dog for a walk on the Northern Trail to Hewenden and then back into the village
and home, sunshine and light showers with the temperature at 5°C. There were a good number
of birds about this morning at the side of the reservoir were Canadas,Cormorant,Grey Heron and
a pair of Oystercatchers took to the air flying off towards Denholme. There was what from distance,
Hewenden Viaduct, a Greylag with the Canadas. Plenty other species seen totalling 25 some of
which were Blue Tits,Dunnock,Collard Dove,Jackdaw,Long-tailed Tit,Greenfinch,Goldfinch,Mute
Swan and Wren. Also when we got back there was a male Bullfinch on the garden feeder and a
female eating the buds on the Plum tree, my dad didn't seem too happy about that.

Wren

Wren singing

Dunnock

Greenfinch

Collard Dove

Side of Hewenden Reservoir

female Bullfinch in the Plum tree

male Bullfinch 

 

Keighley Nature Reserve

Tuesday April 10th a.m.
 There was a bit more sunshine at the BOG members Nature Reserve in Keighley and we saw
some good birds as well. These included Canadas,Chiffchaff singing,Dunnock,Goosander,Moorhen,
Mute Swan,Pheasant,Reed Bunting and other common species. The highlight though was a couple of
visits from a Kingfisher which is always a treat to see,we had some good views of it and also as it
caught a fish.

Kingfisher 1

Kingfisher 2

male Goosander

Dunnock

Mute Swan

Pheasant

Canadas

Kingfisher Collage

Redcar Tarn Gulls

Tuesday April 10th a.m.
 Today was very much a day for the Gulls at Redcar Tarn,high above Keighley with heavy rain
showers, some hail too with a strong blustery wind, only the odd brief period of sun and just 3.5°C.
c100 - Black-headed Gull
2 - Canadas
11 - Common Gull
10 - Coot
2 - Jackdaw
2 - Lesser Black-backed Gull
c50 - Mallards
1 - Moorhen
1 - Muscovy Duck
1 - Mute Swan
1 - Pied Wagtail
4 - Rook
18 - Tufted Duck
plus other common Geese and Hybred Ducks.

BH Gull

BH Gull in full summer plumage

Common Gull 1st Winter plumage

BH Gull

BH and Common Gulls

Redcar Tarn, Keighley

Garden Visitors

Monday April 9th
 A poor day today with prolonged spells of rain, so we stopped in and watched the birds in the
garden. Fortunately there were plenty to see on and around the feeders even in the pouring rain,
there were Blackbirds,Blue Tits,Bullfinch,Chaffinch,Collard Dove,Dunnock,Goldfinch,Greenfinch,
Robin,Song Thrush and Woodpigeon. We managed to get some snaps when there was a brighter
spell the rest are taken through the window so there not the best but tell the story of today.

Chaffinch 1

Chaffinch 2

Song Thrush

Bullfinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Collard Dove

Woodpigeon

 

Dowley Gap, Bingley

Sunday April 8th a.m.
 Yet another dull morning but it did brighten up with a few sunny spells later in the morning the
temperature when we arrived was 8°C. There were several Greenfinch at the side of the road
where we park with three Greylags and a Mistle Thrush in the field. On the canal there was another
Greylag along with a couple of Mallards, a Song Thrush sang in a nearby tree. As we looked over to the Sewage Works there were c150 Black-headed Gulls and we spotted a Fox which laid down and was
surrounded by Magpies. Further along there were four Pied Wagtails and we watched a Wren singing.
As we were stood a pair of Oystercatchers flew low over us and landed in the Sewage works.We went
over the Aqueduct and into Hirst Wood alongside the River Aire seeing a female Goosander on the river.
There was Chiffchaff singing and we could here a GSW drumming, we had another low fly over, this time
by a Grey Heron which landed at the side of the river in front of us, again we were not quick enough to
get a snap.There were plenty Woodpigeons around and we saw four Stock Doves. We retraced our
steps back taking a snap of a couple of Feral Pigeons as we went over the Aqueduct, we saw some Chaffinch singing here. We went back along the canal over the bridge and in to a wood called Bull Copy again walking along the bank of the River Aire. The rowing boats were out on the river so apart from a
couple of Robins and Carrion Crow it was quiet. We admired some of the flowers making most of the
light before the leaves appear on the trees. We saw Butterbur,Lesser Celandine,Wood Anemone and
Bluebells. A good mornings birding and seeing some spring flowers in the woodland.

Greylag

Goosander

Wren

Feral Pigeons

Grey Heron

Fox

Fox surrounded by Magpies

Butterbur

Bluebells

Lesser Cellandine

Wood Anemone

Bull Copy Wood