Harold Park

Saturday 14th January a.m.
Another cold start with a temperature of 3°C on arrival at Harold park with icy conditions and some lying snow but the sun got brighter as the morning went on.The usual birds were at the lake with a Grey Heron in the trees, good numbers of Coots two of which had white tag numbers DX3 and A4R.
There were two adult Mute Swans with three juveniles I noted four of their Tags(Red 222Y ,374Y, 375Y and Yellow 468).Others noted among the common species were Collared Dove, Common Gull and Tufted Duck.
Nigel.

Coot with white tag A4R

White tag DX3

Collared Dove

Grey Heron

female Mallard

Mute Swans

male Tufted

female Tufted

Harold Park 14/1/2017

Lister Park

Sunday 8th January a.m.
 A dull cloudy morning with a temperature of 8°C on my arrival at Lister Park where I headed for the lake with an unexpected surprise.I still hadn't got the camera out of its case as I approached the lake hearing Geese but it wasn't the Canadas on the water as I looked up the sky was full of Pinkies what a magnificent sight they were.Now it was a mad rush to get the camera set up to get some record shots which thankfully I did before they disappeared.
 After calming down I concentrated on the Lake where there were the usual species I counted 29 Tufteds,there was just one Greylag and three Goosanders.There were plenty of Coots some of which were fighting a sign the breeding season is not so far off.I headed up to the stream where I saw some small birds scurrying around in the tree tops,they were Goldcrests which gave me the usual run around as I tried to get a picture.Also here there were Siskin,Bullfinch,LT Tit ,Coal Tit and other common species.It was good to see a Grey Wagtail in the stream but it was shy and didn't want its picture taking.Near here there was a flock of c25 Redwing feeding on the ground and there was a brief drum from a GSW but the bird was not seen.
 I went back down to the Lake where the Gulls had built up to c200 BH, 10 Commons and 3 Herring Gulls.Nigel.

Siskin

Goldcrest

Bullfinch

Grey Squirrel

Goosander

Coots squaring up

A bitter fight ensues

Herring Gulls

Pinkies

Pinkies fill the sky over Lister Park 8/1/2017

Cullingworth & Hewenden Reservoir

Monday 2nd January a.m.
 A much better start to the day this morning with early morning sunshine but still chilly at just 1°C.
I made my way through the village on to the Great Northern Trail to Hewenden Viaduct where there were twelve Cormorants.Heading through the wood it was good to see Goldcrest again and soon after Bullfinch and a Jay.At the top end of the reservoir I could pick out Moorhen,Mallards,Tufteds, Goosander and a pair of Wigeon and I was surprised to see a Goldeneye. Coming back I picked up more common species including a Greenfinch then a mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwings flew over.As I approached the farm there were three Mistle Thrush on overhead wires and a Pied Wagtail at the farm.Nigel.

Mistle Thrush

Cormorant

Seven Cormorant doing a circuit of the Res

Nine Cormorants in the water

Record shot of distant Goldeneye

Goosander

distant male Wigeon

distant female Wigeon

Blue Tit

Fieldfare and Redwings

Robin

Goldeneye and Wigeon

Hewenden Reservoir 2/1/2017

Redcar Tarn

Sunday 1st January p.m.
A wet start to 2017 which delayed my first venture out until a brighter afternoon with some sunshine but feeling cold when I arrived at Redcar Tarn at just 3°C.A good welcome with a flock of c 250 Lapwings flying around moving from one field to another.Also a high number of Gulls with c200 BH Gulls making the majority with Commons,LBBs and Herrings also on show.Rooks were in the trees then on the ground near the car park six showed up, there were eight Muscovys ,c100 Mallards,15 Tufteds, 85 Canadas along with Coot and Moorhen.I then spotted a male Goosander which I missed on my first circuit maybe flew in when I was looking elsewhere anyway I just got a record shot before it flew off.Anyway it was worth braving the cold to see the birds and with some low late afternoon sunshine it was good for pictures so here are a selection and get 2017 off to a good start.
Nigel.

Rook

Muscovy Duck

Odd Ball Duck

Lapwing

Tufted Duck

Canadas flying over Gulls

Common Gull

Common Gull 1st winter

Goosander

Herring Gull

LBB Gull

Plenty of Lapwings

Looking Good even in silhouette

A good variety of species

Redcar Tarn 1/1/2017