Wednesday 30 August 2017

More from Redcar Tarn

From Monday 28th August
I had a good morning at Redcar Tarn on Monday taking a lot of decent pictures some of which didn't make the blog first time round.It seems a shame not to use more of them so here we go for a second instalment.
Nigel.
Lapwing




Mallard chicks

chicks with a watchful mum

Pied Wagtail


Goldfinch

Grey Heron

Herring Gull

Canadas

Redcar Tarn 28/08/2017

Monday 28 August 2017

Redcar Tarn

Monday 28th August a.m.
Yet another morning of dry weather and some sunshine as I made my way up to Redcar Tarn where the temperature was 15°C.In a distant field there were 128 Canadas grazing, these later came to the Tarn in two waves.There were about fifteen Lapwings at the waters edge with the BH,LBB and Herring Gulls,not to mention the Mallards,Muscovys,Coots and Jackdaws.One Mallard had two chicks and one of the Muscovys had a brood of six chicks.Goldfinches were on the Thistle seeds, Swallows were overhead and at least one House Martin was seen.Walking round the Tarn a Grey Heron was at the edge of the water looking for fish, the wall at the side of the road had a count of fifteen Pied Wagtails.
Nigel.
Mallard chicks


BH Gull

Grey Heron


Lapwing


Muscovy with chicks

Pied Wagtail


Goldfinch

Lapwing & Jackdaw

LBB Gull

LBB Gull Juv

A good mix of birds

Redcar Tarn 28/08/2017

Sunday 27 August 2017

Cullingworth and Hewenden Reservoir

Sunday 27th August a.m.
 Another bright and sunny start to the morning with a temperature of 11°C as I had an enjoyable walk through the village and round Hewenden Reservoir.The highlight of the walk was as I came round a corner in front of me was a sparrowhawk perched on a gate post.There was little on the water just Mallards with BH Gull numbers building on the dam wall and in a distant field Canadas which were joined by more which flew past me.A Grey Wagtail flew on to the dam wall and it was good to see a female Pheasant with a juvenile.Some Swallows posed nicely and there are still plenty of House Martins flying around overhead, a Grey Heron and a Cormorant were on opposite sides of the Reservoir.There were a flock of 23 Lapwings at the side of the Reservoir which was unusual but I was pleased to see them.A Chiffchaff was heard briefly and a Jay flew out of a tree and other usual species were also seen.
Nigel.
Sparrowhawk



Swallow



Blue Tit

Canadas

Grey Heron

Lapwings

female Pheasant

juvenile Pheasant

Hewenden Reservoir 27/8/2017

Saturday 26 August 2017

Leeshaw Reservoir

Saturday 26th August a.m.
A bright start with some early morning sunshine at Leeshaw with a temperature of 13°C where I got off to a great start as a large bird flew nearby as I pulled in the parking spot under the trees.The bird flew down the track and perched on the wall at the bottom, I knew it was a raptor but the rush was on to get the camera out of the bag and set up for a record shot.It was some distance away so I drove slowly down the track as close as I dare then with the window down I was able to get some decent pictures of the Buzzard before it was off not to be seen again.
 I then parked up in my usual spot with Greylags and Canadas in the field above as well as a good number of Mipits, a Cormorant was on the tower and there were a few LBB Gulls at the edge of the water.Further up the track I saw a couple of Curlew and on a distant wall there were three Wheatear and a Kestrel was hunting in the distance.A couple of Swallows were still around as I packed up and headed home.
Nigel.
Buzzard




Curlew


Kestrel


Distant Wheatear

Leeshaw 26/8/2017