Fly Flatts / Mixenden reservoir

 

                                    Bright skies at Fly Flatts

                                    Surprise visitors 1 pair Goldeneye

                                    7 Oystercatchers 

                                    Several Lapwings

                                    as well as Curlews

                                    Single Ringed Plover

                                Pied Wagtail sat on my car roof

                                    Ringed Plover

                                    Mixenden, 13 Whooper Swans

As promised, a bright sunny ay with wall to wall sunshine on a light NE>3 at 3 degrees.

    Unusual to get Goldeneye at this site with a pair up at the north end of the water as well as 7 Oystercatchers on the east bank. The Ringed Plover was still present on the south bank before flying over to the east bank but keeping at distance.

    Several Lapwings are now settled in the area around the Flat moor and holding territory. Canada and Greylags are pairing up with around 100 Canada and 12 Greylag including the 2 whites. Only 2 gulls present were 2 LBBs briefly on the water before heading off >SE. Very few Red Grouse at this site now.

   As I was walking back to the car a Pied Wagtail was on the car roof  waiting for its photo taking. Pied Wags breed every year at this site rearing 3 broods last year.

   On the way to Fly Flatts early morn I checked Mixenden reservoir for Whoopers with just a few gulls present but as I was tackling up mid morning, a text from Bradshaw John reporting 13 at Mixenden so a quick stop off on the way home.

   As I arrived John was just leaving, with the Whoopers still present. A peer through the top gate and a few very distant photos but good to see Whoopers on the move. Thanks for the call John.

   Another day of the same tomorrow weather wise with plenty sunshine on a light SE at 3 degrees.

BS

Ogden Reservoir

 

                                    Ogden early morn.

                                    Good count of Treecreepers

A pleasant enough walk around Ogden early morn being sheltered from the moderate SW>4 with full cloud at 6 degrees.

   Bird-wise it was quiet on the water with just a single LBB gull and around 20 small gulls plus the resident Mallards.

    The west bank fared better with a good count of at least 8 Treecreepers in the same area along with 2 very mobile Redpoll s well as Blue, Great and Coal Tits. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was hammering away at a tree but kept out of sight.

    Otherwise, just a Raven overhead, along with the usual expected common woodland species.

 No reports yesterday or today of the local Iceland gull but the long staying Roundhay Park bird is still on site. A good report from MC with c 44 Whooper Swans on Fewston reservoir yesterday, a rare sighting locally so far this winter with reports that large numbers of Whoopers have stayed near their breeding grounds this winter due to mild weather.

    A good looking forecast for tomorrow with lots of sunshine on a light NE turning N then E at 3 degrees. Hopefully the low temperature will keep the eastern fog away.

BS

Horton Bank Top x 3 / Wibsey Park.

 

                                    Horton Bank Top

                                    Several Herring gulls

                                        2 Mute Swan

                                        3 singing Song Thrush

                                    Wibsey Park

                                    10 Herring gull

                                    Single LBB gull

                                    Usual Moorhens etc

                                    18 Tufted

                                    Greenfinch, a rare find recently.

A bright sunny morning with some cloud on a light SSW>3 at 5 degrees. By midday the wind had increased with full cloud cover.

   With 2 reports and photos of a 1CY Iceland gull on the water at Horton Bank Top yesterday I felt that I had to go check it out today. I'm not into twitching other folks birds but being only 5 minutes down the road I thought it was worth a try.

    Nothing showing early morn other than 12 Herring gull, 4 LBB and several small gulls. A single 

Great Crested Grebe was present in full summer plumage but otherwise just the usual 2 Mute Swans, Coots, Moorhens and Mallards whilst 3 Song Thrushes were up singing in the trees.

   On then to Wibsey Park where 10 Herring and 1 LBB gulls were present along with around 50 Black Headed.  A good count of 18 Tufted duck as well as 2 Mute Swan, Greylags and Canadas plus the usual park lake species. Another singing Song Thrush here plus a surprise to find a single Greenfinch.

   Still thinking Iceland gull, I stopped off at Bank Top on the way home for another check but very few big gulls present.

   Thinking afternoon is the best time for gulls I extended the afternoon dog walk back for a third check but despite 23 Herring gulls on the water, no sign of an Iceland. That's enough chasing around for Iceland gull, I'll wait for one to come to me at Ogden now.

    A mostly cloudy day for tomorrow with a moderate sou'westerly at 7 degrees and chance of rain after midday.

BS

Leeshaw Reservoir

 

                                    Plenty Canada and Greylags

                                    2 of 3 Pink Footed geese

                                    LH Pink in moult

                                    2 distant Little Owl

                                    Just 2 LBB gulls

                                    Over 100 Lapwing

                                    Minimum of 28 Oystercatchers

                                    Single drake Goosander

A pleasant morning at Leeshaw with full cloud on a light NW>2 at 5 degrees. 

    With all the roads now reopened, for now, I did a visit to Leeshaw reservoir to check out the geese and gulls. Around 200 mixed Greylag and Canada along with the long staying 3 Pink Footed geese, one of which is in moult, but no White Fronted mixed in with them.

    Gulls were disappointing with just 2 LBBs 4 Common and a few Black Headed around the water whilst waders did better with 28 Oystercatcher, over 100 Lapwing and 6 Curlew. Redshank are next on the list, due anytime in the next 2 weeks, and then there is a lull in the wader arrivals until April.

     Just a single drake Goosander plus a few Mallards on the water with a Heron on the north bank. 

Otherwise 2 Little Owl and the usual species.

   Some overnight rain and snow showers then a day of cloud with some heavy rain along with a chance of  sleet and snow on a moderate SW at 6 degrees.

BS