Saturday 14 May 2016

Rodley Nature Reserve

Managed a couple of hours on the reserve this morning and what a morning, so many birds about and decent weather to boot.


Canada and Greylag Geese were in the field by the car park along with a pair of Herons and a fair few Magpies and Crows.

A lone Common Tern was on the Lagoon, along with the usual Black Swans, Canada Geese, Coots, Moorhens, Great Crested Grebe and plenty of Sand Martins and Swifts flying overhead.

Along the Willow Path were Bullfinch, Robin, Jay, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.



Out of the Duck Marsh hide we saw a Reed Warbler, Herons, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Mute Swan, Canada Geese and a Sparrowhawk overhead.




From the Willow Path Hide a Common Sandpiper, Gadwall, Lapwing, Coot and another Heron.

The lovely new Reedbed Hide is now open and looks great. The reedbeds themselves had several Reed Buntings flying about, a lone Gadwall and several unidentifiable LBJs flying backwards and forwards across the near reedbed, possibly more Warblers. A Cormorant was on it's the usual pylon perch.


My husband spotted a Pied Wagtail fly across the path from Tim's Field into the coppice. The field itself is looking quite stunning right now.


Watching the reeds from the screen near the gazebo we could hear Reed and Sedge Warblers, we only caught brief glimpses though.

The air by the visitor centre was filled with Swifts, Sand Martins and Swallows, I could watch these all day! But I was pressed on up to the Managers Garden only to find the Little Owl resting in the tree at the back of the feeders. Thank you to the gentleman who pointed it out when we got there! On the feeders we saw Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Jackdaws and Magpies.




A stop for a cuppa and we watched Dunnock and Goldfinch around the feeders and Jackdaws all over the field.


Walking down the access road brought us a Whitethroat.


We can't leave without looking onto the river from the bridge, good thing we did as we saw a Goosander with her brood, which were constantly trying to climb on her back.


Here are some of my other favourites








I'm looking forward now to the first Leeds Bird Fair here on the 25th June!

6 comments:

  1. Great Blog and great place

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  2. Lovely post Pam, with working Sundays I don't seem to get here as much as in past years. I was so looking forward to the bird fair, but realised we go on holiday the day before :( it will be a good event.
    When they have a moth trapping event on we need to see if we can meet up at one of them..
    Love the shot of the Goosander and well done for getting it on the TV.
    Amanda xx

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    1. Thanks Amanda :) Oh what a shame, it would have been nice to meet up with you then! I've not been to a moth trapping event yet, that would be a great idea. Thanks again, I was pretty chuffed seeing it on TV! :) x

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  3. Wonderful images Pam and an enjoyable account of your trip to Rodley NR, it certainly looks like a good place for the Leeds Bird Fair :-)

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    1. Thanks David! I think the bird fair will do great here, I can't think of anywhere better! :)

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