St Aidan's

We spent a couple of hours walking around on Saturday morning, the weather was glorious, not too hot for walking though I think if we'd stayed later it would have been (for me anyway!).

By the main path towards the reedbeds we were surrounded by Sedge Warblers, Meadow Pipits, Sylark, Goldfinch, Reed Buntings and Linnets. In the reedbeds themselves, more Sedge Warblers, Reed Buntings, Linnets and Reed Warblers.

Meadow Pipit

Reed Bunting

Reed Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Reed Bunting

Linnet

Sedge Wabler

On the water I finally saw two of the Black-necked Grebes which I managed to miss on our last visit! They were distant and soon off into the reeds but I got good enough views.

A couple of Common Terns flew over and just two Swifts. The lack of Swallows, Martins and Swifts was very noticeable, especially compared to last year when we visited around the same time.

There were quite a few chicks on the water, mostly Geese and Coot and one Mallard family.

The paths around the reedbeds were guarded by Black-headed Gulls, they flew off as we approached but settled down again behind us.

My first dragonfly of the year landed on the path in front of us and we saw a moth hidden among the grass. We only saw a handful of butterflies.

Small White

Small China-mark moth?

Common Blue Damselfly

Our time was up.........ok I admit I wanted to be back for the Royal Wedding..........so our time was always going to be limited today but I was hoping for the Grebes and I wasn't disappointed!

Rodley Nature Reserve

Sunday was supposed to be a day filled with heavy snow, I was so looking forward to it..........but it seems those down south stole my snow (not entirely sure they wanted it to be fair) and instead there was a few flakes that barely covered the lawn!

As we hadn't made plans we decided to go out for a walk around Rodley. Not surprisingly, as it was just barely above freezing (and it got colder!), it was fairly quiet, not too many people were there and those that were there were chatty, which was lovely. We met a chap called Steve and had quite a chat, he's the warden of Denso Marston Nature Reserve in Baildon a place I'd heard about thanks to The Quiet Walker but have yet to visit.

There were plenty of Gulls all around the reserve, on the water, on the ice and in the surrounding fields - Black-Head and Common. On the water we saw Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, a Shelduck, amongst others.

From the Duck Marsh Hide 3 Moorhens were feeding on the grass in between the marsh and just off to the side of those - 2 Snipe wandering about too, I really didn't realise just how small they are until I saw them next to the Moorhens.

Can you spot them?!

A few Heron's were by the marshes, this one flew off just as we sat down in the next hide.

The smaller birds where out in abundance, Wrens, Dunnocks, Chaffinch, Robins, Blue, Great and Long-Tailed Tits, Blackbirds, Chaffinch and a few Reed Bunting too.

Good views of the Linnet flock too, flying in and out of the meadow.

We sat a while in the visitors centre with a much needed cup of tea to warm up and watched the birds out round the feeders - including Stock Dove, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Song Thrush.

As we walked up to the managers garden, we stopped to look into the field with the dung heap and a couple of guys there pointed out a few Meadow Pipits beyond it and Pied and Grey Wagtails on the heap itself.

Spot the Pipit

We watched the Blackbirds and a Jay in the managers garden and then headed out the reserve, we were followed down the road by a Red Kite, which flew over our heads only to be mobbed by 4 Crows as it got closer to the river!

I think we picked the right time to go, it had started snowing by now, not a lot but there was a definite drop in temperature and my hands despite my gloves were feeling it!

Yeadon Dam

I managed to make a brief visit here on Saturday morning on the way to my parents. The usual birds were out on the water - Canada Geese, Mallard, Coot, Tufted Ducks and Mute Swans. Black Headed Gulls and Swallows were flying about over the water. The Swallows are a joy to watch swooping about.

There were quite a few Sparrows hanging off the grasses by the water as we walked around, they were flighty though.

At the top end of the dam where the reeds are we spotted Blue Tits, Linnets, Wren, Willow Warbler, Blackbird and Reed Bunting.

You can just about see the Willow Warbler at the top of the tree

I also heard my first Grasshopper Warbler, it stayed well out of sight of course but you can just about pick out the reeling call on this video. I was pretty pleased, I hung around a while in hope it might show itself but I had to be content with the call, which was pretty much constant.

A little further round near the bike track I heard a  Chiffchaff calling but it stayed out of sight. Nice little visit, i'm glad I had the time to walk around.