Avocet

Gloomy day but had to see the Avocets. They have at present 4 young with more to come

Wren

Just started setting up a nest at the side of the
Camp site.Super little bird.

Siskin

Caught feeding on the Alder cones in the Crown car park

Ring Ouzel

 A bird that you dont normally get too close to is the Ring Ouzel

 But we were spoilt by this one who made a second appearance

outside the seawatching hide.

Pied Flycatcher

 The first of the year for us .Thankfully wont be the last.

 We hoped it would hang around but it was soon off again

Grasshopper Warbler

One bird that us "older people " dont always hear because of their unusual call
but great to see when lucky enough to do so

Blackcap

This is one of the birds I seem to have problems getting close to for a picture. This one must have felt sorry for me

White Wagtail

White Wagtail following the cows on Borrow Pits along with a Yellow Wagtail

BlueThroat

Superb male down near the point , definately the best we have ever seen in full colour plumage.

Short Eared Owl

Just as dinner was calling I came out of the hide to find this Shorteared Owl over the Borrow Pits. Perfect timing eh ?

New Hide

Managed to take this picture showing part of the newly developed area at the top of Beacon Ponds showing the new hide. Ten minutes later the mist came in and you couldnt see a thing.The ponds are starting to fill so look forward to possible waders taking advantage of them

Merlin

We had been looking for about three days for the Merlin and spotted him half way up Beacon Lane.Apparantly this is one of his favourite posts for looking for dinner

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Just walking by Kew and heard a loud irritated call . Trapped in the Mist Net and just time to take a picture. Cheers Paul

Looking for Mates

Just a few pictures from last week of birds singing and looking for parners including Dunnock , Linnet , Meadow Pipit , Reed Bunting , Wheatear and finally Yellow Hammers that appear to have paired up

Blackredstart

This is our first Redstart of the yearand were fortunateto have have seen it first in the field and then to have had it in the hand due to a few meally worms and acunning Barry Spence

Short Eared Owl

We had three Short Eared Owl flying over the Triangle yesterday but have had none at all today. Great to watch as they hunt the area .

Red Kite

Just a bit of poetic licence with this Red Kite as the original was not the best of quality . I think it looks quite  good

Treecreeper

Once again lucky to see this Creeper close to the footpath on the way down to the small bridge. Heard Greatspotted woodpecker drumming very close at the same time but it didnt show itself

Crossbill

Went up to The Giants Tooth today and was lucky to just catch this male before it flew off towards the Plantation. Its a shame you cant get very close to them as they are very flighty birds

Goldeneye

Male and female Goldeneye on the reservoir today but tending to keep their distance.

Ogden Water

A cracking male Goldeneye on the reservoir was a nice sight and followed up with a quick visit of a Tree creeper .

kingfisher

Thought I would put a few more of the Kingfisher on as she was so obliging and also because its not very often you can get so lucky

Redpol

One of four Redpol seen down at Cromwell Bottom which have been around for about two weeks now.

Cromwell Bottom

Great views of the Kingfisher along the Canal Path going towards Elland