Reservoir Run – Great Northern Diver – Lifer

I was on the reservoir run today when I received 2 texts in quick succession from the Queensbury boys telling me of a sighting by DJS of a Great Northern Diver on Mixenden Res.

Cheers for the texts folks.

Mixenden.

I curtailed my Ponden snoop and headed off to Mixenden.

It was nice to put a face to a name with my first meeting with DJS who was there with NK.

Some good views were had through DJS’s scope and I managed a snap or two of the Great Northern Diver which was the first time I had seen this species.

The weather, which had been wet and cold earlier, improved as we had a walk around the Res.

Earlier:-

Leeshaw 10:30

Cold SW breeze.

3 Cormorant, usual Mallard and small gull contingent,4 Pheasant.

35 Greylag Geese came in to settle on the water while I was there.

Also on the water a Moorhen. A Reed Bunting landed very close but didn’t stay for a snap.

Red Grouse were calling from the moor.

7 Fieldfare flew over and 2 Collard Dove were feeding at the end of the lane on my exit.

Looking at the photo’s later I believe I’ve got 2 pr of Goosander.

Lower Laithe.

Usual small gulls here with just a Pheasant and Mistle Thrush.

Ponden.

Heavy rain / sleet for a while.

4 Pheasant, a few Mallard, usual small gulls,

M. Goldeneye, Jay, Robin came for lunch, Dunnock.

Leeming 13:40

Back at Leeming (following the Mixenden lifer).

A good break in the weather with some watery sunshine.

Usual small gulls & Mallards.

A very attractive white(ish) duck which I take is a Mallard Hybrid.

Cormorant, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Grey Heron.

M. Goosander.

2 dippers were chasing each other down the stream at the north end.

Back home a large flock of Goldfinch were in the tree opposite the house.

A day that will take some beating!

Leeshaw:

2 pr Goosander ? - a long way off.

y

Fieldfare.

Lower Laithe.

I though this was a Pheasant at first not sure now - could be a Kestrel 

Ponden:

Mixenden:

Leeming:

Dipper Bridge

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