Reservoir Run - Oxenhope

10:20 – 14:30

I enjoyed a trip around the Oxenhope area reservoirs on a beautiful sunny morning; perhaps the weather was a tad too good for birding??

Leeshaw 10:20.

A few House Martins looked to be still feeding young under the observation tower.

The water, save for a solitary Greylag Goose, was deserted when I arrived. Shortly after, a flock of 19 Canada Goose were soon followed by another 19 onto the water and a couple of BHG flew over other than that nothing doing.

Also about Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Greenfinch. I had a good scan about for Little Owl but had no success.

Lower Laithe 11:10

Things improved a bit at Lower Laithe with the water and shoreline quite busy.

I counted 37 Lapwing along the shore but there were a few behind trees as well.

8 Greylag Goose were a long way off and also a solitary Goose that was getting grief from a Greylag – I guess that this is a Greylag also though.

Also on the water and on the observation platform C175 BHG and 1 LBBG as far as I could tell.

Ponden 11:40

I met a couple of dog walkers who  related a tale they had heard from the farmer, of  6 Swan that were on the reservoir earlier this morning and after the Swan had rested they had left. The farmer thought that they may have been Whooper. (A text to B.S. confirmed what I thought, that it was too early for Whooper – but what were they? Farmers are normally very knowledgeable).

2 Moorhen, Wren, 3 Heron, Cormorant.

A Kestrel was circling and calling and later 2 Kestrel flew past side by side just above my head.

Swallow were flying high up and a couple of Meadow Pipit were on the walls.

(Another) mystery bird:-

Woodpigeon size, moving SE fast-ish in a direct line, 10 meaningful wing beats then a short pause then the 10 wing beats again and a pause. No call.

No noticeable dip in flight when the bird ‘paused’. Possibly a Golden Plover.

Goldfinch, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Jay.

A cracking sighting of a Little Owl 100 yds away followed later (most prob.the same bird) 10 yds away.

14 Canada Goose, Pied wagtail.

Leeming 13:30

Swallow, 20 BHG, 2 Common Gull, Tufted Duck, 3 Willow Warbler (singing), Chiffchaff, Jay, 8 Woodpigeon, Grey Wagtail, Heron.

Leeshaw:-

Lower Laithe:-

Ponden:

Leeming: