Bingley Canal & River Aire

Rain stopped play for quite a while this morning but “Around about eleven”, “my idea of heaven”, “is a trip to the River Severn”.

Well River Aire actually but it didn’t rhyme.

11:30

I parked near the church at the bottom of the hill from St. Ives and had a walk along the river via Ireland Terrace.

The river was in full flow so when all I saw was a Moorhen it was no great surprise. The Kingfisher seen here last time has most probably moved to calmer waters.

A couple of Cormorant flew back and forth – unless it was the same one seen twice and a single Fieldfare flew overhead.

A very patient Heron stood in the fields creeping slowly forward but it did not catch anything while I watched.

A Dipper flew past and I was pleased to pick out a Sparrowhawk circling high above 20 or so feral pigeon. There were many Wood Pigeon roosting in the trees and I managed a poor picture of a very skittish Coal Tit.

After a sandwich on Altar Lane I made my way to Myrtle Park and had a walk along the river.

There were 3 Canada Geese and a pr. Mute Swan on the neck of land that juts into the river.

I then made my way to 5 Rise Locks where John Varley was set up with his digiscope.

Just after 5 rise locks a path leaves the tow path dropping down to the left.

There is always plenty of birdlife here.

Today there were as many as 60 Long Tailed Tit strewn out in the trees and bushes all along this track. Some were landing on the power lines.

The area between this track and the A650 by-pass is nicely flooded and there were 5 Moorhen , Mallards and 4 Pheasant here.

I thought there might be a ‘different’ duck in amongst the Mallard but I’m unsure.

Other birds in this area were 4 Nuthatch, Collard Dove, 4 Goldcrest, A shy Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch, 4 Pheasant, Robin.

A Woodpecker called and a small bird flew very, very quickly overhead – It’s the first time I’ve thought “Lesser Pecker” whilst birding – but it was most probably a Nuthatch and the call will have been from a Great Spotted Woodpecker that remained hidden – I’ll get a picture of a Lesser Pecker one day!

It was a very enjoyable few hours spent in the fresh Aire whilst Sue and Emma had a hair do.

I though I'd got a Gadwall but it's a Mallard!