Mixenden (Whoopers) & Wainstalls Area

9:00 - 14:00

Mixenden Reservoir.

It was a bright and sunny morning as I set off to drive to Wainstalls to check out Cold Edge Dams.

As I drove along I looked down ay Mixenden Reservoir from the top road and noticed some large white blobs on the distant water.

I parked up and took a few distant phots before driving on,  and parking near Mixenden Reservoir  to walk up there and get some better photos of the 13 Whooper Swans on the water.

It was nice to bump into B.S. who called to see them on his way home from Fly Flats.

The Whoopers had probably recently arrived because they were not apparent when B.S.

checked from the high road as he passed earlier.

A very nice start to my birding day.

Wainstalls Rd - Cold Edge Dams - Castle Carr Road (400 yds).

I parked on the main  road, just before Wainstalls Road, with parking a bit cluttered lower down with the schools on the go.

I enjoyed a walk along Wainstalls Road and up the moorland to Cold Edge Dams.

I though wearing a T Shirt, Shirt, 2 Jumpers and a waterproof coat I thought would be lathered but Cold Edge was true to form with a cool breeze up there on the tops.

I did a leisurely circuit of both dams before sitting on a rock in the sun and enjoying a sandwich for lunch. 

I did another circuit of both dams before returning to the road and walking along Castle Carr road for a while.

2 overcoats warmer on Castle Carr Road phew.

It was a very enjoyable outing today in the sun and ,the moorland up here in the sunshine, is very, very picturesque.

Just 4 people and 2 dogs seen in all.

Birds:-

Mixenden.

1 Kestrel.

13 Whooper Swan.

Mallard and Canada Geese.

Usual Gulls as far as I could tell.

Wainstalls Rd - Cold Edge Dams - Castle Carr Road (400 yds).

Loads of birds song / calls and Gulls coming and going.

1 Kestrel.

At least 6 Stonechat - well spaced out - mostly along the road side fences.

6 Meadow Pipit.

4 Skylark.

3 Oystercatcher > E.

6 Curlew.

2 Red Grouse.

10 Lapwing (6 - 2 - 2).

3 Wren,

3 Reed Bunting.

2 Buzzard.

Canada Geese.

Mallard.

Herring Gull. Common Gull. Black Headed Gull.

Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Robin.

House Sparrow. Dunnock. Blackbird. Pheasant, Crow, Jackdaw. Chaffinch.

Mixenden.

Wainstalls Rd - Cold Edge Dams - Castle Carr Road (400 yds).