Rodley Nature Reserve

Making the most of this weekend's fine weather we stayed local and visited Rodley Nature Reserve. The vegetation was first to catch the eye, the coppiced Willows were laden with catkins and these hedgerow trees were covered in delicate white blossoms Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) perhaps? Five petalled flowers appear before the leaves, clustered in groups of 2 - 6.

Over in the Manager's garden, 5 Reed Bunting, this one a male.

And a pair of Bullfinch, the male had such a strikingly red chest, other woodland visitors included Blue Tit, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Wren, Blackbird, Robin and Chaffinch.

Viewed from the hides, a Little Grebe, a pair of Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Coot, Canada Geese, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Wren, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Mallards.

During our visit we saw at least three Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the wing, and three white species that I'd guess to be Small White's but couldn't be sure. This Small Tortoiseshell was the only butterfly to rest, basking in the sunshine for a few seconds before taking to the air.

A beautiful Cowslip (Primula veris) in the Wildflower Meadow.

Near the riverbank this Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), a perennial plant with pink/red tubular florets in robust vertical spikes, leaves are stalked and heart shaped and can grow up to 1m.

The Dragonfly Ponds were popular with visitors this weekend, especially as there were lots of these Common or Smooth Newts to see,

and toads, plus endless strings of toadspawn.

Kirkstall Abbey & the River Aire

This afternoon we took a short stroll by the River Aire and around Kirkstall Abbey without the camera. There were some infrequent visitors by the weir including 3 overwintering Goosander and 1 Little Grebe all busy diving for fish. A Grey Wagtail bobbed around the water's edge. A small wader quickly flew by and settled out of view, (markings & bill like that of a Common Sandpiper) it had a similar shape & flight pattern as that of a bird I noticed at a small fresh water spring at Beckett Park last week, must keep my eyes peeled! Three Canada Geese headed upstream whilst the fourth made its way up the weir bank. The regular occupants were present - Mute Swan, Mallard, Moor Hen, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Crow, Blue Tit, Long Tail Tit.

Old Moor RSPB, bird sightings

At Old Moor Nature RSPB Nature Reserve, East Yorkshire, we observed a few birds from the hides. Highlights included this lovely wader that we think is a Green Sandpiper.

A yawning Grey Heron taking time out on the grassy banks. I can assure you y'aint gonna catch many fish from there pal.

Can you see what it is yet kids.

A Little Grebe with chick.

Although we didn't spend a great deal of time in the hides we did also spot Shoveller, 5 Ringed Plover, 10 Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe.

Far Pastures, Rowlands Gill

Following our visit to Thornley we continued onwards to Far Pastures, a lovely spot a little further down the road from the Visitor Centre. A Little Grebe busied itself in front of the hide. A Grey Heron kept itself out of sight at the far side until it flew over us to settle nearby. Spotted a couple of Red Kites over the valley.

Shibdon Pond, Blaydon

During our trip to the North East we ventured out to Shibdon Pond, Blaydon. Nearby, a pair of Little Grebe, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck & Grebe. On the island Cormorants & possibly Shag? perched in the treetops.

KFC (Kites Flippin love Chicken)

An interesting Saturday afternoon at Rodley & then towards Harewood for some Red Kite spotting which provided an unusual insight into their penchant for fast food. Firstly a trip to Rodley Nature Reserve, a little warmer than our last visit in January when the ponds were frozen over. In the Managers Garden, the feeders attracted Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbirds, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Reed Bunting while noisy Starlings and Redwing occupied the treetops behind the hide. Apparently a little earlier a Roe Deer had been resting in the field beyond.

At the ponds we saw Canada Geese, Little Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallards, a Mute Swan, & 2 Oyster Catchers. Let's take a look.

On the feeders, a Greenfinch

On the table, a Reed Bunting
On the ground a Chaffinch. On the water, two Little Grebe

A troupe of Tufted DucksDuck into my eyes.....
Pochard

Having left Rodley, we returned home the long way round on the lookout for Red Kites. Between Harewood & Eccup we spotted 8 Red Kites in the same area. We stopped to watch them for a while & then drove on. Here I managed to snap three together, I promise no photoshopping was involved other than to crop the pic to a reasonable size.

Back in the car & at the brow of a hill we noticed two cars had pulled into the side & no sooner had we slowed down when from the left swooped a Red Kite heading straight for a discarded KFC bag that lay in the gutter. Two or three Kites took turns, in the time we were there they must have come down 10 or 15 times.

Close up

That'll teach me to leave my camera set to macro! Anyway, you get the idea. So after they vacated the area we drove on & completed our sightseeing adventure by spotting one of the Kites perched in the treetops. Hoorah!