Nine members attended the meeting starting at Gouthwaite viewing area. The weather was overcast with a light breeze but the sun did appear during the afternoon. From the car park we had a pair of Pied Wagtails, a Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldfinches, Long-tailed Tits and Chaffinches. Two Oystercatchers, a Curlew and a Mistle Thrush were in the adjacent field as a Mistle Thrush sang from the tree top. The water level was very high covering any suitable habitat for waders. Oystercatchers, Black-headed Gulls and Lapwing were resting on the far bank and two Redshanks were in the willow scrub margins. Waterfowl comprised of four Shelduck, three Goldeneye, Canada and Greylag Geese and a small number of Tufted Ducks. Around 10 Teal were in the channels between the willow scrub. Unfortunately there was no sign of the drake Garganey that had been seen here. A pair of Great-crested Grebes and a Cormorant were out on the water. One House Martin was seen along with Swallows and numerous Sand Martins feeding over the water. Four Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Black-headed Gulls were resting on a sandy bar with two more Redshanks.
Along the road to another viewing area two Ravens were heard and seen over a conifer plantation being mobbed by Carrion Crows. Four Red Kites, three Buzzards and then a Marsh Harrier joined the mix of birds over the plantation. A Grey Heron flew past and a Red Grouse was seen on the far side hill top. Other birds in the area included a Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Pheasant, Magpie, Moorhen, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Blue Tits and Blackbird. What looked like a Ferret was seen along a stone wall on the far bank of the reservoir.
Our next stop was at Lofthouse fire station on the Scar House lane. From the bridge across the river we saw a Grey Wagtail and a Goldfinch nest building in the fork of a tree. The cricket pitch had a pair of Pied Wagtails, a pair of Song Thrushes, a pair of Mistle Thrushes, a Starling and a Blackbird. Blue Tits and a Dunnock were in the trees,
Further along the road we stopped at the ‘tunnel’. We saw the target bird here, a male Pied Flycatcher. In the trees we had Willow Warbler, Robin, Nuthatch, Blackcap, Coal Tit, Wren and Chaffinches. Looking down on the river we spotted a Dipper sat on the rocks. A buzzard flew over. On our return here after visiting Scar House we also heard a Tawny Owl hooting.
We then drove to the Scar House car park for lunch and to scan the rocky hill side for Ring Ouzels. We saw three males and a female with a pair further along the hill side. Only two Wheatear were seen here with several Meadow Pipits, Chaffinches and Willow Warblers. A Red Kite flew along the length of the ridge.
On our walk across the dam we were on the look out for Crossbills. Two were seen flying past at eye level. An adult female eventually settled in a conifer and gave stunning views in the sunshine (see photo). Across the dam we found three Wheatears, a Redshank, Meadow Pipits and two Pied Wagtails in a short cropped field. On our return across the dam a Sparrowhawk flew past and a Great-spotted Woodpecker was seen perched in a dead conifer.
At a small copse along side the reservoir a male Lesser Redpoll was seen briefly by one member and a Willow Warbler was heard. On the shore there was a small group of Canada Geese and Greylags with an Oystercatcher and a Lapwing. Finally a Stock Dove was seen on the return journey down Scar House Lane.
The total for the day was 64 species. For me the highlights were the Ravens and Crossbills followed by the Ring Ouzels. It was a good days birding in good company. Thank you to all who attended.
Mike Smithson
All photos by Mike Smithson
