Six members of the group set off in heavy rain on their annual visit to Rodley Nature Reserve on the outskirts of West Leeds, an independent volunteer run Wetland Reserve on the site of a former sewage works. Fortunately the day turned out far better than forecast.
Rodley Nature Reserve. Photo Lindsay Harris
A few minutes were spent in the Visitor Centre watching on live camera screens a female Kestrel feeding a vole to five hungry chicks and a Barn Owl incubating eggs. Once outside the unmistakable song of a Chiffchaff could be heard. A Kestrel being chased by a Crow crossed the end of our path. Based on previous experience the group had hoped for good sightings of Whitethroats but today only one made a brief appearance. Blackcaps were heard all around and at times tantalisingly close but could not be seen because of the dense foliage. A Jay was more obliging and seen clearly in different locations.
Rodley Nature Reserve. Photo Lindsay Harris
Dozens of Sand Martins were seen flying over the Lagoon, some going in and out of holes in the sandbank with amazing speed and accuracy. On the water there were Gadwall, Mallards, Moorhen, Coots and a Little Grebe. Perched on a tree and at the base were two Cormorants. On the Duck Marsh a pair of Mute Swans and seven young cygnets and a Coot with five older chicks reminded us it was late Spring. The shallower edges and scrapes were shared by Oystercatchers, Lapwings, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron and four Little Egrets. A couple of explosive bursts of song from a Cetti’s Warbler resounded whereas the Reed Warbler’s rhythmic song was more modest! A Buzzard was seen on and off above the tree line.
A dearth of passerines on the feeders in the Manager’s Garden contrary to expectations was made up for by three Stock Doves and a Little Owl which was forced to retreat into its nest box a couple of times by a Magpie before finally giving it the slip by flying down into thick vegetation. A good end to the day. 48 species were seen or heard in all.
Little Owl. photo Emma Benitez
