As well as birds the whole site has a wealth of colourful plants which attract butterflies though we saw only a few Meadow Browns.

The first bird of interest was a Little Owl which had been nesting on the massive drag line adjacent to the car park. Along the paths we heard and then saw many Reed Buntings. Constant noise was of the large colony of Black-headed Gulls with their young. Anyone interested in improving their knowledge of juvenile and immature gull plumage has plenty of scope here.

Common Tern

Black Headed Gull by Marg Smith

One of the “star” breeds is the Black-necked Grebe which we were pleased to spot with their young. In 2023, only 55 pairs bred in the UK and St Aidan’s was privileged to have 18 of them. These are exceptionally striking little water birds with a bright red eye and ear tufts of gold plumes. Other highlights were a female Marsh Harrier and Common Tern. Also noted were Reed Warbler, and Cetti’s Warbler.

In all 31 species were recorded on a very pleasant day out rounded off with ice-creams in the visitor centre on a veranda overlooking the whole area, and a sky full of swifts.

One member’s list (in no particular order): Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Moorhen, Magpie, Reed Bunting, Black-headed Gull, Swift, Tufted Duck, Greylag and Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Goldfinch, Gadwall, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Starling, Cormorant, Black-necked grebe, Marsh harrier, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Little Owl, Common tern, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Coot, Mallard. Also heard – Cettis Warbler, Reed Warbler and Water Rail.

Win Clements

Chris Alder (external links accessed July 2024)

The post St Aidan’s RSPB reserve near Leeds. 27 June 2024 appeared first on Upper Wharfedale Field Society.

A group of 8 members of the Bird group enjoyed a perfect summer’s day outing to this reserve East of Leeds.  It covers a very large area of what was an open cast mine and has a variety of habitats – lakes, grassland and woodland.

The most obvious birds were the very noisy Black Headed Gulls with their newly fledged young.  There were plenty of other water birds around also with young – ducks, geese, grebe, Coot ,  Moorhen and Common Tern.  We did not, however, spot the site “specials” – Bearded Tit and Bittern which we were told had bred.  However we were delighted to see a family group of Black-necked Grebe, another one of the “specials”.

Black -necked Grebe and young by Ann Shaw

The reed beds at the water’s edge were also very noisy with the rattling calls of Reed Warblers though very difficult to see.  Reed Buntings were much more obliging as the males sang from the bush tops.

Woodland birds like Whitethroat and Blackcap were also spotted.  In total 40 species were recorded.

As well as all the birds, this reserve has much of interest to botanists as the paths and hillsides were a colourful carpet, containing some plants that are not too familiar to us.  Insects were of interest too – lots of bees, butterflies and dragon and damselflies were spotted.

We will definitely be returning to this well maintained and interesting site.

Win Clements

Further images by Marg Smith are to be found in the News post

The post St Aidans RSPB 1 July 2021 appeared first on Upper Wharfedale Field Society.