Walk to Gaddings Dam

Took the opportunity to walk to Gaddings Dam as it wasn't raining, hailing or snowing for a change! It was windy but as the sun was shining the weather was too good to miss.

At Lee Dam there were 7 Goosander, 5 Teal and a female Goldeneye. Lots of Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits and Blue Tits were in the hawthorns along with a few Goldfinches.

The moors were very wet underfoot and although I looked forward to seeing what birds may be at Gaddings (none as it turned out) the view over towards Stoodley Pike and a large mass of lenticular clouds proved to be the day's highlight:

Stoodley Pike

Stoodley Pike gets a dusting of snow -

and is shrouded in mystery (well, in mist anyway)

Squirrel and Lumbutts Water Tower

A walk through Lumbutts on a sunny morning and a nice view of Stoodley Pike behind the Lumbutts Water Tower. This local feature is a bit different because the tower held 3 water wheels, each mounted vertically one above the other and water was fed onto them from above. I'm still researching how the water got above them as the three mill dams are at ground level.

 In the garden, a squirrel managed to get into the pigeon-proof bird feeder. Good job we don't get many squirrels in the garden or the food wouldn't last long.

Recent pics

Last Wednesday I managed to see a Desert Wheatear for the first time. A visit to Bempton Cliffs RSPB in blustery but sunny conditions was rewarded with great views of this smashing bird:

 

 The following morning I went over to Hornsea Mere to try and catch up with the Smew that had been reported recently on BirdGuides, but no luck. However, 2 Snow Buntings flew in and one of them stayed on the shore by the boat launching jetties for about 5 minutes, feeding in the gravel.