Summary
Our first visit to this RSPB reserve and former open-cast coal mine. It lies to the south east of Leeds, north of the M62. The day started cool and cloudy but the sun broke through around lunchtime. Those arriving early missed the Little Owl, sitting on the railings behind “Oddball”, the huge remaining piece of mining machinery, but they did spot a Kestrel in that area. For much of our visit, one or more Bittern were booming and then we were delighted to see one flying off, presumably in search of food. A number of RSPB volunteers were dotted around the reserve perched on raised platforms, surveying bittern movements.
Our search for Black-necked Grebe proved fruitless but we had good views of both Common and Black Terns. Black-headed Gulls were abundant and there were also good numbers of Greylag Geese, Tufted Duck, Coot, Reed Bunting and Reed Warbler.
Members participating: 5
Bird list (40 species seen and/or heard)
| Little Grebe | Pheasant | Little Owl |
| Great Crested Grebe | Moorhen | Swift |
| Cormorant | Coot | Skylark |
| Bittern | Lapwing | Cetti’s Warbler |
| Mute Swan | Redshank | Reed Warbler |
| Greylag Goose | Black-headed Gull | Whitethroat |
| Canada Goose | Lesser Black-backed Gull | Blue Tit |
| Gadwall | Herring Gull | Magpie |
| Mallard | Common Tern | Jackdaw |
| Shoveler | Black Tern | Carrion Crow |
| Pochard | Stock Dove | Goldfinch |
| Tufted Duck | Feral Pigeon | Linnet |
| Red Kite | Woodpigeon | Reed Bunting |
| Kestrel |
St Aidan’s RSPB reserve – Chris Byrne
Kestrel – Martyn Grandy
Little Owl – Chris Byrne
“Oddball” a relic from St Aidan’s mining days – Martyn Grandy
Reed Warbler – Yvonne Hofer
Goldfinch – Martyn Grandy
Reed Bunting – Martyn Grandy
Shoveler, male and female – Chris Byrne
Coot chick – Chris Byrne
Greylag Goose family – Martyn Grandy
Common Tern nest – Martyn Grandy