Yorkshire 2019

Well it is another year to begin! I have some amazing plans for this year, let me hope it all pans out!

12th - 19th January Fuertoventura, Canary Islands.

21st - 24th January South Africa

25th January - 7th February birding with Tom in Botswana/Namibia.

7th  - 25th February birding with Delana; Maarten & Rob in Botswana/Namibia.

March/April  Botswana/South Africa

April 23rd - 13th May UAE

14th - 30th May UK

31st May - 10th June Spitsbergen

Typical Dales scenery

Dangerous wildlife abounds here. 
One has to keep your wits about you while walking!

Red Kite is now a common species around here.

Wharfe Meadows Park

This park in Otley is a bit of a gem:

 something for everyone.

Herring Gull

Black headed Gull

News Years Day came & went without anything significant happening, but I was out & about on the 2nd January. I did a big hike of around 18 miles from Middleton to Otley via Asquith & on to Knotford Nook and back. It took me a tad under eight hours walking. It was a cold grey day but little wind, so good for walking/birding.

Much of the route around Otley

 is along the River Wharfe.

Knotford Nook

A small part of the immense Curlew flock.

Long tailed Tit

European Robin

Bird list:

Mute Swan; Grey Lag Goose; Canada Goose; Mallard; Goosander 2; Red Legged Partridge 7; Common Pheasant; Great crested Grebe; Great Cormorant 6; Grey Heron 6; Red Kite 5; Common Buzzard 2; Common Moorhen; Northern Lapwing 230; European Curlew 417 (the largest inland flock I have ever seen in the UK); Black headed Gull; Common Gull; Herring Gull; Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon; Woodpigeon; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Pied Wagtail; Dunnock; Robin; Song Thrush; Redwing 45; Mistle Thrush; Fieldfare 12; Blackbird; Goldcrest; Wren; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Blue Tit; Long tailed Tit 40+; Nuthatch; Treecreeper; Magpie; Jay; Carrion Crow; Rook; Jackdaw; Starling; House Sparrow; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Greenfinch; Siskin 2 & Bullfinch 4.

49 species.

Rowan & Lola watching TV!

Didn't do much after this date, as the weather wasn't ideal. It was even cold inside the house!

Myself, Rowan & Tom + 

Lola of course!

On Saturday 12th January we went to the local rugby club to see Callum play. As you can see it was a tad chilly for us, never mind him!

The River Wharfe: this photo shows just how dark 

it was in the woodland. It was taken close to mid-day!

Dipper

The first Snowdrop!

Looking towards the Abbey.

The magnificent Bolton Abbey.

The construction of the Abbey started in 1158 AD.
It was destroyed by Henry V111 around the 1530's.

The entrance to the church, 
which is still intact.

Inside.

An interesting point is that 
pagan symbols are in the
 church!
It shows how entwined beliefs 
were at this time.

On 15th I went out for the day with Jackie, a local artist, whom I had met previously. She turned out to be an excellent companion. She was engaging, extremely knowledgeable about the area we were walking through & I had a lovely time. She picked me up & we parked at Barden Bridge & walked alongside the river, to Bolton Abbey & back via the opposite side of the river. It was a cold, grey day but we saw a few birds, including Common Buzzard, Dipper & a few woodland species.

You have been warned!

The wonderful Sue Ellen!

Grinning from ear to ear!

In late afternoon we visited the Craven Arms in nearby Appletreewick. This is a lovely pub, with lots of old world charm. It has also had a famous visitor in the past! A fitting end to an excellent day in the field.

Back in England!

I flew back to Manchester Airport from Abu Dhabi on 29th November. Then caught the train to Ilkley, where Rowan was waiting for me. Ilkley was all dressed up in its Christmas lights & looked really nice.

The main street in Ilkley

Adorned with Christmas lights.

The Parlour, Grange Farm

The view! Notice the very muddy farm track!

Looking back towards the town.

European Goldfinches are common
 on garden feeders in the village.

They add a great splash of colour 
on a drab winters day.

Hedge Accentor

European Robin

Long tailed Tit

Carrion Crow

Callum & Rowan had recently moved in to their new home in the tiny village of Middleton, just above Ilkley. It is in a lovely setting & the accommodation is a converted milking parlour. They had also just got a dog from a local rescue centre.

Looking towards Ilkley from Carter Lane.

Rowan & Lola

Looking north towards the moors.

She is pretty big!

Red Kite

This rare bird, is thankfully common around here.

A bit of a contrast between the Yorkshire Dales
& central London!

Nicci's Cafe.

Nicci & Sara, dressed as elves!

Heather & Nicci with some of the 300
 gingerbread men they made!

Peaches & her friend working the stall.

Me, with my grandchildren: Gabriel & Peaches.

The whole street had been transformed.

One of the local characters.

On the 4th December I travelled down to Surrey via London, to see Nicci & the family, drop off presents etc. The visit coincided with the annual Ewell Village Fayre, which was a lot of fun.

Back in Yorkshire: dawn, from the farm.

Rowan & me.

Typical Yorkshire Dales landscape.

Rowan

Rowan rides every week on a local farm.

Dawn over the moors.

Eurasian Kestrel

This bird was very intent on its hunting
 & allowed a close approach.

This species is common in upland areas.

Red Grouse

All of the heather moors are managed for this species

To the detriment of biodiversity!

One of the many traps put out to kill large mammals 
on the moors.

Mallard

European Black headed Gull in winter plumage.

In the pub!

On 13th December I was up early & did a long walk over the moors & through the woods to Trimble, where I enjoyed a great pub lunch before retracing my steps & getting home just after dark. The highlight of the day was a Rough legged Buzzard which was hunting over the high moors. It eventually drifted east. Other notable species included 13 Red Kite; 4 Common Buzzard; Peregrine; 85 Red Grouse & 200+ European Golden Plover. There was a mixed flock of around 60 Siskin & Lesser Redpoll in the wood.

Justin & Nicci celebrating.

I thought the card was appropriate!

Happy birthday Nicci!

Our family tradition was always to celebrate Nicci's birthday & then put up the Christmas decorations that evening. We still do that today.

Beaver Dyke Reservoir

Well wrapped up for the conditions.

Tom, dressed like my twin!

On 17th December I went out birding with Tom. We had the car, so went a little further afield. First port of call was Beaver Dyke Reservoir. The weather was fine but the birding a little dull. best were 15 Eurasian Teal; 3 Red Kite & a Common Buzzard. There were also a few small flocks of Fieldfares in nearby hedgerows, which are always great to see.

Swinsty Reservoir

It is a beautiful spot.

Great Cormorant

Still a few around on the reservoirs.
I thought most would have moved to the
 coast by now.

Eurasian Teal

Male with two females.

There is a great path around both reservoirs.

Long tailed Tit

Our next stop was a walk around Swinsty & Fewston Reservoirs. This is always a good stroll with plenty of Eurasian Teal & 3 European Wigeon on the water. Lots of nice woodland birds, with parties of Long tailed Tits being in evidence.

Rowan's big day!

Callum & Rowan

The proud Daddy!

The proof!

Late in the afternoon.

In the pub.

The next day, 18th December was Rowan's big day! It was her masters graduation ceremony from Leeds University in Business & Sustainability. We enjoyed our time in Leeds & then came back to celebrate.

Across the lane from Grange Farm

The lane that we live off.

Taking the dogs out.

Rowan, Joe, me & Morag

Tom & me.

Rowan, me & Lola!

In Abu Dhabi: Ahmed & Ali
get plugged in for Christmas!

Getting close to Christmas now, plenty of time in the pub!

It's Christmas Day!

Lots of pressies!

Callum, Rowan & Lola.

Christmas dinner!

Me & Rowan.

Johnny & Toni in Oz.

Christmas in Oz!

Nice attire Johnny!

Ahmed & Clare in Italy.

The London faction of the family.

Peaches & Gabe

We are truly a global family, scattered all over the world: Australia; UAE; Surrey & Yorkshire in England. It is just not possible for us all to be together but it is nice to see what they are doing on this special day.

Delana

View from the beach house.

A large flock of Cape Cormorants.

The beautifully decorated balcony.

The house is looking very pretty.

The table is set!

Merry Christmas!

Anelle & Delana

The balcony, looking over the ocean.

A glorious sunset from the beach house.

Looking back towards the valley.

A ray of light in the gloom.

It was pretty blowy
 on the tops.

Looking down into Nidderdale from the beacons.

One of the streams that 
flows into the river.

Grey Heron

Goosander

Bad light meant the images are not very sharp.

Male

Female

The magnificent Bolton Abbey.

On 28th December I decided to do a big hike. I walked over the moors to Bolton Abbey & back via the river. It was a circuit of just over 15 miles so I felt it in my legs the next day. Unfortunately I picked a drab, grey day, so didn't obtain any really nice photos. 

Delana

And before you know it the year was over! Delana was with friends, at her beach house in The Cape. Where has the year gone?