Following my request for suggestions where to go in another thread, the non-birding majority in the family over-ruled my suggestions of Bolton Abbey or Bempton, and we ended up spending yesterday at Brimham Rocks near Ripon.
Still, I wasn't going to let this spoil the day out, so I still took along the bins to see what was around.
Thought it was going to be a nightmare day when we had to make a quick pit stop near Fewston to sort out an episode of car sickness for my 4 year old daughter, but that soon passed!!
Anyway from the car I spotted Chaffinch, Blue Tit, House Martin, Swallow, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Lapwing, Curlew & Hen Harrier.
Whilst letting the kids do their impressions of mountain goats on the rocks at Brimham, I added Robin, Willow Warbler, Blackbird & Jackdaw to the list. We then set off for a walk over Brimham Moor. Here I saw Red Grouse, Skylark, Rook & Pheasant. As an added bonus I also saw a Deer in the distance.
Quick stop in Pateley Bridge to let the kids on the park added Pied Wagtail and Black Headed Gull, then I persuaded the family that a quick detour to Gouthwaite Resevoir would be in order. I've taken my 7 year old son here before, and he agreed it would be good to go again.
We stopped in the small car park, and wandered over to the viewing area. It was here I wished I'd left my scope in the boot, as I would have had better detailed views of a certain wader that I still can't ID. Could definitly add Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldfinch, Redshank, Ringed Plover (a life tick!!) Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Sand Martin & Great Black Backed Gull.
All in all had a good day, and I've kept Bolton Abbey in reserve for a couple of weeks time.
Still, I wasn't going to let this spoil the day out, so I still took along the bins to see what was around.
Thought it was going to be a nightmare day when we had to make a quick pit stop near Fewston to sort out an episode of car sickness for my 4 year old daughter, but that soon passed!!
Anyway from the car I spotted Chaffinch, Blue Tit, House Martin, Swallow, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Lapwing, Curlew & Hen Harrier.
Whilst letting the kids do their impressions of mountain goats on the rocks at Brimham, I added Robin, Willow Warbler, Blackbird & Jackdaw to the list. We then set off for a walk over Brimham Moor. Here I saw Red Grouse, Skylark, Rook & Pheasant. As an added bonus I also saw a Deer in the distance.
Quick stop in Pateley Bridge to let the kids on the park added Pied Wagtail and Black Headed Gull, then I persuaded the family that a quick detour to Gouthwaite Resevoir would be in order. I've taken my 7 year old son here before, and he agreed it would be good to go again.
We stopped in the small car park, and wandered over to the viewing area. It was here I wished I'd left my scope in the boot, as I would have had better detailed views of a certain wader that I still can't ID. Could definitly add Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldfinch, Redshank, Ringed Plover (a life tick!!) Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Sand Martin & Great Black Backed Gull.
All in all had a good day, and I've kept Bolton Abbey in reserve for a couple of weeks time.
