8 April 2021

A blustery walk around Withens Clough reservoir. As we left the car park, we immediately spotted our first wheatear of the year flitting about on some tussocky rough ground in the way they do. In fact, that was how I knew it was a wheatear even before I could train my binoculars on it. Definitely one of my top-ten birds.

Nice views across the reservoir towards Stoodley Pike monument, cloud-shadows scudding across green hillside. At the far end of the reservoir, a pair of Canada geese, and a pair of goldeneyes. I’ve seen goldeneyes on the reservoir several times before. They’re not a species I’m particularly familiar with, so it’s always nice to see them.

Took some moody photos of the ruined farm and sycamores at the head of the reservoir, then headed back towards the car park to see if the wheatear was still around. He was. There was also a more photo-shy female. Lovely little birds.

Ruined farm, Withens Clough.
Ruined farm (Red Dikes—thanks, Paul Knights), Withens Clough
Male wheatear
Male wheatear

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