Black Headed Gulls

On my last visit to Ferrymoor there were loads of Black Headed Gulls in winter plumage perched on a tree at the edge of the island. They are easy to identify as they do not have a black head but a black spot on the side of their face. The heads of them are not normally black as the name suggests but more of a chocolate brown. I counted 28 of these birds in this location.

 

Sunlight on Winter Foliage

 The winter light always looks very dramatic on dead foliage especially when walking round Ferrymoor. Yesterday I took part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. The results of birds coming in to my garden were 2 Blackbirds one male and one female, 2 Bluetits and a single Wren. Looking beyond the garden in to the field behind there were 16 Magpies, 1 Crow, 1Kestrel, 2 Black Headed Gulls and a single Feral Pigeon. Although these could not be recorded on the RSPB BGB results

Gadwall

 There is quite often at least one of these birds to be found at Ferrymoor. This grey coloured dabbling duck is slightly smaller than the Mallard Duck. Nesting is very low in the UK. If you see one they can be mistaken for the female Mallard. I love the patterns and shapes in the plumage. The black rear is also a good give away to this bird.

Moody Landscape

 Sometimes the sky and lighting help in getting a good picture. This time was that one time. Shooting in to the sunlight managed to produce a silhouette effect and magnificent reflections in the water at Ferrymoor. I did not go  to the Flash yesterday as Storm Eowyn decided to give us a visit. The strong gale force winds were a good enough reason to stay indoors it seemed a good idea in keeping safe.

Long Tailed Tit

 These birds are really cute. There seems to be quite a few around at Ferrymoor, Not quite as colourful as most of the Tit families but distinctive by the very long tail. They seem to bounce about in flight and can be very noisy at times. I have spotted them in the willow trees beside the lake and now they seem to be about on the feeder. There is obviously some type of seed that attract them.

A little bit of History

We moved up to Yorkshire in 2004 to get away from the rat race "Essex that is ". All the way along Park Springs were lot of pallets loaded with young saplings and other kinds of vegetation  waiting to be planted on either side of the road. On the right was a mountain "A Coal Slag in fact" which has now been leveled off and turned in to a Nature Reserve. We did not discover Ferrymoor Flash until a couple of years later. This is actually part of the now gone Grimethorpe Colliery. Considering this all started as a great big hole in the ground it has become an excellent place to see wildlife.

 

Moorhen

 Basking in the winter sun. A Moorhen enjoying life at Ferrymoor. Rather Blackish wings in colour with a Red and Yellow Beak. Not forgetting those bright green legs. There are normally a few about but many more of its cousin the Coot. I spotted this one on what is known locally as the beach area.