January 2024

Monday January 1st. In a flash of warm sunlight at Bankhouse, in between the showers, there’s a rainbow and a single winter buttercup. Hope for the future. Enjoy my first New Year birds around Pudsey, and then in Crossgates in late afternoon’s failing light, I just miss a Waxwing flock.

Tuesday January 2nd. My second visit to Crossgates for Waxwings pays off : 32 birds preening! The light is very poor but so good to see this very special winter visitor. A Song Thrush enjoys the berries too.

Pay a brief visit to St Aidens afterwards, but the rain is pouring down. Not that the Mallard minded!

Wednesday January 3rd. A Starling looks to the skies and I scan the Leeds skyline. In these grey days, looking up and beyond uncertainty is essential.

Thursday January 4th. Sunshine at last! Visit St Aidens to see the long staying Glossy Ibis. Nice Goldeneye and Stonechat too. From some distance, see my first ever Grey Partridge!

Friday January 5th. My second visit to St Aidens seeing the Glossy Ibis once more. Good light again.

Saturday January 6th. On Rodley canal for a five mile walk to Apperley Bridge. The light is uplifting. A good variety of birds, including an unusual looking Pheasant preening in the field.

Monday January 8th. Good morning at St Aidens, seeing the Glossy Ibis again, but more importantly, my first Bearded Tits for quite a few years.

Wednesday January 10th. My first visit to Rodley reserve this January, seeing a good variety of birds including a flock of Siskins.

Thursday January 11th. It’s a grey January day, but milder. Encouraged by buds and signs of spring on Post Hill.

Friday January 12th. Back to St Aiden’s reserve, for an obliging Kestrel, more Bearded Tits but this time the females, and my first Common Pochard of the year. The regular calls from the Coot put a smile on my face!

Saturday January 13th. Another visit to Rodley reserve, but this time in bright sunshine. One Siskin, more Chaffinch, and a delightful ‘teacher-teacher’ song from the Great Tit.

Monday January 15th. A walk on the canal at Rodley, on a morning of blue skies, heavy frost and ice on the canal. See my first Little Grebe of the year.

Wednesday January 17th. Walking restricted with Julie now home so a few laps around Grangefield sports field on very frosty grass, late afternoon, as the sun dies. In strange, testing times I stay strong, hopeful and thankful.

Thursday January 18th. Not exactly nature, but I enjoyed the light today, walking towards Marks and Spencers for shopping, thick ice underfoot.

Friday January 19th. Flurries of snow as the thick ice gradually thaws.

Saturday January 20th. Dramatic sunrise and reflections from our bedroom window, and soft dusk light on a windy late afternoon’s walk.

Sunday 21st January. Struggling to be creative, so settle on a Mini for ‘weekend red’ prompt.

Wednesday January 24th. Late winter mid afternoon with short days still fading early. Strong winds chase through grassy fields as muddled feelings fizz in my head; unable to process these times at all.

Thursday January 25th. A brief visit to the peacefulness of St Aidens reserve, cut short by a hamstring aggravation.

Tuesday January 30th. A short stroll along the old railway track, meeting squirrels and blackbirds for company. Hear my first delightful Song Thrush of this year.

Wednesday January 31st. New buds, new light, signs of a new spring.

Favourite 12 photos January 2024