Empty Reservoirs

The Broomhead Reservoir water level was way down. I bravely ventured out on to the baked hard mud away from the protection of the shade of the trees. I could see some Canada Geese in the far distance at the water's edge. Water restrictions were scheduled to be implemented by Yorkshire Water in a couple of weeks time. Looking at this, it seems obvious that it was needed. I walked back to the woods at the edge of the reservoirs. I could see several places where people had had recent fires. It seemed crazy so close to woodland and so far away from the water. 

I pottered along the track alongside Broomhead Reservoir. There didn't seem to be much bird call about. Maybe they were just having a rest in the heat. The view of the reservoir is mostly blocked by trees and so occasionally I'd make my way down to the baked mud of the reservoir to get a view. I could see some people taking advantage of the low water and just walking along the baked mud of the reservoir. It felt too hot for me and so I retreated to the trees.

The track turns into a tarmac road after Broomhead's dam.  Further along the road I came across a man feeding a loaf of white bread to some ducks and geese. The RSPB view on this is that bread can leave ducks and geese full without giving them the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that they need. Sweetcorn, peas, oats and bird seed are a much better food for them. Good advice, although it does make you wonder why humans eat white bread if it is so nutritionally poor.

More Hall

As I walked across the More Hall dam I saw a couple of Magpies going for a swim in the reservoir. It was a fully immersive experience for them. When they came out they looked quite bedraggled and they jumped up and down to shake the water off their feathers. It didn't take them long to dry out.

The water level was also down in the More Hall reservoir. It all looked a little desperate. The Cormorants and Grebes that normally frequent the reservoir had moved on to pastures new. A young couple had setup a picnic near to the waters edge. Under normal times, the water level would have been above their heads.

A couple of Herons had not deserted the place though. I could see them fishing near the tail end of the reservoir. I made my way back to the Broomhead Reservoir and started walking along its side. Before reaching the end I diverted off so that I could visit the bird feeders in Wigtwizzle wood. The area was overgrown when I got there and the feeders were empty. I waited a while but the birds had obviously found food elsewhere. 

I was half expecting the Barn Owl to be sleeping on his post when I returned to Broomhead Hall, but the area was empty of birds and sheep too. The sheep had moved on to positions in the shade of the large trees in the field.

I looked for more Pied Flycatchers when I got back to the car, but they'd disappeared too. This had been a great walk, and in the relative coolness of the trees, it was a good one to do when the day is a scorcher.