After a few days without the walking boots on I managed to escape the 4 walls and have a good scout around the local area today.
A cold NNW breeze at first but the day improved as the walk progressed.
Bradshaw Park had 2 Pied Wagtail and the small pond had a Moorhen and Pr Mallard, 8 Swallow were here also.
I followed the Calderdale Way path to Holdsworth Caravan Site.
A Chaffinch and a few Goldfinch were seen.
I manged to get something of note when I picked out a very distant Stonechat on a field wall.
The bird was constantly flicking it's tail as it moved from wall to wall -always keeping it's distance alas.
In the small copse near Holdsworth there were 3 Long Tailed Tit seen, a Jay and a Woodpigeon.
I turned left to pass behind the factory heading for Oats Royd.
It's been a while since I've been down here.
3 Moorhen, 2 Jay, Sparrowhawk, 4 Coal Tit and a nice spot with a very Yellow looking Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff.
I fairly sure it'a a Willow Warbler.
A Bullfinch called but I did not find it.
On the return route a Heron took flight and there were a few Rook knocking about.
Just one Black Headed Gull, one Common Gull and One Lesser Black-backed Gull were seen!
A Kestrel was resting on a wall.
A Pr. very flighty Goldcrest (aren't they always) made getting any sort of photograph of them hard work.
A walk up past Bonnet Hall proved a good move with a M. Sparrowhawk nearly taking my nose end off as I disturbed it.
It left in a rush it's slate grey back very visible.
Looking towards Soil Hill a large flock (possibly as many as 100) small birds took flight.
They settled on some Thistle tops (by the looks of the plants) - must have been 500yds or more away.
I think they were Goldfinch - can't think of anything else they could have been.
A Little Owl was on a field wall with a few Meadow Pipits.
A few UNID's , very distant, were frustrating.
Over 3 and a half hours birding today, an enjoyable(if a bit short of birds) outing.
The Stonechat being top of the pops for me.
I timed the weather just right, dry all day until it poured down as I got in home.
Ogden:
I had just got the boots off and was having a coffee when I got a text message from B.S. alerting me of a Little Egret on Ogden(earlier found by V.J.).
I've not had much success at Ogden this year so I headed off to see if I could get a picture of it.
A text to B.S. pointed me in the right direction and after a good soaking I manged to get some decent photographs.
I reckon there were c130 Gulls here and I did get a Kingfisher zooming past through the first 'inlet' as I headed north, on the east side path.
I was in big, big trouble with Sue though - I had not put Abigail's tea on!
"Let them eat cake" - is what I said.....
... (as I cowered beneath the rolling pin).
Thanks for the text Bri and well done Vicki.
Nice to bump into D.J.S. - sorry Dave, I always seem to be rushing off as soon as you appear - no offence meant!!
First mega distant unid.
Stonechat
One of 3 Oats Royd fishing pools.
Coal Tit
Coal Tit I think - although some odd colour on the flanks.
Second Mega Distant Unid.
Probably a Meadow Pipit.
Willow Warbler
"Best" photo of about 10 of this Goldcrest
c100 Goldfinch
Little Owl
Little Egret First sighting in the downpour
And now a picture wearing my wedding hat.
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