Greater Scaup - Lifer - Elland to Brookfoot Walk

This morning I finally got the chance to look for the Greater Scaup found by JB a few days ago at Brookfoot Ski-Lake.

Some rotten ratbag has given me a code in the node, when I find out who it is I'm going to sneeze on them big time -  Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo.

Sue made a visit to Elland to see Glynn her old boss and she kindly dropped me off at Elland Bridge for me to walk back along the canal and river to Avocet works at Brookfoot.

Later, we called at Argos where she bought Glynn some memory foam bedding.

After reading the bedding instructions Sue wandered off upstairs and as she was ages up there I went up to check on her.

She was laid flat out on the bedroom floor.

"What on earth are you doing, laying on the floor" I asked.

Sue replied "The bedding instructions say to lay flat for 12 hours".

Every day my humour just gets better and better - I must remember to contract the Edinburgh Fringe Guys soon.

Meanwhile back at the ranch .....

I walked along the canal (mostly) from Elland, it was unbelievably mild and I was soon sweating cobs with my several winter layers on.

I was quite happy to "gawp for a Scaup" through the ski-lake railings to cool down!

I gawped for a scaup for an hour or so and was of the mind to leave not having seen the Scaup when the bird decided to show itself on the very far side of the lake opposite me.

This was my first ever sighting of a Greater Scaup and I very much doubt that I would have picked it out of the Tufties without knowing of it existence previously from JB on the Calderdale What's App Bird Sighting Group.

The photos aren't brilliant but I was well pleased to see it.

Went to Bradford centre this rush hour to pick up Sus's car - I'm glad I don't have to come through Maninghanm Lane every evening.

Birds:-

Greater Scaup.

6 Mute Swan.

5 Canada Geese.

13 Heron (8 Ski Lake - looked like 5 on / near the nests earlier on the walk).

Bullfinch, Chaffinch.

Green Woodpecker heard calling loudly.

Singing Song Thrush (h).

Singing Mistle Thrush seen.

2 Nuthatch (h).

3 Coot.

Buzzard (h).

6 Goosander (3 m 3 f ).

3 Goldeneye (2m 1f).

2 Cormorant.

A Bee buzzed next to my ear 'ole as I was looking through the railings - but I did not eyeball it!

Peregrine Falcon seen elsewhere.