Bradshaw Soil Hill Ogden circular – A couple of firsts.

10:15 – 15:00 & 16:00 – 17:00

A breezy day with sun. I nearly took me coat off on Soil ‘ill.

Bradshaw:

Leaving Bradshaw on the bridleway to Taylor Lane there were a couple of Woodpigeon in the fields. In the trees near Bradshaw Hall a Green Woodpecker was on display and laughing. At Railes House a solitary Redwing stood guard on the tree top. Continuing to Taylor lane there was the usual mix of Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Blackbird.

Soil Hill 10:45.

On Soil Hill the breeze was very strong (unusual).

There were 5 skylarks singing high in the sky.

A first for me on SH was a Red Grouse leaving cover and heading south.

A lone walker approached and was asking for footpath directions when a “Kestrel Like” falcon flew past going south. It was a Blue/Grey bird, very slender in appearance and not a dark bird – pity I didn’t get a photo. 

Within a few strides a Grey Heron lumbered past.

Ogden 11:45.

Ogden was very busy with Sunday morning strollers, There were 15 Canada Goose on the water with the usual Mallard and BHG population – no sign on the Male Goldeneye.

 Around the circuit.

The area was busy with a good smattering of Coal/Blue/ and Great Tit. Dunnock: LTT 6: Robin: Wren: Goldcrest: Treecreeper:

Another first for me at Ogden:-

In the last tree on the left , before the Flag Pole and visitor centre , there were 2 Nuthatch skittering about. I took several photo’s but they did not sit still and say “cheese” I’m afraid. Soon after leaving Ogden a single Goldcrest was in the dense pine plantation. 

On the way home.

Behind Pottery Cottage a Robin was singing and the near resident Kestrel flew past as I approached SH on the way home. Also near the track a solitary Meadow Pipit sat patiently waiting – for what? I don’t know.

16:00.

When I got back home I finished the half sarnie from the rucksack and settled down for a crack at the Sunday Times crossword. However the sun shining through the lounge window had me forsake the crossword in favour of the boots. I had a quick squelch down to Oats Royd.

Oats Royd.

The resident 3 wise men (or women?) were present. 

I met a guy on the way down , who walks his dog that way, and takes a few slices of bread for them.

The pond area revealed 2 Moorhen: Dunnock: Robin: Chaffinch: Greenfinch

The path heading North near to the stream, revealed a female Bullfinch.

It was nearing dusk on the way home and there were the usual Starling, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Chaffinch all getting ready to roost.