Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Bradshaw Ogden circular & Bearhead Lane FP.

10:00

A dull overcast sultry morning followed by a scorcher Rooney afternoon.

From Bradshaw I took the B/W to Taylor Lane, the Soil Hill contour footpath to Coal Lane Pottery & the B/W via the ‘activity’ field to Ogden.

Enjoyed my sarnies sitting in very hot sunshine on the Ogden Water Promenade.
Afterwards I had a stroll around the golf course footpath before lethargy set in and sent me to Boggart Brig café for a big teapot of tea and some fancies!

The homeward route was via the footpath at the back of the Moorland’s Inn and down Ingham Lane.

Birds Seen:-

On SH it was silent save for the clumping of my boots, eventually a few Meadow Pipits and Skylark decided to play out with 2 Woodpigeon and 2 Swallow. Leaving SH towards the pottery a Whitethroat was heard but not seen and a Wren sat high in a tall bush.
Approaching Ogden via the B/W opp. Coal Lane 2 unid juv? made an appearance in the pines.
A Whitethroat in the first bushes at the start of the B/W made a fast getaway. 
Coal Tit with young were feeding in the pines.
Goldfinch & M. Pheasant also knocking about.

Ogden Water – Sarnie time

Ogden Water was extremely quiet but a bonus of 4 House Martin & 3 Swallow helped lunch along.
Walking around the golf course there was more birdsong with Meadow Pipit and Tree Pipit (I think) a Linnet and a couple of Willows Warbler singing from the tree tops.
Back at Ogden Water a BHG made a very brief tour, landing on the water & the podium before sodding off.

The hot weather was getting me a thirst up so off to Boggart Brig for a big, big pot of tea & some fancies – very nice place. 
They even accept dogs and mucky boots. Don’t have a dog but I know where to bring me boots for recycling.

On the return journey Linnet, Greenfinch, and 20 Rooks with 6 juv. feeding in the newly mown fields at Ingham Lane. Also a couple of Swallow.

Bearhead Lane Footpath.

Back home I couldn’t waste such a gorgeous day so I got the jalopy out (it’s legal these days) and had a quick trip to Bearhead Lane. Following B.S. blog yesterday I was hunting for Black Redstart. I did not know exactly where Bearhead Lane was but followed my nose from Deanstones & found the footpath sign.
No Black Redstart on the agenda today (sorry Bri.)

In the valley it was a scorcher Rooney! I was greeted by a pr. Grey Wagtail having fun, a Woodpigeon looking most majestic sitting in a tree top, the ubiquitous Magpie in the same tree. A Dunnock & Linnet completed the trip.
To knackered by now to walk any further so I sloped off home.
The hot weather seems to have made me very loquacious & peripatetic and maybe very pathetic.

(First time in ages that I’ve been in the Deanstones Lane  area – looks like a very interesting place – not sure how often the paths are walked though).

A few pics:-







Flighty Coal Tit


A Robin?



Swallows on Ogden Water promenade 

Far off Willow Warbler







A pretty duckling hope the Heron stays away!



2 comments:

  1. Thats a real trek round John , you must be fit as a butchers dog.
    Hope I didnt mislead you with the Black Redstarts but its some years since they were regular visitors in that area and its the wrong time of year, usually Oct, Nov time around this area.

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    Replies
    1. It's a lovely area for birding Brian.
      Looks like i'll have to wait a bit for the Black Redstart though!
      Not sure about the butchers dog.Crashed out on the sofa at the moment.
      Regards
      John.

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