A Winter Slog

Yesterday’s snowman , half thawed  - now not so smug

Granddaughter back at home now, nice and snug

I’ve been missing my boots so long, I’ve got the walking bug

Enough of this Christmas stuff, Bah, Bah humbug.

Got a text about Ogden, from birder Bri

About Grebe, Goosander and Goldeneye

Time to don the boots and check out Soil Hill

And down to Ogden, maybe get Common Crossbill

Now on Soil Hill – the snows quite deep

Some running deer here, but the birds are all asleep

Here at Ogden, four by fours everywhere

But at last, a Goldeneye in midair!

H. W. Longfellow(NOT)

With apologies:

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With Christmas over for a while Sue decided to accompany me on a walk to the paper shop this morning. The walk is over 2 miles long so it was the longest walk since her foot op. All went well so a walk to Haworth is a real possibility before to long.

On the way home 46 Geese flew over our heads in a V formation  > N.

I managed a walk over Soil Hill, down to Ogden , around the circuit and back via Ingham Lane this aft.

The snow on Soil Hill was quite deep on the north facing slope but otherwise no worse than at home.

The place was bereft of birds however with the exception of a Carrion Crow and 3 deer running across the fields below the north slope.

The only birds spotted on the slog to Ogden were 6 Pheasant that were feeding under the pine trees at the exit of the plantation.

13:45 Ogden.

Given the icy weather ,Ogden was more crowded than I expected with dog walkers everywhere.

The M. Goldeneye was on the water, about as far away as it possibly could be, but it did venture a tad closer as I walked around.

The M Goldeneye was near 2 other ducks which I could not ID at the time.

But with the help of an earlier text from B.S and the photos, there is a second M. Goldeneye and a F. Goldeneye.

Also seen today Goldfinch, Jay, Mistle Thrush and a pr of Grey Wagtail.

The usual flock of Blue, Great and Coal Tit were feeding near the path but I did not see much else.

On the way home a few House Sparrow in a garden (not in John the plumbers).

I've also included a few photos of a large gull that flew over the house on Boxing Day and a Sparrowhawk I believe.