An hour or two’s walk at Cullingworth this aft in
dull, cloudy weather. The sun made a belated appearance after we had arrived
home. A very interesting area but today, alas, the birdlife was scant.
The walk follows the ‘Bowling Green’ signpost in
Cullingworth to pass the new school and join the Great Northern Trail towards
Queensbury. At the first bridge we left the trail via a path that rises to the
right of the bridge and then turns right to head up past the Bradford MBC
disused tip and on to Manywells Brow.
This used to be very good area for bird life but there are extensive works
taking place here with the majority of small trees and bushes removed to make
way for housing. We spotted a Blue Tit or two on the path and not much else.
At Manywells Brow we crossed the road and took the
bridleway opposite. This is a lovely green way which leads downhill to the café
at Coldspring Mills (NO we did not go in Bri!) and out onto the main road. A GSW
went over > N and there were a few small gulls in the fields here.
Here we turned right to follow the road for ¼ mile
or so before turning left on Turf Lane. This is a new area for me and looks a
very good place for birding in the future. This lane is followed for ¼ mile or so
before turning right downhill on a bridleway that goes under a bridge before arriving at a ‘lake’.
The bird life was pretty scant up to Turf Lane with
just small gulls, Woodpigeon , Goldfinch, Blue and Great Tit for company.
We had a good mosey around the lake and old railway
area where there were 8 Redwing , 4 Pheasant and C20 Goldfinch hereabouts. There was a very large contingent of small gulls feeding in the fields quite a distance away from us.
A Nuthatch was calling from the old railway track
and a bird, lightly drumming, was heard nearby - but a good search did not reveal the
culprit.
The ‘lake’ held just Mallard with a fly past of 5 Canada
Geese. Just the usual small birds about as we left the area taking a path, near
the railway bridge, that crossed fields towards the houses at Cullingworth and
dropped us at the George Inn for a thirst quencher. Just 4 Collard Dove,
Starlings and Woodpigeon about here.
Nowt special about today but a lovely area for a future
saunter, when, who knows, we may even spot something worth reporting!!
The path across fields back to Cullingworth
A good area, shame about Manywells being built on.Years ago Manywells and Sugden tips were the meccas for gull watching.
ReplyDeleteWise not going in the cafe, Sues had quite enough spoiling for the time being.
Alas Bri. we had already been to Woodbank ? cafe at Wilsden? reet posh there.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Glad you enjoyed your walk round Cullingworth, the route you took is not the best for birds, but usually livens up a bit in spring when the Warblers return.The lake has not produced much for us either but a small private lake nearby which can be seen from the passing footpath is usually better.House building seems to be happening in many places now I think around 200 are going up where you mentioned.When I visit my grandmas in Queensbury the're even buidling on the old Fair Field & around the mill.They say its progress but I don't suppose the wildlife will agree.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to another visit to Turf Lane.
ReplyDeleteThe path seems to go a lot further on than we had time to explore.
The house building is a real shame - but it's a lovely place to live so I guess the houses will continue and the wild life will move on.
Any Lesser Peckers over your way?
Thanks for the comments.
Kind regards
John