Ogden Skating Rink and Soil Hill later on.

Ogden 10:10 – 11:30

Ogden reminded me of my youth, when I used to go skating with Mick Haggis in Bradford – can’t remember the name of the place probably Silver Blades something or other. Anyway I could have done with some skates here today on the icy track.

The reservoir is frozen over in places.

Still on the look out for LSW.

There were lots of small birds on and around the feeders, Blue & Great Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Woodpigeon & Nuthatch.

The usual small gull sp. and Mallard  on the water as far as I could make out.

Going around the circuit 2 pair of Bullfinch were feeding in the trees.

I went to look for the Dipper without success but I was rewarded with a Treecreeper at the very, very top of the highest fir tree in that area.

Soil Hill 13:45 – 14:45

I had a walk up to soil hill and back via Ingham Lane after lunch, hoping for sight or sound of Curlew but without success. The ground up here is still frozen but there are a few places where the sun has thawed some of the arctic tundra and also some of the surrounding fields. No doubt it will freeze over later when the sun goes down.

Nothing at all stirring on SH and a solitary Carrion Crow perched on the ruin,saved me from not seeing any birdlife at all!

Things improved on the return leg with 3 Meadow Pipits feeding in the thawing  fields off Ingham Lane. Also there and a nice surprise was a Pied Wagtail. 

A Dunnock was hiding in a small tree across from the Mippets.

It was actually quite warm on the west side of Soil Hill - spring is just around the corner.

A new nest hole

Soil Hill contour track next to the wall!!

TMR in the distance

Thornton Moor Res,

Carrion Crow saved my bacon