Ogden and Soil Hill

Sue dropped me off opposite Coal Lane today and I followed the bridleway through the plantation to the Ogden boundary wall then I went north through the trees before following the stream back down to the water.

The day started off cold and wet before a brighter interlude warmed things up a bit, before I got home it was dull and cool though.

Ogden 12:00 – 14:00

The bridleway/plantation area held Wren, Woodpigeon, & Pheasant (7 Pheasant seen in all today).

The walk through the wood took some time as I was in dawdling mood. In the woods I spotted 2 Treecreeper and deep in the leaves on the ground a very mobile Goldcrest. Also about a few Coal Tit, Goldfinch & Chaffinch.

The water was very calm and pretty, with small gulls ( mostly BHG) dotted about. Also there was a LBBG, the usual Mallard and 7 Canada Goose – no sign of the Barnacle Goose. A few Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tit were seen on the circuit.

I decided to retrace my steps to Coal Lane and walk over Soil Hill.

A Curlew was calling from the Ogden moor land as I climbed past Pottery Cottage. A Carrion Crow was flying carrying nesting material.

A rare calm day on the tops!

A quick tour of the hill via the contour footpath looked like being a dead loss but a few minor surprises were in store.

2 Red Grouse left in a hurry from near the path on the North/West side and 3 possible Fieldfare flew over > SE (which I though to be an odd direction).

There were 3 Meadow Pipit flitting about and at least 8 Skylark up here.

The highlight of the day was that of seeing a Skylark feeding on the nyger seed near the big rock amazingly well camouflaged (the bird that is - the rock is pretty easy to spot). I put some more birdseed down from the stock I keep up there but I must remember to replenish it because  I’m down to my last small bag. Also feeding further along the track was a Pied Wagtail.

I did not see the Snow Bunt but I was not on the hill very long and never strayed from the main path so it could well be still in situ.

On Taylor Lane/ Bradshaw bridleway there were Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and a Song Thrush in full voice singing towards East View Farm.

10 Goldfinch were in a tree nearer home. 

The worst photo 'ever' of Fieldfare!

Ah! but how much better it is having been cropped!!!