Saltaire – Hirst Wood – Canal – River Aire.

Lesser Pecker ..... the hunt goes on…..

10:45

A good old ‘hail stoney’gale was blowing through Bradshaw this morning so Sue and I decided to leave it behind and head off to Saltaire.

We had a walk through Hirst Wood looking for Woodpecker. I may have glanced a GSW but it was only a may, so no joy here, and of the LSW no sign, drumming or other.

There was plenty of bird song with at least 3 Nuthatch heard but only one seen. At the end of Hirst Wood we turned left downhill and crossed a flimsy wooded bridge to follow the Aire under the railway aqueduct. Here we spotted a Kingfisher for a brief few seconds but we did spot Kingfisher on 3 more  occasions , during the walk – most prob. the same bird.

On the little pebble peninsular there were a pr. of Goosander resting and another pair were on the river, also about here, 3 or 4 LTT, Greylag Goose and a Moorhen.

We retraced our steps and followed the canal, over the canal aqueduct and past the water treatment works (20 plus Pied Wagtail were on the filter beds that I could see – no doubt there were many more about).

A Grey Wagtail was on the river bank below the aqueduct. Wren was singing loudly throughout the walk, we spotted a couple but heard many more.

Going back towards Saltaire on the river a Cormorant flew over and also a Kestrel.

Near the park 2 Mistle Thrush were in the trees, making 4 in all seen today.

We stopped for a toasted teacake at the café and could see the usual small gulls, Canada Geese and Mallards happily accepting bread from the bread lobbers.

A Greylag Goose and 2 Mute Swan were on the canal by the ice cream barge. 2 Jay in the trees by the canal on the way back to the car park rounded off a good walk. We did not get wet or blown about too much –Bradshaw to St. Tropez!!

Back home it’s hailing and snowing and blowing again! 

Apparently spring starts on Wednesday with temperatures of 10 degrees.

It is a fact that one in every five people on earth is Chinese.

There are five in our family, therefore one of us must be Chinese.

It's definitely not me so it's either our Mary, Eileen,Jim or ....
Zhang Wei.

I have a strong feeling it's our Jim.

(Thanks to Mr. Tommy Cooper Esq.)

Not much sign of these in Bradshaw