Sunday Afternoon Stroll

13:40 Cold

I was left to my own devices this aft. So I decided on a circular stroll around the vicinity. I went through  Bradshaw Park and onto the lane to pick up the Calderdale Way just after the houses on the left. I soon left the C.W. and went right through a wall stile and over several fields towards Holdsworth. This is a lovely path with good views towards Swalesmoor. The path ends a small caravan site. Here I turned left on a good track that runs along the back of Crosrol and crosses a few fields to meet the track down to Oats Royd.

14:30 Oats Royd.

I had a good nosey about and although the Warblers were singing, they were not as kind to me as yesterday and they keep well hidden from the cold breeze for the most part.

2 Swallow were swooping down to take flies off the pond or maybe for a bath. On the top pond I disturbed a Grey Heron skulking in the reeds. I saw the reason for the Herons presence when 4 little black bundles came squeaking out of the reeds looking very venerable – Moorhen chicks. Lets hope they can avoid the Heron for a week or two, until they are too big for breakfast!!

I left Oats Royd via the very steep track that leads eventually to Roper Lane. Just 2 Coal Tit seen with the usual smaller birds.

It was nice having a chat with John Steele , who owns the property hereabouts, as he stopped  his car for a natter.

I turned left on Roper Lane and right onto Cross Lane and left onto Moor Close Lane. A Sparrowhawk was being mobbed by a crow here and there were a few Meadow Pipit about. A couple of  cold looking cricket teams were in action on the cricket field so no chance of Wheatear.

15:50 I continued ahead down Old Guy Road (bereft of bird life) with the wind strengthening and went along the main road to the Sahara (A.K.A. Raggalds Flood) to see 2 Starling, 2 Crow, 2 Woodpigeon and a Rabbit!!

I crossed over the stile to arrive at Perseverance Road and turned right uphill. I was getting a bit weary now and fed up with the nagging cold wind. There were c15 House Sparrow in a garden here. I had decided to call it a do but for some reason had one last gander in the field at the top of Perseverance taking the Soil Hill path for about 30 yards before turning back.

I got my reward with my first local Wheatear on a wall quite a distance away.

I called it a day then, and headed off down Taylor Lane and got home at 16:40.

A couple of cars were parked near Soil Hill track so It looked like Soil Hill had a few birders up there, I wonder what they were looking for??

The route to Holdsworth

A really awesome Swallow pic

The Sahara (A.K.A Raggalds Flood)

A few House Sparrow