Hirst Wood & Ogden .

Hirst Wood

We had a stroll through Hirst Wood late morning and along the canal & the river Aire.

It was a hot sultry day with an unusually strong Easterly breeze.

We stopped in Roberts park, Saltaire (a lovely place) to visit the café.

After a Rascal and a cuppa for lunch we continued along the canal and back to the car.

A nice stroll but there was not a lot about.

Birds:-

2 Nuthatch calling, Treecreeper, GSW calling and a Kestrel.

The river was a deep brown colour and flowing very fast, and as full as I’ve seen it.

There were a few Mallard and a few Moorhen ,on it, near the rowing club.

2 Mute Swan & 2 Cygnets were on the canal by the butty barge.

Ogden

 15:25 ‘till deluge.

Sue dropped me off at Ogden, as I decided I could make the rounds and walk home, before the forecast thunderstorms came.

A juv. Dunnock was watching a ginger cat near the feeding area.

Around the water I counted the small gulls and arrived at c300.

There were mostly BHG but with quite a few  Common Gull as far as I could tell.

Also on the water c12 LBBG, 4 Cormorant (I though there were 3 until I looked at the photos) , 13 Canada Goose and a host of Mallard.

There were groups of people strolling around the water wearing shorts and T shirts, oblivious to the impending storm.

As the weather changed I warned a couple, walking with a pram ,of the possible deluge on the doorstep.

They were obviously Michael Fish fans -  giving me the cold shoulder.

I rubbed the cold shoulder, until in warmed up a bit, and returned it to them with a smile.

As I left via the Boggart Brig lane, the sky darkened further, and a Kestrel flew past looking for somewhere to shelter. 

I then got on the “telling bone” to ask ‘er in doors to bring the silver taxi machine.

Sue came to my rescue and we had just got through the door when the huge splats came a tumbling down – PHEW!

I bet this taxi is going to cost me – several café visits this week  - at least.

Hirst Wood:-

Treecreeper high in the trees

Ogden;-

Storm approaching Boggart Brig