Oldfield(Oakworth) - Keighley Moor Reservoir - No Mans Land circular.

11:50 - 14:30

A, would be, short stroll that went somewhat awry. 

After seeing the beautiful scenery on Danny & Nigel's blog, the other day we went to see Keighley Moor Reservoir.

On a beautiful sunny day we parked on a lane above Oldfield for a quiet stroll to Keighley Moor Reservoir.

As I was getting out of the car a Buzzard soared overhead being plagued by a few crows and a Kestrel was hovering nearby.

Looking at my Collins bird guide I’m thinking that I have a juv. Buzzard.

However, looking at the photos I believe there is a third bird of prey in the mix.

Possibly a Peregrine Falcon – any comments would be appreciated.

The path took a track opposite our parking spot and looped round to a kissing gate at Harehill House. Through the gate we turned left to follow a thin path across the moor.

Arriving at a corner our path went ahead with a wall on our left to follow the Bradford Millennium Way Path to arrive at Keighley Reservoir.

Just a Red Grouse heard along this section.

Considering the lack of rain the paths were exceedingly boggy in places.

The reservoir was bereft of anything on the water but Sue spotted Golden Plover on the far shore.

There were 13 in all as far as I could tell.

We crossed, by the reservoir wall, to reach the reservoir access track.

We took a right turn here and we were heading downhill (in more ways than one as it turned out).

I had the bright idea of crossing the moor back to the car, via a direct path on my OS map,so further down the track, just before Higher Intake house (I think) we opted for a ladder stile on our right.

The path drops steeply down into a clough with a small stream at the bottom. 

A right turn for a few paces found a plank bridge that allowed us to cross the stream.

We started up the steep hill but the path became very boggy before it was overrun with huge ferns.

After a valiant effort traipsing through the ferns and bog (it's amazing the amount of small flies that reside in ferns),

we called it a day and retraced our steps back over the plank bridge. 

Halfway back up the hill we stopped for a breather and looked back at our path from hell.

Sue decided (while we were looking back across the clough) that if we tried again, but kept close to the wall side we could probably get up the B. field.

(B for "big" obviously).

So off we went back down the clough to walk the plank again.

We did get slightly further up the field this time, before a section of reeds and more deep bog brought us to a stop.

We climbed the wall on our left (with difficulty) into the next field and made it quite easily to a gate. We climbed the gate and after another good squelching trod (back on the right path again now) we arrived at a ladder stile into the property at Clough Hey.

A second ladder stile, spotted up to our right, was soon reached and after crossing this the path disappeared again.

We took a left here and after some more bog hopping we climbed another wall on our left and high tailed it, to the access lane to Clough Hey.

Funny how a simple footpath on an OS map can cause so much grief.

We followed the access lane and, ignoring the first footpath on our right by a gate and cattle grid, opted for the next ladder stile on the right.

This path, although boggy wasn't too bad an we were soon passing the house "Moorcock" before meeting our original entry point at the kissing gate at Harehill House.

Some fantastic scenery up here especially on a gorgeous day like today!

Birds:-

Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, an UID Falcon, 5 Red Grouse, 13 Golden Plover and a few small gulls.

Sparrowhawk on the farm roof outside our house this evening.

Mystery bird - Peregrine Falcon?

The path from hell looks pretty tame on the photo.

Some pretty (domesticated) ducks

Coming dusk at home

Sparrowhawk(photo taken through the lounge window).