There and back – Lower Bradley to Skipton

10:20 – 15:15

We had a really enjoyable 8 mile walk today along the canal from the Low Bradley area to Skipton and back.

The tow path is being upgraded near Skipton and it’s a tad messy but they have not closed the path to pedestrians (just cyclists).

The weather was extremely kind to us with sun and blue skies for a couple of hours with some fine weather cloud for the return journey.

The outdoor market was in full swing on the Skipton high street so “we” managed a bit of Christmas shopping.

We could not stop too long to look for birds today and nothing too exciting crossed our paths I’m afraid.

Just after crossing Bradley Canal bridge c200 Canada Geese were feeding in the fields, a good scan for a Barnacle proved fruitless. Also here a couple of Mute Swan were on the canal and a Sparrowhawk, I believe, soared high overhead just allowing a quick photo and a Jay was arguing with a Magpie. 

We did not see any Fieldfare or Redwing just a couple of Mistle Thrush in the fields.

The canal side bushes held several sizeable flock of Goldfinch; Chaffinch and Blackbird were in good supply as well with a few Long Tailed Tit and 4 Pied wagtail.

There was a pr.  of Pheasant in the fields and hundreds of small gulls, together with plenty of wildfowl, were seen across the road, in the numerous flooded fields, all along the walk.

The flooded fields were to far away for any decent sort of photo but its possible that there are a quite few Teal in the (poor) photos.

9 Collard Dove were seen during the day with 6 seen together.

Nearing Skipton 2 adult Mute Swan with 6 young Swan in tow were sailing down a very grotty looking canal.

Noting exceptionable came out to see us today but it was a really enjoyable 5 hours out and about.

p.s.

I learned something today.

The little piece of silver paper on one side of a bar of Imperial Leather soap is there to allow it to sit prettily on the edge of the bath – it should not be removed and lobbed into the bin!

I’ve heard a good few questions about soaps on “The Chase” TV quiz programme

so now I’m ready with an answer should this particular soap question crop  up.

Many 

fields in flood

Possible Sparrowhawk

The Craven Arcade looking very festive

I told this chap I was from Look North - next news he wants to be on telly!