Bradshaw , Soil Hill, Ogden & Bradshaw

9:55

It was a better morning than of late, weather wise, with the sun making an appearance and temperatures above 12 degrees.

A Mistle Thrush was in the tree opposite the house and a second Mistle Thrush was seen, along with the usual small birds on the way up to Soil Hill.

Soil Hill 10:15.

After dropping some bird seed on the track I had a short meander around.

The Hill was disappointing with just one Meadow Pipit, one Goldfinch and 6 Fieldfare in the sky and nothing on the ground.

C50 Canada Geese were feeding in the fields as I looked down from the north side.

It was unusual for me to see, on the very top, a Wren in the ferns on the west side of the hill.

Ned Hill Track held just one Goldfinch.

Apart from a Dunnock nothing much was seen along Coal Lane and although there were several calls from the conifers on the track opposite Coal Lane, the expected Goldcrest did not appear.

45 Canada Geese were in the fields as I approached Ogden Water via the conifers and a pr. of noisy Pheasant took flight here.

Ogden Water 11:20 - 12:15.

There were c80 small gulls on the water and a fly past of 8 Lapwing was a nice surprise.

The circuit brought with it a few Robin, 6 Goldcrest and a Treecreeper that avoided a decent pic. again!

Leaving by the golf course track 6 Long Tailed Tit were in the tress by the reservoir house.

Just a Pied Wagtail and Goldfinch were seen on the way home via Cow Hill Gate Lane.

The Redpoll were absent from the Bradshaw School area.

A Sparrowhawk flew low across the fields behind the Fleece pub and there was a Mistle Thrush together with a Great Spotted Woodpecker sitting  high in the trees opposite my house. The GSW was calling loudly - as I arrived home.

Looking towards Swalesmoor with mist rising from the valley

Looking towards Bradshaw Farms