Bradshaw - Soil Hill – Ogden – Bradshaw…..Raggalds Flood & Harden later.

Soil Hill – Ogden 9:35 – 12:00

I enjoyed a stroll about on Soil Hill on a mild sunny morning.

On the way up to Soil Hill 2 foxes were chasing each other around a field.

At the top of Taylor Lane I met NK and , with a report of 2 Ravens seen recently , we took a look at Soil Hill together.

We spent an hour or so on the hill and when NK went down towards the lower pond ( Grey Heron and an unid in the pond area) I went to drop some bird seen on the main track. Here I met up with Dave B. who seemed to disappear into thin air -  hope you didn’t fall down the quarry Dave.

After NK and I had had a good scan around flushing a Skylark, that rose in the air in full voice, and standing in awe looking at a few crows, we headed off to Ogden.

Ogden held the usual stuff, 1 Cormorant, LBBG, small gulls, Mallard, Canada Geese.

The circuit produced poss. Bullfinch, Long Tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Wren and 3 Robin.

A first viewing of the outlet pipe area did not produce the target – Kingfisher and while NK went to have another look before heading off to Mixenden I went home Via, Moorlands , Cow Hill Gate Road and Ingham Lane.

Just after Boggart Brig a Kestrel landed in a nearby tree top allowing a few nice photies.

Just a Wren and a few Woodpigeon seen on the way home.

Harden.

Later Sue & I popped down to Woodbank Garden centre to get our café fix.

On the way there, just before the Harden boundary a Buzzard was soaring high.

Although Sue stopped the car asap the Buzzard was moved along by 3 Corvids making the picture very distant indeed.

It's just possible that I've missed the Buzzard and captured a Corvid and a Woodpigeon in the photo - but there was definitely a Buzzzard soaring high as we drove along!!

Looking at the poor pics, I am now unsure if one of the birds mobbing the Buzzard , is another bird of prey or what it is?

On the way home, at Denholme, a large flock of Lapwing (80+) flew over.

While Sue called at the Kelham farm shop I took the opportunity to stroll along towards Raggalds flood.

2 Goldfinch sat high in a tree being buffeted by a increasingly cold wind.

The flood was deadsville, all I could muster was 2 crow and a few tame Pigeon.

Just 2 days to go for me to get a LSW – not much hope of that is there?

Oslo temperatures are set to get to -10 later in the week so we must be in line for some specialities!!

Pool/Snooker tonight to look forward to.

O it's 'im again with that Boooooooooooooooring blog

Soil Hill Skylark

Soil Hill from Cow Hill Gate Lane

Harden Area

Buzzard 1/4 mile away with another bird above it

Both birds cropped

Strangely the top bird looks like a Woodpigeon to me

Buzzard leaving the scene

Above: In the distance - Lapwing -  Many Wells Brow area

Raggalds area: