Bradshaw – Soil Hill – Ogden – Bradshaw

10:35 – 14:15

I enjoyed a fair old slog today in weather that ranged from Snow to Hail and then sunshine.

Leaving home a Goldfinch, Robin and Blackbird were in the hedges and a Mistle Thrush was perched on a TV Ariel.

As I was walking up Taylor Lane to Soil Hill the nasty snow showers came along and I was wondering if I was loosing the plot coming up here today.

11:15 Soil Hill

I dropped some Nyger Seed 100 yds on from the great rock and disturbed a Skylark that was feeding there. It was pleasing to see that the crows aren't the only bird eating the grub.

I spent maybe 30 minutes on the hill and was rewarded with a Red Grouse and some red ears to match my red nose.

I may have stumbled upon B.S’s lost walking boots on the Soil Hill track as well.

They looked beyond salvation Bri. so I left them in situ.

The walk to Ogden via Coal Lane had 2 Goldcrest, 2 Robin a few Gulls and a Pheasant.

12:00 Ogden

The usual stuff were playing out at Ogden c40 Small Gulls, Mallards, Wren, 7 Robin, Blue, Great and Coal Tit, Dunnock, Nuthatch and a pleasant surprise in the shape of a Grey Wagtail.

The Kingfisher failed to materialise whilst I ate my butties.

Near the Moorlands Inn a Stock Dove sat in a field and on the home leg, along Cow Hill Gate Lane, a Reed Bunting sat high on a hedge top.

Approaching Bradshaw Park there were 3 Goldfinch and a couple of Collard Dove along with plenty of Starlings.

c20 Redwing sat high in the trees near the pond – another pleasant surprise for me.

The Mistle Thrush was still knocking about the gardens as I arrived home.

After the initial doom and gloom, in the snow at the start,  it  turned out to be  a really enjoyable three and a half hours walk today.

My first Redwing  of the winter making my day.

Mistle Thrush

The remains of a size 11

Dodgy looking stuff - heading my way

Tried out a joke on this Carrion Crow.

As If! 

These crows have zero sense of humour.

Looks like my "supreme birdie peck seed" is to rich for 'em as well.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

This Nuthatch didn't hang around

Nearest thing I could get to the Kingfisher in the drainage channel

Woodpigeon asleep?

Reed Bunting quite a distance away

Quite a pleasant afternoon

Mistle Thrush still about