Goldies on The Bonnet: & Soil Hill – Ogden – Bradshaw

11:30 – 14:30

It was a beautiful crisp sunny morning with just a couple of show showers later, on the walk.

I decided to have a look for D.W’s Goldies / Lapwing flock, so Sue was going to drop me off at Sandal Restaurant on her way to see her dad.

Rounding the corner by the Bonnet I was well pleased to see a large flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover in the roadside field.

I estimated 210 birds in the total flock c40 of them Golden Plover.

It was a great sight to see on such a clear sunny day and so close to home as well.

And I managed a few decent pics.

From here I had a trudge up Taylor Lane to drop some Nyger Seed on Soil Hill.

Taylor Lane revealed 2 Fieldfare and Soil Hill had a big fat zero, until, a Buzzard flew towards Ogden being mobbed by 2 crow.

13:00 Ogden.

The water held the usual small gulls and Mallards.

A Kestrel was glimpsed as I headed down to the Promenade.

A first look for the Kingfisher failed, but as I had lunch and kept taking a quick peek the elusive bird made a 2 min appearance before disappearing.

For such a colourful bird it is amazingly well camouflaged.

While I was eating a really juicy pear, a very smart young lady dog walker passed by, and to make conversation I just said “Cracking Pear” before I realised what I’d said.

A quick point to my dessert, however, clarified my faux pas.

She just smiled and walked away – reminded me of my youth 

(the smiling and walking away bit obviously).

Birds seen doing the circuit were:-

2 Nuthatch, Coal, Blue & Great Tit, Blackbird, Robin & Goldfinch.

On the return journey things were quiet with a couple of Greenfinch a Goldfinch and an unid. (which may be another Greenfinch) in the trees by Bradshaw J&I School.

Just a House Sparrow and Pr. Collard Dove were seen on the way home.

Looking out of the window the white stuff is piling down, covering Bradshaw Lane.

Hopefully it's just  a shower.

Looking back from Taylor Lane

Not sure about this - cropped pic not very good (below)