Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge & Soil Hill

Mytholmroyd – Hebden Bridge.

Sue decided on a walk from Mytholmroyd to Hebden Bridge and back today.Parking is a lot less hassle in Mytholmroyd.

It was 3 degrees when we set off, but it gradually warmed up, becoming quit pleasant after lunch.

It's very upsetting to see the flooded out shops in Hebden with lots of repairs taking place all around.The cafe we normally call at, is being completely gutted by the looks if it.

The canal walk was very enjoyable with the highlight being a pr. Goosander on the water.

The female Goosander was swimming very close to the back of the male with its head nearly submerged. I didn't know if this was a courtship thing or it was finding food?

There were c60 Canada Geese and 3 Heron seen with the usual mix of birds, including, Long Tailed Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Greenfinch and House Sparrow.

A Kestrel was kind enough to pose for a picture or 3.

Soil Hill & Bradshaw 14:45 - 16:10

It was such a lovely afternoon I thought I'd make the most of it and as soon as we got back from Hebden I donned the boots and headed up the Bridle Path to Soil Hill.

I saw just Blue Tit, Great Tit and Chaffinch on the way up.

Most of this morning's, inch and a half, of snow had gone from the hill.I dropped some Sunflower Seed on the main track and had a walk about.

Things looked grim for a while until 2 Skylark rose slightly in the air, calling, before disappearing.

There were two pr. Mallard and a Moorhen on the lower NK pond.

Then a long white thing scurried away in the snow , making me jump - a Weasel in its winter garb.I fired off a couple of pics but I cant find it in either of them!!

Somewhere along the way I lost a black glove (a common failing of mine) but I didn't have the energy to retrace my steps to go and find it!

A Common Gull flew over and that was it for the hill.

Ned Hill Track held a nice surprise, though, a F. Stonechat that sat on the wall for a minute or two before disappearing into the Gorse.

The F.Stonechat sighting made the walk home very enjoyable.

Sue tells me that my mobile phone is pre-historic.

I tell her that ,before she hears my jokes, she is pre-hysteric.

(ner,ner,ner ner,ner).

Got to include a Robin

I've included a few (poor) Sparrow pics - I think they are all House Sparrow

Soil Hill Area

The bridleway behind Railles House

Taylor Lane top with Warmleigh 'Holiday Park' Houses on the far horizon.

I used to do cycle speedway in a field here - possibly 1964 - can't remember.

It was run by Bill Harrison I think.

We were the Warmleigh Tigers and we had plastic bibs with a Tiger on the front.

The White Weasel was beyond the pond below the mound when I took this.

But I can't see it.

Can't see it here either!

Spot the Skylark

The contour 'path' going East is next to the wall

Perseverance Road as the sun sets.