Bradshaw and Soil Hill

12:15 – 13:30

A solitary Fieldfare together with a few Starling was in the trees opposite the house this morning.

It was a typical Easter Sunday today with strong winds, sunny spells and showers.

Later the showers fell as stinging hailstones in the strong wind.

I left Sue, Emma and Abigail baking Apple Pie & Bakewell Tarts for an hours stroll up and around Soil Hill.

Amazingly I managed to get up to Soil Hill, have a quick look around the top and return home without getting wet!!

There were 2 other birders on the hill.

They were way over to the East side, high above the quarry, when I arrived and although they were nearer as I left I was way behind schedule ,as it was 1pm,and lunch was, at,well… 1pm oops.

So apologies to whoever was on the hill.

During my short saunter I only came across the usual stuff. 

I did have a good gander down the north side tree line and pond; I did not see Wheatear or Ring Ouzel alas. 

Wheatear seems late on parade to me this year.

There was a black dot on the pond - a Moorhen I believe.

There were a few birds knocking about, 5 Meadow Pipit and 5 Skylark were seen.

The very top of the hill was awkward with the gale blowing and rattling my rucksack cover all over the shop.

Below the north hillside the fields held 2 Lapwing. I had a short look down towards the ponds there and was surprised by a Hen Pheasant that flapped off nosily when I nearly trod on it.

Leaving the hill via the main track there were 13 Fieldfare seen feeding in the fields.

They followed me along Perseverance Road and down Taylor Lane.

Along Taylor Lane another 2 Fieldfare were feeding with 2 Starlings.

A Fieldfare among Starlings outside home.

Soil Hill Top with the weather looking a lot more pleasant than it actually was. 

Spot the Skylarks

North Hillside Treeline down to the Lower North Pond

 A solitary bird on the pond

A Moorhen I believe.