Bradshaw- Soil Hill- Ogden-Peat Pits-Bradshaw

I decided to take the car for a run today and headed off to Denholme – mistake.

Just past Denholme I was met by thick fog. So I returned home and swapped the car for a pair of walking boots.

10:00 Bradshaw

The morning had been really pleasant, in Bradshaw, with lots of sunshine, but as the morning wore on the mist in the valley rose up into low cloud which spoiled things a bit.

There were the usual passerines seen on the way up to Soil Hill and Soil Hill was alive with bird song. All the bird song was coming from one species though – Skylark.

There were at least 10 up here today. One was even belting out its song while it perched on the ground – a new experience for me.

There were just c30 Starling, and 2 Geese (probably Canada) overhead and a Curlew calling from way over Thornton Moor Reservoir.

11:30 Soil Hill to Ogden

There were 2 Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 2 Pheasant, 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Lapwing > SW, Curlew calling and a real bonus of 9 Whooper Swan very high > NNE seen on the walk to Ogden.

Also along the way a hissing sound coming from some conifers, which I believe was a Barn Owl very close by.  

It did not show itself, alas.

Sheepie: - The exciting life of hiker and bird watcher.

Approaching Ogden a sheep lay in the middle of a field abutting back lane.

It was on its back with its feet, akimbo, in the air. 

I watched it through the bins for a few minutes and I could not discern any movement. 

So I though it was an ex-sheep.

I decided to have my butties sitting on the wall hereabouts.

Just as I opened by Caviar, Tripe & Onion, Ciabatta special, I noticed a faint movement from one of Sheepie’s hind legs.

I repacked my lunch and went through the gate to take a look at the moribund s-heap.

Sure enough it was alive and was sitting in a lot of its own poo – it must have been stuck here for a while by the looks of it.

It was heavily pregnant and had fallen over into a small indentation in the ground. It could not get its feet on the deck, because of its new rotund shape.

 I grabbed some of its fleece and gave it a tug and hey presto it stood up and kicked out, nearly fell over again, then wobbled off.

I looked back 2 mins later and it was leaning against a tall wall having a breather.

Its 2 mates however, had climbed the tall wall, and were teetering on the top not knowing what to do next.

A farmer once told me that the Sheep is the only animal that can kill itself in over 100 ways – I think I agree.

Ogden:

Ogden water had LBBG, Mallard, c60 Small Gull, 2 Canada Goose and a Drake Goldeneye on the water. A Grey Wagtail was flitting about under the promenade wall.

There was no sign of the Kingfisher today.

Ogden to home.

On the way down the steep track towards Rocks Lane ,a Dipper flew up the Golf Course stream.

There was a Reed Bunting in the bushes near the Golf Clubhouse.

There were lots of passerines here with many calling Greenfinch which was nice to hear.

6 Canada Geese were on the pond near Bradshaw Park and a Little Owl called from way down by the stables near Oats Royd.

A bit murky on Soil Hill

Soil Hill - today's mystery object

Whoopers a long way off

I don't recall this reservoir near the golf clubhouse