Kalamakooya!!!

Foreside Lane Area (Denholme)

10:10 – 12:00

I enjoyed a few hours searching the fields on either side of Foreside Lane this morning.

It was very cold at the start of the walk but it warmed up nicely by lunchtime.

I did eventually get to see what I was after – a Wheatear - but it took some finding! Kalamakooya!

(I bet there are not many out there who know where Kalamakooya! came from!!!

The Wheatear did not come close for any decent photos though.

The fields here are now full of Meadow Pipits – where on earth have they all come from?

The usual moor land birds were out and about with Curlew flying high and calling loudly. Lapwing and Skylark were also seen with 2 Stock Doves.

A Kestrel flew West in a big hurry by the looks of it.

A Reed Bunting was seen in flight but I could not locate it, when it landed, to get a photograph – a pity that – one of my favourite birds.

Also about were a few Pheasant and the possibility of 3 Herring Gull.

The Herring Gull were initially calling from Thornton Moor Reservoir before they went east, high overhead.

One (at least I think it was just one) was calling with a ha.. ha.. ha.. (pause) ha. Sorry, that’s the best I could do.

With my history of Gull ID I would not bet the farm on them being Herring Gull though! Alas the picture is rubbish!

I had quite a long session searching the wall tops for Owls or Falcons (or anything spectacular) but came up blank!

A BIG BEE and a Pied Wagtail completed, quite an enjoyable saunter.

I am hoping that my back will will give up giving grief,so I can get some serious hiking DONE!!!

Kestrel in a hurry

One of the three large gulls seen together.

Cropped pic of the earlier one above: Possible Herring Gull 

NOT a Herring Gull

Presumably a Curlew on the field top

A different Curlew

Curlew High Overhead

Soil Hill from Foreside Lane