Ogden and Bradshaw

It was a complete change from yesterday's sun,  to murk and drizzle, today.

Soil Hill was shrouded in thick mist, so I gave it a miss today.

Leaving home c40 Fieldfare flew low across the fields >N towards the Raggalds.

Ogden 10:10.

Back Lane had c15 Woodpigeon in the fields. 

A Curlew called from the mist,high over Thornton Moor. 

A couple of Meadow Pipits were heard but not seen and a Song Thrush and Skylark were in full song.

It was quiet around the circuit with the usual mix of Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch and Wren about.

A Treecreeper stopped around just long enough for its photo to be taken.

A lady stopped me shouting "Russell, Russell - How are you!!!".

I explained that I wasn't Russell, however she insisted that I was Russell - "Russell from the walking group!!"

After I removed my deerstalker, toupee, false moustache and dark glasses, she seemed to accept that I wasn't Russell.

I recommended a trip to Specsavers to her.

I don't know who Russell is, but he must be a handsome brute.

There were fewer gulls than usual today, with about 12 small sp. on the water with 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls.

A couple of large gulls were involved in a scrap – the leading gull had got something tasty in it’s bill by the looks of it.

Near Bogart Brigg a Coal Tit was in trees.

Further along the track I heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker call.

I stopped for a while, trying to locate the bird.

A dog walker asked what I was looking for, and when I mentioned the GSW, he volunteered to play the GSW call from his mobile - to see if that would help my cause.

He managed to get a faint rendition of a GSW drumming, which did the trick.......the GSW left the trees heading towards the golf course.

I managed to get a distant photo of it later on however.

Near the Golf Club, Dunnock were chasing about and a Green Woodpecker called from Hunter Hill area - I'm still awaiting my first Green W. sighting this year.

At the top of Ingham Lane a Skylark took to the air and a solitary Lapwing called from the horse field.

The mist and drizzle worsened as I headed home.

Enjoy your weekend when it arrives. 

Lets hope it's not spoiled by the 'F' word.

Fieldfare flying > N through the Bradshaw gloom (cropped pic below not much of an improvement)

A quiet Ogden

First tree with a few leaves

Two large gulls having a barney

Spot the Wren

Spot the Greenfinch

A Murky Soil Hill Area: from just beyond "Gardenia Nursery" on Rocks Lane