Bradshaw – Soil Hill – Ogden Water – Bradshaw

9:30 – 14:00

It was another dull, cloudy, rain threatening day today, but it stayed dry.

The bridleway up to Soil Hill had held the usual small birds.

A large Gull flew > NE.

Soil Hill

It was much the same as yesterday up here.

More evidence of Whitethroat with plenty of them singing and flitting back and forth. In fact Soil Hill was alive with birdsong with Blackbird, Linnet, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch all adding their bit to the chorus.

The grass is very long (and wet) along the north side path, and I did not venture from it today. 

A large Corvid passed by - a Carrion Crow most prob. - no call.

The lower north side pond looked to have a couple of Mallard and a Moorhen on it.

Ned Hill Track area had singing Whitethroat, many a Starling, and Woodpigeon.

A pr. Partridge flushed from behind Pottery Cottage and as I tried to get the bins on them a horse and rider surprised me, and had me do a quick exit stage left. I did not ID the Partridge.

Just before the Pottery Work-in-Progress building, bird song had me scan about with the bins, and I smiled as one of my favourite birds, Reed Bunting came into view.

From here to Ogden, Pheasant, Swallow, Swift, 2 Curlew and a Lapwing were seen.

Ogden Water 11:30

Ogden Water was quite as per, just Mallard, Canadas and the resident M. Goosander on the water.

Above the Visitors Centre, a Blackcap was heard but not seen and a Grey Wagtail was in the culvert area seen from the Promenade.

Around the circuit – Willow Warbler, Lots of Robin and a Green Woodpecker called from the fields beyond the NE end woods.

Also along the way another Warbler, heard but not seen, but I did not know the song.

3 unid’s left the trees behind the house at the end of the promenade, possibly Siskin but I don’t know the call.

As I left Ogden Water a large Gull came over circled and landed for a drink before heading off again.

I don't think it is a Lesser Black-backed Gull so It's between a Great Black-backed Gull and a Herring Gull - looking at my Collins Guide - hey but what do I know - where Gulls are concerned?

I've posted a few pics of it.

On the way down to Union Lane I scanned a bare tree there and was pleased to pick out a Great Spotted Woodpecker – it smiled but left before I got a pic.

Not a lot else really, as I went home via Cow Hill Gate Lane, Ingham Lane & Bradshaw Lane – just a Skylark at the top of Ingham Lane, and a few Greenfinch and Goldfinch.

First large Gull - possible Herring Gull

Prob. Carrion Crow

Whitethroat on exactly the same perch as yesterday evening - but I got a pic this time!!

Spot the Grey Wagtail

Robin of the day

Large Gull Number Two:-