Shiben Park / Priestley Green

We had a couple of hours at Shibden Park this morning with Emma and Abigail and I took the camera just in case.

Later me and Abigail (5 ½)  played ‘Power Rangers’ in the garden and I had to sit down a while as my ‘emmer gen’ had run low or so she said – I hadn’t  a clue what she was on about.

After she had confused me with “emmer gen” I had to get my own back:-

I told her I was to be called “Vosene – Mr Magic” and I was also known as “uncle Dan Druff” – anti-dandruff’s husband ….. that confused her no  end.

It was fun listing to her shout "Vosene - kill the monsters"

Shibden Park:

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling from trees as we parked the car.

Later, another? GSW was calling from the Children’s Play area – neither GSW was seen.

A Heron sat proudly high in a tree, preening itself.

Later, another? Heron, sat by the waters edge near the duck feeding area and later still a Heron was flying high around the park.

A pr. Mute Swan had 8 cygnets in tow (my bird book tells me that they lay between 5 – 7 eggs so these have been ultra productive).

A pr. Grey Wagtail was feeding on the side of the boating lake and there were the usual Coot and Moorhen as well as the best fed Mallard population in the UK.

On the way home from Heckmondwike, late evening, I decided to give the Priestley Green (poss. Lesser Pecker) area a look for a few minutes.

Priestley Green:

I took my usual path, the bridleway down towards the A58. 

As I walked down the path, I could hear a gig at the Old Brodylans at Hippeholme.
A rock band was belting out:-

 “Doctor, Doctor give me the news, I got a bad case of loving you – Oh Yeah” 

– the band sounded pretty “hip baby” to me.

I bet you’ll be singing those lines all evening.

Not a lot about in the short time I was there.

I did hear a Woodpecker call, close by, near the top of the track but yet again it failed to show itself and the foliage is pretty thick here.

A Roe Deer was in the ground of the large white house, doing a spot of ad-lib gardening.

Other than a Great Tit or two , that was it.

Spot the Heron - high in the tree tops

Magic Swallow Photo

Just before this snap - The Heron must have overheard one of my best jokes.

I wonder if this Grey wagtail has a damaged leg

Different bird

Damaged Leg maybe