Bradshaw to Soil Hill and back

14:50 - 17:20

I enjoyed a walk up to and around Soil Hill this aft.

After a cool/damp morning, running around Shibden Park , Soil Hill was nearly tropical, which made my winter woolies a bit superfluous.

I spent a good while up there and had a yomp down the tree line to the wall at the bottom, above the pond.

Just 2 very elusive birds seen in the trees, neither was willing to show.
I gave them 15 minutes to come out with their hans up (they were German I think) but...

One was a Robin I think! and the second I could not ID.

On the way back 4 Red Legged Partridge flushed flying off towards the farm shop.

Earlier I'd flushed  a Snipe from near the top NE pool on the main path.

It called 3 times (with a 'low' sound) as it flew off at about 'soccer post' height , not particularly zig-zaggy, and landed beyond the west side summit 150 yds away.

A Common Snipe I would say.

Do Jack Snipe ever call?

Earlier, on the way up Taylor Lane, a ploughed field held a good few Jackdaw and 3 or 4 Common Gull with 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 5 Stock Doves.

The Hill had 6+7+11 Meadow Pipit.

The lower NK pond held 2 Moorhen, an unid. white headed 'duck' and another 'duck' on the banking was seen later on.

All the photos were from a long, long way off so are very poor.

The fields, a long way below the North Side, held a few Lapwing and many Small Gulls with a few Lesser Black-backed Gull.

A Kestrel was hovering above the West side summit.

Just a Robin and Wren seen as I turned left along Ned Hill Track to Ned Hill Lane.

It was unusual (for me) to see c6 Long Tailed Tit in the conifers by Taylor Lane Koi Carp Farm.

I'm now being dragged away from my beloved blog to go to the rotten pub.... life is tough.

Cropped Snipe shot - still rubbish

Lower (NK) pond - distant shot.

White headed Duck

Possibly a Moorhen