Birding Bradshaw and District: Bradshaw to Haworth

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Bradshaw to Haworth - There and Back

It was a stunning Autumn day with clear blue skies and we had a real old stomp.

10:00 - 17:20.

We set off from Bradshaw with our pal Stuart with the intention of walking to Haworth, having some grub in a cafe, and getting a taxi back.
In the end we decided to kill Stuart by walking back to Bradshaw, from Haworth.

The route from home took us up the 'Koi Carp' bridleway to the first house then left through Bradshaw Farms to exit onto Ned Hill Road.
We walked along the road to Ogden Lane and turned right up back lane.
We followed back lane bridleway all the way to the top of the moors above Oxenhope Reservoir.
From the top of the moor we dropped down to pass to the left of Leeming Reservoir, then down to Back Leeming and down Jew Lane.
We walked along the Oxenhop Road to the Co-op, where we all enjoyed an ice cream.
A short tramp along the road brough us to Oxenhope station.
Just before the station our path turned right along a lane and then quickly left to run along along next to a stream across from Oxenhope Railway yard.

A cracking path follows the stream.
First, the stream is on our left, then after crossing a footbridge, the stream is on our right.

A water treatment works is passed followed by a solitary house, before another iron bridge is crossed.

The stream is followed a while longer before the path rises to pass a solitary house with a beautiful window depicting a Heron.

The path drops down past a derelict farmhouse and returns to the stream for a while.

Soon another footbridge is crossed via 2 ancient kissing gates and then field bottoms are followed to exit on to the road.

2 left turns take us across the railway/stream bridge at Belle Isle and then a tough climb takes us into Haworth.

After a cafe break, we did it all again in reverse.

The final few fields on the return leg were negotiated in near darkness - good fun.
Stuart was still breathing when he left us - honest.

Birds:

Meadow Pipits and Goldfinch seen along on the Bradshaw Farm area.
A good count of Red Grouse (10) seen crossing the moors, it was heartening hearing their unusual 'laughing' calls.

I had a bit of a gruesome find.
The head of a Red Grouse (I think) ,was sitting in the "V" at the top of the ladder stile, coming off the moors, above Leeming.

Also seen F. Bullfinch, c10 Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush.
Pied Wagtail, Heron.
Many Gulls on Oxenhope reservoir , going, and many more on the return leg.
A skein of Greylag Geese over the reservoir - looked to be landing but changed their mind.
2 Buzzard and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Some pics - well a lot really