Shibden Park - Bradshaw - Soil Hill

Shibden Park

We had a trip to Shibden Park this morning to let Abigail do some scootering, ball lobbing and granddad tiring.

It was a cold bright day and the place was busy but not too jam packed, so we managed to get a table in the cafe for a well earned snack later.

The usual birds were here. The Mallards and Gulls were actully hungry, eating the bread lobbers food, instead of looking at it.
They must have missed a feed due to the holidays.

Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Coot & Moorhen were here.
No sign of the 'resident' Heron today though.

Bradshaw - Soil Hill.

14:35 - 16:15

A very late check on Soil Hill found B.S. just leaving.
We enjoyed a natter and we picked out a Stonechat flitting about which was a great bonus up here. 

(Anything is a great bonus up here, these days).

I dropped some bird seed on the main track and when B.S. left I took a walk along to the Ordnance Column, had a look over the quarry edge and a general saunter about, leaving the hill via Ned Hill Track.

There were just 3 Meadow Pipit seen, airborne.
The skies were very, very quiet.
A Wren was on Ned Hill Track!!

There was no sign of the Little Owl on the way up Taylor Lane but I did, however, managed to pick a Little Owl out of the gloom, at the bottom of Taylor Lane, on the return trip.

The camera had a right job trying to work out what I was trying to focus on though.

Prior to spotting the Little Owl , 4 Fieldfare were scuttling about feeding in a field higher up Taylor Lane.

Not a lot happening, but an enjoyable late evening stroll nonetheless.

And the evenings are getting longer - 15 minutes a week I think.

Shibden Park:

Soil Hill Area:

Spot the Little Owl - above