Ring-Necked Parakeet for Bradshaw

After a busy afternoon, spent mostly on the phone with various insurance companies, Sue and I decided to take a stroll to the Moorlands for a very late lunch / early tea.

I took the camera and bins with me – just in case.

After a good meal and a few ‘elderberry cordials’ we strolled home.

Nearing home I happened to look at the top of a conifer where a wider than expected green branch caught my eye – using the bins revealed a Ring-Necked Parakeet.

I thought that the ‘elderberry cordials’ had been too
strong – but no, it was the bird.

I managed to get 3 poor photos before it flew off.

A text to B.S. when I get home , whetted his appetite, and he decided to pop down to Bradshaw for a gander.

We happened to bump into my mate Adam, who showed us a route where we could get a better view of the conifer – and we were rewarded with some cracking views, and I got some better pictures of the bird.

Thanks Adam – I'll
get you a wine gum and hot water next time I’m in the Fleece!

Kalamakooya!!!

Foreside Lane Area (Denholme)

10:10 – 12:00

I enjoyed a few hours searching the fields on either side of Foreside Lane this morning.

It was very cold at the start of the walk but it warmed up nicely by lunchtime.

I did eventually get to see what I was after – a Wheatear - but it took some finding! Kalamakooya!

(I bet there are not many out there who know where Kalamakooya! came from!!!

The Wheatear did not come close for any decent photos though.

The fields here are now full of Meadow Pipits – where on earth have they all come from?

The usual moor land birds were out and about with Curlew flying high and calling loudly. Lapwing and Skylark were also seen with 2 Stock Doves.

A Kestrel flew West in a big hurry by the looks of it.

A Reed Bunting was seen in flight but I could not locate it, when it landed, to get a photograph – a pity that – one of my favourite birds.

Also about were a few Pheasant and the possibility of 3 Herring Gull.

The Herring Gull were initially calling from Thornton Moor Reservoir before they went east, high overhead.

One (at least I think it was just one) was calling with a ha.. ha.. ha.. (pause) ha. Sorry, that’s the best I could do.

With my history of Gull ID I would not bet the farm on them being Herring Gull though! Alas the picture is rubbish!

I had quite a long session searching the wall tops for Owls or Falcons (or anything spectacular) but came up blank!

A BIG BEE and a Pied Wagtail completed, quite an enjoyable saunter.

I am hoping that my back will will give up giving grief,so I can get some serious hiking DONE!!!

Kestrel in a hurry

One of the three large gulls seen together.

Cropped pic of the earlier one above: Possible Herring Gull 

NOT a Herring Gull

Presumably a Curlew on the field top

A different Curlew

Curlew High Overhead

Soil Hill from Foreside Lane

Fly Flats

14:35

We had an errand or two to do at Sowerby Bridge this afternoon and afterwards I persuaded Sue to go home, the long way round, via Fly Flats.

It’s a while since I’ve been to Fly Flats and it was just as wild as I remembered it.

We parked opposite the kissing gate at the top (north) end of the reservoir and had a 30 min. stop.

We walked down to the reservoir and around as far as the No Entry – Yorkshire Water Sign.

It was cold and very breezy here today.

There was lots of noisy Canada Geese on the water and in the fields C50 in total.

Curlew were active, flying and calling – hard to say how many but more than 3!

Several Meadow Pipits about but I did not see any Skylarks.

There were a few Lapwing, perhaps 5 or so.

There were a few Mallard at the water edge.

3 Red Grouse were seen and there were several others calling from the moors.

Top of the shop was a pr. Oystercatcher  on the waters edge.( 2 Oycs went over Asa Nicholson’s café yesterday lunch, now I come to think of it).

On our return journey, I though I’d heard a Redshank call, but the birds in flight were Oystercatcher so I guess I was mistaken.

No Wheatear for me in this area – but, a little birdie told me they are along the road here!

Quite boggy underfoot

Something special? - No just a Lapwing