Thursday, 16 February 2017

Coach Road Lightcliffe & Bolton Abbey

10:15 - 12:30

A much better day today, windy but dry during my walk at Lightcliffe.

The walk started promisingly enough, with a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker heard early on.
C10 Redwings flew over and a few others were in bushes by the golf course.
A couple of calling Nuthatch were heard and another one spotted.
2 Song Thrush were singing and a second calling Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard.

Lots of Blue Tit and Great Tit with a few Coal Tit and a few groups of Long Tailed Tit were all buzzing about.

Chaffinch were in good number and there were Goldfinch about as well.

At the bottom of the track a Green Woodpecker flew from the school area on my left to the trees by the road Nr. Sefton Crescent. 

I took a walk over towards it but failed to pick it up again.
I did however get at least 3 Brambling in the trees here. A further 2 Brambling were seen from the main track on the return journey.
A third calling Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard at the bottom of the track.

A Stock Dove was in the trees and there were many Woodpigeon about.

A Mistle Thrush called and a Sparrowhawk flew across the track in front of me.

I had a feeling that I was going to get all 3 Woodpeckers today but .... ho hum not to be ... .. still, nice to know the little pecker is down there ..... somewhere though.

"Not a bad morning out" I thought as I had some lunch in the Lightcliffe Tea Rooms,

Bolton Abbey Wednesday.

Bolton Abbey was very busy with half term school kids.

Birds:-

3 Buzzards soaring together.

3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Dipper, Song Thrush, Redwing, 
3F 2M Goosander and a few Goldcrest.
A calling Curlew - not seen.

Just one female Mandarin Duck seen flying upstream.

I don't know where, the 30 odd Mandarin Duck usually seen, were today.

Lightcliffe:






The Woodpigon on the right had darker plumage than the others.


For such a colourful bird it is still  difficult to locate in the trees.



















Blue Tits were looking for suitable nest sites in the walls





A few Coal Tits seen - many more no doubt not seen!!


A Brambling seen from the main track



Plenty of recent Woodpecker holes.

Bolton Abbey:


















2 comments:

  1. Nice one with the Brambling and Dipper mate. LSW next for you John you,re on a roll.

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  2. Tks Dave.
    LSW once in a lifetime bird.
    Doubt if I'll get one!!
    Get a 'B' picture of it next time and make me green with envy.
    John

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