A dull miserable afternoon with a large black cloud hanging menacingly over Bradshaw, Queensbury and Soil Hill.
The sky brightened a bit as I got home - mild later on.
I had a walk up to the Raggalds, along Roper Lane for a mile.
Opposite Ladysmith Road I took the bridleway down to Oats Royd (where a sharp shower woke me up) had a nosy about and came back via the flooded footpath below Bradshaw Park.
Birds:
Awful light conditions for any decent photos today.
A Kestrel was opposite Dan Branch's place.
Raggalds Flood was holding on to the 4 Wigeon together with 4 Mallard and c55 Lapwing took to the air as I arrived.
Checked through them with the bins for Golden Plover but did not see any.
Another group of 23 Lapwing were seen soon afterwards.
Lots of Common and Black-headed Gulls in the fields throughout the outing.
A Little Owl was pulled out of the gloom - seen from Roper Lane.
Oats Royd ponds had just one fishing type - a Kingfisher.
A bit of a neurotic bird, very very mobile with high pitched calls.
Not seen such a nervous Kingfisher previously.
A Moorhen was on the lower ponds and a Heron flushed , all wings and legs, from the top (north) pond.
A few Long Tailed Tit and a few other small birds but....no Black Redstart, though I did give the field walls a severe going over.
A Mistle Thrush and a Chaffinch was all I could manage at the park.
Roll on the bright frosty stuff.
Dull - but just can't beat em
You did well seeing anything John as the weather has been crap for birdwatching and photography lately, well done for getting out there.
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