Thursday, 2 November 2017

√Bradshaw to Ogden and Ilkley Cemetary - Hawfinch Dip

The usual walk, up Taylor Lane over Soil Hill and down and partially around Ogden Water while Sue went to the Hair do joint.

Whilst at Ogden I got a phone call from, Sue posh perm, and persuaded her to go with me to Ilkley for some 'shopping'.

I sneaked the word Hawfinch and Ilkley Cemetrary into a conversation along the way.

Bradshaw to Ogden 9:15 - 11:00

A pleasant day, after the huge black Soil Hill cloud took a hike.
Bradshaw Lane had a Mistle Thrush and a large flock of Lapwing were airborne, distant, towards the flood.

Soil Hill 9:45

Soil Hill is in need of a decent bird transplant, these days.

A Kestrel, A Snipe that flushed from the main track and a couple of Meadow Pipit were all I could muster up.

Coal Lane to Ogden:

A singing Pied Wagtail, 7 Pheasant, Little Owl.

Ogden Water:

Very quiet with the usual small Gulls, Mallards and a few Canada Geese.

Also here Jay, Goldcrest and a Pr. Bullfinch was a bonus for me - I often heard Bullfinch but do often see them.

Ilkley:

Sue picked me up at the top of Rocks Road, Ogden and we went 'shopping' to Ilkley.

Ilkley Cemetery:

I had seen reported sightings of Hawfinch of late and 2 were seen in Ilkley Cemetery of late.

It was my first time here and, prior to my arrival, I was thinking small graveyard, a few trees and bushes so there should be a fair chance of seeing the bird(s) if they were here.

What a shock when we arrived the place is massive.

We were on our own for an hour or so then a lady birder arrived soon followed by another couple of birders.

When we left after another 30 mins, non of the birders had seen any Hawfinch.

I saw a local joiner and mention 'Hawfinch'.
We used to have Hawfinch in our business lad, but it's all bloody metric now.
(OK OK- but I though it was funny).

There were a good selection of birds here:-

Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare, Nuthatch and Jay.

Also 20+ Squirrels.

Later, I had a walk along the river while Sue went to look at the shops.

Another rewarding saunter with 2 Kingfisher, 2 Heron, Nuthatch, 3 Dipper, Redwing & Fieldfare,Treecreeper

2 other birders reported a flock of Chaffinch with Brambling in amongst, in the park.

By the time I arrived the afternoon dog walkers were here but I did not locate the Chaffinch flock.

A really pleasant afternoon.

Local Area:











Ilkley:


Twenty plus of these little critters






Robin of the day






A Kingfisher - Honest





Arriving home via the farm shop - dark early now.





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