Soil Hill and Ogden Lifer

A quick exercise walk around Soil Hill with Sue just after lunch today where things were pretty quiet.

I flushed a Snipe from the main track and other than a Kestrel a Wren and a few Meadow Pipits, nothing else much about.

Good to get Snipe here though, they are a bit rare here these days.

After my exercise walk I had another with Sue dropping me at Ogden in hot pursuit of DJS's Crossbill seen yesterday.

Back Lane and the woods held 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers all heard not seen.

A walk up to Giants Tooth and a good slog about in the tussocky mounds for an hour or so did not produce much.

On the way back towards the tooth I finally hit gold with a scan of the tree tops producing the required effect - a Crossbill - A lifer for me.

This bird looked like either a Juvenile or a Female.

3 other Crossbills flew past calling and after I looked at them, the first bird had gone when I looked back.

I though the bird would be a lot bigger and the call a lot louder but at least I know what to look out for in future.

This was my 4th attempt (this year) with many attempts previously to nail this species.

A pretty good find for me but probably most of the Calderdale Birders have already added this to their repertoire.

Afterwards, I did a half circuit of Ogden Water as I headed off home with plenty of grunting going up Ned Hill Road, Percy and Taylor Lane.

A Kingfisher was low in the east side trees but in legged it when I pointed the camera at it.

A Dipper was down in the sluice area, seen from the promenade.

c130 Gulls were  strewn about on the water.

Nothing of note seen on the walk home.

First sighting.

Taken from same place as above - full zoom.