Ploughcroft to Bradshaw - birding walk

 Sue dropped me at the bottom of Ploughcroft Lane, Boothtown so I could walk back to Bradshaw.

The route follows the Calderdale Way once you cross over Pule Hill (Ringby Lane / Top) near the Queensbury border.

An enjoyable birding walk with some interesting birds seen along the way.

Ringby Lane / Top:

The usual small birds at the bottom of the bridleway included 2 Greeenfinch.

A bit further up a Buzzard was being mobbed by 7 Crows.

At the top a Motorbike(ist) was buzzing about so no chance of any rare Bunting today!

Just 6 or so Gulls seen at various points up here.

1 Lesser Black-backed Gull was in the fields early on and a second was seen in the top fields with a Common Gull.

At the top, I heard a loud call from very high above me, and took a quick photo of the bird, thinking Raptor. 

I quickly put it out on the Calderdbirds Sightings app. in case  anyone was in the vicinity.

The bird however was a large Gull possibly a Great Black Backed Gull but it passed high, so quickly that getting a decent photo was tough going. I've had to lighten the photos a good bit.

Looking at the photo at home, the 'wing mirrors' don't look to have enough white? So it's probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull?

An attempt at a video to catch its call was not a rip roaring success.

If you listen carefully you can hear a slight call at the very beginning than a lot of static!

Soon after a few Large Gulls passed high.

and .. a few Starlings was about it.

Crooked Lane etc:

Moan:

Crooked Lane is even more of a tip than on my last visit with vehicular access now blocked completely by a big pile of  *****.

Now that the lane is blocked by rubbish, It would probably be better if the lane had bollards at both ends to stop vehicle entry.

A Kestrel was hovering hereabouts and my 2nd Buzzard passed high flying towards Oats Royd.

A Sparrowhawk flew fast through the mill yard at the bottom of Windy Bank Lane.

Holdsworth to Home:

A Great Spotted Woodpecker called, perched high in a tree.

A would be Little Owl was a puzzle, but the puzzle unfolded as I got a bit nearer. A "plumped up" Sparrowhawk was perched on a fence but it soon flew up into the conifers, out of sight.

Both Fieldfare and Redwing were seen but both sightings were very distant.

3 Collard Dove.

A few Canada Geese were near Bradshaw Park.

An enjoyable Sunday afternoon birding hike.

Sue's leg is slowly mending, very slowly, which means my 'long' birding sessions will soon bite the dust.

As I'm writing this, c10 Meadow Pipit have dropped down into the field opposite the kitchen window. A good sign - they have been in short supply so far this year.

Can you hear me Mother?

(you are too young to remember him)

Buzzard

Large Gull - LBBG? looking at small white in mirrors?

And another - younger one

1st sighting of Sparrowhawk