Ogden Water to Bradshaw via Soil HIll

A long outing today with a walk from Back Lane, Ogden to Ogden Water up to the Giants Tooth hoping for a Flycatcher.

Back down to meander along the waters edge before going along Syke Lane,Up the steep Ned Hill Lane and onto Soil Hill.

I spent a long 'leisurely'  time inspecting the thick foliage up and down Soil Hill north side tree line - some beautiful flowers here.

Looks like I missed the plot opting for Giants Tooth instead of the golf course with the golf course coming up trumps for NK and DJS, both recording Redstarts - nice one.

Birds:-

Ogden Area:

Swift, Heron, Many Wren which is always great to see.

2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Swallow, Great Crested Grebe.

c35 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Bullfinch.

9 Canada Geese, c90 Black Headed Gull.

A large flock of mostly Blue Tits were high in the trees as I went through the woods from Back Lane to the water - other bird sp. with them but I could not Id them in the nearly black canopy.

Soil Hill Area:-

Linnet, c15 Meadow Pipit (10 in one group along the main track).

5 Swallow, 2 Greenfinch (seen from Ned Hill Track - unusual here for me).

A 'singing' gate on N.H.T.

5 Whitethroat (4 North Slope, 1 west side).

At the top of the north side tree line, a small bird shot into a tree and I took quick a photo before it disappeared - just  got its head showing don't know what it is - possibly a Meadow Pipit?

c6 Blackbirds, 4 Wren, 4 Pheasant.

1 Chaffinch, Swift.

Lesser Black-backed Gull over regularly.

Tough going of late, but the Redstart sightings are heartening, some migrants might visit my bins soon!

Leaving Giant's tooth I met 2 mature ladies coming up the path.

They looked a bit weary - one asked if this was the way to the Car Park!

Perhaps, at the bottom of the steep paths, from the Reservoir, some 'Car Park pointers' signage might be handy.

Ok in summer up by the tooth - but in winter it can turn a bit unpleasant up there.

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