Ogden - Spotted Flycatcher!

A wet, drizzly morning was reluctant to brighten up.

I had a walk along the local wet grass fields this morning, the highlight was c140 small birds on the wires in shockingly poor light.

A few Goldfinch left the squadron but the majority turned out to be Linnet, when I had a butchers hook at them on the laptop later.

This afternoon the ladies went to Halifax and I scrounged a lift as far as Ogden, opting for the Rocks Road area.

On our way , in the car, along Syke Lane a grapevine text arrived from DJB of a Hobby on Soil Hill > SW so it would have probably gone over the car.

As I meandered down Rocks Road another grapevine text arrived from DJS of a Spotted Flycatcher on Back Lane, Ogden - the opposite end to where I was going.

I did a birding walk down and across the beck, up tother side amd around Ogden Water.

It was now approaching 4p.m so I'd missed the cafe and I decided to try for the Spotted Fly. 

I walked 'down' Back Lane, getting my mobile to text DJS for some info, when the mobile rang. "Are you wearing a white cap? if so turn around!"

DJS was higher up Back Lane, and, amazingly , so was the Spotted Flycatcher.

The bird was quite distant, east of the path, using the fence line as a perch.

It was very active and although 2 Squirrel came close to it it remained there.

I took some record shots - the quality at that distance is poor alas - but a photo record!

A lovely bird that always reminds me of holidays in France.

My phone buzzed , Sue and Abi had arrived at Ogden car park and needed my help to pick some raspberries.

Dave and I walked down the lane and I sloped off right to go-a-picking.

A really nice Calderdale tick for me brining this year's total to 107, and a Twitch that actually came good.  

Thanks Dave.

I got a new job this evening Chief Jam Pan after-use cleaning technician.

Birds:-

A.M.

140 Linnet with a few Goldfinch.

Little Owl.

Common Gull.

Black Headed Gull.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

P.M.

Spotted Flycatcher.

Buzzard over Soil Hill seen from Ogden near the golf course.

3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 seen 1 heard).

2 Cormorant.

Many Swallows over Back Lane.

Gulls on Ogden water (at one point):-

65 Black Headed Gull.

3 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

1 Herring Gull.

1 Common Gull.

A really enjoyable outing and a memorable start to September.