Bradshaw - Soil Hill - Ogden (Whoopers) - Soil Hill - Bradshaw.

Zero degrees today as I defrosted the car for Sue who had an early MOT appointment in Bradford.

(Well the car had the MOT).

So I had a free rein today.

A five hour plus outing today up to and over Soil Hill around Ogden Water and back via Back Lane and Soil Hill.

It was good to bump into a few birders at Ogden where the large number Whooper Swan reported this morning (MM, CS) remained on the water.

A tad earlier, on Ogden Lane, I bumped into DP and after I'd had a coffee and a Twix I met up with DJS, AT and James H who were 'hanging about' on the promenade!

On the backward journey , I bumped into DP again on Back Lane and we walked together back up and  over Soil Hill and down into Bradshaw but didn't see much.

I finally met my one blog fan today (after all these years of blogging).

He  enjoys all this drivel - especially the bits about our bus rides tales.

His name must remain a secret though to save any possible embarrassment (for him not me) - should his secret ever get out.

Thank You Very Much Richard for the compliment (not his real name you understand).

Quite Cold on Soil Hill with this easterly still at it - but a great day for a walk.

(No ticks though).

Local fields this afternoon had a farmer harrowing the fields which kiboshed the job (a bit).

Red Legged Partridge, 2 Mallard and 2 Meadow Pipit was about all in the fields.

Still very cold this evening in this biting wind.

Birds:-

150 Whooper Swan.

Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Robin,

c25 Meadow Pipit (In ones and twos throughout).

c260 Starling Flock.

c50 Gulls on Ogden Water, 2 Canada Geese.

6 Common Gull - Taylor Lane.

c10 Herring Gulls, c20 Lapwing, 2 Canada Geese - Shay Fields.

2 Stock Dove,

1 Mallard.

6 Skylark.

7 Curlew.

Pheasant.

Partridge species flushed no call on Soil Hill.

Singing Chiffchaff left a tree along the Ogden Circuit.

Long Tailed Tit, Goldcrest.

1 Fieldfare running next to a wall (DP).

Buzzard.

Local.