With the report of the first Swallow to the area through Brighouse today, M Henshaw, I thought there must be Wheatear on Soil Hill by now so a tea time trip was on the cards.
This idea had also gone through the heads of DB, NK, and D Branch who were also up there scratting about.
As NK was taking care of the summits I went down the west side of the northern slope, across the bottom, where all the Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler habitat has been dug up apart from a small area to the west, then back up the east side of the slope checking also the trig point fields finding no sign of Wheatear which is unbelievable for Soil Hill in April.
Several singing Skylarks were present along with Meadow Pipits,4 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 1pr Pheasant and a single female Kestrel.
Gull movement was interesting with a steady flow of Herring and Common all >NW throughout.
Shelf Moor trailer field was deserted of bird life this evening.
BS