After a report of a male Ring Ouzel back near Paul Clough, Oxenhope this morning I thought I,d better give Soil Hill north slope tree line a check out which was easier said than done.
The wind was S>6 increasing to gale force 7 with light rain.
It was near impossible to walk on the summit but slightly more sheltered down the slope.
After an intensive search the only birds found were 2 Grey Partridge, 1 cock Pheasant, 1 Heron and the usual Mipits and Skylarks.
3 seperate fires were blazing well on Ogden moor wafted on by the strong wind.
Thanks to Steve Blacksmith for alerting the fire service who rang me for directions to the blaze as with the wind being so strong the smoke was blowing low over the heather and not visible from Ogden.
Luckily the heavens opened shortly afterwards which should have sorted the job.
BS