On the eve of May and not a warbler on the year list yet, which is understandable working Fly Flatts and Soil Hill, I set off at 1600 hrs heading for Ogden even though wood watching is not my thing.
As I drove up Perseverance Road the sky was blue and clear, just right for sky watching and with the pull of Soil Hill as I approached the next thing was I was parked up and walking up dog cack alley.
Probably the wrong decision as all was quiet but a pleasant hour up there away from the maddening crowds.
Soil Hill
Around 12 Skylark
18 Meadow Pipit
2 Grey Partridge
3 Kestrel
1 distant Peregrine
1 Curlew
9 Lapwing
Field full of Woodpigeon and Stock Doves.
Home for some tea then after a lot of pacing about in the house like a caged Bear it was shackle up the dogs and off to Ogden, much to Lyndas relief to get me from under her feet.
Arrived at Ogden at 1900 hrs which was late in the day for warblers but a walk on to passerine alley produced 2 very mobile Willow Warbs and a single Chiffchaff along with a few Wrens and Robins.
The water held the usual Mallards, now in small numbers , and 2 Canada geese.
Looks like the Kingfisher has moved on to a breeding site.
BS