Saunter to Kirk and Back......

A dowdy Oxenhope, first thing....

Sladen Valley...

Sladen Valley....

Sladen Valley...

Rush Isles....

Highland Cattle....

Clogger Wood....

The Kirk with Alcomden beyond....

The Kirk....

No Congregation at kirk this Morning!...

Lower Laithe....
Eleven Images all Copyright 2013

An early hour (0730 - 0830BST) at the watch point, now accessible but only just, was a complete waste of time in overcast dowdy light, calm but at an exceptionally cold minus six. Despite last evenings mipit surge not a moving bird this morning. Thus being Sunday, exercise in mind and glass set fair a long circular saunter cross dale and moor, to the kirk and round was in order. A marathon walk.... easy at first over hard frozen snow and ground but later from c lunch time when half way round becoming difficult as temperatures went up quickly! After an hour, the sun broke through briefly before closing in again. Nevertheless the goldies missing all week and perhaps more besides were soon located in several of the still traditional fields. Lapwings, different as whilst sticking it out at low level, all the high in-byes were still empty. A few Oystercatchers in the bottom meadows along with some Curlews, again still absent from the moor. Just the odd mipit on the deck but absolutely nothing in the sky. Excellent saunter but abysmal birds.

Dave