Cromwell Bottom - Local Nature Reserve

Had a wander down to Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve, it's now one of my new favourite places. If you haven't been before, I can thoroughly recommend it.

Check it out: http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/openspaces/naturereserves/cromwell-bottom.html
also see: http://cromwellbottom.blogspot.co.uk/

I was only down there for about an hour and it was raining on and off, but did managed to snap this lot...

A Jay calling for its mate

Bullfinch

Plenty of finch activity at the bird feeding station

Robin in the rain

a soaked Chaffinch

Robins always love to pose for you

A Coot down by the reed bed

A pair of Canada Geese on the canal

A Mallard on the canal hiding in the reeds

I didn't spot the birdfeeders when I parked up, but they are in the carpark and when I came back managed to snap this pair of Long Tailed Tits grabbing their breakfast

Just about to leave and a Nuthatch popped down for a bite

My first visit, but I'll now soon be a regular, I can't believe I never even knew the place existed.

A walk round Ogden Water and a nosey up Soil Hill

Before I left, a cheeky Blackbird with it's mouth full popped into my garden to say hello, must be a nest nearby with that mouthful!

Started the walk wound Ogden and this little fella came for a nosey

The greenery is starting to show

The scenery 'off the beaten' track is awesome

Another sign of Spring - frogspawn

A Tufted Duck on the lake

along with Canada Geese

and Mallards

Then a quick look up Soil Hill, this is the pond ruins and Ovenden Wind farm in the background

A Lapwing came in to land

Nice view of Ogden Water from the top of Soil Hill

A wander up Wainstalls...

A lovely afternoon, so a walk about up Wainstalls was called for to take in the views and see if there was any birds or wildlife about..

Managed to snap this Mallard before he flew away

Belting view, you can just about see Studley Pike in the background

I'm lucky to have this in my back yard

I love traditional Yorkshire dry stone walling

Such a peaceful day...

A wander down the track to the lake edge...

...to be greeted by a flock of Canada Geese

Walking back to the car and a Curlew comes in to land..

.. can just see it at the top of the brow, you can hear them whilst walking about

The view walking back up the track

Plenty of grazing sheep about

Back to the garden and a shy Chaffinch landed above my head

An afternoon round GoldenAcre Park, Leeds...

A Saturday afternoon in April 2015....

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Common Grey Squirrel

Nuthatch

Nuthatch

Robin

Carrion Crow

Mandarin Duck