Blake Dean

Received from Colin Shields today


A trip up to Blake Dean on what turned out to be a very hot afternoon (23C) in valley bottom at Mytholmroyd via the Shoulder of Mutton at Mytholmroyd yielded a few birds. At Blake Dean a Tree Pipit sang vigorously on the far side of the road bridge on a power line over the moor. Two separate Spot Flys were along the concrete road and a Blackcap was heard.There seem to be Goldfinches in the plantation below Walshaw Dean Lower at Sutcliff Rough as well as the usual Chaffinches and Goldcrest. Sparrowhawk flew over here. Grey Wagtails were carrying food at the gate to Gorple Lower and a Dipper flew upstream. A Common Sandpiper was near the road at Widdop and a single Wheatear on the embankment. Two more Grey Wagtails. A Grey Heron caught a fish which much have been about eight inches long from the narrow stream below the embankment. A Little Owl was on a wall to the west of the Packhorse. Two Small Tortoishell, a Peacock, Orange Tips and a possible Painted Lady were theb'flies. Pretty good for a shortish walk.

Colin