It was cool and grey with light winds for today's daily walk allowance. I set off to Yeadon with a rough route in mind but I did venture onto roads that I haven't previously walked, all the while noting footpaths signs for future reference.
My first bird encounter was on Leeds Road where a Wood Pigeon with a twig in his beak was flying straight towards me before it rose over my head to dive into a tall, dense hedge behind me. As I turned off down Apperley Road towards the canal I heard the distinctive call of the Ring-necked Parakeet and was fortunate to then see it fly past. There was little to see from the bridge over the canal - just a single swan.
Close to the George and Dragon I saw a Wren perched and then it flew in amongst some fallen trees under the river bridge. I continued on Apperley Lane past the Stansfield Arms, the Moody Cow and the station . Whenever I'm out walking I'm always looking out for owls in trees. Although I saw no owls, I did spot a jay in the trees on the left side of the road as well as a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Near Bronte House School Long-tailed Tits made a brief appearance. Shortly before Sainsburys I turned off Apperley Lane onto Warm Lane which led into Gill Lane and Greenlea Road. There were lambs in the field and there was a spot where I could look down onto a small brook where as I was watching two Mallards I was delighted to spot first one and then a second Treecreeper working their way up the trees.
At the end of Greenlea Road was a stark reminder of the starnge times we live in; the children's play equipment in the playground tied up with black and yellow tape with a closed notice on the gate. On reaching Henshaw Lane I decided to set off home and retraced my steps. On the way home I saw a jackdaw gathering nesting material and saw a buzzard soaring high. I took a detour into the entrance road to Apperley Bridge Station where there is a pond. I was rewarded with a good view of a kestrel perched in a nearby tree. As I stood by the pond taking photographs a police car drove past me into the car park, turned round and came out. I wondered if the police might stop and ask what I was doing but they drove straight on. I could have pleaded insanity - the whole world feels a little crazy right now but nature helps to keep me sane. See the photos here.
Sue Z