Originally the Rounding off of February was going to be one post but I decided to split this into several posts. This one is for the walks along Gill Beck, Tong Park Dam and Hollins Hill.
The walks along Gill Beck have been prompted by the walk arranged by the Airedale and Bradfod Local RSPB Group along Harden Beck to the Goit Stock waterfall and beyond where we went looking for Dippers.
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Gill Beck
Gill Beck and Loadpit Beck feed into the river Aire. Gill Beck goes through Tong Park Industrial Estate and under Otley Road down to the river. Loadpit Beck runs through the bottom of Shipley Glen, under Higher Coach Road and joins the river near the Bradford Amateur Rowing Club buildings. Between the three of them they form the boundary of Baildon Town Council as of my understanding in 2025. This seems a tidy, geographic way of viewing the boundary and could be seen as helping to define the community, but with parts of Higher Coach Road being in Shipley for the purposes of Bradford Metro Council and voter numbers needing to be considered it is possible that bits of Baildon will move in or out of Shipley and/or Bingley.
Before, and after, walking along Gill Beck I have a look at the Beck on either side of the Otley Road bridge. The two Magpie that are having a taste of the rabbit are on the cut grass of Ghyll Beck Driving Range. Several times, when I have looked over, next to what used to be the fellmongers, I have just been in time to see a Kingfisher fly away. Given that wagons are thundering along the road just behind me I am surprised they notice me so quickly to fly off.
The photo of the Orange Ladybird was taken with my new 200-800mm lens so I was a bit surprised it would focus so close.
The lettering on brick I think is for Bradford Brick & Tile Co. Ltd.
Sunny Brow
According to the Bradford Rights of Way map, just past Tong Park Dam, Gill Beck goes by an area called Sunny Brow. The trees and rocks in this area are covered in mosses and lichens that look quite healthy.
One of the fallen trees was breaking up a bit and thick dark strands of the Mycelium could be seen under the bark, along with Woodlice and Wireworms.
Hollins Hall Golf Course
Walking through the trees around Gill Beck I kept hearing the scream of raptors and got brief glimpses of them so I walked further up the hill and onto the paths of Hollins Hall golf course.
Out in the open where I could see more sky the Buzzard and Red Kite were soon visible, as was a female Kestrel. I watched it hover for a while. The slight wind was making it move but its head was staying perfectly still as it watched the ground.
There are also some quite pleasant views from the golf course.
The house Lone Wood is in quite a prominent position. It has a stained glass window with WD 1913. I believe this is William Denby.
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