Night Heron: With a welcomed long bank holiday weekend on the horizon I was making plans to head into Wales and connect with the black grouse lek at World's End near Wrexham. but news broke the night before of a pair of night heron along the River Calder.
I couldn't resist the pull so contacted Kirstian and made plans, and early start with the intention of getting their super early just incase they flew off.
The fact that I could have had a long lay-in, breakfast, mowed the lawn and did the shopping before heading over where I would have got better pictures due to the afternoon light improving never bothered me, well only a little.
Both birds remained remarkably statute like throughout the early morning, they were both still and only moved a few times while we watched them.
Eventually they both moved off and into less visible location, but liker I said early things improved in the afternoon and they bother became a lot more active once we left.
Red Grouse: We had the whole day ahead ofd us and with north but blue skies above us and free time in out pockets we set off to the Peak District, more specifically Ladybower Reservoir.
Ring Ouzel: Our plan was to pick up some returning ring ouzel and we weren't disappointed, after a proper hike over the moors we were rewarded with a beautiful male ouzel singing away.
The male was soon joined by a female bird and then we observed another pair in the same area. It was like the M25 up here, hoards of hikers, families and extreme hill runners and bikers so the birds had plenty of company besides me and Kris up here.
The supporting cast was pretty typical with tons of meadow pipits, red grouse, wheatear and raven. Not going on over the man made moors.
This was a cracking day with near perfect weather great birds and company.
