08/04/203 River Calder, Ossett, West Yorkshire

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. 
 

30/04/2021 Surrender Bridge, Swaledale

Red Grouse: I've spent the week working in North Yorkshire and before I left I stopped off for a few hours on the moors in the stunning Swaledale valley, not far from Surrender bridge. Where Ted cooper found a female type black redstart the evening before. 

I love it up here, there is something special about the wild and windswept North York Moors that I really enjoy. The open spaces and scenery surrounded by bird calls, what's not to like?

Three-quarters of all the world's heather moorland is found in Britain, and the North York moors is home to the largest expanse in England. I wanted to get one of those classic shots of a red grouse in the heather but I was a little early for the heather is its bloom which gives way to purple drifts.  

Red Grouse (female): The ridge-top roads climb up lush green valleys, lined with lichen laidend stone walls. Eventually opening up to the bleak open moors. And despite the unusually cold conditions, frost and even snow.

Ring Ouzel: Although I didnt see the black redstart, presumably a passing bird I was still surrounded by some nice birds It was nice to find a few ring ouzel amongst the heather, albeit at a distance. 

There were a couple of ring ouzel in this area with along with calling golden plover and honking greylag geese.

I managed some shot of the red grouse, in the reddish brown heather and even got myself a hen bird who in my opinion are much better looking than their male counterparts, with their mottled golden markings.  

This was an enjoyable hour or so before driving back home. 

03/11/2014 Dovestone RSPB

Rough Legged Buzzard: After the RLB invasion I was thrilled to finally catch up my first over Dovestone Reservoir.

Gary, Jon and I sped up straight to the site where the bird has been spotted the day before, thanks to Damien for the directions.

Almost as soon as we arrived not one bird but two came soaring over the ridge, we didn't have to wait long before one bird came right over the road above our heads!

This bird gave us some cracking views however the winds made it pretty difficult to get a decent shot, never mind as I was just pleased to catch up with this striking bird.

It was nice to bump in to Andy Makin- the old man of the moors (his words not mine) he was on the wrong moor though.

Red Grouse: The place was full of Red Grouse, no surprise I guess but I had never seen so many so close up there before.

04/01/2014 Broomhead Reservoir

Red Grouse: Not long now until I go back to work, and I am keen to get out and make the most of my time off and fit as much birding in as possible!


So Dawn and I decided to go to Broomhead in search of Two Barred and Common Crossbill.

On the way up over Woodhead we spotted several Red Grouse looking as equally unimpressed as me with the dark, dank weather conditions.

Common Crossbill: And FINALLY after chasing Common Xbill for a while now, and taking the stick that comes with not having them on my list, here we have it, Common Xbill.

Along with this flock of around 20 commons I spotted three Two Barred Xbill showing within the dim light of the forest before getting scared away by a low flying Woodcock.

I am made up I saw the Cmmon Xbills but even more happier that I saw the Clitheroe Two Barred the light was much better and the bird was much more confiding.