Stewart J.
Well-known member
My first attempt at anything like this so here goes.
Desperate to get out birdying after the awful weather of the last 5 days, rain cleared by early afternoon so set out to one of our favoured locations 20 minutes drive from home to see if any Blackcocks at their lek or Golden Plover back on territory. I think of this as a seasonal local patch, as we drove onto the minor roads southeast of Whitfield heading over the moors toward the Acton Moor area lying snow worsened (none at lower levels) minor roads passable with care. Along a single track road 3 Greyhen on a roadside dry stone wall made me stop in a hurry, as we watched another flew up from the base of the wall to join them. Watched at a range of 20 feet for a few minutes before all 4 flew off across the fell. On a little further and another Greyhen in the top of a small Hawthorn eating the new shoots. Marvelous views down to 12 -14 feet, what a beautiful bird when seen close in good light.
Further on road blocked by deep snow so retraced our route with intention of doing a big loop around main road and back in from south. No go minor roads impassable for a car. Found a vantage point and scanned about, soon picked up 2 Blackcocks high up in a couple of adjacent Birch trees feeding on buds? Always looks odd to see grouse clambering around the tops of trees like this.
A pair of Buzzards put in a display and a Kestrel was watched feeding on a dead rabbit (carrion I hope! or we have a super Kestrel)
A wonderful couple of hours after the orrible weather of late, nice to see so many Greyhens usually the other way round as hens are very difficult to find because of their cryptic plumage.
Couple of snow pics attached.
Stewart
(Would this be classed as a mini blog?)
Desperate to get out birdying after the awful weather of the last 5 days, rain cleared by early afternoon so set out to one of our favoured locations 20 minutes drive from home to see if any Blackcocks at their lek or Golden Plover back on territory. I think of this as a seasonal local patch, as we drove onto the minor roads southeast of Whitfield heading over the moors toward the Acton Moor area lying snow worsened (none at lower levels) minor roads passable with care. Along a single track road 3 Greyhen on a roadside dry stone wall made me stop in a hurry, as we watched another flew up from the base of the wall to join them. Watched at a range of 20 feet for a few minutes before all 4 flew off across the fell. On a little further and another Greyhen in the top of a small Hawthorn eating the new shoots. Marvelous views down to 12 -14 feet, what a beautiful bird when seen close in good light.
Further on road blocked by deep snow so retraced our route with intention of doing a big loop around main road and back in from south. No go minor roads impassable for a car. Found a vantage point and scanned about, soon picked up 2 Blackcocks high up in a couple of adjacent Birch trees feeding on buds? Always looks odd to see grouse clambering around the tops of trees like this.
A pair of Buzzards put in a display and a Kestrel was watched feeding on a dead rabbit (carrion I hope! or we have a super Kestrel)
A wonderful couple of hours after the orrible weather of late, nice to see so many Greyhens usually the other way round as hens are very difficult to find because of their cryptic plumage.
Couple of snow pics attached.
Stewart
(Would this be classed as a mini blog?)
