Black Grouse (1 Viewer)

[Idilkachore]

Hi

Can anyone tell me the best spot for Black Grouse in Yorkshire or Peak District?

Thanks

 

[Keith Dickinson]

This site is in the public domain (indeed it is mentioned in the book 'Birdwatching walks in the Yorkshire Dales')



https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Wf6hGeKe2m6pMyGyKH6Tk69uXtc&usp=sharing


You need to get there early am for best views. Park sensibly and view from the roadside.

 

[Idilkachore]

Thanks Keith

Will plan a trip to go there.

 

[Steve Lister]

A good site because you get decent views from the roadside but are far enough from the birds to not risk disturbing them. It is a really nice spot early in the morning - lots of moorland sounds like displaying Golden Plovers. Not at the moment of course, but a couple of months time.

Steve

 

[Idilkachore]

Hi

Just to update...
Nope, I didn't find any black grouse around that location on Saturday.

However, on the way back, took some photos of a barn owl which cheered me up.

Search for black grouse continues...

 

[PYRTLE]

As Steve mentioned, not just yet but in a few weeks time as the day's daylight draws out. I think the optimum time is the beginning of April. Yes, the conditions will be bleak, but by then the males should be pumped up and in tip top condition for display, courtship and mating. Good luck.

 

[Richard G]

As Keith & I have both experienced the road to get to this site is not for the feint hearted in snow conditions.

 

[Keith Dickinson]

The earliest I have been up there is February and the birds were showing well but that year it was -7 degrees with a really hard frost so the birds stood out like sore thumbs. I have been up there as late as April and the birds can sometimes be difficult to see if the vegetation has sprung up too much

 

[Steve Lister]

I rarely arrive there before 9.30 these days (it is about 3 hours from here when the A1 is busy) and by then the birds are starting to move off the walled fields and go back onto the moor. I have never seen more than half-hearted lekking as I think I get there too late. Plenty of birds though.

And yes, the road in from the north can be bad.

Steve

 

[Keith Dickinson]

The best trip I have had was one where we got there before 0800 in March so not long after sun up - we had several birds in the fields then and had a good number of grey hens present also

I rarely arrive there before 9.30 these days (it is about 3 hours from here when the A1 is busy) and by then the birds are starting to move off the walled fields and go back onto the moor. I have never seen more than half-hearted lekking as I think I get there too late. Plenty of birds though.

And yes, the road in from the north can be bad.

Steve