IanF
Moderator
I decided to have a last trip out birding before being out of action for a week or so following an operation on my shoulder tomorrow. I had a trip up to Langdon Beck in Teesdale, County Durham to see if the Black Grouse had started to congregate on the lek yet.
I found eleven birds together sheltering from the snow showers. It was a little on the dull side but I managed a couple of photos before the light got too bad. I didn't hang around very long as it was too darn cold up there. My fingers were numb after ten minutes of trying to take photos.
Black Grouse
I then headed back down the dale and had a ride around by Egglestone Common, more noted for it's Red Grouse than anything. One was very obliging by standing on a wall to show off it's feathered legs, normally hidden in the tufted grass and heather.
Red Grouse
Other birds of note were two Red-legged Partridge which were scuttling around chasing each other. I watched them for quite a while, but they were moving too quickly for a photo. There were also large flocks of Lapwing and Curlew, which seemed to be everywhere and flocks of 100+ Fieldfare surrounding Langdon Beck itself. It must be a favourite feeding area as they turn up every year in large numbers.
The weather could have been better but it was an enjoyable day nevertheless.
I found eleven birds together sheltering from the snow showers. It was a little on the dull side but I managed a couple of photos before the light got too bad. I didn't hang around very long as it was too darn cold up there. My fingers were numb after ten minutes of trying to take photos.
Black Grouse
I then headed back down the dale and had a ride around by Egglestone Common, more noted for it's Red Grouse than anything. One was very obliging by standing on a wall to show off it's feathered legs, normally hidden in the tufted grass and heather.
Red Grouse
Other birds of note were two Red-legged Partridge which were scuttling around chasing each other. I watched them for quite a while, but they were moving too quickly for a photo. There were also large flocks of Lapwing and Curlew, which seemed to be everywhere and flocks of 100+ Fieldfare surrounding Langdon Beck itself. It must be a favourite feeding area as they turn up every year in large numbers.
The weather could have been better but it was an enjoyable day nevertheless.