Hi all,
My parents have recently bought a small barn to do up and serve them as a country retreat for retirement in Stainforth, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales NP. The first time I will have chance to go down is mid-March. Despite having only limited knowledge and experience of the area, mostly day walks around the Grassington/3 peaks area - I was really impressed by the sheer numbers (the curlew and oystercatcher roosts were incredible) and species diversity. Of course the scenery isn't too bad aswell!
If anyone could point me in the direction of any blogs or have suggestions for any must-see birding locations within this southern part of the Dales I'd be really grateful!
Presumably red grouse are in the area? Would I need to go further north to have a chance of black?
Hi all,
My parents have recently bought a small barn to do up and serve them as a country retreat for retirement in Stainforth, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales NP. The first time I will have chance to go down is mid-March. Despite having only limited knowledge and experience of the area, mostly day walks around the Grassington/3 peaks area - I was really impressed by the sheer numbers (the curlew and oystercatcher roosts were incredible) and species diversity. Of course the scenery isn't too bad aswell!
If anyone could point me in the direction of any blogs or have suggestions for any must-see birding locations within this southern part of the Dales I'd be really grateful!
Presumably red grouse are in the area? Would I need to go further north to have a chance of black?
Hia Sean,
I'm assuming you mean the Stainforth that's in Ribblesdale, 'cos if you are then an area to visit just East of there is Malham Cove where there's a nesting pair of Peregrines on the Cove for all to see and the scenery is second to none. The area around the river in Stainforth is good, there's Dipper, Pied Fly, Grey Wag and other birds as well as downstream watching the Salmon leap as they travel up thro' the falls in late summer early autumn.
As Ken said on your way there, along the A65 just thro' Hellifield, is the Flash on the right where some good birds are seen regularly.
Cheers Joe
Tyke is essentially a Yorkshireite although some of these definitions won't please many natives
Haha... that's great. Good name for your group!
PS. Even though I am a Lancastrian I will reserve choosing which definition fits best until I get chance to visit! (But thanks for the image of a rude papist, Yorkshire terrier type mongrel!)
while we are on the subject, when is the best time to go for the black grouse lek? I have the well known book with location just not sure when is best to go.
Can any of the Swillington regulars comment on the condition of Fleet Lane at the moment? Is it passable in a normal family car?
We have been in April for the last couple of years and got great views. I think that this particular species leks pretty much all year round, with the exception of when they are moulting in the summer, but I think the peak period is April and May.