Autumn Feeling

 With the weather taking a more autumnal feel in the last week or so, it felt fitting to make a trip up to the mooors, where there will be a bit more going on in the months to come. Well, if there is not much going on it is certainly a very nice place to take in the scenery. 

A bird that will become more conspicuous is the Red Grouse. There were a few family parties around and all looking splendid in the sunshine. I love to hear their bubbling calls and to watch them scurrying around, trying there best to stay out of site, but then always popping their heads up as they give their position away.

Another upland bird that will soon be making it's way down the slopes in the weeks to come is the Stonechat. They nest up in the moors but will be looking for warmer lowlands and food soon. I found this juvenile flitting in and out of the bracken. It seems to be a good year for Stonechats.

In Good Company

At this time of year if you venture into the Peak District you are bound to hear the bubbling call of the Curlew. It's a great sound to hear echoing down the valleys, only made better by a fly by.

The Red Grouse are looking in really good condition at the moment. Here is the male with it's striking red eyebrow. This one stayed nicely hunkered down in the heather, but still looked great in the setting sunlight.

This stunning male Stonechat popped up on a post right in front of me as I perched in my car. I was clearly well camouflaged as it stood here for some time surveying the landscape and generally looking very pretty.

Red Grouse - Peak District

We've had a cold spell recently, and last week brought us our first snow of the winter here in the North West. Always a pain in the neck when travelling to and from work, it also gives an opportunity to see more wildlife. Due to the cold weather the birds are a lot more active as they desperately search for food.
I was hoping that the nice white blanket might also make it easier to spot some birds. I headed up into the Peak District to see what I could find. Red Grouse are a favourite up here and I was hoping that I'd find some posing nicely against the snow. No such luck. In fact, I found it harder to find them than in the summer.
Their calls gave them away and I managed a few distant shots before the cold drove me back to my car.

Nicely camouflaged against the heather.

Back in the Spring

An evening on the moors around Derbyshire is always nice. Red Grouse bubble away and frequently show themselves. Raptors will often put in an appearance as they quarter for prey.
These pictures were taken one late evening in Spring. The sun had almost set and so there was not a great deal of light.
I could hear the grouse bubbling away, but it took me a while to locate one. I was sat in my car so as not to disturb them. Then one popped it's head up and gave itself away.

You can see the long grass was in need of some rain and warmth.

I got all of a fluster when I could see a large winged bird heading towards me and the car. It was a Short Eared Owl!! I've see these many times before, but there is something a little magical about seeing an owl. These birds are fantastic, and just awesome to watch as they float across the moors.
Almost dark by this point, hence the grainy shots, and it was almost past me before I could blink.

An early returning Willow Warbler, with the trees still in bud.

Danebower Quarry

I went looking for the elusive Ring Ouzel recently. It was exactly that. Elusive. No sign whatsoever. Nothing flying over, on the rocky slopes or even down in the valley. My luck was out on this one.
There were a few other bits and pieces around though, so I made the most of the company that I had.
A few bubbling Red Grouse, some vocal and busy Meadow Pipits and also some very good looking Wheatear.

I stood motionless for some time as this Red Grouse approached me. It seemed blissfully unaware that I was there as it carried on feeding and walking straight towards me. This male was in great condition, with its bright red combs over the eye particularly prominent.

  

The Wheatear is one of my favourite summer visitors. I always look forward to them arriving. Once again this male was looking pretty dapper.

Red Grouse

Can't wait for the clocks to go back next weekend. I like to go out early, but that's difficult when it's only getting light at 7.30 on a clear day. Still, it was a cracking morning on Sunday. I've missed the Macclesfield area recently, having gone to some different places at the weekend. Birds were quite thin on the ground, but I got some fantastically close views of a pair of Red Grouse. I've always wanted to get close to them, but they are a rather shy bird. Having said that, these two birds seemed oblivious to me. I didn't have to move, as they came to within 5 metres of me. Unfortunately, they do tend to stick to long grassy areas, so some of these pics have grass in front of them, but they're the best I've got so far.

A stunning female, putting on a show.

The male, with lovely red eyebrows.

Ouzel do nicely

I love the bright early mornings. I was out for sunrise today in hope of finding Common Redstart or Pied Flycatcher. I had no joy on either front, but did end up with an impressive list all the same. It was back to Macclesfield and into the forest to start with. Crossbills once again were in good numbers. These were joined by Siskins, Lesser Redpolls and Woodpeckers of the Great variety.
I moved on to Wildboarclough where I watched 3 Dippers at different points and also caught sight of a Goldcrest.
Danebower quarry was the next scheduled stop and after a short wait the prized bird was seen, well two in fact. Ring Ouzels!! One of this pair took a dip in the river and had a good clean.
I ventured further towards the quarry and came across another pair. 4 in one morning!! I'd only ever seen one before in my whole life. Good times.
After this everything else seemed a little disappointing, but there was time for my first House Martin of the year and plenty of Red Grouse, Wheatears and Meadow Pipits. Oh, and Golden Plover formation flying over the moors.

Ring Ouzel at Danebower

 Excuses in early. This was digiscoped with the sun in front so it does look like a blackbird, but it's definitely a Ring Ouzel.



A family party of Crossbills. Female on the left, male in the middle and immature on the right.

 Another poor digiscoped shot, of Red Grouse this time. Look at those false eye lashes.