NYM

Early start yesterday, as I'd arranged to meet my pal Haydn in York for a trip up to Bransdale on the North Yorkshire Moors. I was really looking forward to seeing this area as I'd never been in the area before. Haydn was very familiar with the area having Birded here for many Years. I was particularly looking forward to seeing certain Species in Breeding Habitat.

He had our itinerary sorted and we decided to go to the furthest point first and work our way back. I picked him up at 7.30 (I left Holmpton at 5.15) and we headed North up Wiggington Road, just beating the Rush Hour on the Northern Ring Road. Once through Helmsley we continued North up onto the Moors.

Rattling over the cattle grid we continued into Bransdale looping around the far end and settling at our first Site...hoping for Ring Ouzel. We did see a cracking male Wheatear briefly on our way. A few Red Grouse were also glimpsed and heard, the first I'd seen for quite some time.

The weather wasn't as good as forecast (surprise, surprise) being overcast and cool (10C). Another Birder passed by and told us he'd been around for a couple of hours with no luck. Also a couple of locals stopped for a chat and were aware of this Site, asking if we'd seen it/them yet? Very friendly. Alas, we didn't connect in a 2 hour vigil.

We started to make our way back re-finding the Wheatear...

Haydn glimpsed a Spotted Flycatcher, we pulled over and eventually had good views as it fed in typical fashion from a stone wall...

We tried a few spots for Redstart with no luck. Some of the valleys were wonderful with many superb Oaks present. Once we climbed back onto the Plateau we started to see many Red Grouse with plenty of young...

As I said, I don't get to see them often, so I thought they deserved a good showing. Rather smart.

Haydn told me seeing Golden Plover "up here" wasn't a "gimme", so we were pleased to come across one, which obligingly posed nicely on a rock...

As you know I do like an "over the shoulder" shot

This Lapwing was resting on a rock right by the road...

Curlews were also present in small numbers and hearing their song over the Moor was evocative...

We tried one final spot for Redstart. This time we got lucky. Haydn heard one singing so we parked up and walked back to the spot and waited. Over the next 30 minutes we had several brief glimpses of a pair and even saw them entering the nest hole in a dead tree! The russet red in flight was spectacular, even in the shaded conditions. Eventually I managed a pic!...

We left around 1 and of course the sun broke through as we descended off the Moor. A great long morning in unfamiliar Habitat. Many thanks to Haydn for showing me his Moorland Patch, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Unfortunately the Cranes weren't seen at Duff, which was a shame as a few friends made the trip there yesterday.

I seem to have had an oversight, not mentioning the Quail I heard by the car park on the 14th. Another Birder heard one by Garganey Hide also.

Duff Year - 90

Richard heard a Cuckoo this morning...I didn't!