The Easter holidays yielded a bumper crop of spring goodies, especially Good Friday, a glorious day from dawn till dusk. I woke at 05.50, looked out of a north-facing bedroom window and saw the Bowland Fells, crystal clear. There was the place to go...
Red Legged Partridge, 18/04/14, Long Lane, On a dry stone wall a few miles north of Scorton, Lancs.
At about 06.45 I reached one of my favourite birding spots, a dry stone wall flanking the left of the road about 4 miles north of Scorton on Long Lane. For some reason, all manner of bird species like plonking themselves on this wall (see my Redshank picture in "waders" section). Not only that, but the birds are not particularly bothered by passing cars either. At this time of the morning you can roll up right next to them, wind the window down and shoot away, all at eye level too.
Meadow Pipit, 18/04/14, on the same wall.
Wheatear, 18/04/14, same wall.
Pied Wagtail, 18/04/14, you guessed it, the same dry stone wall.
Oystercatcher, 18/04/14, on a post (next to the wall).
After the "wonder wall" and turning right at the T-junction, it was time to check out another favourite location, a small walled-off wood running parallel with the road opposite the stream. Look out for this building and park on the right. Just like last year, Dippers were patrolling the stream and pied flycatchers zipped about in the small wood. A birding couple told me that redstarts were here last week. Spotted Flycatchers have been known to grace this area too.
A good Dipper and Flycatcher location. The wood is on the left of the road, the stream is to the right.
Pied Flycatcher, 18/04/14, in the small walled-off wood by the road.
A few miles further towards Dunsop Bridge, I stopped at the Langden Valley car park and followed the trail towards Langden Castle (which is actually just a stone hut) in the hope of finding Ring Ouzels. This time two years ago I was lucky enough to see several pairs. No such luck this time, but it was worth the walk for the stunning views and some more close encounters with typical Bowland species.
Male Stonechat, 18/04/14, Langden Valley, Bowland, Lancs. Several pairs were around.
Common Sandpiper, 18/04/14, Langden Valley, Bowland, Lancs. In its usual spot, near the weir.
Willow Warbler, 18/04/14, Langden Valley, Bowland. Lancs. Loads around, sounding out their familiar descending notes.
As I headed home, I got the icing on the cake right there on the roadside. I have never had such a good view of this species. There seemed to be many more of these around than usual (loads of pheasants too). I couldn't help wondering if this was due to the absence of Hen Harriers and other persecuted raptor species?
Red Grouse, 18/04/14, roadside verge near Langden Valley, Bowland, Lancs.
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