Something To Grouse About

My brother and I ventured about as far as we could go from Northamptonshire without leaving England. Our travels took us to the wilds of Cumbria and the border city of Carlisle from where you can apparently smell the scent of deep frying confectionery when the winds are favourable! We didn't encounter any southward migrating Haggis but that did not diminish our enjoyment as there were several other distractions to keep us happy!

Geltsdale

Yesterday on our trip northwards we stopped at the Yorkshire reserve of Fairburn Ings where we were lucky enough to get some good though brief views of a Willow Tit. Unfortunately given  that we had quite a distance left to travel our stop had to be brief and our northward journey  continued soon after.

Meadow Pipit and Stonechat

This morning saw us making our way to the RSPB reserve of Geltsdale in the north Pennines where we hoped to encounter some of the Black Grouse that are known to reside in the area. Occasional rain showers and a strong breeze did not deflect us from our task as we searched the surrounding countryside for our stunning looking quarry. Redpolls and Meadow Pipits were the most obvious species on site though a late Wheatear was perhaps the most interesting of today's passerines. A family party of Stonechats came close to matching the Wheatear and a decent number of Siskins were also noteworthy. I was beginning to think that our visit was going to remain grouse free other than a few distant calls from invisible Red Grouse as we walked around the reserve without seeing any gamebirds other than a few Pheasants. My brother David's eagle eyes however saved the day as he picked out a trio of Black Grouse making a brief flypast. As these were only my second UK sightings of this declining species I was more than happy to catch a glimpse of them. With our main target aquired and an increase in the severity of the showers dampening our enthusiasm we waved goodbye to Geltsdale and made our escape.

Not wildlife but they did fly once! - Avro Vulcan and Hawker Hunter.

Normally our subsequent visit to the Solway Air Museum would not get a mention on this blog but at least one skein of newly arrived Pink-footed Geese flew over during our visit which were my first of the coming Autumn.