Sunday, June 15, 2008

Bransdale Moor





Curlew Chick

Curlew




Golden Plover





Lapwing


Lapwing Chicks



Red Grouse








Common Redstart


Meadow Pipit

Willow Warbler




Stonechat



Whinchat

Yellowhammer

Bransdale Moor is owned by the National Trust and lies in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. An absolute mecca for wildlife, and at this time of year it is just teaming with stuff. Most of the ground nesting birds have now got chicks, with curlew, Golden Plover and Lapwing all present. Along the stone walls and in the small wooded areas you will find Redstart, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Pied Wagtail nesting, and in the heather and bracken areas there are Stonechat, Whinchat and Meadow Pipit feeding young.

If you are very lucky you might stumble upon a hunting Hen Harrier passing across the moor. I also saw on my visit a pair of Cuckoos and a couple of Wheatears, I tried my best at finding a Ring Ouzel, but just could not find any. If you have never visited Bransdale Moor, then this is the time to do so, you will not be disappointed.

2 comments:

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Good series of pictures Steve.
I had a ride round the moor last Friday and on that day only got young Stonechats so your variety is really good.
Regards
Mike

Steve Race said...

Thanks Mike, yes, I had a good variety of birds that day, sometimes you can get days where nothing is showing, but stick in there and keep visiting the moor, you never know what you might come across.