18-21st April, checking out my local sites

With the warmth of Spring and the need for fresh air I took a wander up on Rombalds Moor, the nearest of the moorland habitats for me and it offers a wonderful array of routes back to Silsden,

 

It is the western end of what is more commonly known as Ilkley Moor but is generally quiet and lacks the number of walkers and runners found on the popular side. There are numerous paths and tracks to follow, most not on any map, some are virtually unfrequented and it will be no surprise that is these which I usually follow unless the weather is dire!

 

The advent of Spring brings forth beautiful creatures from their long winters....the peacock butterfly

 

Meadow pipits are another delightful returnee...

 

Wandering quietly the red grouse are not too unhappy with my company...

 

Skylarks were noisily and spectacularly ascending, what a soothing and relaxing day!

 

Another bird that returns to adorn the higher ground is the wheatear, I carefully watched then approached this male before taking my shot, forgetting I had just been attempting high speed skylark shots...grrrr at myself!

 

Settings corrected for another meadow pipit, this time a walltopper...

 

The walk back on the tarmac into town can hold delights for the discerning, the willow warbler has a lovely mournful three note song in descending volume .....

 

On a Bank Holiday weekend most locals would stay clear of Bolton Abbey, not us! A carefully planned early start and we had the first part of our woodland and river walk almost to ourselves, magic :)

 

The bluebells are beginning to thicken in the woods....

 

And a true miracle of nature, the pied flycatchers find their way back to the place of their birth...all the way from Africa.....could we?

 

 

Sitting quietly even common birds like blue tits come amazingly close...

 

Pausing for a break in a shelter a female chaffinch looked in with some curiosity...

 

Down by the river a dipper showed nicely ...

 

In the afternoon I had a walk by the Leeds Liverpool canal, an orange tip butterfly fluttered by and settled...

 

 

A dunnock posed ....

 

And I practised my flight shots on a pigeon :-)

 

Bank Holiday Monday...Malham, yes you read that correctly! Get up early is the answer and what delightful rewards...

 

A male redstart, another African migrant...

 

The female peregrine is thought to be sitting on eggs, great news indeed. I think this is the male taking a break but a very distant shot....

 

They are quite rightly concentrating on matters in hand, or more correctly nest right now. The peregrine project here is really successful, long may it continue.

 

Down by Malham Beck a pied wagtail...

 

Jackdaws can be rascals but each creature has its place in the wealth of things that adorn our wonderful wildlife...

 

A grey wagtail fluttered and flitted in the beck...

 

House martins collected nesting mud and frustrated my feeble photographic efforts...

 

 

 

A now scarce greenfinch was treasured....

 

And for the keen eyed bird watcher.... a bonus a tawny owl, but not much of it!

 

 

Thanks ever so much for all feedback....

 

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