Yorkshire Dales.

Monday 22^nd September Long Ashes – Grassington.

A day with friends at Grassington and a visit to the 1940’s week-end.

Not much time for birding, however, approaching the shower block in the morning I was greeted with a Merlin as it flew past at head height chasing a smaller bird. It failed to nab it.

Later, on a stroll through a large defunct limestone quarry, 22 RLP milling about in the quarry bottom, alas they disappeared before I got a pic. I don’t know what they could find to feed on here – maybe they need roughage for their diet?

The quarry was alive with hundreds of Jackdaw.

A bike ride in the afternoon, from Kettlewell to Buckton and back, saw us nearly taken out by some loony young Pheasants flying from the roadside wall into our path.

Tuesday 23^rd September – Kettlewell.

A bus ride to Grassington and a hike back to Kettlewell following the Dalesway footpath. The weather was a tad unkind with drizzle and low(ish) cloud for the most part. (No camera or bins today).

Soon after leaving Grassington a Buzzard was circling overhead also 4 RLP flushed from near the path. 

Then a lovely surprise as 16 Pink Footed Geese flew over.

Large numbers of Meadow Pipit with one group of c25 and another of c40 were seen. We were accompanied by Meadow Pipit throughout the walk.

Large numbers of, mainly young, Pheasants in the fields.

Also seen on the walk GSW and a pr. House Martin still feeding young in a nest under a house roof. There were a couple of Mistle Thrush, a few Pied Wagtail and dozens of Jackdaw.

Tuesday 23^rd September Evening – Kettlewell to Starbotton.

A late evening stroll from Kettlewell to the Fox & Hounds for a thirst quencher. The Fox & Hounds at Starbotton ,however, was closed when we arrived at 17:30. On our return from the walk the Bluebell in Kettlewell made up for the closure with a lovely warm welcome an open coal fire and some plonk. Sue turned down my offer to have a meal out saying “we have that chicken to eat up” so we settled for a shared starter at the pub and a home made curry later – brilliant.

Birds:-

Jackdaws in abundance.

Wren 3, Dipper 4, Mistle Thrush 7, Jay, Swallow, Goldfinch c60, BHG, LBBG, Grey Wagtail, Heron.

Also seen running over the fields in the dusk a beautiful dark brown hare with black behind the ears.

There were Pheasant in nearly all the fields as we passed and on the last bit of the walk, crossing the bridge into Kettlewell, the last bird spotted before going into the pub was … a Kingfisher.

A few pics:-

Watch that quarry edge Aaaaagggg

Very few ruined barns - they are nearly all in good nick.

Today's sneck

A new bit of dry stone wall

And an old bit of dry stone wall

A Dipper dipping

LBBG?

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