Hen harrier sighting

13th March 2011
Walked down to Cobble Hey, then up Peacock Hill over to Delph Wood and then back across the fields to Landskill. Saw a rolling flock of starlings moving like a wave over the field. Many lapwings around, some of which looked to be protecting nests. Heard the call of the curlew a few times and then spotted one flying over. As we walked over Peacock Hill a brown hare rose suddenly out of the grass a few feet in front of us and hurtled away across the field.

14th March 2011
Walked to Bleasdale Moors and up to the peak of Hazelhurst Fell. As we sat up there we saw a hen harrier flying over us, swooping and rising and making a distinctive rasping 'kek kek' sound. We also saw lots of grouse and, on the way back, pheasants.

Thank you to our guests, John and Joy of Harrogate, for making a note of these sightings in our nature diary.

Viewings from the bird hide

Lots of lapwings and starlings. 3/4 curlew and 2 mallards (1 male and 1 female)

Viewings from the bird hide

12 mallard ducks
500+ starlings - a great aerial display!

Hens and pheasants

The hens are being joined by the local pheasants every morning at feeding time!

Sheep in the garden

Got up this morning to find 5 of the next door neighbour's sheep in the front garden, much to the amusement of the guests in the cottage!

I didn't find it funny, although, fortunately there wasn't any damage done - just a bit of pruning!!

Viewings from the bird hide

60+ lapwings, 90+ starlings, 2 curlew and 1 pheasant.

Noted in the nature diary in the bird hide.

More signs of spring!

The daffodils are almost flowering.

The lapwings have returned - can hear their unmistakeable call.