Champions of the Flyway!

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

More From the Moor


Male Adder 
 
In the thick of it at the minute - bird surveys up on the Moors every day, bat surveys at night, and an upcoming three-day weekend guiding for Yorkshire Coast Nature - but it's all good; and spending these sunny days hiking on the most remote areas of moorland in Yorkshire in the warm sunshine means bonus collateral while searching out breeding waders....


Among recent treats, these Adders stood out (well, just enough not to tread on them anyway) basking on paths on the high tops, Golden Plovers and Curlews are either on eggs or have chicks already, the sphagnum mosses are at full tilt, Green Hairstreaks and Tiger Beetles are everywhere, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks are liberally scattered, and Tree Pipits, Crossbills, Redstarts, Siskins and Redpolls are among the vocal species of the woodland edge.


Meadow Pipit nest and eggs
 
Dwarf Haircap
 
Female Adder
 
Golden Plover
 

Coming across beautiful natural rock formations in the middle of nowhere is always a treat
 


Willow Warbler - a ubiquitous songster of the forests
 
Parachutin' Tree Pipit