Ring Ouzel
So that's round one of our North York moors lowland wader surveys in the bag - the first of three visits to various sites across the National Park, primarily to survey waders, but also to record all species of interest while we're there.
Marsh Tit
So far, so good. Methodology dictates early starts and arriving on site for dawn, which has made for some beautiful, frosty sunrises in idyllic surrounds. Breeding wader densities have of course varied depending on land use, grazing regimes and other factors, but Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew, Woodcock and Oystercatcher have all featured, and being in such great habitat for other key species has made for pleasantly busy survey maps.
Red Grouse
After such a poor spring so far on the coast, the variety and abundance of iconic species in the NP has been a real tonic, with
Redstarts, Tree Pipits, Goshawks, Marsh Tits, Ring Ouzels, Dippers, and big numbers of
Willow Warblers and
Fieldfares all making for really enjoyable work days. Already looking forward to round two.
Spot the Redstart, breeding in a cliff face up on the moors....
Fieldfares - everywhere
The first Tree Pipits are back on territory
Ring Ouzel and Song Thrush
Dippers and Wheatears
