One man and his dog

As I was walking home from Gaddings Dam on The Pennine Way yesterday afternoon I saw one of the local farmers taking his sheep over to Withens Clough. Just him and his dog to control all those sheep - the sheep behaved themselves, at least while I was watching anyway!

With Stoodley Pike in the background and the memorial to someone who loved walking the hills in the foreground, lit by bright summer sunshine, it made a lovely scene.

Barn owl

I had good views of a Barn Owl last Sunday morning. It was hunting over the fields and I managed to get close enough for some decent photos -

 

Blacktoft Sands RSPB

Visited Blacktoft with Robert last Saturday and had a good out in the warm weather. Lots of Marsh Harriers about and also had Ruff (3) Spotted Redshank, a couple of Water Rail chicks, Yellow Wagtail and several Snipe. We did the usual round of the hides then walked off the reserve out to the River Trent and looped back to the car park. Had great views of Marsh Harriers and Yellow Wags out there.

A colourful morning

A walk around Hornsea Mere yesterday morning was very enjoyable, for the weather was warm and sunny and dry. Not many warblers about but those that were seen and heard added to the overall enjoyment. Good views of Yellow Wagtail and Yellowhammer

Grey Partridge - 2
Yellow Wagtail
Yellowhammer - 3
Whitethroat - 2
Blackcap
Green Woodpecker
Skylark - 2
Lapwing - just one
Linnet - 6
Marsh Harrier - 2
Chiff Chaff

Siskins and Redskins...er, I mean Redpolls

We had a finch fest in the garden yesterday with Siskins, Redpolls, Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Chaffinches together. If only a Twite and a Bullfinch had jpoined them it would have been a full house of local finches.

The Siskins don't visit often so it's good to see them, especially with juveniles in tow.

Teasels are the new Triffids!

The teasels that my friend Robert gave us last year are taking over the world. At over 6 ft high they take over the view from the kitchen window and are blocking the sun from reaching Steph's marrow plants that need all the sun they can get. I may have to move the marrows or get them a SAD lamp :)

It's great to see the teasels doing well though and there are so many flower heads now that I can't count them all.

The rain continues to pour down and hasn't stopped all day. The garden has a river running through it now. Although we live on a hill, the water runs through our garden and down into the valley where the River Calder waits.

Spurn today

A windy day down at Spurn today but it was dry which is a bonus these days. A mixture of Little Terns up at the lagoons and blueberry pie at the Bluebird Cafe made it memorable.

Also at the lagoons were 3 Little Egret, a few Ringed Plover and 2 Avocets. Got the timing totally wrong though and arrived at low water so bugger all about down the estuary.