18 members arrived on a cold, still and misty morning with quite a few of the team unprepared clothes wise for the very chilly conditions which they would later regret. From the noisy car park, the trip got off to a good start with the first (for most) Willow Warbler of the year singing from the top of a nearby tree. In addition, a Red Grouse was heard ‘clucking’ behind us, a pair of Curlew flew over and across the road and a patrolling Red Kite was seen off by a concerned Lapwing.
Male Red Grouse
Moving through the first section of woodland, we were entertained by two Song Thrushes and then a Mistle Thrush singing, along with more common small birds. Up into Jarvis Clough more Willow Warblers were holding forth but no sight or sound of Ring Ouzels. Indeed, we had to wait until approaching the rocks of Stanage Edge before the first one was spotted. Then came a flurry of, “there’s one over there” and “there’s another on that big flat rock”. (Not regarded as particularly helpful because the area was littered by big flat rocks.)
Male Ring Ouzel with the checkered breast markings showing well
Anyway, in the end, all had excellent views of this iconic bird.
While 17/18 were totally absorbed with watching Wheatears, the 18th member’s calls of
Male Wheatear
Peregrine fell on deaf ears so only he saw the falcon’s attempt to slaughter one of the pair of ouzels which scattered screeching their warning.
The Ogston hoard watching Ring Ouzels
To top it all, someone spotted a Golden Plover in summer plumage. The under-dressed
Golden Plover
were then complaining of frostbite/hypothermia so a return was made to the relative warmth of the valley picking up a Kestrel on the way.
32 species seen – photos thanks to Jayne Jankinson, Dave Griffin and Bill Padley