1300 hrs and 2 hours to kill waiting for Ollie and Pippa to have their 6 weekly make over off Pellon Lane so it seemed like an ideal time to check out Slaughter Gap for Ring Ouzel and/or Redstart.
The Nolstar field held 8 Golden Plover and 3 Wheatear on my way down but no sign of either on my return.
Not ideal conditions with heavy showers moving over but drying up mid watch.
The trees down in the Gap were quiet with just Mipits and 1 Jay with several Corvids, Curlews and Lapwings overhead. Three parts down the track a very distant Ring Ouzel appeared in the trees well up the hillside and in the sun so it meant a scramble up the steep bank to get it out of the sun but even then after half a dozen record shots it disappeared over the ridge not to be re located. I couldnt tell on site but going off the photos it was a female bird meaning a different bird from NKs male at Hunter Hill yesterday whilst DJS got another female near the old Withens this afternoon.
Distressing to walk the moor at this time of year to see the number of dead sheep and small lambs around with at least 8 sheep, which had probably died lambing and 4 small lambs just a few days old. 1 small lamb was calling trying to get back to its mother after it had managed to get to the wrong side of the fencing so after 20 minutes of struggling I managed to re unite them and good to see it dash straight on to feed. Good job Im not a farmer, Id be on the moor day and night keeping watch.
Dogs picked up and delivered home so just time to check the flood with a surprise of now 3 Little Ringed Plovers plus the usual 2 Redshanks. Got to get a Yellow Wagtail at this location soon.
BS