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Sunday, July 30, 2017

Heading East, Whetstone Gate.

                          Scud clouds pouring through the valley
                                      Whetstone Gate

                                    Murk over the moors

                                   Alive with Red Grouse
  Unfortunately most will be shot by Saddos in a
                       couple of weeks.
                                            Top of the moor
      Fly Flatts in the clouds from Whetstone

Setting off this morning I could see Fly Flatts and all to the west was in cloud and rain so it was a divert east where things looked brighter.
Unfortunately the weather front decided the same and arrived at Whetstone Gate the same time as me with heavy rain showers and low scud clouds on a brisk W>5.
                                                           The target birds of Red Kite, Buzzard and Short Eared Owl were out of the question in the conditions so it was scour the moor to see what I could turn up. Ironically as I was leaving the skies brightened.
                                                      The moor is alive with Red Grouse obviously brought in there for the sad little men with guns looking for easy peasy targets next month.
Two Dunlin were a good find out on the moor as well as a male Stonechat which showed briefly before dropping down into the bracken. At least 2 Curlew were still present whilst Mipits were everywhere. A few LBB gulls flying below the clouds and that was it but it was nice to return to one of my old stomping grounds and refresh a few memories, and the dogs enjoyed it.
BS