Today's walk was up on to the hills near home. The target was to find my first Wheatear of the year (they breed where I walk). I set off from Ogden Reservoir, near New Hey, in Lancashire, following the Piethorne Valley up towards the moors around Foxstone Edge. It was on the climb, by Hanging Lees Res' that I saw my first two Wheatears of the day (I ended up seeing seven in total), two cracking males. There were also three Curlews joy-flighting overhead.
Just before reaching Th' Owd Tup' (a pub officially called The Rams Head), I turned left along the catchwater to reach Norman Hill Res'. Two good birds here, were a couple of Twite. There were also plenty of Skylarks in song today. From here it was a steady stroll back down the valley back to Ogden.
Ogden Reservoir, New Hey, Lancs
View down to Piethorne Reservoir and Bluebell Wood, from Coldgreave Clough
Regards, Chris