Red Grouse in north Yorkshire

[rlchew]

Last Tuesday I had a short break in northern England taking in Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire for the seabirds and the north Pennines for Black Grouse.

I saw 5 male Black Grouse at 2 reliable sites in north Yorkshire but all the birds were too distant for photos .... as were my first Wheatears and Ring Ousels of the year.

However, an early morning drive across Grinton Moor in glorious spring sunshine did produce excellent opportunties to photograph Red Grouse.

This really is a good site and the birds seem more confiding here than at other sites I know where all you seem to see is a blur of wings as they beat a retreat across the heather moors at any kind of approach.

Incidentally, I became aware of this site from a highly recommended book by Mike Lane which has also introduced me to other wildlife locations.

"Where to Photograph Wildlife in Britain"

Here are the best of the photos that I took .... whilst you look at them I am off for a wee dram of "Famous Grouse" .













Richard

[Ann2]

Wow, think I'll stick with looking at your photos - they're fantastic, and I never did like whisky anyway. I'm more of a cider drinker myself.

Ann

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

nice piccies.

Yeah great place Grinton Moor, and you don't even have to get out of the car!

neil

[Lance Morgan]

Superb images of one of my favourite birds.
Thankyou for sharing

[matt_xyz]

really nice photos Richard, all with lovely warm lighting. I've never had the pleasure of seeing Red Grouse.

Matt

[John]

Hi Richard

Grinton Moor is a place I have never visited. I have done a few sites around that way. Some are good, some not so good.

I can see I will have to pay that site a visit judging by your excellent images.

John

[rlchew]

Many thanks all for your positive feedback.

If you want to see and/or photograph Red Grouse, I have not found a better site than Grinton Moor.

On both my visits to Grinton Moor the birds have been exceptionally easy to spot and often very close to the road which makes photography from the car also very easy.

Each time I have visited I have taken the slow drive over the moor during the first 2 hours or so of daylight. Therefore I am not sure if disturbance from increasing traffic later in the day would be significant. However, it does seem to be a quite minor road with probably only local traffic.

Richard

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

it was very quiet when I was up there.I was there most of the day ( saturday I think it was) and I saw very few cars.

neil