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14-05-2006, 08:14 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Today I met up with a few friends from another forum. It had been arranged to go somewhere I had never been to before. Padley Gorge, which is about 10 miles SW of Sheffield. Here is a link to the area we walked around. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr...5790&ay=379975
The drive up from Coventry was depressing to say the least. For the most part it was either pouring with rain or very misty and it hadn’t improved much by the time I reached the meeting point at 09:00. There were to be only six of us as my missus had been taken ill with a bout of food poisoning and strangely another member, from Sheffield, had also gone down with the same thing.
The target birds here were the woodland birds. Pied Fly, Spot Fly, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Wood Warbler and also a Dipper on the stream. It wasn’t looking good for the Tree Pipit as the area they usually are was totally under cloud cover so we moved along the path downwards and into the wood.
It wasn’t long before I heard the call of the Redstart but locating it was a different matter. After about ten minutes I found it, but by the time I had got the others over to look at it it had gone. We heard plenty other Redstarts this morning but that was the only one seen. As we moved through the wood the calls of more Redstarts, Coal Tits and other common birds could be heard but no sign of any Flycatchers. After about thirty minutes walking one of the party spied a Treecreeper and a couple of woman that were with us became excited with the prospect of seeing one. I hadn’t met them before and it was only then that I found out that they were new to birding. We took great delight in showing them the Treecreeper as well as the other common birds and I pointed out the various songs we could hear and what they were.
After about another fifteen minutes of walking I suddenly heard the distant calls of a Pied Flycatcher but it was too far back into the wood to see it. Thankfully, five minutes later, another one sprang into song and this one was much closer. Thankfully one of the party found it and soon I was looking at my first Pied Fly of the year. Ten minutes later we were all looking at a pair of them really close up. We moved further through the wood but apart from a few Coal Tits nothing different could be found.
The next target birds were Red Grouse and also Raven. It was decided to retrace our steps and then take the high path that went to an area named a Surprise View. On the way we were treated to a close up of a Meadow Pipit, that I had flushed. It took off right by my foot and landed in a bush nearby.
As we moved higher and higher so the mist got thicker and thicker. It was also a very wet mist and water droplets were covering everything, including my glasses. It was becoming apparent that the Raven was going to be a none starter but we carried on regardless, in case a Red Grouse just happened to appear.
Surprise View lived up to its name. Why, because there was no view to be surprised by. Everything was hidden under a blanket of cloud. A Cuckoo started to call then took off from a nearby tree but quickly disappeared into the thick mist.
It was decided to call it a day and go back to the cars then onto lunch at the Rising Sun Pub in nearby Bamford. As we neared the foot of the path, close to the cars, I suddenly heard the sound of a Tree Pipit and called one of my friends over that hadn’t seen one this year. It took about 5 minutes to locate it and then it was a brief showing as it took off on its parachute flight, but like everything else it disappeared into the mist and was lost.
After the meal (which was excellent) the others decided to go further on and look for Ring Ouzels. By now it was 15:30 and I was faced with at least a two hour journey so I decided not to go any further but to drive straight home.
We never did see the Dipper, or Spot Fly and Wood Warbler but I had seen enough of this area to earmark it as a place to visit when the weather is better.
John |
14-05-2006, 08:30 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Crawley,Sussex
Posts: 943
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Any chance of you moving to Crawley in the near future John so you can take me and the wife on some of these walks please. 
A bad day weather wise by the sounds of it but still better than sitting indoors watching Eastenders i bet. 
Hope your wife is feeling better soon.
Still waiting for your Norfolk holiday stories btw.  |
14-05-2006, 08:36 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield
Posts: 4,897
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
What a shame about the weather John. Such a contrast from the previous week when the surprise would even surprise locals. You must return
Did you not spot any fungi? This area is very near where most of my fungi images are found.
Return in late september and you'll not regret it .. Or the meals on me
Glad you still enjoyed it
John |
14-05-2006, 08:44 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by FungiJohn What a shame about the weather John. Such a contrast from the previous week when the surprise would even surprise locals. You must return
Did you not spot any fungi? This area is very near where most of my fungi images are found.
Return in late september and you'll not regret it .. Or the meals on me
Glad you still enjoyed it
John | Sorry John. I have no knowledge of Fungi whatsoever so I wouldn't have a clue what i was looking at.
You obviously go there quite often and I have just given my friend (who is Diane on this forum) a re-invite for us all to meet up when the weather is better. You can see the potential of the area even though the weather was so bad.
BTW have you ever been to the Rising Sun in Bamford?
John |
14-05-2006, 08:48 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Mark43 Any chance of you moving to Crawley in the near future John so you can take me and the wife on some of these walks please.
A bad day weather wise by the sounds of it but still better than sitting indoors watching Eastenders i bet.
Hope your wife is feeling better soon.
Still waiting for your Norfolk holiday stories btw. | Hi Mark
If you wanted to come up this way sometime I would be only too pleased to take you to some of our local spots. Going a bit further afield is a bit of a none starter for the moment but I do intend to visit Bempton Cliffs, possibly in June and I usually try to get to to Mid and North Wales (including Anglessey) in the not too distant future.
John |
14-05-2006, 08:52 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sunny Doncaster
Posts: 4,334
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
I was at the Belfry all day today and sported all of my wet weather golfing kit. Not a drop. Beautiful weather and a good day out and I think some of you guys would have enjoyed the array of lenses |
14-05-2006, 08:52 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Crawley,Sussex
Posts: 943
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John Hi Mark
If you wanted to come up this way sometime I would be only too pleased to take you to some of our local spots. Going a bit further afield is a bit of a none starter for the moment but I do intend to visit Bempton Cliffs, possibly in June and I usually try to get to to Mid and North Wales (including Anglessey) in the not too distant future.
John | Thanks for the offer John but i meant you need to buy the house next door to me |
14-05-2006, 09:03 PM
|  | Frozen | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.E. Lincolnshire
Posts: 4,130
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John Hi Mark
If you wanted to come up this way sometime I would be only too pleased to take you to some of our local spots. Going a bit further afield is a bit of a none starter for the moment but I do intend to visit Bempton Cliffs, possibly in June and I usually try to get to to Mid and North Wales (including Anglessey) in the not too distant future.
John | I'd be up for a Bempton trip John, it's only just over an hours drive from me - if you need the company that is! |
14-05-2006, 09:58 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Boddie I was at the Belfry all day today and sported all of my wet weather golfing kit. Not a drop. Beautiful weather and a good day out and I think some of you guys would have enjoyed the array of lenses | I rang my missus abot 1pm and she told me what the weather was like. Just what I wanted to hear whilst I looked out on nothing more than ground cover cloud. I actaully passed the Belfry on my way home at about 5pm and it was far better than what I had left behind.
John |
14-05-2006, 09:59 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Mark43 | ok. You give me the winning lottery numbers and I will move next door to you. |
14-05-2006, 10:01 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Alan I'd be up for a Bempton trip John, it's only just over an hours drive from me - if you need the company that is! | That's ok by me. If I go I will try and remember to let you know.
John |
14-05-2006, 10:04 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.E. Lincolnshire
Posts: 4,130
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John That's ok by me. If I go I will try and remember to let you know.
John | Please do John, and cheers. Maybe Ollies up for it as well, he's even nearer than me! (Not as the crow flies you understand!)
A WAB Bempton day out |
14-05-2006, 10:28 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Alan Please do John, and cheers. Maybe Ollies up for it as well, he's even nearer than me! (Not as the crow flies you understand!)
A WAB Bempton day out | That sounds good to me but it might end up a combination of WAB and Birforum members as there maybe the odd BF member that could possibly join us.
John |
14-05-2006, 10:30 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.E. Lincolnshire
Posts: 4,130
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John That sounds good to me but it might end up a combination of WAB and Birforum members as there maybe the odd BF member that could possibly join us.
John | As long as we don't have to hold their hands |
14-05-2006, 10:47 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Alan As long as we don't have to hold their hands | Well, I suppose there is always a first time. |
17-05-2006, 08:14 AM
|  | Active Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 98
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Hi John,
Thought I'd pop in here (first time for a while) and see if you'd posted anything about the trip.
It was an enjoyable day, even if the weather did let us down.
I think we are on for the Bempton trip. Just confirm the exact date and we'll see if we can get an overnight somewhere in the area, although it's not too far for the day either.
Looking forward to it. Pick the weekend with the better weather, won't you?
__________________
Diane |
17-05-2006, 08:46 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield
Posts: 4,897
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John BTW have you ever been to the Rising Sun in Bamford?
John | Many times John. I also used to play darts for the Yorkshire bridge pub just up the road
John |
17-05-2006, 12:30 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Diane Hi John,
Thought I'd pop in here (first time for a while) and see if you'd posted anything about the trip. | Fancy not being in for a while. Black mark Diane. Quote: |
Originally Posted by Diane It was an enjoyable day, even if the weather did let us down. | I thoroughly enjoyed it and the company was good. Shame Max and Summer didn't get on though as I really wanted Max to have a good run around. Quote: |
Originally Posted by Diane I think we are on for the Bempton trip. Just confirm the exact date and we'll see if we can get an overnight somewhere in the area, although it's not too far for the day either.
Looking forward to it. Pick the weekend with the better weather, won't you? | I would have thought either the 1st or 2nd weekend in June would be ok. Last year, if my memory serves me well, wasn't it the first weekend we went there?
Regarding the weather --- no promises.
John |
17-05-2006, 12:34 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Alan Please do John, and cheers. Maybe Ollies up for it as well, he's even nearer than me! (Not as the crow flies you understand!)
A WAB Bempton day out | Hi Alan
As soon as Diane and me have a confirmed date I will post a thread on WAB to see if any of the members want to join in. If last year is anything to go by it will be a good time had by all. Bempton is usually on the Sunday and I tend to go up on the Saturday, bird that area then kip in the car overnight. I can then do a few hours birding Sunday morning before meeting up with the gang.
BTW Fourwings might be interested in coming as well as long as the date is empty for him.
John |
17-05-2006, 12:52 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 98
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John I tend to go up on the Saturday, bird that area then kip in the car overnight. | Then tells everyone he's had a Pomarine Skua almost land on his car!!
__________________
Diane |
17-05-2006, 05:16 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 5,719
| | | Re: A new site for me - Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Diane Then tells everyone he's had a Pomarine Skua almost land on his car!! | Hey, you casting aspertions or summat!!
In fact if my memory serves me right it was at north landing in the bay area. What you complaining about I picked out a Pom Skua for all to see on the Sunday.
John | | |
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