So glad I took my binoculars!

[Queen bee]

I live on the edge of Dartmoor, and we often go on walks near Black Rock, near Lydford (where crazy people jump into the river in swimming trunks then complain how cold it is!) We went today for a short walk, my Mum and I (and of course, Max, who went nuts at the mention of "car walkies") I almost forgot to take my binoculars, and afterwards, I was glad I took them!

First, we saw the hunt heading across the moor. Not very significant, but they flushed a snipe, giving us a very good view. After that, a beautiful dipper darted downstream, and we were rewarded with a brief view of it hunting in the rapids. The icing on the cake, though, was an elegant female kestrel, who hovered right in front of us: you could see her spots through binoculars. She didn't catch anything, but it was really fascinating to watch her making tiny adjustments to her wings and tail to stay in one place. Even Max sat and watched it, but got really excited when we started moving again and barked his head off! So a very rewarding day overall.

[Tracey.A]

Hi Queen bee,

your walk sounds lovely and how lovely to see a Snipe, a Dipper and a Kestrel. Sounds like Max was just as enthralled as you and your mum by the Kestrel giving such a wonderful view. It's the unexpected that make bird watching such a joy

Tracey

[demicav]

Sounds like it was a great walk out. The Kestrel would have topped it for me, they're such an elegant BOP.

[galanthus]

A very fruitful womble I'd say.

[foxy mars]

I often walk and cycle around the Castle Eden Walk-Way up here in Teesside and I never think about bringing my binoculars, must include them next time round. Lucky you seeing a Dipper, I keep looking out for Kingfisher's, still I will keep on trying.