Cycling and Wildlife Watching

Satchmo · #1 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 12:07 AM

Is it feasible??

I'm a HUGE lover of mountain biking and go out several times a week to get fit, relieve stress and to generally get that adrenaline rush. I was planning on walking a new route today (I only managed some of it) to hopefully spot some of the local wildlife and possibly get some pics but found it quite hard going. Mainly because I was only going at half the speed I'm normally travelling at (mental thing I think). I know I could manage it physically but it's just getting to where I want to be. Today for instance was a 5-6 mile walk just to get to the area I was interested in. Anyway, this route happens to be a Horse riding route meaning it is all Bridleways, hence, I could cycle the route but I was wondering if this might become a hinderance possibly scaring away wildlife. With regards to what I'm looking for...........well anything really ! Any type of wildlife will do and I plan to set off at Dawn.

Does anybody have any experience of this??

Cheers

Simon

Jez · #2 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 12:44 AM

Your asking the right questions so don't fret! In regards to walkers and horse riders be alert and curtious. Stop let them pass, get off you bike if needeth be to defuse anxiety and be obliging and be polite. You may not be acknowledged at times for your good stead but so what, it's bettter than been stampeeded on right, but most likely you will be thanked for taking the time to stop for horses cyclists pedestrians/wheel chair users its an old school policey called politness before toadie the rich never had mannners! As long as your looking out for others you can't go far wrong and on cycle ways use the same rule as the roads and stay to the left! Happy riding-Jez.p.s theres usually better wildlife to be seen at the crack of dawn-all the best.

Satchmo · #3 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 01:08 AM

Hey Jez, thanks for the reply. With living on the Pennine Bridleway I regularly encounter horses and walkers and I'm always a true Gent

Thanks for the advice. Do you cycle whilst on the lookout for creatures great and small?? I'm rather worried about spooking any animals, not only for my gain but I tend to not like taking advantage of the wildlife if you understand me. I'll get a few pics and then leave them to go about their business. Scaring them would only make it harder for other wildlife spotters in the future as well as causing the animals themselves stress.

Simon

KIDSTYPIKE · #4 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jez

Your asking the right questions so don't fret! In regards to walkers and horse riders be alert and curtious. Stop let them pass, get off you bike if needeth be to defuse anxiety and be obliging and be polite. You may not be acknowledged at times for your good stead but so what, it's bettter than been stampeeded on right, but most likely you will be thanked for taking the time to stop for horses cyclists pedestrians/wheel chair users its an old school policey called politness before toadie the rich never had mannners! As long as your looking out for others you can't go far wrong and on cycle ways use the same rule as the roads and stay to the left! Happy riding-Jez.p.s theres usually better wildlife to be seen at the crack of dawn-all the best.

Speaking solely as a walker in general I have no prodlems with mountain bikers or horse riders. Most of the time I will step to the side for them paticularly if there are youngsters on horseback involved.
The outdoors is quite big enough to cater for all tastes, the main thing is that we respect it whilst enjoying it.

Dave

Jez · #5 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 07:22 PM

I have been out on the bike as sustrans ranger at the crack of dawn through the Wyre Forest & seen Deer, Dippers, Yellow Wagtails, Buzzards, Hares, Partridges and the best thing about it theres never been another human about- Great!

Satchmo · #6 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 08:29 PM

Cheers guys, I didn't get out today

I have not done this route before so I have made some adjustments to my bike today so it is now in full attack mode

Tomorrow is the day! Or morning rather..... I'm quite excited now. From what I have heard Peregrine Falcons have been spotted on this route as well as Ravens, Deer and Badgers!!

Simon

Jez · #7 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 10:20 PM

Well then no exuse he-he! Peregrins the fasted and Ravens quite a relish and a lovely sound they make. I thought about that the over day 160 miles an hour winds through Jamaica Very violent, but a 200mph Falcon on it's prey is so muh more- Ouch! Take a camera with you and have the merriest of days

Satchmo · #8 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 10:51 PM

Thanks Jez, I will be taking my camera but it's only a 3x zoom compact so I'm not holding my breath

Jez · #9 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Thanks Jez, I will be taking my camera but it's only a 3x zoom compact so I'm not holding my breath

ssshhhhhhh good riding-all the best"

KIDSTYPIKE · #10 (**permalink**) 29-08-2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Cheers guys, I didn't get out today

I have not done this route before so I have made some adjustments to my bike today so it is now in full attack mode

Tomorrow is the day! Or morning rather..... I'm quite excited now. From what I have heard Peregrine Falcons have been spotted on this route as well as Ravens, Deer and Badgers!!

Simon

Have a good day Simon. I'm just getting ready to go for a walk in the Arnside/Silverdale area.

Dave

Satchmo · #11 (**permalink**) 29-08-2007, 10:23 PM

You have a good/productive walk?? I had a great ride today but not quite as early as I would have liked. I think I set off about 11am

Got some great shots which I have uploaded to my gallery. I also saw a woodpecker and some swifts put on a great show although I couldn't get shots of either.

Simon

KIDSTYPIKE · #12 (**permalink**) 30-08-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satchmo

You have a good/productive walk?? I had a great ride today but not quite as early as I would have liked. I think I set off about 11am

Got some great shots which I have uploaded to my gallery. I also saw a woodpecker and some swifts put on a great show although I couldn't get shots of either.

Simon

We had a great little walk around Arnside/Silverdale area. I did send a picture to the Gallery of Fairy Steps but it doesn't seem to have arrived. I'll try again soon.

Dave

goosey · #13 (**permalink**) 30-08-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIDSTYPIKE

We had a great little walk around Arnside/Silverdale area. I did send a picture to the Gallery of Fairy Steps but it doesn't seem to have arrived. I'll try again soon.

Dave

It is in the gallery now Dave - I have just replied to it.

Satchmo · #14 (**permalink**) 30-08-2007, 11:16 AM

Interesting pic, and it doesn't look easy to get up, never mind without touching the sides! With the mention of fairies, has anybody used Google Earth?? There are loads of little tidbits, or "Northern Spooks" as they call them, about things like this. I found out that one of the Road around the corner from me, Brownside Road, was actually so called because a type of Fairy called a Brownie had been spotted there smoking a pipe! I love stuff like that