Upland Birds in Yorkshire

[Paul Miguel]

Just wondering if anyone knows of any good locations in Yorkshire to photograph curlews? I know of a good spot for other upland birds such as grouse and lapwing which I have been able to get from the car, but curlews are always more difficult to get close to. I'm also keen to get other upland waders such as oystercatcher and redshank.

There is a place in Scotland, Kingussie Wildlife Park - which might be a better option.. anyone been here at all..?

[BillyPilgrim]

Hi Paul, this is probably not much help but last year there were a few curlews on Marsden Moor, near Huddersfield. I haven't been back this year though so I don't know if they are still there. They didn't let you get really close though.

A friend of mine got some photos of the Oystercatcher and Redshank recently at Filey. See his blog for details - bluebirder blog

[momji1971]

A bit of a journey, but the Wirral coast around Hilbre is a good spot for curlews. Taking your time you can get fairly close too.

regards.
Stu.

[ChrisJB]

Not sure what has happened here Paul, but my reply to this question has somehow ended up as a reply to your posting in the 'Hello' section.

Regards, Chris

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Paul Miguel

There is a place in Scotland, Kingussie Wildlife Park - which might be a better option.. anyone been here at all..?

There's postings about the Wildlife Park ins the 'Wildlife watching in Cairngorms' thread. This one is particularly relevant:

Wildlife watching in Cairngorm

Jim

[diggleken]

There are some good spots around Malham - particularly some 'dry' stream beds which are very good for nesting oystercatcher and redshank, around kingsdale is good too.
Curlew are in most moorland places , above hardcastle crags is good though, but of course, most of these birds will now have dissipated to the seaside for their winter holidays!
please dont disturb though when you do go - none of these upland birds, including golden plover and dunlin are that common we can afford to cause them problems. from a car is good, as you suggest.
cheers
Ken

[Paul Miguel]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I know it's basically a case of putting in the time to find those areas that are more productive. Spring is a good time to drive round the uplands, especially on a nice clear morning..

Cheers again.

[Chris Hawes]

Hi Paul,

I visited the Yorkshire Dales last June and saw this curlew from the road on Grinton Moor. There were quite a few around, also red grouse, golden plover and lapwing all within view by staying in the car.



All the best,

Chris

[PMG]

Thats a lovely curlew shot Chris..........

........and Paul you can't beat a 4am drive round the circuit which Tan Hill sits on (Kirby Stephen and Buttertubs poss? Afraid I can't remember without a quick look at a map even tho I know the area well once I'm there!)(I'm pleading old age and idiocy!)

I also remember driving around Orton, Sunbiggin and Little Asby Scar some years ago - before I had decent equipment - again very early morning - actually I was on my motorbike - thats how long ago it was - so I cannot promise that things won't have changed.........

And the fields around Carlisle had nesting Curlew in ......... but that too may have changed over the intervening years.........

There's lots of places to see and hear them in (I'm just remembering Litton Dale and Halton Ghyll area too) but getting close is another matter and creeping into farmers fields at nesting time might just get you buck shot in the backside

You could do with finding out where the coastal roosts are - I know where they are in Lancs but again getting close is nigh impossible without either luck or a lot of time and effort.........

Pauline

[Dogghound]

In winter curlews are mainly coastal, I would strongly advise you come over to the Scarborough area along the North Cliffs there are good numbers at this time of year. Either in the stuble fields at high tide or along the shoreline at low tide.