SPRINGTIME ON THE GROUSE MOORS

I always look forward to Springtime when the birds such as Curlew, Lapwing and Golden Plover return to the moors to breed.

My day starts early as I like to be on the moors for about 6 am, just as wildlife is starting to move about.  It makes life easier if I pitch a tent in Keld when I'm in Swaledale, or Cropton if I'm on the North Yorkshire Moors.

However, for a change, at the end of May, beginning of June, I've booked a cottage for the week in Great or Little Fryup Dale, can't remember which, so I can be up and about on the North Yorks moors quite early.

Not disturbing these birds is extremely important, so I never leave my car.  Life is difficult enough for them, especially when their chicks hatch.  I have sat for hours in my car, watching a mother Curlew trying to  protect her one last remaining chick.  It was so tiny and vulnerable and my heart was breaking for them.  

Overhead, dozens of black-headed gulls circled round and the only reason they kept away was because I was there.  Sadly I knew, the minute I left, that tiny curlew chick would be gone.

The young of all ground nesting birds, including the Golden Plover, Red Grouse and lapwings are extremely vulnerable to predation, which is why we humans must take the utmost care not to disturb them. 

CAR WINDOW HIDE

When out on the moors, I always take images from my car window. 

I have a sturdy bean bag which I place over the lowered window where I can rest my heavy long lens.  

I also have a green piece of army scrim which helps to camoflague me and my camera.

Keeping a respectful distance combined with a 500mm lens, sometimes with a 1.4 extender, (= 700mm) ensures wildlife are not disturbed.

Wildlife don't seem to mind a stationary car and just go about their business as if I'm not there.  In fact there were two Black Grouse cockbirds right next to my car chasing each other and they never gave me a second glance.  

RED GROUSE

Red Grouse are comical, plump little birds and can be exceptionally vocal and territorial.  They are full time residents on the moor and are highly dependent on the heather which makes up most of their diet.

I visit the moors all year round, in Winter when the heather is heavy with snow, when the Red Grouse pair up from February onwards, when the chicks hatch, when both watchful parents guide  their clutch of  tiny chicks over the heather,  when the Grouse shooting season commences on August 12 and in Autumn when the blooming heather has died and the moor turns golden brown.

Grouse shooting is a highly contentious issue, with some folk against it and some in full support.

 I spend most of my life on grouse moors.  I see the full life cycle of red grouse, from beginning to end and though I am not a sentimental person or in any way a bunny hugger, I always feel a certain sadness for these comical, chatty litte birds when August 12th arrives. 

In Summer, the grouse moors are just a sight to behold.  The bell heather flowers and the moors are just a sea of purple.  Unless of course, there's been an attack by the heather beetle, in which case, the moors turn orange !

Capturing an image of a Red Grouse cockbird in blooming purple heather is something I try to achieve each summer, but having said that, I also enjoy just sitting in my car watching them and listening to them chuntering away.  Red Grouse - one of my favourite moorland birds after the Curlew!