Afternoon In The Dearne Valley

Had a great afternoon exploring two lakes in the Dearne Valley area, one at Park Springs near Grimethorpe and the other at Manvers which is next door to RSPB Old Moor.

After completing a circuit of Park Springs, we spotted a Kestrel hovering but wherever it moved to, I was always shooting towards the sun. A little while after the Kestrel moved on, another bird of prey appeared which was soaring quite high up so I couldn't get a decent picture. We think it might have been a Buzzard but can't be sure.

One of the Swans there took a dislike to one of the others and it's head went down as it charged in it's direction. I was fascinating to watch as both Swans flew past me before landing at the other end of the lake.

Next we visited a lake we've never been to before, despite it being right next door to Old Moor. Not as many birds here but it's a lovely walk and I'm sure we'll be back again soon.

Debbie.

Askham Bog & North Cave Wetlands

Yesterday we went to Askham Bog and North Cave Wetlands nature reserves, both managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

First up was Askham Bog which was easy to spot from the road, with a YWT van parked there. The only other people there were a group helping out on a volunteer day so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

Next up was North Cave Wetlands which is easily the best nature reserve I've ever been to. Loads of birds, comfy hides and none of those 6 foot fences some reserves seem to love.

I think we'll be revisiting both these places in the not too distant future.

Debbie.

Return To The Meadow

Had a quick wander round the meadow this afternoon, on the hunt for butterflies. There are still loads of those Six Spot Burnet Moths about but there was also plenty more to chase about in the sunshine.

Just to keep us on our toes, we had to be extra quick in getting any shot before Lucy came to investage what we were looking at!

Paul.

Six Spot Burnet Moths

On the cycle to work during the week, I stopped off at the meadow to see I could see anything of the Kestrel. No birds of prey that morning but there must have been hundreds of Six Spot Burnet Moths emerging, drying and flying absolutely everywhere.

It's a shame I had to leave and carry on to work, otherwise I'd have been there all day getting them from every conceivable angle!

Paul.

Flowers, Sunsets & Butterflies

We had a little bit of a chillout day on Thursday, or that was the plan but we couldn't resist going to the garden centre for some butterfly friendly flowers, Buddleia, Lupin & Cowslip. We've been that busy, we haven't chance to plant these out, that's a job for tomorrow.

The flowers we've already planted are doing well, like the Viola and Aqualigia below.

While Debbie was taking pictures of the flowers on Thursday evening, the sky slowly turned from blue to red and as the moon moved in for the night.

On Friday we headed of to Spurn Point on the East coast, the least said about this the better but if you must have the gory details, see them here. Just a couple of pictures by Debbie before we were chased off by the little hairy monsters.

The one good thing to come out of the Spurn visit was that we ended up at the North Landing at Flamborough head and this place is beautiful. The high cliffs are alive with sea birds, Swallows skim the lush green grass and Sand Martins ride the sandy coves like skateboarders with wings.

Debbie snapped away the whole time we were there but many of the seabirds were just out of reach of the 200mm lens, including the Puffins which we both saw for the very first time. Flowers and butterflies, Debbie's passion, were made for the little lens and there were photo opportunities for those too.

Debbie did get some nice shots of the Puffins, one of which I've posted at Little Brown Job. Bird watching is quickly climbing up her favorites things to do list, almost as fast as Twitter, another twittering twitcher in the making ;-)

Paul.