Durham Dales

 Last week my wife and I had a drive up onto the Durham Dales looking for (mainly) Black Grouse. We managed to find some in a couple of different locations. We were also looking for boxing Brown Hare and once again we did see them but unfortunately, we didn’t see them boxing.

Black Grouse from two different locations.

Brown Hare.

They looked to have already paired up so no boxing.

Lapwing.

Another Brown Hare from a different site looking through a fence.

This Curlew was circling above the moor and at one point it came directly above me.

Skylark.

Lamesley & Burdon Moor

 A few images from Lamesley (I haven’t been there for ages) and Burdon Moor.

Very distant Buzzard with its bait.

Male and female Shoveler.

Female Shoveler.

Male Kestrel with a Vole.

Long-tailed-Tit.

Gathering nesting material.

Goldcrest why is it they nearly always have a twig in front of them.

Reed Bunting.

The same male Kestrel with a different Vole.

Roe Deer in the late afternoon sun.

One of at least three Brown Hare that were in the field all of them ran off when a couple of horse riders came through the wood.

Brown Hare & Red Kites

 A couple of days out last week and there were Red Kites at Burdon Moor and Brown Hare locally. 

Red Kite at Burdon Moor one of two.

A coming together. 

I could be wrong, but I saw them both with what could be nesting material.

Local Brown Hare having a bit of a clean.

Feeling a bit frisky.

I thought I was in for a little boxing

But she could not be bothered

So, he just sat and watched her.

Four Raptor Afternoon

 Another visit to Burdon Moor a few days ago. The Buzzards and a Red Kite were always distant however a pair of Kestrel showed well and there was a brief visit from a Barn Owl just as the sun set.

One of two Buzzards.

Buzzard and Red Kite together.

A distant Red Kite.

The Kestrels showed very well.

A late showing of a female Barn Owl.