2. Birding in the 'uplands' is cold
3. I have neither the time or the patience to be a photographer
4. I may be turning into 'Victor Meldrew'
For uplands read the Pennines. That's where I decided to head this morning for a bit of birding. Specifically the area around Blackstone Edge and Light Hazzles reservoirs. My reasoning well, I know Twite frequent the area around Light Hazzles and I know that Dotterel have been recorded just south of this area on Axletree Edge in previous years. Its also not a million miles (as the Dotterel flies) from Pendle Hill. So, a little bit of an attempt at finding my own good birds.
I parked up at The Whitehouse at around 08.00 and was instantly glad I'd nipped back in for my hat and gloves before leaving home. The temperature on the car was showing 6 degrees, but there was a very stiff breeze blowing which made if feel much, much colder.
Blackstone Edge Reservoir
I was fairly sure as soon as I left the car that this was not going to be particularly productive. The wind was strengthening all the time and there was the odd spot of rain around, but I decided to crack on anyway. Unfortunately on a day like this, the moors are not as I like to think of them - full of purple heather and alive with the song of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. It was dead. And it was cold. Really cold. I didn't see a bird for at least 20 minutes and then it was only a Carrion Crow. I eventually spotted a single male Wheatear and then 15 minutes later a Reed Bunting! About three quarters of an hour in I came across a pair of Wheatears amongst a pile of boulders and decided to try and get a couple of photographs. After 5 minutes I was bored. Before 10 minutes were up I had packed it in and moved on. I would love to be able to post pictures of birds on this blog, but unless they decide to hop up in front of me, wait for me to get the camera out and then pose I'm afraid it wont happen. I'd suggest you visit this blog if you want to see good pictures of birds on a regular basis.
A little further along the path are these large, exposed boulders. I was wondering whether these were anything to do with the name 'Blackstone Edge' as well as wondering if the black colouration was anything to do with the air pollution that affected the area during and after the industrial revolution. Maybe, maybe not. However, I did notice that the large boulder had a poem engraved on it (below). Now, call me a whinger, call me daft, or indeed, call me Victor Meldrew, but this just feels wrong. If someone had done this in spray paint people would have been up in arms. Ironically I'd have been less bothered if it had been graffiti as it could be cleaned off and I cant see spray paint lasting very long in the exposed environment up here anyway. The engraving is permanent - well 'ish'.
Later I took the dog out for a couple of hours round my local patch. It was still windy and properly wet, but I finally managed to give my Paramo Pajaro jacket a decent try out and it performed magnificently. If you are after a waterproof, comfortable jacket for birding I cant recommend this one enough. It might be a bit warm for summer use but it took a proper soaking today and still kept me warm and dry. Very happy with my purchase!!
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