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Post by grahamw on Jul 13, 2015 19:46:03 GMT
Hi all,
Just found the site after the sad demise of W.A.B. I hope someone can help me find some wildlife to photograph.
So far, I've managed to NOT find; Red Squirrels, Ospreys, and Hen Harriers.
Only here for a week and getting a bit desperate :-)
Any reply appreciated.
Graham.
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Post by alf1951 on Jul 14, 2015 6:27:20 GMT
As you obviously have internet access - take a look at these sites for directions www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk (ospreys!) Geltsdale RSPB Nature Reserve and Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve. When I worked in the Alston area I regularly spotted merlin and you could spend some time down the Eden Valley - woods around the Armathwaite area is where I last saw a red squirrel and I'm told otters have been spotted in that area too. Hope you find what you need to make your stay worthwhile. Alf |
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Post by grahamw on Jul 14, 2015 8:11:08 GMT
Many thanks for your reply,
We were at Geltsdale yesterday, I'll have a good study this evening to work out tomorrow.
Cheers!
Graham
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Post by kentyeti on Jul 14, 2015 11:40:04 GMT
Graham,
Just sent you a Message about the wildlife on Langholm Moor. Just into Scotland on the A7 and circa 20 miles up from Carlisle.
Just come back from another trip there doing field work for my Short-eared Owl book. Not many Owls but good views of Hen Harrier, Merlin, Buzzard, Ravens and Peregrines plus lots of small birds.
See the last few posts of my Short-eared Owl thread in the Birds Forum here too.
Cheers,
Bryan
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Post by ChrisJB on Jul 16, 2015 21:18:05 GMT
Hen harriers thin on the ground to non - existent in the North Pennines alas. Killhope Lead Mining Museum is excellent for red squirrels, in the adjacent plantation, where they are fed and are very obliging. I take it you have found the black grouse? A key talismanic subject of the North Pennines.
Regards, Chris
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Post by grahamw on Jul 18, 2015 17:35:26 GMT
Hi All,
Ended up having a wonderful few days ( Back home now, in West Yorkshire).
Agreed, Killhope is good, but there ARE five Hen Harriers to see on Langholme Moor, Mum and Dad and three juveniles.Best time is when they are fed early on a morning, my wife didn't fancy another long journey and a 6.a.m. start.
Still manged to see all sorts including a 3 foot eel in the river eden.
Many thanks for your replies.
Graham.
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Post by kentyeti on Jul 19, 2015 18:56:17 GMT
Glad you got to Langholm. They have ringed 15 young Hen Harriers so far up there this year and are still hoping to find another nest or so!
If you went to the location I suggested in my Message, did you see the Merlins as well? They nested right next to the Harriers and just above where the Shorties nested. One of only two Shortie pairs known to have raised young on the Moor this year.
All three nests, (Merlin, Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl), were so close to each other that when the young started to hatch, (Shorties first I think), I asked if I could put a notice up there stating, "Please do not eat your neighbour's children". LOL!
Cheers,
Bryan
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Post by ChrisJB on Jul 26, 2015 21:29:31 GMT
Hi All, Ended up having a wonderful few days ( Back home now, in West Yorkshire). Agreed, Killhope is good, but there ARE five Hen Harriers to see on Langholme Moor, Mum and Dad and three juveniles.Best time is when they are fed early on a morning, my wife didn't fancy another long journey and a 6.a.m. start. Still manged to see all sorts including a 3 foot eel in the river eden. Many thanks for your replies. Graham. Yes, it's a shame the hen harriers are not to be found in the N. Pennines these days and require a trip over the border instead. I was most interested in your Eden eel sighting, could it have been a lamprey instead? Either way Graham, could you tell me where you saw it?
Thanks, Chris
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Post by alf1951 on Jul 27, 2015 7:14:49 GMT
Our current home is adjacent to a fast flowing beck which starts in the N Pennines and runs into the Eden about miles downstream. Within days of moving here 19 years ago, I was astonished to see a heron pull an eel out of the beck. I did get a photo of the heron struggling with the long wriggling creature but have been unable to locate the pre-digital photo. Never seen an eel in the beck or captured by a heron since then - and rarely see a heron here in the last couple of years. I'd be surprised if there is much life other than invertebrates in our beck these days.
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