Killer Grouse!

Yes, Killer Grouse. They're merciless and on the loose on the Conistone Moor area around Capplestone Gate trig. There i was today innocently heading over to the swallow hole at Mossdale Scar from Capplestone Gate; when all of a sudden there was a lot of Grousey noises and an explosion of little grey things running off which were presumably baby Grouse, and one of the parent birds was flying towards by face at full tilt. My assessment of the danger went a bit like this: He's posturing, he'll fly off...he's brave, but he'll change course...he's going for the eyes! DUCK! Had i not had my cag and map in my hand, i could have caught the ballsy, ginger little bugger like a rugby ball and sold him to the pub in Kilnsey.

After i had stopped laughing i tried to find the little grey chicks but they had gone to ground, all i found was the rotting carcass of another grouse- a previous victim? Then, and much to my amusement, it transpired that both parent birds were now stalking me with a pincer movement through the heather as i searched for the youngsters. They didn't mount another offensive and i aborted the search through boredom.

Baby grouse are very cute.

Saw some baby lapwings today.

A robin flew into our window today, the poor little bugger was a little stunned but flew away after a few minutes regaining conciousness.

I was running over the Roaches a few years ago in poor weather when I startled a grouse. It flew off, circled round then landed on a rock next to me a squawked at me. I can only assume I was being told off in a big way.

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Originally Posted by Cliveybaby

I was running over the Roaches a few years ago in poor weather when I startled a grouse. It flew off, circled round then landed on a rock next to me a squawked at me. I can only assume I was being told off in a big way.

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well if some one can be bothered to find it under todays training about 18 months ago I was attacked and then chased by a hormonal grouse, quite common I understand, they get an imbalance of testosterone and attack anything that comes in to range

Think you are right Ian, I had one attacking me on the MTB on Hatterall Ridge the other night! I thought I must have been ri8ding close to its nest... But maybe it was just surplus testosterone :)

Sounds like my hormonal Grousechild number 2, I think I will go and live in the hills for the next six years or so.

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Originally Posted by Hanneke

Think you are right Ian, I had one attacking me on the MTB on Hatterall Ridge the other night! I thought I must have been ri8ding close to its nest... But maybe it was just surplus testosterone :)

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Just after my attack there was an article in one of the Sunday supplements about the very same thing.

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Originally Posted by mr brightside

Yes, Killer Grouse. They're merciless and on the loose on the Conistone Moor area around Capplestone Gate trig. There i was today innocently heading over to the swallow hole at Mossdale Scar from Capplestone Gate; when all of a sudden there was a lot of Grousey noises and an explosion of little grey things running off which were presumably baby Grouse, and one of the parent birds was flying towards by face at full tilt. My assessment of the danger went a bit like this: He's posturing, he'll fly off...he's brave, but he'll change course...he's going for the eyes! DUCK! Had i not had my cag and map in my hand, i could have caught the ballsy, ginger little bugger like a rugby ball and sold him to the pub in Kilnsey.

After i had stopped laughing i tried to find the little grey chicks but they had gone to ground, all i found was the rotting carcass of another grouse- a previous victim? Then, and much to my amusement, it transpired that both parent birds were now stalking me with a pincer movement through the heather as i searched for the youngsters. They didn't mount another offensive and i aborted the search through boredom.

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Will watch out for the Killer Grouse when up there this week. I have run across there lots of times over the years and never encounted this before, its quite possible that i was running to quick for them to notice me :thumbup:

It's the Killer Curlew's up on Ilkley Moor ! Dive bombing you to protect their chicks. And, have you seen the size of those beaks ??

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Originally Posted by markmc

Will watch out for the Killer Grouse when up there this week. I have run across there lots of times over the years and never encounted this before, its quite possible that i was running to quick for them to notice me :thumbup:

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I was following the wall line east along the bottom of the Silver Rake/Twenty Meres mining areas. I honestly had no idea they were apt to do that!

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Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell

It's the Killer Curlew's up on Ilkley Moor ! Dive bombing you to protect their chicks. And, have you seen the size of those beaks ??

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The Lapwings were wheeling over me near Conistone Pie on my way back, i have to confess i was a touch paranoid!

One decided to chase after me on the NY moors last month, I was quite surprised, never happened before!

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Originally Posted by mr brightside

I was following the wall line east along the bottom of the Silver Rake/Twenty Meres mining areas. I honestly had no idea they were apt to do that!

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I didn't encounter any Killer Grouse tonight on a training run around Capplestone Gate area. But did come across some mad cows that made a rush for me and my mate Eddie when running along Lea Green, so got some speed work done as well to get away from the mad cows :thumbup:

I was attacked by a grouse from flight from behind and didn't really know anything about it until it was flapping around my head. I was running along derwent edge, about 2 years ago and it was my birthday! I'm glad it happens to other people because I was a bit worried about what state I must have looked for a grouse to think it could have a go.