Well, had a walk up on the north side of Nidderdale - up above Ramsgill. Best get it done before the Grouse shooting starts. I had a word with all the grouse I saw and reccomended they took a short vacation!
The heather was purple and grouse, stone chat, kestrels, buzzards and merlins were seen. Lots of swallows all over. Highlight was a female hen harrier flying around as we had our lunch (pies from the Pateley Bridge butchers - I can reccomend the pork, black pudding and apple, though the pasties were also good). So rare to see this highly persecuted bird in Yorkshire, made my day, if not week. Lovely sighting looking down on it as it hunted low over the moor.
Visibility was great today, North York Moors round to Emley Moor (two masts now!) and great views of the Nidderdale side of Grt Whernside. Memories of the effort of Black Fell race.
Great day out