Friday, August 7
This is where we ended up late lunchtime.
We had another late morning as the trap was full of moths, midges and beetles again. Our plan to put the trap out again to-night for the final night, has been shelved, too much mess to clear up before packing the car and driving home.
Again, over a hundred moths, our third Muslin Footman, another beautiful Lempkes, with the usual preponderance of Blunders (LYU), and Antlers. New for the cottage were Yellowtail, Riband Wave, September Thorn, and Dingy Footman. One macro and one micro still to be identified. Amazing really, for rough pasture in the middle of nowhere.
Very undecided as to what to do, we settled on the Bolton Abbey area, and a raptor watchpoint on the way to Barden Moor.
Making our leisurely way down our lane, three Red-legged Partridges scuttled across the track. We stopped at the far gate to put our rubbish in the bins. As we set off again, a Little Owl sitting on the nearby wall flew into one of the sparse trees lining the lane. I had to photograph it through the windscreen, a pet hate.
A passerine flitted into another tree, black head we thought. I binned it to find the shivering tail of a handsome male Common Redstart. Great. Another windscreen shot.
What a lovely start. It kept us going through the Gargrave traffic jam - 12 minutes to-day.
Having thought we'd pay a short visit to Bolton Abbey for nostalgic reasons, that plan was stymied by a pre-booked only entry policy. I should have known better. No problem, we drove on past the other two car parks, all heaving with cars and people. The river bank was really crowded with groups of young people and families. Social distancing? West Yorkshire in lockdown?
We drove on to Barden Moor, where there were a few parking spots overlooking reservoirs and hills. Cyclists kept appearing amongst the heather and hills. Lone men and small family groups. Good for them.
Pam had seen a distant Red Grouse. I had to scope through the narrow gaps in a wide-barred wooden gate but eventually found two birds. Moving position to where we could overlook the reservoir, a flock of 200 Lapwings rose into the air before landing out of sight in a sheep field. Three spiralling Buzzards and a Kestrel raised the spirits, nothing else materialised.
Having enjoyed the views and its wildlife, it was time to return via the Gargrave queue - a quick one this time, the opposite tailback was very long indeed.
The week has been frustrating at times, the weather pretty ordinary and the wildlife sparse. The cottage, moth-ing and view, very enjoyable. My disability becomes increasingly frustrating.
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