It was more like a summer's day today rather than the middle of March. I was on the road for 06:30 and headed to Titterstone Clee. On the ascent, it was misty and not much could be seen. But on reaching the Dhustone's Road and the summit the mist magically disappeared to reveal a beautiful scene of Clee Hill and the surrounding area. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and, unusually for the summit, not a breath of wind!
I had hoped for an early wheatear but none could be located; perhaps I was just a bit too early and a couple of day's time would have been more productive. There were, though, lots of ravens doing their charismatic, acrobatic flights and chasing off carrion crows. Clee Hill is such an evocative place and not seeing much bird wise was made up in the atmosphere of the place.
I moved on from there with my next place in mind - Bridges and the Stiperstones.
Red Kite was, of course, the target bird and soon they were seen not just singularly, but up to six at a time in the air with buzzards. They are such agile fliers for their size and easily out manoeuvred the buzzards who seemed clumsy in comparison.
On the East Onny River at Bridges there was grey wagtail, but no sign of dipper. Along the Onny I photographed these alder buds with last year's female catkins together.
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| Alder Buds and Catkins |
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