Peak time in Derbyshire

It was just a short three day family break that found me out and about at any opportunity with the camera in Derbyshire. My wifes parents (or the outlaws as I like to call them!) were up there already on holiday so the accomodation was already sorted. We stayed at a lovely little village called Tideswell, and there was plenty of opportunity for me to get out and about with the camera within a very short driving distance.

 

 

The first day out found us visiting Derwent Reservoir. We parked by the dam, the very same one used for practice runs by the dam busters. The first thing I saw as we got out of the car was a Pied Fly-Catcher which I managed to get a couple of quick shots of before it flew off never to be seen again! A lucky start. The outlaws went for a long walk up on the moors above the reservoir, while we opted for a much shorter walk around the dam wall end! There was a lot of small bird life about, especially around the visitor centre where they had several feeders out. I spent a little while around the feeders and got some really pleasing close-up shots of Siskins and a cock Chaffinch which was in superb condition.

 

 

 

                                                                   

                                      

 

On the second day, father outlaw and myself went to Monsal Dale. A beautiful river runs through the bottom of the dale and while father outlaw headed off upstream to do a spot of fly fishing, I went off downstream in search of Dippers. Before I started off, I saw a pair of them flash past going upstream. The first thing I noticed was the amount of warblers that were along the river bottom. There were Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Garden Warbler all along the way. Though something else had caught my eye. Redstart. I had never been able to get close enough to these in the past to get a good enough shot.

 

                                          

 

 

 

This morning was to prove no different. Just as I thought I was going to get a picture, they would flick off again and in the end they went too far up the into the scrub along the bottom of the rock face. So I turned back to what I had come for. Dippers. And I was to be in luck. I soon found one on the edge of a small waterfall. As I watched, it flew off a short distance and then came back to exactly the same spot. This it done again. When it flew off once more I quickly got into posistion on the opposite bank right down at the waters edge. I had already wondered if perhaps it had a nest behind the waterfall as that is one of thier favourite places to nest. I was well concealed in my posistion as I was in camoflauge clothing and I always have a face veil with me. Plus I had already sorted out where to get while I was watching the bird.

 

 

 

Within five minutes the bird was back, but this time with a beakful of food. My suspicion was right. It dived straight through the wall of water and to its nest behind the waterfall. I spent about an hour watching and photographing both parents coming back and forth feeding the young. You could not actually see the nest where it was, but they were not going through the waterfall for the fun of it! It was now time to head back upstream and find the father outlaw. The fun though was not over just yet.

 

                                         

 

 

 

When I got back up to where I had started from, I came across the Redstarts again. Two males and one female. This time though, they didn't have a care in the world that I was there, the two cock birds especially. They just kept flying around me displaying and then singing in full view. Absolutely beautiful birds. Plus I also got a bonus shot of a Garden Warbler out in the clear at the same time! Things were certainly going well, but the following day was to prove even better. On the first day we were there, when the outlaws had gone up to the mooors above Derwent Reservoir, they had seen and heard quite a lot of Red Grouse. By what they had told me, it sounded like the cock birds were displaying. This was worth investigating.

 

 

 

The third morning found me making my way up to the moors before sunrise. One thing that was immediately evident, was how unfit I was! It was quite a steep slog up onto the moors, and it damned near killed me! I must be getting old! When, however, I eventually made it, I must say it was well worth it. It was absolutely stunning! As I got up onto the top, the sun was just hitting the hills on the other side and it truly was breathtaking. I struggle to take good landscape pictures, and I don't think my pictures really did the scene justice. It was a special moment to be up there though, and one that would be very hard to forget.

 

 

 

As soon as I had got up onto the tops, I heard Grouse calling, and it wasn't too long before I was taking my first shots of one. There was quite a hard frost up on the tops, and the first shot I got of a Grouse was in amongst some of the frosted tussock grass. For the next four hours or so, I wandered around taking shots of Grouse after careful slow stalks. I would see one at a distance and start slowly closing the gap, It worked especially well if I was slightly uphill of them. They wanted to always watch me and would slowly sink into the heather or grass. Some would try to skulk off while others would remain in the same spot. But all the while they were watching me, so obviously I could just see their head which because of their plumage at this time of year and because of the brilliant sunshine, they stood out like a sore thumb!

 

                                       

 

 

 

If I took my time I could sometimes get very close indeed. It was the last bird I got closest too.Within twenty feet! It was a brilliant morning. I also got lovely shots of Meadow Pipits which of course were everywhere. I managed also to get one fairly good one of a Mountain Hare which was still partially white. I also saw quite a few Lapwing, Golden Plover and Curlew there which were up there breeding. It had been a fantastic morning and well worth the early start and the slog! I met up with the family later and spent the rest of the day sightseeing. A very enjoyable end to a very enjoyable short break. Maybe next time I will get to stay there a bit longer. And hopefully, I might be a bit fitter!!!

 

 

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