Chasing The Mountain Blackbird.

Langden Brook. Pete Woodruff.

Another lovely day on Wednesday had me back in Bowland chasing the Mountain Blackbird - though not primarily so - in the Langden Valley hotspot. The photograph above shows Langden Brook with the intake downstream at my back where I saw a classic White Wagtail with a Pied Wagtail as if to be there for comparison. Also seen as I walked up the tree lined avenue from the road, a 'few' Chaffinch and Robin were of particular note, with a Dipper, 4 Grey Wagtail, a Goldcrest was busy in the conifers along with a Coal Tit and Blue Tit, and a Song Thrush in fine voice.

On the walk which I stretched out over four hours, though the place was alive with them I noted at least 40 Meadow Pipit, 6 Wren, and a single Red Grouse heard only, I saw just two raptors in a Sparrowhawk and kestrel. Just one male Stonechat was a huge disappointment for me as was no Wheatear seen.  

Ring Ouzel Paul Foster

After some off the track searching based on info about a pair seen by a birder I spoke with earlier, I found a smart male Ring Ouzel but no female seen. Thanks for the image Paul, your image reflects just as I saw my bird today at the tip of a dead branch. 

Green Tiger Beetle S.Rae

Insects of note, 10 Peacock butterflies and the brilliant Green Tiger Beetle, it is a ground beetle, and it's iridescent green with yellow spots make it readily identifiable, it is an agile vicious and accomplished predator which can fly and makes a distinct buzzing sound when doing so.

I gave a couple of hours on the track up to Hawthornthwaite Fell from Marshaw but it was a walk into a void save 2 Mistle Thrush and a Coal Tit at the start of the track at Marshaw, 24 Meadow Pipit, 6 Red Grouse, and 3 Peacock butterflies. There had been a recent burn here, but....I'll spare you a rant this time.