North-east of Kettlewell...

...will have to wait until I've told you about our trip to Saltholme with my grand-daughter [aged 2]. We had a good time and enjoyed the Meadow Trail. In the Wildlife Watchpoint we were told there were three grasshopper warblers. Being very deaf at the moment there was no chance of me hearing them but my wife soon did. At least three near the beginning of the Meadow Trail I spotted two of them. Photos with Sheila's 200mm zoom. Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler

Ok. Most people know about Scotch argus butterflies in England in the Arnside and Smardale areas to the west but the Yorkshire site seems to be less well-known or not well publicised. It's north-east of Kettlewell.... Park Gill Beck [Scotch argus site] Park Gill Beck [Scotch argus site]

Here's a view of the site - it faces south-east and east. I saw the butterflies last year but they wouldn't pose for me as they crash down in the long grass if the sun goes in. In flight they look black. You won't see them without sunshine - preferably sunshine that lasts, say, half an hour! I saw 6 this time. One was very cooperative. I even knelt down and photographed it with my phone: Scotch Argus Camera shots:

Scotch Argus Scotch Argus Scotch Argus Lots of wild flowers plus common blue, red admiral, ringlet and a dark green frit. Here's a few flowers: harebell and carline thistle. Butterworts seen but photos were blurred! Harebell Carline Thistle I saw a mole wriggling along the path. It froze when it sensed my footsteps. I nudged it with my foot and it vanished down a hole [as they do!]. I got a rear view! Mole

I then had a wonderful drive via Wensley, the A1 and A19 to Saltholme. No gropper to be seen but a greenshank on Phil Stead's and a spoonbill performing at Dorman's. A grand day out!

Thinks it's a swan! Spoonbill Spoonbill Spoonbill Spoonbill Spoonbill Spoonbill Spoonbill Spoonbill Spoonbill

Greenshank