Day on the edge

...of the dales that is! I went up to Derwent Reservoir to see if I could see Osprey and Pectoral Sandpiper, first stop was to look for the Pec Sand on the Northumberland side of the reservoir. Thanks to a helpful gentleman he pointed me in the right direction, it took a while but eventually the bird flew up breaking its cover and flew a short way toward the reservoir. Brilliant views were had in the scope but it was just that little bit to distant for me lens. Nothing might else of note apart from a few Greylags putting on a mini-spectacle. If you want to see the Pec Sand make sure you click on the image!

 (Pectoral Sandpiper - © Andrew Kinghorn)

 (Pectoral Sandpiper - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Next stop was a lay-by looking onto the reservoir where I hoped for Osprey, I had a nice time sitting in the car for a couple of hours scanning surrounding hills and the reservoir itself, however no joy. Did see a juvenile female Peregrine on at least 3 occasion! It kept harassing the locals and showed its inexperience a few times, at one point it must have thought it was a bat and hung upside down on a branch! Was brilliant to see it stopping low to the water to try and flush the local waterfowl. Most exciting moment was when it was about to grab an Oystercatcher it was chasing and the Oystercatcher fully submerged itself in the water to avoid predation. Bird of the day had to be the Peregrine, but Pectoral Sandpiper a very close second, I love waders. 

Until next time, Foghorn out!