Upper Teesdale trip 12th April

Despite the poor weather forecast and early start, thirteen of us met up to see the Black Grouse lek near Langdon Beck; some people had stayed in the area overnight. The weather was cold and windy but the Blackcocks put on a great show with up to 26 in and around the lek, displaying and jousting with each other. Their activity increased as females visited the lek, there could have been at least six of these but we saw four closer to the road later on, so there may have been more; the best showing for the Greyhens that we can remember seeing. They were still active as we drove down the hill to the small car park by the bridge over the beck but dispersed around 8:30.

There we picked up a male Wheatear, a pair of Stonechats, some Swallows and some Red Grouse, but the star bird here was a Short-eared Owl quartering the hillside (Green Lord’s Seat). Then a relocation to park near Langdon Beck Hotel where we saw a few Spring Gentians on the usual slope by the farm buildings. As well as Swallow, Mistle Thrush and a few Fieldfares, Jem spotted a House Martin, though it wasn’t seen by others. The group (now numbered at ten) walked along the beck to the bridge over Harwood Beck and located a Common Sandpiper, while Grey Wagtail and Dipper were found on Langdon Beck as we returned to the cars. Kim saw what turned out to be a Ring Ouzel heading over a wall but this was disturbed when trying to relocate it. It, and possibly a second bird, flew off and over the hillside so only a couple of people saw it; though Dick and Sharon visited the area later and briefly saw two by Intake Farm where the becks join. Rather than pursuing it, we decided to move on the Bowlees for lunch, warmth and shelter as another heavy shower was passing over.

The Bowlees Visitor Centre’s feeders held a selection of finches and tits, notably some very confiding Siskin. We then walked to Low Force and then crossed the Wynch Bridge to walk along the Pennine Way, though some turned back before reaching High Force. The recent wet weather had swelled the river and High Force was a spectacle. There were several Grey Wagtails and further Common Sandpipers on the river and one spot where a number of migrants were in the bushes and on stones in the water, including Chiffchaffs and Blackcap, while Swallows were very active. However, the best here was a male Redstart spotted by Jem and seen by a couple of others before it disappeared. A Nuthatch was visiting a nest hole near the bridge as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker near the visitor centre.

We noted a total of 56 species, which was more than we anticipated given the windy conditions and upland habitat.

Rob & Jane