One of the reasons for the outing was to try out the new boots -

We shall post a further picture of the said boots in 6 months time to see if they are still in this pristine condition!!

I think it would be good to have a separate post to record worthwhile wildlife sitings over the coming months. To start this off, we walked today beside the river Bradford and spent some time watching at least one dipper 'doing its stuff', fairly oblivious to our presence.  Several other dippers were seen further up the valley and this quite shy bird does now seem to be coming more accustomed to man. Yesterday was a day for a mini Faartal (on my own) above Ladybower and beneath Stanage Edge. This is well away from the main walking area around here and provided good sitings of 4 Golden Plovers and 2 Mountain Hares. I think I also saw a Peregrine Falcon but without anyone else to back me up I am reluctant to claim it as a siting! The best siting so far this year has been of the wild Red Deer above White Edge. In autumn they were down below the Edge on the rutting ground but this time of year they get as far away from civilisation as possible. I counted 27 including 3 males with multi-pointed antlers. Adam and Margret spotted them a few days later. 

Wednesday 11th April.  Roger & Celia went in search of the 'drumming' snipe.  It is a long time since I heard snipe drumming and it occurred to me that Ramsley Moor and Leash Fen would be a good place to hear them.  

Early evening and appropriate refreshment at the Barrel Inn.  Clear skies all day meant fantastic views from the Barrel as the sun set in the West. The stone walls were particularly noticeable as the long shadows of the evening spread across the valley

At 8 p.m we were on Ramsley Moor but not a thing to be heard apart from the occasional curlew and lapwing.  At 8.30 p.m. there was very little light left but this is obviously the time for snipe to get going.  Within 10 minutes they could be heard all around us but we could not see one of them.  Their drumming is made by the air vibrating 2 tail feathers as they dive at 45% and is just a way of showing off to their mate during the breeding season!  Celia had not heard them before and I think she thought the cold and discomfort had been worthwhile!.

Friday 13th April.  Celia and Roger on their own again as the Fairfield contingent still in Spain.  From a wildlife point of view this walk is memorable for the first swallow of the season - seen near Foolow in late afternoon.  According to my sister there was snow on the ground on the 9th April last year and now the temperature is above 20 degrees.

Lily beetles are on the plants at home.  These insects have only recently moved up North and to find them here in April must be very unusual.