Post

I got out on the moor for the first time in a while and this little Wren on a post was the first thing to greet me as I climbed up from Green Lane through Hope Gate.

The sun was shining but there were still pockets of frost and plenty of frozen puddles. I walked over to Glovershaw and Golcar where the winter geese were in full residence: 100+ Greylag plus a dozen or so Canada. Just as I was reflecting how this patch of pasture changes through the seasons, with spring and summer dominated by Lapwing and Curlew, a group of nine Lapwing flew over, reminding me that at least some stay up on the high moors through the winter.

Heading back home, some Red Grouse were grousing at Weecher, which was a sensible spot to be seeing as the gamekeepers had set fire to moor on the other side of the road. Back at the Dam there was a feast of fish eaters: Cormorant and Goosander galore, and a solitary Grey Heron tucked away in the corner.