Black Beauties And The Stunning Dales....Saturday 07.03.2015.

A full day free to ourselves today saw Trace and myself heading to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales(even at this time of year) to do some sight seeing along with looking for my 'First' Black Grouse sightings in Yorkshire.The journey up the A1 was pretty uneventful apart from a single Common Buzzard and a party of 6 Roe Deer to relieve the boredom,but we eventually arrived at Bedale and headed into the Dales.
 I had been given some very helpful info. in where to find our target birds,by fellow birder Gareth Picton and we headed in the direction of Reeth near to Leyburn.There had obviously been some substantial amounts of snow recently ,as it was still white on the tops of the hills and unfortunately as we neared the area of Arkengarthdale where we were to look for our quarry,the weather began to deteriorate the higher we travelled.
 Some stunning views of roadside Red Grouse and some lovely Golden Plover certainly made up for the poor weather conditions and we sought some respite in the world famous Tan Hill Inn.
 Getting out of the car here for us was an experience all in its own,with gale force wind and rain nearly blowing us back were we had travelled from,but eventually we enjoyed a well earned mug of tea inside this historic pub.
 After enjoying our cuppa we carried on back in the direction of Reeth,looking in all the suitable pasture fields until,at last!....i spotted a single male Black Grouse in a field just above the village of Whaw.
 I clambered out of the car,set the scope up and Trace and myself watched our first 'Yorkshire' Black Grouse as he fed in the grass field.A quick scan revealed a further 2 males here sat on one of the drystone walls,what a cracking bird they are with their glossy blue-black plumage,just stunning!.
 More searching near to Reeth,revealed another 7 males sheltering and feeding behind a drystone wall,giving more distant views,but very welcome all the same.What a stunning area to watch some beautiful birds.
 The rest of our visit was spent looking around the lovely town of Richmond and the very impressive River Swale followed by a slap up steak meal at Penley's a very impressive eatery in the middle of the town.
 So what a great day out again in this beautiful part of the world watching some stunning birds and great food to boot,we travelled home happy...and slightly full....and we even managed to see 2 Red Kites on the journey home,good times.