No Grouse (17th July)

My brother and I spent the day searching a nearby moorland for Red Grouse.  However, despite scouring the place for most of the afternoon we didn't encounter any.  There were still plenty of signs of them and the moorland was even managed to their liking with mown sections of heather, creating new growth for them to feed on.  We also found two dried up puddles with relatively fresh footprints belonging to Red Grouse.

Red Grouse footprint

A little more exciting were our first 3 WHINCHATS of the year, accompanied by three juvenile birds (which we presumed to be their offspring) see discussion on Bird Forum on the link to the ID of the fledglings http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=262258.

the juv. chat that's been creating all the confusion

in stark contrast to an obvious male Whinchat

Also about were plenty of Meadow Pipits, 1 Wheatear and 2 Emperor Dragonflies at the end of our walk across the moors.