The ups and downs of Wild-Life...

With every cloudy winters day that passes we get closer to spring and the promise of longer warmer days are not to far away. This winter has felt so long especially with the current bird flu ripping through flocks of wild fowl locally and on the boarders with large amount of swans and geese being put down is just heart breaking.

 Once the bird flu dies out the breeding season should replenish numbers but there are many species affected by the current outbreak and some local areas seem so quiet compared to last year.

One thing I definately want to do is get more active and push my body with lots of walks in the Peaks and more wild camping with unexpected encounters with various nature would be wonderful. Below are a few photographs from a recent walk from the Cat and fiddle pub down to wildboar clough to shutlingsloe and down through Macclesfield forest. I was hoping for a Dipper on the streams flowing by the roadside but hopefully maybe in the spring or on one of my peak wild camps.

A warm cup of tea brewed at the Matterhorn of the Cheshire plains on my new gas stove

I received new kit as a Christmas presant to add to my wild camping kit included a green beach tent and I thought it was perfect for summer days lazying on the river or warm nights camping on the lake would work with it.

Just a quick mention as its the big garden bird watch coming up soon www.wirefence.co.uk is giving away 100% of there profits on Sunday 30th of January so if your an organization supporting the welfare of birds and you are in need of additional funds or more information then visit the link below.

https://www.wirefence.co.uk/big-garden-birdwatch-donation/ to see more information on the big garden bird watch here www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch

Thank you for visiting

Mike

A simple but wonderful walk in the Peak district

With Autumn upon us and the next stage of Nature taking on readying themselves for the blast of Winters cold with Jays and Squirrels burying nuts and myself buying new winter gear to keep me warm and comfy while out hiking and enjoying being out on the water. Yesterday with the weather looking good we decided on heading up into the Peak district to do our regular 3 hour walk. We got the bus from the Cat and fiddle pub down to Macclesfield taking rests to enjoy the silence and breath in the fresh air and the views but as we arrived the mist rolled in bringing the true beauty of the area to life. The Red Grouse were on form with flighty passovers and lots of calling going on, I can't explain how desolate and wonderful the small area near Shining tor can be especially in a white where it feels like your in Alaska with all the pine trees and snow upto your waist.

After a little breather and some tasty pork pies that seemed to taste even nicer in the fresh cool air of the Peaks, just before we headed down hill we spotted a large flock of waders disturbed from the mist by the noisy Red Grouse, there must have been over 20 Golden Plover and to see my first in the Peaks was equally perfect as they disapeered in and out of the mist.

I could not be sure but a blacker grouse shaped bird flew past me but could not be sure as it was so fast and as they blend in so well to the thick vegetation was it a Black Grouse or not I can't be 100% positive but would be great if it was after a bit of internet searches it be possible taht there around in small numbers. The one thing that was wonderful to see was a male Sparrow Hawk perched on a farmers fence post looking down onto Lamaload reservoir and for me one of the best views in the area.

 Thanks for visiting

Mike

An end in sight and Nature is thriving

With the possible end of Lockdown in sight I have started cleaning up my gear buying a few new pieces of kit plus booking some much needed welsh get aways. I have purchased a few Gopros for some filming from my point of view what I see the stunning views, the sounds and the Wildlife.

On the sunnier days my exercise was in the form of Kayaking and Paddle boarding

I really want to see the countryside return to the peaceful place it once was without people stepping every where going on private land disturbing areas normally left for birds and mammals undisturbed once again. The importance of freedom and the outdoors means even more to me the earch for solitude will begin soon whether in the Peaks, down a river or on the coast and who knows I may even see this big visitor if it decides to move up the coast to Wales in the next month.

 https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/rare-sighting-arctic-walrus-welsh-20223215

We have a couple of nests in the garden with the Robins and the Blackbirds plus I have treated myself to a few last light sessions by the Badger sett and seeing a few members of the clan come out for a sniff while the foxy neighbours trot past in there search for prey hopefully with cubs underground nearby but I would be lucky to find them before they get to big or to shy to find.

With it nearly being a year since my dad passed away of terminal cancer and coming out from what feels like a lifetime of mixed up life I'm not sure what it feels like to grive in a normal world. I think  due to not having the freedom last year I was not able to deal wih but with days improving and thought of last years events in the past I feel the breaks and wild connections I have this year will mean so much.

My dads little spot in the Peak district where I like to relax and enjoy nature while thiking of the good times with him.

Thanks for reading 

Mike