Black Grouse

A Black Grouse reintroduction scheme on the South Yorkshire/Derbyshire border five years ago has produced positive results with breeding birds now being regularly seen near the Strines reservoir. A morning visit is necessary to witness the lek though we weren't early enough to see the real action - just the last couple of grouse recovering from their exertions in the cover of a pine plantation.

A nearby wintering Great Grey Shrike swelled the number of birders at the site whilst recently returned Ring Ouzels provided additional interest. The watery sunshine this morning wasn't enough to bring the few remaining Goshawks out from nearby coniferous plantations though and we had to be content with a couple of the more numerous Sparrowhawks.