Into the Valley

Not the superb song by the Skids, but a trip up to Harthope Valley.  Starting at Hawsen Burn it wasn't long before I was watching my main target Ring Ousel, a male and female flew from the path up into a tree.  Also seen along the burn, Stonechat, Whinchat and Red Grouse.

A walk along Harthope Burn beyond Langleeford House only produced a single Redstart, Nuthatch and a superb Adder desperately trying to soak up heat from the occasional sunny spells by flattening its body out.  

A couple of places on the way back out of the valley produced Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Sandpiper and a couple of recently fledged Treecreepers being fed by one of the adults. The only bird I missed was Cuckoo, I heard two or three but just couldn't get on to them.  

I'm off to Norfolk next week so hopefully my next post will be a trip report with some good birds in it.