The Dales

Lots of photos in this post but how can you skimp on the Yorkshire Dales, my favourite place on the planet yesterday we had our annual fix and went to see the Black Grouse.  Constantly changing weather conditions meant constantly changing light which made some interesting landscapes.

Spot the Black Grouse!

Keld

Yellow-legged Gull & Brimstone

Found this nice adult summer Yellow-legged Gull feeding in a field with other large gulls which is a little unusual for this time of year.

In a sunny sheltered spot out of the cool easterly wind this Brimstone was feasting on a Dandelion.

Grey Partridge

Thanks to the modern intensive farming methods these Grey Partridge along with many other farmland birds have become somewhat of a rarity locally and nationally, so it was nice to have such close prolonged views of this pair even though the male was a little shy.

The Manifestos

So it's election time in the UK and we have to decide who's telling the truth and what their intentions are once they get in power.  I have read all the manifestos from cover to cover and have picked out the important points as I see it for a nature blog ...

LABOUR

"Labour has always believed that everyone should have access to nature, whoever they are, or wherever they live. So we will keep our forests in public ownership, and promote access to green spaces in local planning. We will support the work of the Natural Capital Committee to protect and improve wildlife habitats and green spaces, and make them an important part of our thriving tourism industry.

We will build on our strong record on animal welfare starting with an end to the Government’s ineffective and cruel badger cull. We will improve the protection of dogs and cats, ban wild animals in circuses, defend the hunting ban and deal with wildlife crime associated with shooting."


CONSERVATIVE 

"We will protect hunting, shooting and fishing, for all the benefits to individuals, the environment and the rural
economy that these activities bring.  A Conservative Government will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a government bill in government time."

UKIP
I really couldn't find anything relating to nature but this made me laugh!" Amendment to smoking ban to give pubs and clubs choice of opening “smoking rooms”".

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

"Our manifesto includes plans for a Nature Law which will protect the UK’s wildlife, green spaces, plants and trees, improve waste and boost recycling. We will put nature at the heart of government decision-making, making our “Natural Capital Committee” permanent, with legal status so its recommendations have to be listened to. We will protect habitats from forests to oceans, and the creatures that call them home, from bees to birds. And because we believe everyone should have access to nature, we’ll complete the coastal path around the UK, improve the Right to Roam, protect more of the local green spaces people value as National Nature Parks and create a new public body to protect our forests for future generations."

Back to local birding..

Since returning from Mexico it has been a bit of a slog to get back into local birding especially with the cold miserable spring weather we are currently experiencing. However we have had a few good birds in the past week within the Scunthorpe reporting area including; my first pair of Ravens for the area, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Red Crested Pochard and a Wheatear.