Yorkshire Dales National Park Part 1 - Along the River Wharfe Burnsall to Grassington

We have recently returned from an 7 day trip to The Yorkshire Dales National Park enjoying mostly good to lovely weather. The first day out walking was along the River Wharfe starting at Hebden along to Burnsall for lunch then back along the river to Grassington for a late afternoon tea then back along the river to Hebden.

Walking down to the river our first encounter was a Grey Wagtail.

Then another one lurking down by a stream under some bushes - very poor light.

Down on the river the sun is out and everything looks wonderful.

Not far down the river we surprise a Dipper still getting itself ready for the camera.

Ready now, shoot away.

Possibly an immature Heron.

After lunch at Burnsall, heading towards Grassington, the river looks just as good if a bit low

Another Grey Wagtail, not quite as obliging as the Dipper, quickly moving off.

A blue flash over the water, a Kingfisher, which settled on the far bank someway off for a while.

Back to where we saw the Dipper coming down the river, it's still there and fishing.

And comes up with a tiny fish, a Gudgeon perhaps?

A sharp bang on the head and it was gone.

Yet another Heron, possible juvenile as it allowed us and somebody else to stand very close without flying off.

Despite the pose it didn't catch anything.

At Grassington the river looked very low.

The same scene February 2018.

On the way back to Hebden and the car, a field of Sheep each one with attendant Pied Wagtail.

A solitary Herring Gull, there were a few Black-headed Gulls about too.

A Dunnock not sure if it can eat a Hawthorn berry.

We also saw many young Goldfinches on our walks.

The Herring Gull made a lunge into the water and came up with a Crayfish, hopefully one of the American invaders.

It put it down to rearrange it, then a quick throw back of it's head and it was gone.

It's near the end of the walk and we are getting tired, but a couple birds flew past, not Mallards this time - Goosanders. Fortunately they landed, but a few hundred yards back where we came from. Oh well.

And they wanted to look their best also, although they didn't swim close enough together to get them both in the same shot.

An Oyster Catcher definitely not looking it's best.

Getting late now.

One more slice of luck, a Green Woodpecker flew into a tree some way back from the river, but instead of what normally happens it flew towards us and landed in the grass and started feeding.

That alerted us to another Green Woodpecker already feeding in the grass even closer, a juvenile I think.

Then we were back at Hebden and back to the car, and what seemed as it happened a relatively quiet day on reflection turned out to be an excellent if not great day.

Part 2 of this trip will give that statement some perspective as it will cover 6 days and possibly less photos. The ground to be covered is, Malham Cove and Tarn, Ingleborough and Great Whernside to the top of each, plus a couple of other short walks. Although we didn't see many birds or other wildlife what we did see was, I think, worth the effort of carrying nearly 2 and half kilograms of camera up the 2 big hills.

Hope you enjoy, 

Best Wishes,

Trevor