It's probably an ideal time to start the 2022 Odds & Sods thread off, with some squabbling starlings....
To view the 2021 thread, click HERE
This pair of starlings were having a right old go at each other, whilst another nipped in to the coconut shell for a food
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Excellent shots Bob! I really like the deer and the hares ... and the kestrels ... and the herons ...
Happy New Year ...
Thanks Linda. It was a great year for the deer and hares especially.
Big moor around the old reservoir is probably the best place to see red deer I think when the rut isn't happening. When the rut starts they spread out across the whole area (Big moor, Totley moor, White edge and over to Curbar and Froggatt edge. They will spread out anyway after the rut but there are a group of around 10 that hang around Barbrook and that's where I saw snowy (the elusive white fallow) the other week. Some stay on the Longshaw estate and my possible favourites are in Froggatt woods where they are a whole lot closer. Surprisingly after the rut a lot of hinds cross the Derwent between Grindleford and Hathersage and head up to Eyam moor.
It's also worthwhile going right to the bottom of Big Moor and park up on Clodhall Lane. The hinds and young ones tend to congregate there in very large numbers...
Sadly a big stag that pulled a lot of attention this year was killed a few weeks back in a road collision. An eldish boy the local deer watchers affectionately callerd Chip (with half an ear). Never had a huge amount of points but I was always told it's more about attitude than points and he had plenty of that. I was lucky, like many, to have one to one moments just watching him with no one around (not during the rut obviously when everyone descends). He'll be really sadly missed.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.