Return To Bowland

Last week owing to commitments and the weather I was unable to get out with the camera until late Friday. There were heavy showers as I left for a drive to the Bowland Fells. My target bird was the red grouse as hopefully they would be now active up on the moors. Thankfully the weather improved as I reached the high fells and a weak and watery sun attempted to shine. I stayed in the car as it would be a mobile hide as I cruised the moorland roads and lanes looking for birds within camera range.
It proved to be a productive session as some of the species which come to these high meadows and fells had returned to their favoured breeding areas. I was able to obtain some nice images of curlew, lapwing and oystercatcher. The red grouse proved more difficult to find but eventually I found a very obliging cock bird feeding very close to the road which allowed me to fire off a volley of close range shots before departing.
The highlight of the day however was the sighting of a barn owl hunting along the road verge on the homeward journey. As I stopped the car it perched briefly on a road side fence post. However on this occasion I was unable to obtain any images before it departed. I did however make a careful note of the area and I will of course be returning to hopefully have some close encounters with what is one of my favourite birds.
I have posted a few images from the trip showing curlew,lapwing, oystercatcher and of course the splendid red grouse as he posed at the side of the road.