After the depressing scenes of earlier in the year when much of the moor was reduced to charcoal, it's been a relief to see plenty of Whinchat this summer. I had a look towards the north facing slopes this afternoon where there's a 'forest' of bracken about 6-7 young Whinchat and at least 2 possibly 3 pairs of adults, and it was not just the Whinchat who seemed to be doing ok with dozens of young reed buntings, a young dunnock, wren, meadow pipits, a couple of stonechat families and even a family of blue tits were picking at the many moths, cranefly and grasshoppers. Nice to see a redpoll as well - the only one on there this summer (I think). A couple of impressive Golden-ringed dragonflies on the prowl. Been lots of Large whites in recent weeks and there were quite a few on the moors today particularly higher up the slopes.
