Ring Ouzel (male) in the rain at Stanage Edge.
Many years ago I joined my Dad and a family friend on a trip up to Riggindale. We parked up at the western end of Haweswater and began the walk uphill. As we scrambled through the rocky hillside a blackbird appeared out of nowhere. Suddenly it turned around to face us revealing a smart white bib. Even to a 10yr old it was clear this was no ordinary blackbird but a Ring Ouzel. We walked on eventually reaching Riggindale. High up, soaring along the mountain ridge we watched several young Golden Eagles before eventually returning to the car.
Over the past 40 years Riggindale has changed with the last female Golden Eagle dying several years ago followed more recently by the male – missing in action since Storm Desmond dropped 405mm of rain over the central fells! Despite the Ring Ouzel’s habit of turning up almost anywhere on migration until a recent visit to Stanage I hadn’t seen one since visiting Riggindale all those years ago.
Fortunately the Hope valley continues to be a stronghold with the gritstone edges of Stanage and Burbage Edge being particularly favoured.
For more information please see the excellent Birdtrack website.
One of the problems with finding unfamiliar birds is recognising their call. Time for a quick reminder – the Ring Ouzel’s is unmistakeable.
Another male Ring Ouzel – after the rain had stopped.
In addition to the 2 males I was also lucky to find a group of 3 females feeding just below the rocks amongst the bracken. 
One of several Meadow Pipits looking out for a Cuckoo calling from the edge of the woodland.