The Famous Grouse



Whilst bimbling around oop north I decided to visit the top of a large hill, known as The Stang. I had been there previously, at approximately the same time of year, although it had been dusted in beautiful snow before. I visited again because it was the place I saw my first Grouse, and I wanted to see if there were any more to be found.
Just over the brow of the hill I parked my car in the same place as last time, killed the engine and wound down the window on the wind-less side. Almost immediately a group of male grouse appeared on some grassy tussocks before me and began fluttering around each other, echoing their marvellous call
'go back!go back!go back!'. Pretty soon, other grouse joined in and we could see their white spectacled heads popping up everywhere across the mottled heather. Above is a blurry long distance shot I took of one about 20 metres from the car.


As a southener I find the grouse very exotic and I must say that seeing them again in such profusion made my spirits soar. They are certainly an altogether more sensible bird than a pheasant.

...and then, as a bonus, as we were driving back down the hill again towards the pub, this lovely lady below was standing very still and waiting for us to take their photo!


4 comments:

Gareth Williams said...

Lucky you, lovely. I'd like to explore the moors but never get north enough to do so. Can't see that changing for the foreseeable future.

worm said...

Moorgate? Broadmoor? they're both not far from you...

must say I am apprehensive about when kids come along - no more hopping in the car on a spontaneous whim and going somewhere just to look at it - I gather that once you have sprogs just leaving the house becomes a military scale operation

Gareth Williams said...

Try to fit it all in first. That'll mean you get sick of it anyway and welcome a few years at home. Worked for us.

Brit said...

It's not as impossible as you might think (mind you, we only have one, and she's too young to be much bother, and also she's very good). So yes, get your hols in now.