Yorkshire Stroll

Saturday I returned from a brief visit to Pateley Bridge, with dog, who required a walk.  My route passes by Grimwith Reservoir.  A fairly flat easy walk of around 4.5 miles, but given the hike we had done the day before, then this would do both Rosie and I.

Grimwith Reservoir does not sound the most appealing place for a walk, and I have been there in grim winter squalls, but on Saturday the air was clear and grey stone walks etched through yellow moorland into a perfect blue sky.  Clear cut lines of Herriot land.

Spring had arrived in a day and the efforts of Yorkshire water to encourage wildlife was proving its worth.  I didn’t notice at first, as I walked from the car park down towards the water.  It was enough to shed a few layers and revelled in the warmth, but on approaching the remains of the High Laithe house I noticed a pair of swallows flitting through the air, backwards and forward from the old eves.  The first swallows.  It really is spring.

There was a muddy shore line round the house, clearly attractive to Canada geese, swans and grey lags, most of whom were clearly enjoying an afternoon snooze.  Bar this errant pair whom appeared oblivious of myself and Rosie and wandered up a stream towards us.

The only sounds were the calls of curlew and oyster catchers.  Oystercatchers appear to pop up all over the place now, I have seen them on school playing fields, lawns and inland hillsides.  Their piercing call always announces their presence. 

Lapwings are not fairing so well but there were several pairs vying for nest spaces, with splendid aerial displays.  Unfortunately I don’t have a fantastic long lens (far too heavy for a back pack), so my attempts as capturing them leave a lot to be desired.

Another walk close by here.  More details of Grimwith here,  buy the map below