Black Hill from Digley Reservoir 23rd June 2007

Saturday 23rd June 2007

Black Hill from Digley Reservoir

Digley Reservoir - Yorkshire

Martyn and Dave J at the trig point on Black Hill

The thistle with a difference!

Photographs Richard.

Walk stats: Distance: 12.1 miles; Climb: 2583'; Walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.;

Time: 6 hours 2 minutes.

Group: Martyn, Richard and Dave J.

The walk started with low cloud, but prospects of it lifting by the afternoon. This proved to be true with the Black Hill starting in cloud and mist and looking typically very bleak. However by the time we had trecked along the paved section of the Pennine Way to the trig point on Black Hill the whole panorama was to be revealed. We adapted the route slightly by following parts of the Kirklees Way and avoiding some road walking. The walk passed close to four resevoirs, all of which seemed fairly full. This was quite a varied and interesting walk, providing apt reminders of the challenges faced in crossing pathless Dark Peak groughs.

Plenty of wild flowers, particularly wild meadow flowers were encountered on route, including a very unusual looking thistle that could have been a design for a Chinese Dragon head.

Birds were in fine singing form throughout. Willow warblers were singing as we left the car park and were still singing as we arrived back. Then came the Skylark followed by Grouse calling. The liquid call of the Curlew and alarm call of the Curlew followed us up the valley to the road at the site of the former Old Isle of Skye Hotel. Then came the bird call of the day, the plaintive cry of the Golden Plover. This was also the bird of the day as we had two very good close up views. Also on the approach to Black Hill we saw a family of Red Grouse. The young chicks nearly making it as bird sighting of the day. We also had a good view of a Skylark as it landed just a few feet in front of us on its search for food for its young. The bird was close enough for us to get a clear view of its crest. Other birds seen or heard on the walk included: Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Swallow, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Canada Geese, Stonechat, MistleThrushes (at least 10 loosely together), Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher and Common Sandpiper.

Another good pint or two (all J.W. Lees) were sampled at King William IV at Greenfield.