Pendle Hill from North West of Downham.
Our final approach to the Scout Cairn end of the plateau.
The descent along the track to Pendle House.
Our descent of Pendle Hill from our lunch spot.
Dave alongside one of the many guide posts across Great Coppy and Pendle Hill End.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: 2875'.
Time: 6 hours 1 minute. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Dave J.
As we were about to set off from the car park, we got talking with a walker that had just returned from the summit of Pendle Hill, and he informed us that he had seen two Dotterels in the usual place South-west of the trig point. This encouraged us to continue optimistically, despite his warning that really was very unpleasant conditions on top. Although we didn't get the rain that he experienced, the height gained on the GPS was probably winded assisted, but it did reflect the amount of effort that we had to put in to battle against the fierce wind. At one point it was almost impossible even to stand still, and binoculars were shaking so much that any bird seen could have been a Dotterel.
Alas we didn't find the Dotterel, but at least we did see 4 Golden plover in breeding plumage along the plateau and near Pendle House we saw a Ring ouzel, probably a female as it appeared more brown than black.
Birds seen or heard included: House sparrow, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Willow warbler, Chaffinch, Winter wren, Eurasian curlew, Lesser black-backed gull, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Barn swallow, Mallard, Common starling, Greenfinch, Golden plover, Ring ouzel and Kestrel.
We arrived back at the car a little later than I expected, as we ended up doing an extended route around the Eastern slopes of Pendle Hill, rather than the direct and shortest route back to Downham! A good walk, despite not seeing any Dotterel, we'll just have to come again next year!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Downham Arms (renamed Barnaby's Inn, I assume for the BBC film being shot there and expected to be shown in October.) Dave enjoyed a pint of Thwaites Wainwright, whilst the drive quenched his thirst with a pot of tea.
Traffic on the motorways was quite busy, but nothing compared with Chester, it took me 45 minutes to get from the Fountains Roundabout to Saltney!
Birds seen or heard included: House sparrow, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Willow warbler, Chaffinch, Winter wren, Eurasian curlew, Lesser black-backed gull, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Barn swallow, Mallard, Common starling, Greenfinch, Golden plover, Ring ouzel and Kestrel.
We arrived back at the car a little later than I expected, as we ended up doing an extended route around the Eastern slopes of Pendle Hill, rather than the direct and shortest route back to Downham! A good walk, despite not seeing any Dotterel, we'll just have to come again next year!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Downham Arms (renamed Barnaby's Inn, I assume for the BBC film being shot there and expected to be shown in October.) Dave enjoyed a pint of Thwaites Wainwright, whilst the drive quenched his thirst with a pot of tea.
Traffic on the motorways was quite busy, but nothing compared with Chester, it took me 45 minutes to get from the Fountains Roundabout to Saltney!
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