Wednesday, 15 July 2015

Skirr Cottage Diary.

Having spent most of the morning and early afternoon painting the inside of our small conservatory, by late afternoon I felt ready for some outdoor space. I headed for the old Cromford and High Peak railway track in Goyt Valley which is now an interesting walk and cycle track leading to the now blocked up tunnel. The track is only about a mile and half in length but links various footpaths, so a circular walk is possible. The track is great for people who need to walk on the flat or for wheel chair uses, enabling you enter right into the heart of the moorland and enjoy some great nature and stunning views.
I was hoping to see a short-eared owl but made do with sparrow hawk, several kestrels busy hunting, two buzzards and some young wheatears using the walls as track way.
But what held my attention was taken up with the insect life on the verges; especially the abundance of butterflies. Dark green fritillaries were in great numbers as well as what I believe to be small heath butterflies. There were also gatekeepers and six spot burnet moths and other insects beyond my meagre skills to identify. As for the short-eared owl, well, there will be other days, perhaps this weekend.

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