It is now more than 15years since I started the weekly blog in 2007. So here we are 780 entries later and this Spring something happened that I have waited all those years for – to film a hunting male Short Eared Owl in the morning followed by a hunting male Long Eared Owl in the evening – surely the ultimate Pennine challenge. Not only did it happen this Spring but it happened three times in one week! So this week we will celebrate with photos of two different male Long Eared Owls followed next week by a male Short Eared Owl – take your pick from the extensive galleries on my Facebook page. www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

Last years survey of breeding butterflies in Greater Manchester claims there are now no Wall butterflies present. It is a butterfly that thrives in hot, sunny weather and last week conditions were perfect to go looking for them. I know a secluded valley to the north of the County where I have regularly found Wall butterflies  in the past. I was not to be disappointed and in one hour at least six different ones posed for the camera.

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Even up to ten years ago it was impossible to ever imagine a Great White Egret appearing locally. So it was a surprise when one appeared recently at Hollingworth Lake and stayed for more than ten days.
Early one morning I went along to have a look at the Egret as it made the most of the low water-levels. Unfortunately I was looking into the rising sunlight but it worked to my advantage as the Egret was beautifully back-lit as it caught its fish. www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

While some parts of the country have been suffering from drought here in the Pennines we had plenty of heavy showers in May and the moors were in perfect condition for breeding Waders. Lapwings in particular were very successful along with some Redshank and Curlews.It was only when the moors dried out in July that Dunlin and Snipe began to suffer but even so I still managed some photos in-between long sessions on Long Eared and Short Eared Owls – to follow later!! www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

For obvious reasons I would not normally celebrate the start of the Grouse shooting season but this year was different. The moorland I visited was National Trust owned and there is now no shooting allowed. In addition the heather this year was the best I have ever seen and with perfect weather all I needed was for the Grouse to perform! It took two visits, after early morning mist cleared, before I had good views of the Grouse on both rocks, fence-posts and in the superb heather.As a bonus a Wheatear posed on a post with a backdrop of purple heather – a seasonal treat.www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

One week in May my blog was all about the impending development of my only Little Owl site.The new purchasers were awaiting the planners approval to completely re-develop the old barn so the long-term residents, the Little Owls, would have their home destroyed forever. Well, the good news is that planning permission was only granted last week and in the meantime, against all the odds,the Little Owls have fledged three young this year. So lets raise a glass to the planners!! www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife