Mid-March sees me starting to make regular visits to the east of Cheshire, heading towards the moors on the edge of Derbyshire and Staffordshire - the Eastern Hills.
Here at the highest points in Cheshire the sheep grazed paddocks give way to the heather covered moors, but in recent years overgrazing has reduced the areas of heather. Never-the-less the areas around Three Shires Head, Danebower and the Cat and Fiddle still hold breeding species not present in lowland Cheshire. It is this that draws me to the area each year, to photograph the birds present, whilst ensuring that I don't disturb them. Early starts are order of the day, before the sun is too high, the footpaths crowded with day trippers and ramblers, and the roads quiet enough for me to drive around, with the windows down, cameras at the ready.
So what are the species that can be seen?
The main attraction for many birders is the Ring Ouzel, a member of the thrush family similar to a Blackbird, but with a white throat crescent and pale wings in flight. The first birds arrive in late March, and numbers peak in mid-April before birds disperse to the breeding territories.
Often seen in same areas as the Ring Ouzel is the Wheatear, nesting amongst the scree or in the dry stone walls. The white rump, which gives the Wheatear it's name of White Arse, often give the birds away as they fly off.
Closely related to the Wheatear is the Stonechat, named after it's call which sounds like two stone knocking together. These robin-sized birds nest in the bracken and low-lying vegetation.
The species which associated with moorland habitats the most is the Red Grouse, a game bird still shot during the open season, starting on the Glorious Twelfth. The population in the Eastern Hills is low, more due to the poor quality habitat than shooting.
The other group of birds which inhabit the grazed and heather areas are the waders. Curlew, Lapwing and Golden Plover can all be found, often from the comfort of the car.
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