At Its Best

Blacka is seen favourably on these cold, clear mornings if you can get there before the sun rises.

I am still of the opinion that one of the most spectacular wildlife sights is the morning exodus of jackdaws towards Derbyshire from the region of Sheffield just to the east of the high ground. This is remarkable for the virtuosity and exuberance of the flying, skimming low over the ground as they reach the highest part of the Hathersage Road at Stony Ridge sometimes swooping down in between the cars as people commute in towards Sheffield and the motorways beyond, headlights blazing. The sheer numbers of the birds take the breath away as well as the mix of anarchy and discipline shown by the huge flocks, similar to the roosting of starlings still to be seen in parts of the country.

It's not a sight I've ever been able to get anything like a satisfactory photograph of. For one thing it takes place when light levels are very low; for another the essence of it is movement.