Spring Pursuits

In the first hour after sunrise those who have been out all night make the best of the time to get some nourishment. This pair kept their heads down. Those on Blacka Hill were seen from half a mile off on Bole Hill ......

...and the calm mild air and early sun relaxed them enough to induce some friskiness.

After an hour skies clouded over and a return to seriousness.

Return

A solitary swallow swerved elegantly over the moor this morning and shortly afterwards a newly arrived willow warbler gave us his familiar song. Easter week has also brought back the coltsfoot to the grassy spot near the car park. Despite the years getting shorter for us oldies this spring seems to have taken a longer time coming.

Meanwhile controversy refuses to go away from Blacka. An article in the Sheffield Telegraph raises again the status* of the land in the context of the prohibition on hang gliding in the interest of ground nesting birds; or rather in the interests of the conservation industry and their targets and jobs. It's too much to expect the media to get things right or even to do enough homework to challenge the stock answers of vested interests.

I have no particular love for the sight of hang gliders nor any wish to join them in their chosen pursuit. Blacka to me is a place that I wish to see as a haven for tranquillity and natural beauty. But I believe in fairness and straight dealing and there's been little enough of that from the land grabbing conservationists. Management of this land should reflect the principles of the Graves Covenant which states that recreation should take precedence over conservation where a conflict arises. And when we say 'conservation' we must remember that we are talking not of some happy clappy concept symbolised by cuddly wild animals but an industry whose first priority is the preservation of their own institutions. If we've learned anything from the last nine years it's that. The arrogance of (Un)Natural England is once again behind it all. This (the Blacka pasture land) is an artificial man made and unnatural landscape and they want to keep it as artificial, yet when man wants to use a small segment of it as he has fairly inoffensively for 20 years they suddenly say that he can't because it's interfering with nature!! Intellectually, how can they live with themselves and not be repelled?

* The article refers to 'the nature reserve'. As a nature lover I insist that Blacka is not a nature reserve. It has never been put up for being such and is not on the official list of Local Nature Reserves in the area which have specific and controlled designation.

Damaged View

This is probably the most unfortunate view from Blacka. The tainted edifice of Fairthorn needs no more interpretation; it speaks for itself. The unfinished mansion standing behind Fairthorn has been a sore sight for a long time now. This is the way things are done now: large areas of roof are encased in materials highly visible for miles around and seem to stay that way for ages. Add to that the ghastly power line and you're just glad that so much of Blacka does not have to put up with these ill-judged blights

A dull drizzly morning did not deter a party of hinds from exploring the area towards the Lee Stream.

They are much more shy than the stags, a party of whom was some half mile away. Later in the afternoon one still remained near the northern woods.

Windbreak

Many will remember Easter Day mornings like this. Beguiling sunshine but with a penetrating cold wind tempering the enthusiasm of all but the best equipped. Old hands will know just where you can enjoy the best of the one while avoiding the worst of the other. Even if that winter coat is beginning to look somewhat well worn.

Ghosts

Lichens are the ghosts of Blacka, haunting the woods at this time of year, the days before the green optimism of spring foliage bursts through. Character and interest may seem in short supply during March and early April when day after day can be grey and mist shrouded.

But lichens and mosses can now show off their eerie charms and when distant views are not on offer it's good to focus on smaller details.

The Other Fall

Each of the two streams running eastwards through Blacka has its own water feature. The one on Blacka Dyke is now easily visible. The two are quite different in their rate of fall. That on the Lee Stream drops suddenly and vertically while that at Blacka Dyke comes down in a long series of steps. Connoisseurs of minor falls will want to see both. Much more determination is needed to visit the one above as it's not on an established track or path and for much of the summer leafy vegetation makes the approach problematic.

Not Over Yet

To hear some people speak you would think that it will all now be plain sailing and mild inoffensive weather. But it's only April and Easter itself gets more snow than Christmas.

The new waterfall vista has now become a fine feature of the Terrace Walk. I emphasise 'walk'. No riders - whatever they're on. Now roll on the removal of the power line. Then we can really believe that somebody cares about the place.