Wheatear with young - Long Dale, Hartington

One of the great great things about this area is the variety of habitats in close proximity. For example, the Wheatear occurs on passage in both Spring and Autumn on Beeley Moor but I have only known it stay to nest on a couple of occasions over the years. However, just a few miles away in the White Peak it is a reasonably common breeding bird in the summer. 
This morning I went to see how they were doing in Long Dale near Harrington. Some pairs already had fledged young whilst others were still feeding young in the nest. Just a few more weeks and they will be vacating the breeding areas as they start there journey south for the winter.

Wheatear female with young

Wheatear male, starting to look a bit worn

Wheatear female carrying food to the nest