The North Pennine moors are one of those places that quietly draw you in. Vast open landscapes, endless skies and the constant soundtrack of wildlife make it feel completely removed from everyday life. I recently spent a week exploring and photographing this incredible upland landscape while staying on a remote sheep farm high in the moors, surrounded daily by Brown Hares, curlews and dramatic scenery.
From dawn until dusk the moors were alive with sound, from the haunting calls of curlews to the eerie drumming of snipe echoing across the hillsides. The constantly changing weather brought everything from warm evening light to mist, rain and strong winds, creating endless photographic opportunities throughout the week.
The Haunting sound of the Curlew
One of the things I enjoyed most during the week was spending time around the streams and rivers photographing Dippers. Living in my part of the UK, Dippers are not something I ever really get the opportunity to see, so being able to watch and photograph these charismatic little birds was genuinely memorable. Seeing them bobbing up and down on rocks before disappearing into fast flowing water was fascinating to watch, and I spent many peaceful hours simply sitting beside the streams observing their behaviour. They may not be one of the larger or more dramatic species of the moors, but they were certainly one of the highlights of the trip for me.
Adult Dipper on a rock - Blanchland
Juvenile Dipper - BlanchLand
As the evenings drew in, the moorland seemed to come alive in a completely different way. One of the most unforgettable sights was watching Short-eared Owls hunting low across the rough grassland in the fading light. There is something incredibly special about seeing these beautiful owls silently quartering the moors as the sun disappears behind the hills.
Short-eared owl on a distant fence post
Without doubt though, my target species for the week was the incredible Black Grouse. In previous years I had always struggled to see them properly, with sightings often brief and distant, so this year I arrived hoping for better luck. Thankfully, the moors delivered in spectacular fashion. Not only did we see far more Black Grouse than expected, but we were also fortunate enough to enjoy a couple of truly wonderful photographic opportunities with them. What an amazing bird they are. Seeing the males out on the moors with their striking black plumage, bright red eye combs and distinctive tails was unforgettable.
Black Grouse standing on a post
Female Black Grouse on the moors
Photographing wildlife in such a vast landscape is never easy, and patience always plays a huge part. Many mornings started before sunrise and often ended long after sunset, simply spending time observing behaviour and waiting for opportunities to unfold naturally. Some days were incredibly productive while others were quieter, but even on the slower days it was impossible not to appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the moors themselves.
Meadow Pipit at sunset
Trips like this are never just about photography. Of course, capturing memorable images is always the aim, but spending time surrounded by nature in such a wild and beautiful place offers so much more than that. The North Pennine moors have a way of making you pause, listen and simply enjoy being present in the landscape and nature.
Male Northern Lapwing with leg rings
Red-legged Partridge on a stone wall
I hope you’ve enjoyed this short summary and selection of images from my week exploring the North Pennine Moors. If you’ve visited this incredible part of the country yourself, or have had similar wildlife experiences there, I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories. Please feel free to get in touch and share your experiences.
A few more of my favourite images from the trip can be found below, along with many more wildlife photographs throughout my wider portfolio.
The Lonely Lapwing
Stallion of the high moorland