Lots of Interest in Wallabies

There has suddenly been lots of interest in the sighting of the Wallaby back in March this year. First it was the Macclesfield Times and then the Daily Mail published a piece on the 9th July. The Derby Telegragh then did a piece a couple of days later. And to cap it all Radio Derby got in on the act. I'm not sure what has sparked all this interest so long after the sighting. It is weird though almost every contact starts with "This isn't just a joke is it?" or words to that effect.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1198642/Return-wallabies-Pictures-prove-Aussie-marsupials-hopped-oblivion--Peak-District.html

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Wallaby-sighting-Peak-District/article-1155915-detail/article.html

Buzzards Aloft

There have been three buzzards circling round the north west area of the Roaches for most of the day. One decided to have a rest, rather dwarfing the tree.

Less Snow than London

There has probably been lower snowfall on the Roaches than in London, but the Roaches wears her white coat far more impressively than the capital. Much of the snow has blown off the fields and the road but there's still enough to sledge on.

Winter Wonderland

It's very beautiful here today with icy formations on all the trees and shrubs. It is also bitterly cold. It was -5degC last night and has only crept up to -3degC by 11am. Thankfully there is no wind but it still feels colder than it should because it feels damp.

Mini Tornado on the Roaches

There is about an inch of very dry snow on the Roaches this morning. The wind situation is very weird with quite strong gusts very intermittently. I saw one of these gusts turn into a mini -tornado about 8-30 this morning. It was about 15ft across and carried snow about 30 ft into the air. It lasted about 30 seconds before being dissipated in some trees.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The New Year came in with some very low temperatures. -7.1degC was the lowest temperature in the night- the lowest for a number of years- and yesterday it struggled to -3degC with freezing fog. It was nice early on and it looked as though we were going to be above the fog but by midday it had engulfed us. It was sunny all day behind the Roaches so those brave few that visited us and went up would have been rewarded.

Best Wishes for the New year!!!

PANORAMIC SUNSET

The sunset over the Roaches was particularly pretty tonight.

SNOWY DAY

What a difference between dogs and cats! This morning the dogs ran out excitedly and were quickly playing snowploughs with their noses in the snow. The cat - well I now know where the phrase pussy footing around comes from.
In common with the rest of the area we have snow on the Roaches today but the roads are clear as far as the Roaches tearoom.

Spotted Sandpiper at Tittersworth Reservoir

There is much excitment at Tittersworth, even the BBC regional TV have been down because of a tiny little leggy bird. It's a spotted sandpiper which is normally only found in North and South America. It is not spotty at the moment as it is in winter plummage. This picture was taken by Irene Kirkpartick.

Sun on the Roaches

This weekend has been very sunny on the Roaches in contrast to the gloom at lower levels. Those few that battled through the fog to visit us will have risen above it all to see the cotton wool cloud in the valley lit by a bright sun in a cloudless sky. This topsy turvy weather often happens in November.
The top picture is looking down Roach Rd towards Hen Cloud with the low cloud to the right. The second picture is the valley at sunset.