People (including nature photographers) and their dogs, are asked to remain on designated footpaths where signposted [IMG] between March 1st and July 31st principally for the benefit of ground nesting birds on the moors. We either want them to stay or we do not. They are too easily disturbed. Birds such as the Golden Plover and Curlew.

I have shot both by chance when they have actually moved within range of me, when I am on designated footpaths. I have an image of one Golden Plover pursuing me on the footpath. I invariably freeze or drop to the ground slowly and wait, if I see something move. I do not actively hunt birds with my lens. Opportunistic shooting only.

I like to keep moving. I do have chance encounters with birds. I may be 'visited' by birds when I am briefly sat dug into the undergrowth, watching or waiting for invertebrates of interest, so I can shoot or video them. I may then be visited by curious birds. When asked about birds, I usually respond with the comment "I only shoot birds when they ask me to". This is what I mean. They do sometimes move surprisingly close if you keep still. I have no expertise on birds.

The trick is to move slowly. And I mean very slowly. No sudden moves. All animals, including humans, are easily startled by sudden movements. I usually advise walking like a grazing sheep, if you have the time and patience. Backing away slowly from anything other than invertebrates can reap benefits. My cameras are always accessible and ready for use. Raise the camera mega-slowly, aim and shoot. Do not allow your shadow to fall on your target. This sometimes means laying down or crouching to avoid casting a shadow (for which I am dressed accordingly to avoid ticks).

If you see something of particular interest, shoot it immediately then move in slowly, one metre at a time. At each one metre stop and shoot again. You know then you have something in the bag. You can always delete images later. I have known some tragic losses of opportunity arising from being unprepared or rushing.

I have a personal interest in recording Lizards anywhere, far and wide. I am mapping their distribution. I have a page dedicated to Goyt Valley Lizards even though they are all the same species (Zootoca vivipara). Age, gender and time of year (season) can greatly influence their appearance (like birds). Some people have thought them to be different species. Our only other UK species with legs is the rare and much larger Sand Lizard.

There are many interesting Moths, Butterflies and a host of other invertebrates including Dragonflies, Damselflies, Tiger Beetles, hefty Dor (dung) Beetles and those brown hairy 70mm caterpillars of the Oak Eggar Moth which everyone is always asking me about. They are found 365 days a year charging across the landscape.

My desire is to create a system I can add to over time, as opportunities permit. There are days when I do not shoot anything except maybe a token landscape image. You never know what a new day will deliver. With this format however I do not feel any pressure or obligation to post daily.

Every image is accompanied by a date which includes the day and the month. That will be of interest to some as it may help inform when to look. That is the question I am most often asked. I also like to record seasonal differences. I have snapped Dragonflies as late as November 30 in the past (Common Darter) and early as April (Hairy Dragonfly in Cheshire West).