The reconnaissance was great but the meet didn't happen. There was no real prior interest - drove over to the start just in case - No one turned up.

The black grouse lek is one of the more spectacular sights in British bird watching (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/blackgrouse/index.aspx). The moors north of Coed Llandegla forest hold one of the most important populations of the bird in England and Wales as well as great viewing opportunities.

So this meet aims to combine the elements of walk, bivvy, lek watching, hearty breakfast, walk.

On late Saturday afternoon the intent is to park somewhere just north of Llangollen before heading off north past the crags of World's End on the Offas Dyke path. We will then walk through Eglwyseg before heading north east over Cyrn y Brain (a Marilyn for those who care). We will wild camp/ bivvy near Sir Watkins Tower.

Now the interesting bit. We will watch the lek from the wings of the RSPB hide at the south east of Coed Llandegla. But the lek starts at first light, approximately 0515Hrs, and we need to be in position before that so as not to disturb the birds. So we would get up around 0345-0400Hrs, (nothing for budding alpinists), and enter the forest via the Offas Dyke path, so that we can approach the lek from the forest.

The lek lasts about 2 hours while we will be committed to stay put.

Afterwards we would walk back to Llangollen over the mountain, but via the Ponderosa cafe for a full biker's breakfast.

Full details will be on the web site nearer the time. So if anyone fancies joining me then send me an email and "you are on the list".