Cumbria and Lancs

This posting is beyond late, but I feel it’s time to get the old blog rolling again. A recent trip to the northwest began at Haweswater in Cumbria on 14^th August. No prizes for guessing what for. It was surprising to see a day-flying pipistrelle bat on the walk up to the Eagle viewpoint. Wheatear, 4 Ravens, Curlew, Meadow Pipit and 4 deer (including a young stag) were noted whilst waiting and hoping for an Eagle sighting. The Golden Eagle suddenly appeared around 4pm and perched reasonably close to the viewpoint, before being mobbed by 3 crows and chased by them breathtakingly close to the viewpoint (good work corvids!). Eventually he settled higher up on the mountain, where he could be scoped. Back down at the reservoir a Spotted Flycatcher flitted around the conifers and 5 Goosander were on the water.

The next day it was a visit to Lake Bassenthwaite to see the Ospreys. This is where I first saw Ospreys (probably about 7 years ago?) when I was here in the capacity of a tourist, not a birder. Seeing birds like this had been the catalyst reigniting the YOC member in me and leading me down the path of ‘adult’ birding. Anyway, I digress...3 Ospreys were seen well from Dodd’s Wood Viewpoint, perching, in the air, mobbing Buzzards etc. Also several Siskins and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers visited the feeders, c70 Goosander on the lake below and a Raven over. However, it was packed with Lakeland dudes, kids and wood wasps. Time to move on.

Heading to the coast, Walney Island was a place I’ve wanted to visit and I would certainly recommend it, however it would be nice to see at different times of year. From the hide at the tip of the island an incredible number of Oystercatchers, must have been 1000’s, the shingle was coated black with them. On the island, I also noted 1 Greenshank, many Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, 2 Wheatear, Stonechat and Eider and Grey Seal on the sea.

Hawfinch are often seen from the car park at Sizergh Castle, however a later stop there drew a blank.

On 16^th August, a visit to Leighton Moss RSPB. Again, not the best variety at this time of year, but always a great reserve to visit. A quick look at the sightings book in the visitor revealed that a White-tailed Sea Eagle was seen the day previously (dude with a sense of humour, one imagines..). Two Raven over, 4 Greenshank from Public Hide and small numbers of wildfowl also a Water Rail and 5 Black Tailed Godwit. From the Eric Morcombe Hide an impressive 35 Little Egret were counted and a Spotted Redshank and 8 Greenshank mingled with a larger number of Redshank. A Peregrine was seen in a skirmish with 2 Buzzards.