Cumbria

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

RE: Cumbria

John Watson · Status: Offline

Correction appreciated, I mis-represented it

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

John Watson wrote:

Apparently, the Rosefinch was ringed as a chick on Fair Isle last year - so guaranteed authentic!
Rosefinch in Kendal | BirdForum

The BirdGuides report outlines the bird was ringed as a first summer male (not a chick) in June 2022. Not necessarily a Scottish born bird but it would be nice to think that it was.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Common Rosefinch still in situ, near Kendal. As I walked down the lane, towards the latest sighting spot, I could hear it singing away. A few more yards and there it was on the telephone wires. I stayed 45 mins, chatting to two ladies at the nearby cottage with the bird doing circuits down the lane and back, all the while up on the wires. Its important that folk park up at Plumgarths Farm Shop and not on the lanes or outside residents homes. They seemed happy enough with the way birders/photographers were behaving but at the same time, I think they will be happy once the bird departs.

steven burke · Status: Offline

I was here in kendal this early afternoon til around 3.40 ish.
The rosefinch showed well on 2 occasions when it was also in full song, first time at the houses along crook road then later at the first house next to the cumbrian wildlife Trust head office. It was heard on several other occasions but not seen.
Also 2 spotted flycatchers .

-- Edited by steven burke on Monday 12th of June 2023 10:15:13 AM

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

The Rosefinch was showing at 4 oclock today. It was singing briefly along Crook road before flying onto the telegraph wires. It seemed to be associating with the House Sparrows. I have included a record shot of the bird which unfortunately had the sun behind it. Closer inspection shows the ring in one of the photos.

John Watson · Status: Offline

Apparently, the Rosefinch was ringed as a chick on Fair Isle last year - so guaranteed authentic!

Rosefinch in Kendal | BirdForum

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

The singing male Common Rosefinch was showing well early afternoon along Crook Road near Kendal. The bird has a silver ring on its leg.

Neil Blood · Status: Offline

On Saturday I went with a friend to see the Grey-headed Lapwing in Northumberland. On the way back we cut across to Carlisle and headed south down the M6, where we planned to check out the Borrow Beck Valley. It didnt disappoint, with birds encountered including:

2 calling Cuckoo

8+ singing Redstarts

4 Pied Flycatchers (1M and 3F)

6 Tree Pipits

12 Willow Warblers.

-- Edited by Neil Blood on Tuesday 9th of May 2023 12:11:51 AM

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

A short detour on the way home this evening after spending the day in the North East (see separate thread) to see the drake Hooded Merganser at Whinfell Tarn near Kendal (fifth site of the day). The bird was easily found and associating with a female Tufted Duck. What ever its origins its a nice bird. Lifer (if its genuine!)

Tony Koziol · Status: Offline

A further visit yesterday morning to Foulshaw Moss produced the same species as on our last visit minus the Brambling but greater numbers of Siskin.

Tony Koziol · Status: Offline

Foulshaw Moss Thursday 17th Feb....

Having read bits and pieces about this Cumbria Wildlife Trust site we decided to venture along and give it a try. I suspect that when the Ospreys are present then the car park will be full most days but today we had it to ourselves.

Lots of birds were at the feeders by the car park Tree Sparrow c30, Chaffinchc20, Greenfinch 4, Reed Bunting 2, Redpoll 2, Goldfinch 9 and the four common Tit species.

We took a walk along the pathway to the Osprey Viewpoint and then did a circuit of the circular walk and we came across a male Great Spotted Woodpecker drilling into a dead Silver Birch.

A further short visit to Foulshaw this morning gave us a single male Brambling just one male Siskin and the same birds as Thursday.

Staying near Levens Hall (incidentally great Topiary) we had a walk around the country lanes yesterday and came across two Raven feeding on a carcass, twelve Whooper Swans amongst twenty six Mute Swan, one Little Egret and Curlew c40 feeding in a field.

Peter Whitehead · Status: Offline

Weeks holiday in the Rusland valley.

102 species seen over the week, in rusland valley & days out to Bardsea (near Ulverston), Hodbarrow, rspb, near Millom and Roundsea nr Greenodd.

Rusland valley. Highlights. Tawny owl, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, tree pipit, rock pipit, meadow pipit, dipper, redstart, stonechat, blackcap, chiffchaff, goldcrest, pied flycatcher, treeecreeper, Raven, house & tree sparrow, linnet Siskin, lesser redpoll, bullfinch, hawfinch, little egret, greylag geese, sparrow hawk, buzzard, osprey(2 pairs),oystercatcher, curlew, common sandpiper & willow tits.

Roundsea nature reserve from Greenodd.higlights. Little egrets, shelduck, red breasted merganser, buzzard, osprey, grey partridge, snipe, lapwing, skylark, garden warbler, reed bunting & marsh tit.

bardsea, highlights. 2x grey plover, bar tail& black tail godwits, curlew, redshank, dunking & more eiders than ever seen here before.

hodbarrow will be done on the dedicated thread.

Tony Koziol · Status: Offline

Geltsdale Sunday 17th Feb 2019, 09.00/11.00

After a good day in Durham yesterday we were hoping for more Black Grouse today. A short two hour walk from the car park to the visitor centre along the Stagsike Trail produced;

Goldeneye 9, one male

Canada Goose c 30

Mute Swan 2

Mallard c 12

Teal 9

Lapwing c 15

Starling c 40

Carrion Crow

Reed Bunting female

Chaffinch 12, 3m

Greenfinch 6

House Sparrow 6, 3m

Great Tit

Buzzard

Mammal; Roe Deer x 1

Alas no Black Grouse, a little disappointing however that is birding.

Off home to try and make contact with the Blyths Reed Warbler.........another no show.

Craig Higson · Status: Offline

Reports today of a Golden Eagle back in Cumbria around the Lake District Eastern Fells.

Mike Chorley · Status: Online

Foulshaw Moss. (Can't find any thread/posting for this site)

Female Osprey just about visible on the nest. The male had been in earlier with a fish so was unsurprisingly conspicuous by his absence. biggrin

2 pair of Tree Pipit with both males in song flight the other highlight of this interesting little reserve.

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday, 30th October 2015. Other wildlife in Cumbria:

Red Admiral on wall close to Derwent Water

Red Squirrel just past to north of Great Wood/Walla Crag

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday, 30th October 2015. 09:30 - 15:00 hrs.

Castlerigg Stone Circle - Derwent Water - Great Wood (below Walla Crag) - back to Castlerigg Stone Circle Wet in morning;

Female Bullfinch x 2 Female Goosander Goldcrest Treecreeper Nuthatch x 3 Meadow Pipit x 15 Coal Tit x 4 Redwing x 5 Fieldfare x 30 Jay x 3 Kestrel Buzzard x 3 Greylag Geese x 30 Canada Geese x 20 Robin x 10 Great Tit x 5 Blue Tit x 7 Chaffinch x 8 Rook x 20 Carrion Crow x 10 Jackdaw x 15 Cormorant x 7 Magpie x 3 Blackbirds x 15 Mallards x 50 Mute Swan x 2 Black-Headed Gull x 40 Wren x 3 Grey Heron Mistle Thrush x 5 Woodpigeon x 50

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Friday 30th of October 2015 04:41:07 PM

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Friday 30th of October 2015 04:53:01 PM

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Friday 30th of October 2015 04:54:28 PM

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Thursday, 29th October 2015 11:00 - 14:30 hrs. Sorry for spacing - not sure why it is occurring and how to fix...

Walk from Keswick to Latrigg summit (and return)

Female Blackcap

Yellowhammer

Goosander

Dipper

Raven

Carrion Crow x 20

Rook x 5

Jackdaw x 3

Chaffinch x 5

Robin x 4

Buzzard

Grey Heron

Kestrel

Magpie x 5

Blackbird x 10

House Sparrow x 7

Blue Tit x 4

Great Tit x 3

Jay

Wren

Goldfinch x 7

Mistle Thrush

Chris Sutton · Status: Offline

1 x Bufflehead (m)
Stopped off at Ullswater on way back from Scotland to see the reported Bufflehead.
Bird showing well in Gowbarrow Bay. Escapee or not it was great to see this bird actively feeding in such a fantastic setting (photos seem to reveal a yellow leg ring).
Directions - Coming from the North from the M6 it is visible from the A592. Go south past the Leeming Hotel until the road runs alongside the Lake. Scan that bay (Gowbarrow Bay) - it was feeding on the right hand side of the bay c. 30 yards offshore. Parking is really tricky. Some birders were parked up on the grass verge on the road heading northbound - but very close to fast moving traffic. There is parking further on but you would need to walk back along the road.
C

Mike Chorley · Status: Online

Oldham Birders trip - usual crew.

Brampton:
Never more than 2 Bee-eaters in the vicinity of the nest while we were there. Plenty of good views of two birds perched and many feeding visits. Also joined in with
Sand Martins (uncounted)
House Martins (uncounted)
& Swallows (uncounted) mobbing
Sparrowhawk (1F)

Common Buzzard 5 (minimum number in view at the same time)
Goldfinch
Linnet
Carrion Crow
Wood Pigeon
Red-legged Partridge 1 in grass directly above nest site
Lapwing distant flock
Jackdaw (heard)
Pheasant (heard)

Foulshaw Moss
The female Osprey has now headed south, but good (if distant) views of the male & 3 juveniles, including 1 bird bringing in a fish and struggling to land with it on the nest due to prevailing winds.
Chiffchaff - contact calls & very brief snatches of song - 1 bird seen in mixed flock with
Blue Tit 1+
Long-tailed Tit 3+
also
Willow Warbler -contact calls
Chaffinch 2+
Siskin 6
Kestrel 1

Other wildlife on relevant thread

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Brampton. 08.30 - 12.30 hrs.

Nice to see you as well Steve.

Plenty of activity off 3 adult Bee-eaters from around 09.00 hrs.

The wardens said that the other nest had been abandoned for reasons unknown.

Foulshaw Moss. 13.30 - 15.00 hrs.

2 adult Ospreys plus their 3 juveniles still present.

Roger.

steven burke · Status: Offline

Hanson aggregates, Brampton 12.45-3.30pm.

5 minutes after my arrival 1 bee-eater showed continuously throughout the afternoon flying around catching bees & dragonflies landing on the fence post & wires & going into the hole. it went missing at times for 15-20mins. a fantastic bird to watch & a lifer smile

on a few occasions there was 2 bee-eaters present & also nice to hear them calling to each other.
2 red legged partridge
numerous sand martin, few swallow & swift.

on route from & back to Brampton train station...

1 female redstart
1 male yellowhammer
4 chiffchaff
1 great spotted woodpecker
lots of buzzards around inc 14 up in the air at once
several linnets
sand martin, house martin, swallow & swift.

nice to chat to roger baker 3 again smile

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

With Mrs J doing the 24 mile Alzheimer's sponsored walk today along part of the Hadrian's Wall course, I did a spot of birding in the vacinity.

Hanson Aggregates Site :- one Bee-eater heard calling and seen just before I got to the watch point. Several sightings of at least two adult birds in the two hours that I was present. Visits to the nest hole with bees/dragonflies, great flight views and at times nice views perched on the fence behind the nest site. The weather was fairly clear and sunny so the superb colours stood out. Nice to see Ian Lyth again with his mate Roger Baker 3 and Dave Bedford who will be a near neighbour of mine shortly when we move to Cheshire. A decent array of supporting birds about also, amongst which were :-

Bee-eater (2)
Buzzard (2)
Red legged Partridge (1)
Great spotted Woodpecker (2)
Sand Martin (c.25)
Chiffchaff (1)
Spotted Flycatcher (1)
Nuthatch
Linnet
Crossbill (2)

Then spent some time in the Upper River Irthing area alongside Spadeadam Forest. Part of the Northumberland National Park and at the bottom end of the Kielder Forest Park. Basically birding from the car, stopping at points that looked interesting. Amongst others here :-

Sparrowhawk (1)
Lapwing (c.200)
Redstart (1)
Wheatear (1)
Raven (1)
Siskin (c.10)

-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Saturday 8th of August 2015 08:07:16 PM

M Gannon · Status: Offline

The bee eaters were fantastic while I was at Lower Gelt, Brampton (between 1:00-3:15). One adult male kept making regular visits, appearing roughly once every 20 minutes. The best part, though, came only 5 minutes before I left; 2 of the birds were flying around the top of the quarry, when one of them flew into the best, only for the other birds to shoot out of the hole. Therefore, I am pretty sure we saw 3 birds today.

What fantastic birds though; bee eater was a species I've wanted to see since I started birding, and they looked even more dazzling and beautiful than I expected. Great twitch, great birds, and lots of great people. ð

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 4th of August 2015 04:36:17 PM

Chris Chandler · Status: Offline

Hanson Aggregates, Brampton 2 - 4.30pm

Travelled up by train & bus for the Bee-Eaters and they didn't disappoint. After a 20 minute wait, the first bird appeared over the edge of the quarry and flew a circuit, before landing on a fencepost. It then disappeared into the nesthole and was replaced by (presumably) the other parent bird.

This routine repeated at regular 20 minute intervals, with the birds giving brilliant but distant views in flight, perched and at the mouth of the nest.

We decided to spend a few minutes, checking around the carpark and were rewarded with closer views, in much better light. Even in driving rain, the colours on Bee-eaters are spectacular and in flight they had a very distinctive sharp-winged silhouette. Great birds and a lifer! smile

Also nice to meet Austin Morley, who got some really good photos

Species also seen-
Sand Martin
Swallow
Swift
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Linnet
Goldfinch
Stock Dove
Buzzard
Willow Warbler

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Drive up with Simon Gough this afternoon to see the European Bee-Eaters at Hanson Aggregates, Brampton.

The main viewpoint is a few minutes walk from the car park field, and we were on a Bee-eater within minutes.
A Lifer for me and a weight off my shoulders after missing out on the Cornwall birds in June.

It very briefly landed on a fence post then took off again, flew round a little then landed on a small branch sticking out of the tree outline so was still on view. Then it flew back towards the nest and disappeared. We then witnessed 2 Bee-eaters in view together, one flew over the fence line and the other flew into the nest.

A 3rd sighting came after a long wait but Made for quality viewing, although we don't know if it was a 3rd bird or one of the 1st 2, who knows, there are 6 to choose from. It posed on the fence post, did a little preening, then we witnessed a few insect catches, which it took back to a fence post and gave it the classic head shake probably to disarm the sting, then another quick head toss had the insect swallowed.

BRILLIANT!

If this wasn't enough, as the Bee-eater was perched on a post, 4 Mistle Thrushes landed on a post each around the Bee-Eater, and right underneath them were 5 Red-legged Partridge.

Other birds of note...
Sand Martin - approx 120-150??
Common Swift - a few about
Wheatear - 2
Linnet - plenty
Goldfinch - large group including many juveniles
Blackbird - 2
Common Buzzard - 3
Raven - at least 1, maybe 2
Carrion Crow - lots
Pheasant - 1
Jay - not seen, heard squawking loudly in vegetation

As we decided to head off, a lady told us the Bee-eater (same one we were watching) was showing better from the car park as the light was better behind it. I got a quick glimpse of it but it dropped down below the quarry line and didn't show again for us.

Met some really nice folk here today, with some interesting anecdotes and info.

Large numbers of Rook and Jackdaw on way home over the Cumbrian M6 and a low flying Swift in front of the car. A long drive nearing 300 miles was well worth it!

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 2nd of August 2015 08:39:24 AM

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Mark Burgess wrote:

Trip over to Cumbria today to see the European Bee-eaters, Unfortunatly only one bird on view in the quarry,
Obligingly perched on the perimeter fence for long periods and occasionally taking insects into the nest hole, Apparently there are two pairs nesting in the quarry but up to 6 birds have been seen.

John Tymon Wrote

This afternoon they were vary allusive with only short flights into the nest and only perched on the fence once for about a minute So Mornings may be the best time to go for the Bee eaters. In fact they went missing around dinner time for almost 2 hours. :(

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Saturday 1st of August 2015 08:58:59 PM

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Trip over to Cumbria today to see the European Bee-eaters, Unfortunatly only one bird on view in the quarry,
Obligingly perched on the perimeter fence for long periods and occasionally taking insects into the nest hole, Apparently there are two pairs nesting in the quarry but up to 6 birds have been seen.

On the way back dropped into Bassenthwaite to see the Ospreys 4 birds present 2 adults and 2 juviniles although
One of the juviniles was gaining its independance and was away from the nest site exploring the surrounding area.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Went up North this afternoon to have a look at the European Bee-eaters at the Hanson Aggregates Sand Quarry, Lower Gelt near Brampton, Carlisle (post code CA8 1SY). Was there for a couple of hours at the RSPB watch point looking at one of the two nest holes and seeing the pair of birds occupying that hole. The other nest site is not accessible to the public. During my stay had excellent views of both birds which were taking insects into the nest presumably feeding young. Lovely looking birds and a lifetime first for me.

The site will be open at 08.00 to 20.00 from now on and the car park fee of £5.00 was well worth the effort put in by the RSPB folk up there.

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Rob Creek and I dropped into to Foulshaw Moss on Sunday 24th at around 6pm, returning from Walney Island. It was an interesting place, appearing somewhat desolate, and possibly could be frustrating to visit if birds were very distant, as there appeared to be no way to get around even the perimeter. However it's there for the wildlife primarily, not us!

We saw one Osprey, presumably the male of the pair, acting as sentinel next to the nest. Of note also a Raven pair, also nesting there apparently, and I saw a Peregrine high over. Hobby and Cuckoo had been reported earlier in the day, the only singing birds we heard were Willow Warbler, no Tree Pipits evident, would have been a nice yeartick for me.

I wondered what would have stirred the Osprey to action, a couple of Buzzards were quite close at one point, the big guy didn't look bothered though...

I liked it, nice and atmospheric, and Ospreys are wonderful after all

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Foulshaw Moss

Quick visit early afternoon to see the Ospreys. One bird on the nest whilst the other was more active, flying to the nest and the lower branches of the nest site tree or just perching nearby. Two Buzzard soaring high up and a couple of Tree Pipit parachuting/singing away to the right of the viewing platform.

-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Sunday 26th of April 2015 04:52:23 PM

Pete Welch · Status: Offline

Out on a boat on Windermere and surprised to see a pair of Whooper Swans flying around and across the lake a few times. I recall there was a solo bird presumed injured a few years ago but hadn't expected to see a mobile pair of birds. Otherwise a real spring feel to the mix of birds seen elsewhere and my second ever Cumbrian red squirrel was a bonus.

James Walsh · Status: Offline

Roa Island Causeway

8th March

1 Black Brant
c100 Brent Geese
5 Grey Plover

Steve Smith · Status: Offline

Right by the side of the B5302 between Kingside Hill & Calvo, in a field with fresh stubble.

200 Whooper Swans
2000+ Pink-Footed Geese

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Over Esthwaite Water, today at 9am:

Two massive skeins, close together, of Pink-footed Geese heading NE.
2000+ birds.

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

Brief highlights of visit with work Wed 17-Fri 19 July:
Troutbeck Village: Garden Warbler, Tawny Owl, Common Buzzard, 3 Roe Deer
Lake Windermere: 19 Red Breasted Merganser in 2 seperate flocks, 2 Oystercatcher
Grizedale Forest: 4 Crossbill, 10 Lesser Redpoll, Great Spotted Woodpecker

Vicky Harper · Status: Offline

Penrith

Merlin
Good numbers of Sand Martin around nesting site

Pete Welch · Status: Offline

Meditteranean Gull showed very well early morning at Workington yesterday - especially after I'd tempted the gulls in with a loaf of Morrison's best! Interesting stage of development with red/black/yellow bill and the black hood not totally developed - its fairly obvious individual as it has a damaged leg - and so I think its the third year running I've seen the same bird - seems to be doing OK despite the leg. I think it's known as "stumpy" locally... photos to Ian when I've sorted them.

Denzil Nicklin · Status: Offline

Hi Nick

It sounds like you had a brilliant time.......and I bet that you wish you lived locally to Grune Point,it's places like this,that will definitely turn up some great birds if you spend enough time there.

Cheers Denzil

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Got back yesterday from a fortnights family holiday at the in-laws caravan at Beckfoot near Silloth. Managed to get a fair bit of birding done too. Highlights were:

Buttermere:
9 Twite
1 Redstart - female.
3 Spotted Flycatchers
1 Peregrine

Wastwater:
5 Spotted Flycatchers - 1 Adult, 4 juveniles.
1 Redstart - juvenile male.

Bassenthwaite:
Osprey seen from lower viewpoint.
On another occasion whilst at Trotters World of Animals we were enjoying a bird of prey show. An Osprey drifted right over us and instantly stole the thunder of the Buzzard that was being flown for us.

Beckfoot:
1 Marsh Harrier - female hounded by crows over the fields.
1 Little Gull - in gull roost on beach.

My main birding place up there though was Grune point where I managed to put quite a few morning sessions in. Grune point has a good history of throwing up rarities but is unfortunately not birded very much these days. It's roughly a mile long and extends up from Skinburness north into Moricambe bay. Skinburness marsh is on its eastern side while the Solway Firth is on the western side. The eastern side is good for scanning for waders and raptors while the centre is covered with huge swathes of gorse and sheep meadows. Great for tired migrants.

Most mornings I picked up a few passing migrants. Mostly Willow warblers, Wheatears and good numbers of Snipe. A few Tree Pipits passed through as well as Peregrines hunting over the marsh. Redshank, Dunlin, Knot and Oystercatcher where also plentiful in the creeks too as well as on the seaward side. Quite a few birds called from deep within the gorse and on one morning I heard a bird that really had me scratching my head. A call consisting of a peep, peep, buzz. I'm fairly good with all the commoner species of bird calls but this one really had me stumped.

On another outing in light rain I also had views of a warbler for about ten seconds as it flit about a hawthorn bush. Quite a streamlined bird, slightly larger than a Chiffchaff but it's most noticeable feature was just how yellow it was. Even in the poor light it was clear to see. Again, completely stumped as to it's ID.

Grune point is a difficult place to bird effectively but it's solitude and good cover and habitat always give you feeling there's something good around. I'll definitely be visiting again in the future.

Anyway, managed quite a few nice shots which I'll upload to my flickr tomorrow.

-- Edited by Nick Isherwood on Tuesday 28th of August 2012 08:12:17 AM

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

Foulshaw Moss

Two Hobbies this morning over the moss. A juvenile Peregrine managed to isolate a pigeon from a group of racers and started to tail-chase it. Give the falcon it's due, it was gaining on it when dad appeared from nowhere and plucked the pigeon out of the sky. It held onto it for little more than a couple of seconds before dropping it for it's offspring to catch.

An Osprey was seen by another group of birders just after we left apparently.

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

A couple of hours in Barbondale produced:

4 pairs of Redstart, with one pair feeding 3 juveniles
Pied Flycatcher, 2m&1f
Spotted Flycatcher
Tree Pipit x6
GS Woodpecker 1m&1f
Nuthatch
Lesser Redpoll 1m&1f
Willow Warbler, lots & juveniles
Wheatear 1m&1f

and finally, heard, but not seen, a Cuckoo

Bill Lavery · Status: Offline

Reply Quote Edit Post

Late posting but still relevant i hope - had a week in the lakes from the 19th May. A few highlights maybe.
White Moss Common between Grasmere and Rydal lakes I had a walk in the wood there and within no more than 100 yards from the bridge toward he fells i had Pied Flycatcher, redstart, Wood Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. All great views. This was mid morning as well. I would recommend this as a great little walk round there as there is a great chance for dipper and grey wags on the river as well. Loads of tree Pipits around. walked round Rydal as well had more of the aforementioned species but lots of Blackcap and garden warbler also.
Saw the Ospreys at Bassenthwaite - you can get a reasonable view from the first watchpoint and i saw the female flying over the marsh and attempting a fish and a paddle. Didnt need the trek to the higher watch point
St Bees Head was a disappointment though as it was shrouded in sea mist but i did get the nesting Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmar, Kittwakes. Rock Pipits very close too as well. No puffins or black guillemots as i couldnt see the sea!!
Heard a few cuckoo, almost one a day where ever i went although they were distant from me.
Brilliant weather.

Steve Almond · Status: Offline

Day trip by train yesterday to climb Whin Rigg and Illgill Head, overlooking Wastwater. Seen from the train between Arnside and Barrow:

Avocet
Little Egret
80 Eider Duck

Joey Eccles · Status: Offline

A walk up Walla Crag through 'Great Wood' on the East coast of Derwent water today produced a few decent sightings. Although the area is apparently known for Pied Flycatcher, a rigourous search of the wood didn't yield any of the birds unfortunately

However there were still plenty of birds to be seen in the wood:

2, possibly 3 Spotted Flycatcher
A single female redstart
Singing tree pipit (lifer) giving stunning views of its song flight down to 10 yards

4 or 5 Garden Warbler including 3 singing birds
c.10 siskin
2 linnet
Buzzard

Blackcap and Willow Warbler were everywhere with at least 25 of the latter

The Tops produced:

3 Wheatear
Meadow Pipit
2 singing Skylark
Peregrine
Swallow and House Martin
Raven heard

Paul Coupe · Status: Offline

Stopped off at the fishing lodge on the West bank of Esthwaite for a few minutes to see if there were any Osprey to be seen and within a minute a male Mandarin Duck appeared not 10 feet away!A first in the wild for me.

Chris Chandler · Status: Offline

Weekend spent around Keswick and Derwent Water

3 pairs Red-Breasted Merganser on Derwent Water
1 pair Goosander
Buzzard
Kestrel
Several Chiffchaffs
Willow Warbler
2 Ravens (near the top of Cat Bells)
Several Skylarks in the same area

Glorious weather for most of the weekend, but still a bit too cold to go for a swim

Pete Welch · Status: Offline

Family camping at Low Wray near Ambleside and good birding at various spots around the lake itself and surrounding area, highlights included:

Red Breasted Merganser pair [quite surprised to see them on Windermere]
Kingfisher
Day hunting Tawny Owl [two owls out in different locations I guess the hunting in the day was due to demands from young birds]
Wood Warbler [heard only wont post where exactly]
Goosander on the river in Ambleside
Goldcrests - seemed like every gorse bush held them

and the usual woodland birds. Also lots of bats which I think were Pippistrelle around Oak trees and Daubentons over the water

-- Edited by Pete Welch on Sunday 13th of May 2012 09:26:41 PM

Jon Bowen · Status: Offline

Visited Barbondale yesterday as part of a grand day out.

Highlights included
great view of Tawny Owl sitting in full view
male and female Pied Flycatcher
2 or 3 Redstarts
Grey wagtail
2 x Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Heron wading up the stream
Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff
lots of resident birds carrying food

No signs of Whinchat or Cuckoo as yet

Lovely area and definitely will be back for another visit on what will hopefully be a warmer day.

Also went to see the Osprey's at Bassenthwaite and had the added bonus of 5 Crossbill near the upper view point