Thacka beck reserve

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus ) also goes under the name Waterhen, and when we where kids we called them woggy hens, a corruption of the word water.

So as the sun shone for the second day in a row !!! I didn't want to miss it, and grabbing the lens and the bins I set off for the reserve. On the main pool there was the usual gang of Mallard waiting for any human being kind enough to turn up with half a bakery, only to realise within seconds if anyone did, that they would have strong opposition from the gulls, that seem to appear as if by magic. I swear they have some kind of radar that says food alert.
   The above moorhen was spotted lurking on the edge of the sedge, and at one point was observed actually climbing up the sedge. I thought Circ Du Soleil for you mate.
    I continued on, heading for the big hedge, and the first bird my bins alighted on was this-----

Male Reed Bunting.

As I moved along the hedge more started to appear mixed with Chaffinches, its quite a while since I've seen so many Reed Buntings in one area, in the length of the path there could have been a dozen.

Female Reed Bunting.

Again all these sightings where due to the fact that someone had put seed down. I have to say at this point, that one or two dog walkers have been know to complain about the seed, saying
it makes there dog sick. Don't feed your dog seed then.  Its a nature reserve for fricks sake.

And of course where there is seed sooner or later our friendly Robin will cash in.

I don't think anyone can resist, click click.

To the North of the reserve all the grazing fields are like water meadows, and the railway path is awash with mud and water.
  

A branch of Thacka beck, normally just a trickle, now looking more like a canal, (looking North)

Looking South To the outskirts of Penrith.

And further round a small flock of Woodpigeons enjoying the sun.