Thursday 31 August 2017

Solway Firth, the Cumbria side.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend my Daughter and I decided to have  a ride up to the Solway. Sunday dawned sunny and warm, so after a slow start to the day we finally set off, heading up the M6 turning off at Carlisle then making our way to the estuary road starting at Burgh by Sands and continuing along the road all the way to RSPB Campfield marsh. In  the photo below, looking across the Solway the hills of Dumfries & Galloway Southern Scotland. can be seen through a drizzly haze.


We were on the wrong side of the tide, it being well out, which meant virtually all the waders etc where well out on the massive expanse of sand, and even the big lens couldn't bring them close.


With the bins there was a good variety of birds, in one area quite a raft of Golden Plover , also one or two Lapwing, Curlew where dotted around and mixed in with the other waders.



A small flock of Oystercatchers where on the wing,  and the was a  good amount  of gulls , which consisted mainly of Black-headed Gulls and Lesser Black-backed.

Alone Cormorant drying its wings

The only waders the lens could pull in was a few Redshanks.

The weather started to change as we pulled into North Plain farm where the RSPB have a small visitor centre and is right next to the marsh. Alas there was very little to be seen, a couple of days back there had been 26 Little Egrets, another move North for this species, and with so many about , they must be roosting close by. Close to the centre a field had been planted with various types of seed, and one or two linnets and Gold finches were seen flitting in and out, but to fast for the lens.
   By 2pm the weather has turned nasty so it was decided we should head home.


20 comments:

  1. Hello, even thought the birds were a distance away it is still great seeing them. I assume the shorebirds will be migrating soon. The Redshanks are pretty, I like their bright colored legs. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

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  2. It was still worth it!

    Sometimes those birds are too far or too fast for the camera!
    : )

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  3. Hi Gordon, just come across your blog on 'viewing nature with Eileen' and am now following :o)

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  4. What a great spot, you saw lots of beautiful shorebirds!

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  5. Estuaries are wonderfully rich habitats and I always explore them every chance I get.

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  6. As David says, estuaries are great places to explore and many species can be seen, especially at migration time.
    Certainly a lovely moment to share with your daughter!
    Enjoy your weekend :)

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  7. Hari OM
    Well that's spooky Gordon, am travelling down to Carlisle next week for a few days and was planning a birding at the Solway; was checking the tide times but you have given me one big clue here!!! (Up here, low tide is the optimum, but clearly not so much down there.) I would be happy just see some redshanks - am a bit overdosed on oystercatchers here! YAM xx

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  8. Hi Gordon,
    I just came in to see your wonderful Blog! I love your Birdwatching and I love your Westies :O) ( I had one for about 15 years .... and I hope, to be able to have another one soon!)
    Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind note!
    Have a happy weekend,
    I will come back to see more here!
    Claudia

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  9. ...what ever lens you have, it's never long enough.

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  10. Que maravilha esta sequência de fotografias.
    Um abraço.
    Autógrafos Futebol

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  11. Hello, I agree with Tom. Whatever lens you have, it is never long enough. It is still great to see all the birds. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

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  12. Hello Gordon! What a lovey short holiday. Loved seeing the many shorebirds. Your cormorant reminds me of mine! :-)

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  13. Hope you still enjoyed your time at the marsh - the weather is just what it is!
    Loved your last photo of the Redshanks.
    Have a good weekend!

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  14. Hi Gordon,
    unfortunate that everything is so far away, but on the last photo you have been able to photograph some beautiful close-ups :-)

    Best regards, Helma

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  15. not ure you were on the "wrong side" I love the photos that share the light over the wet sand. With birds in and over it. :) But, of course, no bird closeups :)

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  16. Hello Gordon, If you want to see birds, then estuaries are a good place to find them, and although far away, and conditions far from ideal, you captured a great variety of shore birds in a beautiful place, with the Scottish hills on the Horizon.

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  17. You have marvellous birding adventures! I think the prize of a great photo is over rated, when you can simply enjoy the experience and the trip.

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  18. Those red shanks are wonderful -- I love to watch shorebirds and never know the names of any of them. Once I saw a lady sitting on the beach studying her bird book while all kinds of wonderful birds were right in front of her. i'd rather watch the real thing than get a good picture or know their name (but I wouldn't mind being able to do all three!)

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A big thank you to everyone for looking in and leaving their comments, much appreciated, Gordon.