A ride out west

                          Second winter Mediterranean Gull

Had a ride over to Workington docks today and took pic. of this gull which as can be seen has a leg ring on. So made an enquiry on BirdingCumbria, and was told the ring details had been sent off twice but as yet no more info. Apparently it was first noted in August 09.
                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                      

       

One happy little Redshank

                                                                                                                                                

And Redshank on the wing

One of the things I was hopeing to see , after several reports of them being around was Purple Sandpiper. We were in luck as the tide was rising fast but I counted 14 out on the shingle spit, of course there could have been more hidden in weed and boulders. I was quite pleased with the outing as this was a new lifer for me.

                 Couldn't see anything out on the sea as out there it was quite misty, but other things seen during the trip . Blackheaded Gull, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, and from the car Buzzard on post , Kestrel hunting.

Back Yard

Have been rather lethargic of late and haven't felt like going out much, even when the sun has been shinning the wind has been cutting and I'm allergic to cold. People are whispering things like spring is round the corner, more like a long bend. one or two snow drops although very nice to see doesn't mean here is spring where are my shorts, brrrr even the thought sends shivers. So as can be seen from the pics I've been keeping myself amused watching the birds dropping into the yard, or on the bird table. Yesterday one of the Collared Doves arrived at the bird table quickly followed by its mate carrying a small twig , nudge nudge wink wink. mind you I think they could breed in a freezer. We have still been getting the following; Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Robin, Male and female Chaffinch, about half a dozen House sparrows, and one or two Starlings, and Blackbird, maybe not too bad for the centre of Penrith. And a mention of the Westies for a change , Misty became one year old in January, and Kyfer will be four in May. The two pics of them are the before and after shots, as last Thursday they went for a hair cut , so they look a pit poncey at the moment. Well more snow forecast over the next few days , but hopefully Friday will be fine as Mrs W has got the day off and we can get out and do some real birding, finger crossed.

A walk round Thacka

Had a walk round Thacka this morning , a beautiful warm sunny morning after a frosty and misty start.
    Starting off along the hawthorns,there was Redpoll, Brambling, Blue & Great tits and Chaffinch. By the cottages a small flock of House sparrows (resident there) . On the flood 27 Lapwing stood on the ice, along with 3 Common Gulls, also 100 Lapwing flew over.There was a good smattering of Crows and Jackdaws about and a lone Buzzard circled over at one point. There was hundreds of Starling flying around and at least 20 to 30 Fieldfare.

Out and about in the car

Mrs W and I went for a tour around in the car this afternoon, making our way firstly up to Hartside. Long before we reached the top we had hit the mist, and so I wasn't expecting to see much. We continued our journey heading in the direction of Alston, and slowly got below the mist line, soon after seeing our first Black Grouse. Shortly after this we took a left hand turn and headed into Northumberland, and more grouse. This time a small party of 5 males they looked really good, but soon got nervous once the camera came out.

              Next we had a quick look in at Talkin tarn and found what for me is probably the largest roost of gulls I have ever seen , there was also a good selection of wildfowl including Goosander and Goldeneye.

              All in all not a bad afternoon.

Penrith Surprise

Having a wonder round Penrith this morning as you do and blow me what did I see sat in front of me a beautiful Black Redstart , had excellent views as it pottered about on the ground feeding. also close by a Grey Wagtail.
In the afternoon I went for a walk round the Cemetery, but it was dead, (brilliant I don't know how I think of um.) Later I had a walk round Whinns pond but that was as quiet as the grave as well , might as well keep the theme going. Hope there are better things to come

Out and about

Had a wonder about today, going up to Hartside to have a look at the conditions up there , and as you can see there is still plenty of snow about, in places it was 4 to 5 ft. higher than the car. When I got out to take some pics the wind was cutting so didn't hang around too long.
I also had a ride over to have a look at the new nature reserve at Dubwath, its not that big but has good potential. There is a raised board walk all the way round and a large number of bird feeders doing a good trade. I didn't see anything other than the usual birds attracted to the feeders.
The sun shone for most of the time but the wind took the fun out of the outings.

Thacka & Penrith nature reserve

Had a walk round Thacka yesterday morning , along the hawthorns there was still some Bramblings about mixing with the Chaffinches, there was also some Goldfinch along the same stretch and 1 Fieldfare . On the bottom flood (still a sheet of ice) the mixed flock of gulls were still there and that was about it .
In the afternoon Mrs W and I had a walk round the nature reserve just off Beacon Edge rd. the whole wood was quiet until we came across a mixed flock of tits which included 2 Goldcrest . unfortunately there was only one of the flock that stayed still long enough to get a pic. of , the Great tit. There other pics are of the Westies Kyfer & Misty enjoying the snow before it all melted, although there is still plenty on the Lake fells and the Pennines.