Cumbria, Marshside, & Martin Mere

Female Linnet Maryport

And as always Beautiful to see

Male Mute Swan

Mrs W has had the week off this week so we have done a bit of touring about, and making the most of the weather . Firstly we had a ride over to the west coast and a visit to Siddick ponds. All the Mute Swans were sorting their territorial problems out , and there was still 6 Whooper Swans and 1 juvenile at the paper mill end of the main pond . There was also a couple of Heron about , but the wild fowl population had gone down quit a bit since our last visit . There was still some Goldeneye on and Goosander , also one or two Pochard .

Next we moved on to Maryport and by now Mrs W's stomach is beginning to remind her where the little harbour cafe is , so that had to be the next stop . Great, one of my favourites on the menu -- buttered shrimps and toast , all went down very well . So Mrs W is happy again and its back to birding. There wasn't a great deal about but it was nice to come across this Linnet near the beach wall.

So that was Wednesday the 10th , on the 11th we moterd down to where I still call Lancashire (can't stand "Mersyside") and had a look round Marshside . It was nice to see a few Hares about enjoying the sun, and we had Snipe , Godwit , Redshank right in front of the Sandgrousers hide.

Next we moved on to Martin Mere and just in time to sort out Mrs W's food problem again , all these places She knows to drop in for lunch never ceases to amaze me . Now Martin Mere is a great place when once you have left the arrival and check -in area , and the buggies and pink anoraks are far behind, (I do wonder sometimes) . Anyway back to birding, a spectacular sight is 1000 Whooper Swans, I didn't expect there to so many still with us, also masses of Black-Headed Gulls about and a Med gull with them apparently!. The Ron Barker hide was doing a good trade everyone looking for the American Wigeon , While we were there it was seen fleetingly before being spooked by a Sparrowhawk .

As anyone that knows the place will testify there is always plenty to keep birders happy , once you get past the blue rinse and pink anorak brigade.

After leaving we headed for my old town St.Helens and called in on some friends before making our way back up the M6 and home.

Its All in back & white

                                     Black Swan---White Swan

 

What you looking at ? don't know

What you looking at ?

Goosander male + 2 female

The white dot in the distance is a male Smew

his mate is below the surface, honest.

                                                                                                                                     

Had a ride round today covering parts of Cumbria and Northumberland, the amount of snow that's about is amazing. I finally ended up at Tindale tarn where I saw all the above . Other wild fowl included Pochard. Tufted, Goldeneye, and the usual Coot. Another good day .

Buzzards abound

Fresh snow two nights ago (Blencathra)

A beautiful morning again this morning, wall to wall blue sky. So the Westies and I decided to make the most of it and we set off up Thacka. There was all the usual to be seen in the hedges -- Blue & Great tits, a pair of Dunnock, Chaffinches, and various corvids. We continued on till we reached the river Petteril in the hope of Dipper or Kingfisher, I was in luck with the latter, I herd it first , then it flashed past me going upstream.
On the way back through Thacka not one but six Buzzards circling an incredible sight, and very enjoyable morning.

Thacka

Out West 2

                                  Dunnock singing its little heart out

                              Another bird wearing a ring

                                  And now the down beat

Had to make the most of the weather today as the outlook for the weekend doesn't look too clever, so it was off to the West coast again in fantastic sunshine and  a clear blue sky. I made my way to Siddick pond as I havn't been there for a while. The small pond was 90% ice , a couple of Swans and a few Mallard keeping the last bit open.There was a mixed flock of gulls on the ice , mainly Blackheaded, also a Heron walking about at the far side too far away for a decent pic.
             Next I moved on to the big pond, and the first thing I clapped eyes on was two more Swans and Two pair of Goldeneye. As I made my way along the path there was Dunnock, Great & Blue tits and Chaffinch.
             On the rest of the big pond (froze over in places ) there was a good mix of Mallard and Teal with more Goldeneye and more Swans at least one of which was a Whooper.
            On the way home I called at the Dubwath reserve , just a few of the usual on the feeders. But on the beck again I found the Dipper , but the pics I got were poor because of  low light. A good day out though. 

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.