A visit to Leighton Moss

We had rather a late start this morning as Mrs W had to go into work early to make some rock buns, so it was 9-30am by the time she got home. The Westies still needed a walk before we could set off , then just as we were about to leave my mate John (from Oxford) rang for a chat and was updating me on the bird life in their garden. They live right by the side of the Oxford canal so get quite a variety of wild life. The latest news being that they now have a pair of Spotted Flycatchers nesting, which is great news.
           Anyway it was getting on for 10-30 by the time we got out of the house and finally heading off to Leighton Moss. The weather was a bit iffy with heavy showers during the day, though for most part when walking around we managed to stay dry.

Spotted Redshank nearest to lens Common Redshank behind, Its good to compare the two.

The first set of pics are taken from the Eric Morecambe hide, and while there the weather stayed fine.

Black-tailed Godwit, will have to see if anyone knows anything about the rings.

They have a beautiful plumage.

Time out for a spot of preening.

                                                And more preening this time a Dunlin
Back at the centre we had a spot of lunch before checking out some of the other hides, although bird wise there wasn't a lot going on. A Marsh Harrier put in a short appearance, and a couple of  Little Egrets showed for a while.

                                                     Red Deer stag from Tim Jackson hide

                                                And also hind, just about to take a rest.

Coming home on the M6 the weather turned very nasty, very heavy rain, and driving conditions were atrocious, fortunately we arrived home safe and sound.

Hot and sunny at Sunbiggin Tarn

Melancholy Thistle

Had my usual walk with the Westies this morning, but the only thing to see on the flood was 1 Coot with 3 young and a second Coot in tallish vegetation so hopefully number 4 chick was in the vegetation.
          Later I decided on a ride up to Sunbiggin Tarn, I was surprised to see quite a few Black-headed Gulls there, there use to be a nesting colony up there could be they are moving back again.

The Swans are doing well here as they have 5 young and are at an age and size that says they should survive

Northern Marsh Orchid

Bird's-eye Primrose

The above two flowers were in abundance close to the tarn and a multitude of others.
       On my way back I stopped to photograph the thistles and heard then found this Curlew, it was making some unusual sounds and I suspected that there could have been another adult about with young, and this could have been the male on guard.

I can't figure what looks like a leaning pose, as if it was leaning into the wind but there was no wind.

It was a really enjoyable few hours and the sun was hot, my kind of weather.

The patch and out West

Centre of poppy or seed pod      

Took the Westies for their walk this morning and had a look in at the flash, good to see the 4 young coots are still doing OK. and also the young Mallards. there was a Heron on the other morning and I thought it may have had a go at the chicks but not so. There are always lots of Swallows about especially on the new reserve and also good numbers of House Martins.  Also last weekend John reported a Knot, this is a first for the flash.
                    Back home I sorted my gear out then set off for the West, first stop Soddy Gap where there was quite a few juvenile Mallard Swans with young and also a tufted duck with young.

Tufted with 2 of its 5 young

Next I made my way over to Maryport and Siddick ponds, More swans here also a few Redshank, these were on the first pond near the car park. Then on the rest of the area there was 3 Black-tailed Godwit Heron more Swans and Mallard and tufted. Also found this Mole unfortunately dead.

 Just after lunch I set off back home calling at Bassenthwaite lake to have a look at the Ospreys, pics below.

Female Osprey , Bassenthwaite

 

 

Always facing the wrong way

Juvenile Common Sandpiper, Derwentwater.

And lastly another colourful poppy.

Return for seconed helping

Yes The Wood Sandpiper is still with us ,

 

                         I t was very active today flitting about from one area of the main pool then to another. constantly feeding. This proves at least that the water life IE water insects and anything that lives in the bottom mud has already established itself.

The sun was out in the afternoon and so it made a big difference as regards photos. For the first time as far as I'm aware there was a Canada Goose on one of the pools. Also the whole area was teaming with Swallows and House Martins

 

Great tit one of a few flitting through a near by hedge.

Look these up in any id book and it will tell you Oxeye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, widespread and common , well they may be common but in my eyes they are an absolute show at this time of year

The forecast says cloud and rain for the rest of the week, lets hope they get it wrong again.

Third post in one day

Took the Westies out for their  morning walk and hadn't been in the house long when my phone went off and its Roy, "Wood Sandpiper " says the text, dam, its cloudy, looking like rain and I haven't even got the car. This means yomping all the way up to Thacker with all the gear in the hope of getting a half decent pic in poor light .

Wood Sandpiper,  by the time I got this shot large spots of rain are beginning to hit my back helped along by a stiff breeze

 Just one of a few Lapwing chicks that have defied all odds of survival
This is my first visit to the reserve for a long time as I didn't want to tangle with dog walkers that don't respect the new reserve.
I am really pleased the way its all took shape and its greening up beautifully, and its pulling in  the wildlife good and proper, Great.
So by 10am the rain is beginning to set in and with no proper protection for my equipment I set off home again.
At some point I'll put some before and after pics of the reserve, its really interesting

Saturday June 4th Sandpipers

Good job no boats being launched today otherwise one flat Common Sandpiper

Decided to spend another day with Les this time taking Mrs W and the Westies, arriving at the boat shed at about 8am. We were there before Les understandably as the Keswick beer festival is on this weekend, say no more.
So first of all myself and the Westies went to check out the Great Spotted Woodpecker nest, unfortunately the young have flown so no pics, at least I hadn't lugged my gear round there.

The sandpipers seemed more agitated today, and even more so when a Carrion Crow made the occasional appearance,

In between bouts of guard duty it would relax for a while and continue feeding

Then we had a second bird on view which I thought was strange because I'm thinking it was still sitting eggs,
this bird seems to have a hole in its beak.

Now she is stood on the concrete from the old launching ramp, then suddenly from one of the cracks,

This little fella pops up, a gorgeous Sandpiper chick. Not the best of picks I know but he was a good distance away and running like the clappers. before disappearing never to be seen again.

This is one of a few Juvenile Grey Wagtail that was constantly chasing insects.
So a good day was had by all, and this is in the same area as the Redstart a few weeks back.

Derwentwater Friday June the 3rd

Canada Goose has found something interesting on the lake bed

On the warmest day of the year so far for  Cumbria I decided to spend some time with my mate Les over on the isthmus.

Now enjoying a cooling shower.

I hadn't been there long when this Common Sandpiper appeared and started to hang around quite a bit

Common Sandpiper
I got the impression there was a nest close by and this could possibly be the male on guard.

And a spot of preening, keep the old feathers in good condition.
At lunch time e went over to the landings as Les had to drive the 12-30 launch round the lake, all good fun and an enjoyable trip, almost like being on holiday especially with the weather.
At three he had to go into Keswick so I dropped him off and came home.