AUGUST

August is always a busy month with plenty of waders moving through.

Last months Semi Palmated Sandpiper hung on until the 3/8 giving time to study it further as opinions seemed to concure that it was a Semi P.

Away from the coast up to 2 Marsh Harriers frequented Tindale tarn on the 9-10/8, a hobby flew over on the 12/8 while a single Osprey on the 24th was joined by a second bird on the 25th. Two Ospreys were also seen over the river Esk at Longtown on the 17/8 and two were over the Caldew river near Cummersdale on the 26/8. An adult Hobby was also present over Brampton fish farm on the 25/8.

An adult Spotted Redshank at Port Carlisle Harbour from the 21/8 to the end of the month was joined on the 28/8 by a juvenile.

Curlew Sandpipers began to pass through as well with one at Port Carlisle on the 23/8 and 2 on the 29/8 then one at Anthorn on the 30/8 and Little Stint one at Grune point on the 24/8 and another again at Port Carlisle on the same day where 3 Little Egrets were also seen. Up to 6 Ruff were also present for the last week of the month at Anthorn with 1 or 2 birds on the Campfield Marsh waders scrape as well.

At Carr Beds Greenshank began to build up towards the end of the month with an impressive 21 on the 23rd and 24th of August, Green Sandpiper were present every day with a peak of 5 mid month and 3 Ruff were also present on the 23/8. Snipe started to reappear as well with up to 10 present. A Wood Sandpiper was also reported on the River Eden near Rockliffe on the 15/8.

Also at Carr Beds on the 3rd and 4/8 was a single Little Ringed plover while at Thakka Flash near Penrith a Little Ringed plover called in on the 22/8/10.

A late Swift flew over Anthorn on the 27/8

The month finished with an excellent record of 1 then 2 Lapland Buntings, always a scarce bird in Cumbria, at Tindale Tarn.

No decent bird photos from North cumbria this month so a Lizard from Finlandrigg instead.