June

June is always a fairly quiet month but some good birds still appear. The month started with a Green winged Teal at Campfield RSPB from 2-6th June and a Quail calling nearby. Quail appeared at a few places with 3 near Dalston, 1 near Bromfield and another near Longtown in the first 2 weeks on June.

Red Kite over Anthorn was a good record on the 5/6/10 and a summer plumage Spotted Redshank was near Port Carlisle harbour on the 21/6. 3 Green Sandpiper were seen at Carr beds, Rockliffe on the 25/6 presumably returning birds but just possibly still going North.
Two Whooper Swans, both injured birds, were also at Rockliffe with one bird now having been present for 4 years and a Grasshopper Warbler reeled regularly late evening at Carr beds.

A walk at Miltonrigg on the 14/6 was well rewarded with 2 adult and 4 recently fledged young wood Warblers and a Crossbill over.

The last week or so of June proved to be excellent for Owls on the Geltsdale reserve with up to 3 Short Eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls and a lovely long Eared Owl showing well. Cuckoo and Tree Pipits are also both around in good numbers.


For me the bird of the month apart from the owls was this stunning Marmoras Warbler in Gwent, Wales