Mid March to the End of April

Well its been 6 weeks rather than 2 since my last post and I can only blame computer troubles, at least I should have plenty to write about in this post as this period cover both the spring migrants and the start of the Skua passage.

The first of the Sand Martins arrived on the 17/3/10 with 4 at Cummersdale near Carlisle, Swallows were not for behind with one over the river at langwathby on the 20/3 quite early. Swifts had to wait a while longer to arrive but were still early with 3 in Stanwix, Carlisle on the 23/4 and good numbers in by the 29/4 again this was early.

Our other expected March Migrant the Chiffchaff arrived in small numbers on the 20/3 with the Willow Warbler early to arrive on the 6/4/10. Blackcaps in contrast seem to sneak in almost unnoticed.

The rest of the migrants waited until April though in the case of Common Sandpiper only just with one at Carr beds on the 1/4 with the first of the passage Greenshanks there on the 23/4.
Whimbrel appeared in small numbers on the same day with 15 at Longtown on the Esk and continued to be reported in good numbers with 130 near Port Carlisle on the 30/4. A Green Sandpiper reappeared at CArr beds on the 11/4 and was seen regularly until the last week of the month.

Yellow Wagtail reappeared fairly early on the 10/4 with a male on the Esk and a good count of 5 males there on the 28/4. While counts of 14 White Wagtails at Carr Beds and 10 at Longtoown in the last week of April seemed large to me.

Pied Flycatcher was also in by the 12/4 in Lower Gelt woods and Grasshopper Warbler made it this far north by the 18/4. Whitethroat was first reported near Carlisle on the 21/4 and the first Lesser Whitethroats were at Bowness NR and North Plain on the 23/4.

The Bass lake Ospreys had returned by the 1/4 and settled into nest building straight away. While passage Ospreys were reported in big numbers with 8 through the Carr Beds/Rockliffe area in the week of the 17-24th April and 3 reported in an hour from the Dalston area on the 21/4, one through tindale tarn on the 27/4 and one over the M6 Eden bridge on the 23/4. Here is one of the Carr Beds birds flying overhead.



Other passage waders this April included Spotted Redshank in Port Carlisle harbour on the 12/4. Curlew sandpiper a summer plumage bird on 28/4 Bowness Railings and 2 different Little Stints, one on 26/4 one on the 28/4 both at Bowness railings with the big Dunlin flock.

Also on the move and taking advantage of the good soaring weather were a Crane on the 10/4 over Lanercost and a White Stork over Carlisle/Wigton on the 11/4.

Whooper Swans moved out at the end of the first week of April with 28 still reported at Lessonhall, while good numbers of Pinkfeet and some Barnacle Geese remained to the end of the month. 2 excellent geese records of Snow Goose and Greenland White Front in with c200 Pinks in field to the north of the road at Longcroft came on the 9/4/10. While a Bean Goose was at Whiterigg on the 4/4.

A Garganey was at Easton on a small flash on the 15/4 and remained a few days, then a pair of Gargeney were at North Plain from the 29/4 though hard to see in the long reeds. Also at North Plain were up to 70 black Tailed Godwits some in lovely summer dress and a Little Egret on the 11/4 while a Marsh Harrier was reported on the 23/3.

Last but not least came the Skua Passage. It started for me with a Bonxie on the 5/4 the the Pomarine Skuas began on the 16/4 with 2 past the Viaduct. Then a run of moderate SW winds brought 6 Pomarine Skua past Bowness on the 26/4 with 1 each of Artic and Great Skua and a bonus of 3 Little Gulls and c90 Scoter. The 27/4 saw 2 Pomarines past and the 28/4 5 poms with another Great and Another Artic skua past. The 29/4 and the 30/4 both produced a single pomarine Skua with another Great Skua on the latter date. The wind then swang swung northerly and the passage ceased.

It also sees the start of the butterflies hatching this month and I had my first Orange Tip on the 19/4, Large White on the 17/4 and this lovely green Hairsteak on the 21/4.

Mid Feb to Mid March

Very quite again for the last few weeks with very few records.

On Grune Point a flock of 150+ Twite on the 17/2 was a good count though there has been little else there with Scaup numbers low, 4 on the 28/2 and Pintail numbers also poor, 12 on the 28/2. On the plus side 25 Yellowhammer was a reasonably good number.

Further down the coast the regular wintering Purple Sandpipers at Workington gave a count of 25+ on the 18/2 and 2 Med Gulls were also present.

Away from the coast the pair of Smew were on Tindale Tarn from the 15/2 until at least the 7/3 with a female on Talkin Tarn on the 27/2. A drake Smew and 2 Redheads were then located on Longtown ponds on the 8/3 and a drake and single redhead were still present on the 13/3.

At Carr Beds even low water levels didnt bring many birds but a Green Sandpiper on the 19/2 was good and a small flock of c30 whooper Swans remained throughout. On the same day about 3000 Barnacle Geese were present at Cardurnock and had in them a single leucistic bird again, just visible in the middle of the photo below.



A walk at Armathwaite on the 4/3 saw 3 Crossbills, c40 Siskin and a Dipper with a few spring flower such as Celandine, Crocus and Aconite starting to appear.

The 13/3 also brought the interesting news of a White Stork roosting on buildings by the Railway in upperby, Carlisle though the bird was reported to be ringed on both legs.

Hopefully the next few weeks will bring the migrants flooding in

Mid Jan to Mid Feb

Well it seemed quiet in North Cumbria for the last month and I've been away as well so I thought I'd do a long summary instead of two shorter ones. In Mid January it was cold still with plenty of snow and ice around but by mid February it was mild damp and a feeling of spring was just beginning.

A trip to Grune point on the 17/1/10 was well rewarded as usual with a ring tail Hen Harrier, Peregrine, a wintering Greenshank, about 25 Twite, lots of Knot and Bar Tailed Godwits, 8 Scaup and a Ruff though this last bird was only seen by others.





Away from the coast the Black Redstart that had been occasionally reported from Penrith was relocated feeding on waste ground next to the Post Office and showed well until the first week of February though viewing was tricky through the fence.

At Carr Beds a really good count of 65 Yellowhammer on several days brightened up a quiet patch with little other than a fly through Merlin, a few Whooper Swans and c20 Goldeneye around otherwise.

The Drake and Red head Smew were present on Talkin Tarn until the 19/1 when they relocated to Tindale Tarn and were still present there on at least the 09/02.

A Waxwing in an Irthington garden on the 12/2/10 could be the start of a late influx as decent numbers have started to arrive on the east coast in the last week.

Other than the above there really was very little reported, 2 Med Gulls at Workington and 6 Crossbills over Gowk Bank the only other things of note.

Hard Frozen Early January

Still hard frozen for the first week of January North Cumbria started to produce some birds in unusual places. The Red Throated Diver was still present at Carr beds on the 3/1/10 but was starting to look unwell as this picture of it hauled out on a very cold morning shows. i didn't see it subsequently but was pleased to hear it had been seen fishing the following day downriver. It or another was reported from the M6 motorway bridge over the Eden on the 10/1/10.

Also on the River Eden 2 Smew were on the river near Cargo on the 3/1/10, a RT Hen Harrier was also seen and further up river a Common Sandpiper was reported. A walk from Cargo to Rockliffe on the 11/1/10 produced 126 Goldeneye, 23 Goosander and a single Jack Snipe.

At Port Carlisle harbour the long staying Long Billed Dowitcher was still present up to the 5/1/10 when the harbour itself froze and its feeding area was covered, it has not been seen since.

Two Spotted redshank were present on New Years day, as was a Little Egret, though only 1 Spotted Redshank was seen after that until the big freeze.


Also on New years day I was lucky enough to get this nice photo of a Leucistic Barnacle Goose near Cardurnock and on the Saltmarsh opposite Anthorn a single Pale Bellied Brent Goose was present.


After the 5/1/10 the hard freezing weather meant fewer birds were reported and travel became tricky again. but a few hardy souls still ventured out and a good count of 47 Purple Sandpiper was recorded at Workington, Bittern and Water rail were seen at Siddick Ponds on the ice on the 8/1/10 and on the same day 3 Short Eared Owls and good numbers of Black Grouse (87) were reported from the Tindale Tarn area.

A thaw began on the 10/1/10 but birds remained few and far between as the ground and frozen pools took several more days to thaw. However Campfield RSPB came up trumps even though the pools remained frozen a good bird was still found on the 13/1/10 when a Snow Goose was present with c500 Pinkfeet. On the same day at Penrith a Black Redstart was reported and had apparently been around for at least a week.

Back on the coast at Grune Point a cold walk on the 5/1/10 saw Ring tailed Hen Harrier and 2 Peregrine hunting the saltmarsh while a single Little Stint was with the waders and a single Brambling still with the small Chaffinch flock. Only 4 Scaup, 30 Pintail and c500 Widgeon were present in a poor show for ducks but a Fox stalking them out on the marsh and in view for ages made a lovely sight against the snow.

The cold weather also meant Woodcock became more visible with 1 seen at Jockey shield on the 8/1/10 and another at Demesne Marsh on the same day, at least 2 in the area of north Plain farm on the 13/1/10 and 2 from Finlandrigg Woods on the 7/1/10.

Finally the pair of smew reappeared at Talkin Tarn as it slowly defrosted on the 13/1/10 and were still present on the 15/1/10.

Last Two weeks of the Year

The second half of December was freezing in Cumbria, heavy snowfall followed by freezing temperatures and tricky travelling but if anything it made the birding better.

The Long Billed Dowitcher remained in the vicinity of Port Carlisle harbour throughout and was often joined by a Spotted Redshank and up to 2 Little Egrets, with a nice group of 95 Scaup floating past on the 18/12.




The drake Smew remained on Longtown ponds and the female Long tailed Duck was still on talkin Tarn on the 22/12 but had gone by the 26/12. Brambling numbers at the Tarn rose to 200 on the 19/12 but no more than 40 were reported after that, while a Kingfisher and up to 38 Goosander were seen. A Nuthatch was also showing very well.

On the Solway on the 18/12 5 Little Egrets were on the saltmarsh either side of the inland end of the Viaduct while a walk at Grune Point on the same day saw 2 Little stints again overwintering at this site and a Jack Snipe in the marshy grass. Another walk at Grune on the 29/12 on a hard frozen day saw 2 Peregrines, a ring tail Hen harrier, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, a Little Stint, c20 Twite, c3000 Barnacle Geese and a single Brambling with a flock of c20 Chaffinches. Also a small group of Fieldfares were feeding on the frozen turf allowing some nice photos.

A Bittern was seen at Siddick Pond, Workington on the 30/12.


The month ended for me with a nice Red Throated diver at Carr Beds on the 30/12 with a female Scaup and a Jack Snipe also present. Other walks at Carr beds on the 25/12 and 26/12 produced a Jack Snipe on both days and a Little Egret and 2 Otters on the latter date.

HAPPY NEW YEAR HOPE ITS GOOD TO EVERYONE CHEERS NICK

Start of Winter

The first half of December finally brought some dry bright weather mixed in with the usual fog and drizzle. The Long Billed Dowitcher was still around somewhere throughout the fortnight but wasnt pinned down again until the 12/12/09, it then showed well in Port Carlisle harbour for the next few days, unusually allowing me to get a second go at photos.

New birds this fornight included a lovely female Long Tailed Duck found on Talkin Tarn on the 2/12 it remained until at least the 14/12 showing well but feeding continuously and spending amazing length of time underwater. Also present on the Tarn were up to 28 goosander though numbers fluctuated.

Also inland a drake Smew was found on the largest of Longtown pools on the 13/12 and was still present the following day, as were 8 Gadwall, 7 goosander and at least 20 goldeneye.

Those watching the Long Billed Dowitcher on the 13/12 also found a close in Great Northern Diver and in Port Carlisle harbour itself a Little Egret and a Spotted Redshank both showed well.

Nearby at North Plain/Campfield Marsh the largest ever roost of 224 Whooper Swans came into the pools at the top of the Lonnen on the 8/12, also present recently have been up to 2 male Hen Harriers, a Little Egret and good numbers of Teal and Widgeon with at least 30 Pintail present on the 13/13.

Two Water Pipits were also reported here on the 12/12 with Meadow Pipit on the flash on the east of the track.

On Grune Point the Snow Bunting could not be relocated but 2 Merlins and a Peregrine, a dozen Scaup, a good count of 22 Grey Plover and a big roost of Knot and Bar Tailed Godwits were decent reward for a cold day on the 4/12/09. While on the very misty day of 10/12 little could be seen but a flock of c30 Twite were very vocal on the end of the point.

Further down the coast 2 Bitterns were reported at their regular wintering site of Siddick Pond, Workington on the 12/12 with one seen again on the 13/12.

Late November

The second half of the month started with floods and ended with the first frosts, typical for November.

Whooper Swans were present in good numbers with a lovely herd of 102 present on roadside floods near Calvo on the 30/11 and good numbers at Beaumont throughout with a maximum count there of 185 on the 23/11.

The long billed Dowitcher remained at Port carlisle harbour on the 16 and 17/11 and was reported again on the afternoons of the 23/11 and 27/11 though typically there was no sign of it on the morning of the 23/11 when I went for another look.

Up to 2 Little egrets were present intermittently throughout the fortnight in Port Carlisle harbour and the Spotted Redshank was present until the 20/11/09 but not subsequently.
Twite also put in a good show with 40 in the harbour on the 23/11 and counts of 50+ and 25 near Anthorn Masts. While on a walk along Grune Point on the 30/11/09 a big flock of 140+ twite flew from the saltmarsh over the point and back again.

Also on Grune point on the 30/11/09 I found a lovely little Snow Bunting right at the end in the same place as the previous two years, also present on the marsh were a Peregrine and huge flocks of knot and Bar Tailed Godwit with 8 Scaup in the channel east of the point.

At North Plain hide up to 3 Hen Harriers including 2 males were reported some days while a count of 114 Shoveler on the 23/11 was high and up to 90 Whooper Swans roosted each evening. 2 Little Egrets also dropped in briefly on the first pool on the 30/11 before flying out towards the saltmarsh

Huge numbers of fieldfares gathered on the Hawthorn bushes on Burgh Marsh edge with at least 750 there on the 30/11/09.

With Carr Beds still under a lot of flood water the only decent sightings from the area were 103 Goldeneye on the river at Rockliffe and opposite Redhills Farm on the Beaumont side 3 Jack Snipe were flushed from the reeds with c20 Snipe.