Stunning scenery

Photos:

Some scenery shots from a drive around the lakes, Black-tailed Godwits at Bull Beck, Caton and a few snaps of a snow-topped Pen-y-Ghent!

4^th March

Early this morning I took Bill for a walk by Bull Beck. There was very little on the river – a sole Goosander being the only bird of interest. The fields on the far side were full of birds though including large flocks of Lapwing and Common Gull. While sifting through them I glimpsed a Black-tailed Godwit just before it disappeared into a small channel. A single bird is a good one for this site and I was feeling slightly miffed when suddenly 248 of his friends dropped out of the sky and began feeding in the fields. Marvellous! Typically there were decent numbers of Curlews, a few Redshanks and, on a small flash at the back of the field, at least 31 Snipe. I tried to make at least one into a Jack Snipe and more than one looked a decent candidate, however in reality they were just too far away to clinch.

Mid afternoon I was walking along the prom at Morecambe when the gulls all went ballistic and the cause soon appeared – a female Sparrowhawk which floated over very nicely. Late afternoon I decided to wander over to Leighton Moss and parked up on the road above the reserve to watch the egret roost. Two juvenile or female Marsh Harriers were glimpsed plus a Buzzard and the usual pair of Great Black-backed Gulls. All told 38 Little Egrets came into roost with the Glossy Ibis also turning up late on though I almost missed it – very hard to see in the gloom.

5^th March

This morning Karen and I went for a drive around the lakes. Beautiful day and lots of spectacular scenery. The only birds I noted were three Sparrowhawks soaring over the M6 nr J36.

Late afternoon, back at the van, 3 pairs of Buzzards were also soaring overhead with Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker also seen. I also managed a late visit to Melling to see the 24 Whooper Swans.