Soggy ospreys

A walk on the 4th June from ravenstone manor to bassenthwaite lake and then upto the osprey viewpoint. Heard cuckoos on the trip down to the church. Just about saw the nest but by then raining. Cats and dogs so no ospreys. 

Loweswater cuckoos

An early evening walk around Loweswater with at least 4 cuckoos calling but not making themselves seen. A couple if buzzards drifting over in the evening sunshine. 3rd June 2014

Skiddaw ridge walk

Lovely walk from back of ravenstone manor upto ridge leading to skiddaw . Did 3 peaks at about 2400 feet. Lots of mippits and heard our first cuckoo of the spring. Kestrel and buzzard soaring. Highlight was a female ring ouzel at the summit. A few sis joins around the osprey viewpoint but no ospreys sighted.

Foulshaw Ospreys

Thursday 29th May. Finally caught up with the ospreys on the Kent at Foulshaw moss. Long distance but could see the male low down in a dead tree eating a fish and a distant view of the nest. Occasionally the female would pop its head up as she incubates the eggs. They are anticipated to hatch within ten days so hope to catch them fishing on the river when we return from Greece. 

Warton Beer Festival

Walked over to Warton via Leighton Moss, Leighton Hall and Warton Crag. Nothing scarce but some good views of commoner birds. A common sandpiper alighted briefly in front of the public hide. Many singing Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers. A great spotted woodpecker alighted on a telegraph pole looking for grubs and many singing blackcaps and garden warblers on Warton Crrag. Excellent beer festival in the bright sunshine!

Garden Warbler

Sunday morning ( 18th May) a garden warbler in full song in the grounds of the sheltered housing. Almost a house tick!

Harewood Kites

A rain soaked trip to Harewood House on the 22nd May. Red Kites much in evidence despite the weather and Canada geese with goslings on the lake. Splendid Great Crested Grebe and lots of swallows, house and sand martins.

Barbondale walk

Tried the traditional walk around Barbondale in the early evening but very windy keeping the birds out of the way. At the start of the walk, the field was being prepared for the Barbon hill climb event. The walk was eventful as we noticed at the 2 mile mark that half of Chris's new binoculars had fallen off along the trail ( Leica replaced them with a new pair). A nice dipper in the beck at the start was the birding highlight. A couple of pied flycatchers and a tree pipit flew across our path and redstarts were heard but not seen. Many willow warblers in song but basically the strong winds meant it was our least productive Barbon walk.

Sculpture Park

Another rain soaked day out to Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Splendid venue though and must return in better weather. Only birding of note was a heronry on the island in the lake.

New Barnes Peregrine

Made it back to Arnside on the 24th May via ash court visit. Rewarded with soaring peregrine over New Barnes bay.