Welcome To My Blog,This Will Be Mainly Used As A Diary For My Local Birding Patch At East Halton/Goxhill On The Banks Of The Humber Estuary,With Occasional Twitching And Visits Elsewhere Including Photos From Mine & Tracey's Walks And Holidays Around Our Beautiful Countryside.
The plan for today, was to walk from Keswick town and along the banks of Derwent Water and up to Ashness Bridge, taking in the scenery and beautiful views of Catbells and the stunning fells surrounding the area.
The walk takes in some lovely scenery along the eastern shore of Derwent Water, with several lovely bays, such as Calfclose and Barrow Bays. The former had a few pairs of Goldeneye feeding and the latter a lovely pair of Red-breasted Mergs.
The walk up the hill to Ashness Bridge is fairly steep and not for anyone with breathing or heart problems, but once you get up there it is a lovely setting and there are some great views of Derwent Water and beyond.
A lovely day today with the following being my favourite photos from our day.
A few days away with Mrs R for our 29th wedding anniversary, saw us heading to the Lake District, staying at lovely Glenridding on the banks of the beautiful Ullswater. The following account is what we got up to on our adventures visiting this stunning part of the world.
Day One - Sunday 22nd
After travelling over from home and the usual stop at Wetherby services, we eventually arrived at our destination of Aira Force. A quick stretch and some warm clothing on and we were off exploring. Now as we have visited several times before and always hoped to see a Red Squirrel we had always unfortunately drawn a blank, but thankfully today was our day. As we approached one of the feeding areas, we could hear a tapping noise which sounded to both of us like a lid opening and closing. We quietly investigated and there it was, a Red Squirrel. It was sticking its head in and out of the feeder, hence the tapping sound as it got a peanut and then proceeded to eat it, before getting another, just great to see and what a start.
We walked on and stopped to admire the beautiful waterfall before carrying on along Aira beck, before it happened again!. We just walked through a gap and there about 5 metres away was another Red Squirrel, this time right in the open. It was just to fast for us and we just stared at each other before the Squirrel bounded off into cover. I don't know who was more surprised, the Squirrel or the two daft humans looking at him or her.
After all the excitement we carried on our walk, tackling Gowbarrow Fell and then back around to the car park at Aira Force, taking in the the stunning, if slightly hazy scenery.
After checking in at the hotel we decided to board one of the Ullswater steamers for a trip up and down this fantastic Lake. It really took in some superb scenery and was a really enjoyable trip.
After all the fresh air we headed back to our room and had some well earned food in the restaurant.
Aira Force
Robin, Aira Force.
Aira Beck.
Gowbarrow Fell.
Beautiful Ullswater
Mrs R
Ullswater Steamer
Every Scene On This Stunning Lake, Was A Photo Oppertunity.
A spare day today while Mrs R was working, saw me heading for a favourite destination locally, Messingham sand Quarries nature reserve.
The forecast had said it was going to be ok in the morning, but by lunchtime it was going to rain, so i headed out and made the most of it.
It was very windy on arrival, but this didn't put the birds off, as when i arrived at the car park, a Chiffchaff was singing away and overhead a pair of Sparrowhawk displayed, with that rollercoaster display flight of the male, just great to see.
As I began to walk, a pair of Crossbills flew overhead and southwest, a first for me personally this year.
The reserve is a very different animal to when i usually visit in the warmer months, but there were plenty of birds to see to keep things interesting.
These included a couple of Treecreepers which gave some lovely, point blank views, a pair of lesser Redpolls feeding on the ground under some Alders, with a small flock of Goldfinches, a pair of Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzards and a further 2 Crossbills, of which one of these birds i managed to take some respectable phone-scoped photos.
Very few insects were seen, due to the cloudy conditions and wind, but i did manage to find a very smart female Gymnochaeta viridis, a species of Tachinid Fly which is a parasite of Common Rustic, Small Dotted-buff & Small Wainscot Moths.
Regarding Wildfowl and Gull numbers the reserve is a shadow of its former self sadly, with hardly anywhere left for the Black-headed Gulls to nest now, as the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust have absolutely ruined their breeding island, what a shambles they are!.
It was nice to watch some 1st winter Common Gulls as they chased and fed over the lake, what a stunning Gull they are!.
An enjoyable visit despite the questionable management practices around the reserve.
An organised meet up with Tim at a favourite destination in North Yorkshire today, saw us visiting the beautiful area of Troutsdale Valley.
After setting off in pretty dire conditions with fairly heavy rain and then arriving at Hilla Green in the same conditions, we stuck around until the rain finally looked like it was stopping.
We got our gear together and after watching the pair of nesting Dippers we began our walk along the valley.
It wasn't long before we were watching our first Goshawks, as 3 males were chasing each other over the forest adjacent to Hilla giving us our first proper views of the day, after a brief sighting when i was sat in the car earlier.
The cloudy conditions eventually began to break as we walked, and then the most unexpected sighting of the day was seen as 2 Hawfinches flew past us along the valley chasing each other. These are the first sightings for us both here and were an unexpected bonus making the sticking it out in the rain even more sweet.
The scenery really is stunning along the valley and it really makes for a great setting to enjoy the hobby.
As we stopped for a drink, I'm sure i had heard a Raven call and then a few minutes later 2 flew past us east along the valley. Its always a good day when i see a Raven, i absolutely love them.
More Goshawk sightings ensued, with several birds giving cracking views, with soaring and displaying Buzzards also putting on a great show, it is certainly birding heaven here!.
As we wandered back to Hilla, a hunting Barn Owl gave some lovely views and a pair of Mandarins and at least 52 Common Frogs showed around the small ox-bow beside the River Derwent. The latter, along with spring sunshine, gave the end to the day a proper spring feel, what a brilliant day out.
The following are my favourite photos from the day.
Hi again, as another month ends and spring is just around the corner, the last month of winter proper, was a pretty decent one, with the local patch list now standing at 105 species.
The following are the sightings on my visits during the month.
Sunday 1st
A visit today to Goxhill in some pretty cold conditions, saw me walking up to Goxhill Tilery from the Haven and look at the Goldeneye flock between there and New Holland.
It was great to see the Scaup were still around, in amongst the Goldeneye, with 9 birds present which included 3 adult drakes, a 1st winter drake and 4 females. There were also at least 145 Goldeneye, but birds were distant and continually feeding so difficult to count.
As i walked back towards the Haven, the fantastic sight of a hunting male Hen Harrier over the fields, certainly made it worth the while to be out in the freezing cold wind. These birds are so special and it is a real privilege to see them.
Sunday 8th
A visit to East Halton today proved pretty fruitful to be fair, with some great sightings during the day, despite disturbance along the marshes from a group of morons on trials bikes.
This area was the main focus of the visit today, with highlights consisting of 26 Russian White-fronted Geese, 22 Barnacle Geese, 400 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 190 Curlew, 1100 Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits and 7 Knot making for a very impressive sight.
On Winter's it was fairly quiet, with the best of the sightings going to 5 Coot, 3 Water Rail, 46 Canada Geese and a pair each of Pochard and Goldeneye.
The only other highlight was a Green Woodpecker in East Halton village, providing me with my first record of the year of this scarce visitor to the local patch.
Saturday 14th
A good walk around most of the patch today after parking at Goxhill Haven saw 64 species being recorded. The main highlights went to a few nice sightings and year ticks in the form of 2 Oystercatcher at Goxhill Haven, a Woodcock at East Halton Skitter, a Barn Owl at Goxhill Haven, a pair of Stonechat along East Halton Beck and another Green Woodpecker, this time at Goxhill.
Saturday 21st
Visits to both Goxhill and East Halton today, saw some nice sightings being seen, with 3 species of Owl recorded. The first were 2 Tawny Owls calling at dawn, with 3 Barn Owls being logged followed by a single Short-eared Owl great to see and hear.
The East Halton Marshes area was again full of birds, with counts including 465 Lapwing, 1650 Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits, 310 Curlew, 600 Teal, 500 Wigeon and 13 Gadwall.
At Goxhill Haven, the best sightings went to a lovely Red Kite as it drifted west, the second record of the year, a Peregrine, 481 Curlew and 46 Turnstone.
A decent month, roll on spring now and some migrants.
Russian White-fronted Geese, East Halton Marshes, 8th.
East Halton, 8th.
Some Stunning Skies At Goxhill Haven/Marsh On The 14th.
A New Year begins on the local patch at Goxhill & East Halton and to be fair, it was a pretty good month with a total of 99 species recorded in 6 visits, with some proper winter weather.
Friday 2nd
It all began on Friday 2nd of January, with me covering East Halton, which included Marsh Lane, Winter's Pond, Skitter Road and East Halton Skitter & Marshes. A decent count of 72 species entered the notes, with the best of the species including a single Ruff, a cracking flyby from a Bittern at Winter's Pond, a lovely Little Owl along the old railway, Barn Owl hunting along Marsh Lane and a smashing adult Peregrine along Skitter Road.
Some decent numbers of common birds feeding along Skitter Road in a wet stubble/set aside included 265 Linnet, 18 Yellowhammer, 32 Chaffinches and 50 Goldfinch.
A solid start to the new birding year.
Saturday 3rd
A trip up to Goxhill this morning, saw me seeing a decent 56 species, with me visiting the usual areas of Dawson City, Goxhill Tilery Ponds, Neat Gangs Lane and Goxhill Haven itself.
The best birds went to 6 gorgeous Whooper Swans as they flew south west over Dawson City, a single Knot which flew north at Goxhill Haven, a lovely Treecreeper and male Great-spotted Woodpecker which both gave some nice views in Dawson City and a calling Tawny Owl and 2 Jays around the Goxhill Tilery Ponds area.
Today saw the first proper snow we have seen locally for a few years.
Saturday 10th
A good 9.5 mile walk around, mainly the Goxhill part of the patch saw some more year ticks being added to the ever growing local patch list. The best sightings went to a Mistle Thrush and an unseasonal Chiffchaff along West Marsh Lane, 3 Siskins along Ruard's Lane and 2 Water Pipit in the brackish marsh between Dawson City and East Halton Skitter and 2 Kingfisher, 1 along East Halton Beck and another later in the day near Goxhill Tilery Ponds. At Goxhill Haven, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew out east along the Humber.
A good count of 50 Blackbirds were recorded during the day and a lovely Barn Owl was seen hunting along Skitter Road. Later in the day a good count of at least 375 Goldeneye were on the Humber between New Holland and Goxhill Haven.
Saturday 24th
Another visit to the East Halton area today, saw no real surprises, but again as on my last visit here, some good counts of commoner species were logged.
The best of the counts today, went to a huge flock of at least 200 Stock Doves in one whopping flock feeding in fields at the side of East Halton Marshes with Wood Pigeons, this is the largest flock i have seen for a good few years and made for an impressive sight.
East Halton Marshes was also alive with birds on today's visit and this included 505 Teal, 350 Wigeon and 363 Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits. The latter is the largest count i have had here in winter.
Other good counts during the day included 750 Linnet in 2 flocks, 22 Greenfinch and 118 Chaffinch.
Sunday 25th
A switch to Goxhill today in some rubbish, cold, rainy weather, saw some good birds being seen despite the conditions.
The best birds were seen in the form of 3 Scaup, a Drake and 2 females off Goxhill Haven in amongst the wintering Goldeneye flock, a scarce bird these days. And a good scan through a good sized flock of 2500 Pink-footed Geese feeding on fields along Goxhill Marsh, saw me picking out 3 adult Russian White-fronted Geese and a single Barnacle Goose in amongst the throng. This is the first time for a good month or so I've been able to get a proper look at the Geese wintering in the area.
Saturday 31st
A cracking visit today to the East Halton area, saw me adding another 7 year ticks to the local patch year list and logging 72 species.
The year additions included a female Blackcap in East Halton village, an unexpected surprise, Coot, Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler at Winter's Pond along with a stunning Red Kite which ranged between Winter's and East Halton Marshes before flying off west, a flock of 8 Pintail which flew south along the Humber and a calling male Grey Partridge along Skitter Road.
The Red Kite, actually landed in the wood alongside the marshes and is the only one i have seen perched on my local patch to date, all the other birds have been fly overs.
Other nice sightings included a flock of 10 Ruff near East Halton Skitter, a Drake Pochard at Winter's Pond, 3 Water Pipit at East Halton Skitter, a huge count of 650 Icelandic Black-tails between Winter's and the Skitter and a smart male Peregrine near East Halton Skitter.
While stood at East Halton Skitter, several flocks of Pink-footed Geese were flying away from Goxhill Marsh after being shot at and in amongst them 4 Russian White-fronted Geese and a flock of 11 Barnacle Geese were seen, making for a lovely sight and sound.
A big count of 34 Roe Deer between East Halton village and Ruins Pond was impressive and other mammal sightings included 5 Brown Hare and a lovely Fox.
Badger Footpath, Where They Had Been Dragging Reeds For Bedding
Watery Sun, Dawson City, 3rd.
Snow Storm, Goxhill Haven, 3rd.
Goxhill Haven, 3rd.
Some Lovely Light, Goxhill Marsh, 3rd.
West Marsh Lane, Goxhill, 3rd.
Passing Storm, East Halton, 24th.
Sunrise At Winter's Pond, 31st.
Female Kestrel Taken With The New Phone/Scope Combo, Winter's Pond, 31st.
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