Day Two - Keswick To Ashness Bridge - Monday 23rd March 2026

 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.

Derwent Water, With Catbells In The Background.

Calfclose Bay.

Barrow Bay

Derwent Water, Keswick & Bassenthwaite Lake.

Ashness Bridge

Day One - Lake District - Sunday 22nd March 2026

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.

Messingham Sand Quarries, Sunday 15th March 2026.

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.

Female Gymnochaeta viridis

Male Common Crossbill

Stunning Troutsdale, Saturday 28th February 2026

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.

Local Patching Round-up For February 2026

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.