10/02/2015 Black Redstart, Bramblings and Goosanders

Tuesday 10th February 2015
Cumbria Day 1



Carlisle Airport

• Met up with Brian and Ken and headed off straight away to Carlisle Airport to twitch the Black Redstart.  It was by the Vulcan Bomber that sits  proudly at the entrance.  The bird soon relocated to the area behind the plane and we were able to get better views of it as it moved between posts marking the boundary.

• A local birder then recommended that we comb the small reed bed in front of the plane where he had previously seen a Jack Snipe.  He also told us to come back in the afternoon when we had a good chance of seeing a Short-eared Owl as it hunted over the adjacent fields.  As I went into the reeds and Brian and Ken looked on, a Common Snipe flew out and away, followed soon after by a Short-eared Owl.  Pity we had to flush the sleeping owl but what a worthy compensation and no need to return in the afternoon!

Talkin Tarn

• The same birder advised us to detour to nearby Talkin Tarn where we were highly likely to see Bramblings in large numbers.  Once again he was spot-on with his information and we enjoyed splendid views of the birds as they fed on the ground in the woods by the visitors centre. 

• We were also fortunate to see a two lovely male Bullfinches in the trees surrounding the car park as well as a Tree Creeper and a Nuthatch.

• On the lake the most interesting species for me was the Goosander and again the views of the male and female were stunning.

Campfield Marsh NR
Our last port of call was to Cumbria's flagship reserve at Campfield Marsh on the Solway Estuary in the NW corner of the county. 
 

• It was lovely to see Tree Sparrows in my home county.  They were active on the feeders outside the visitors centre.

• In the hide, my favourite sighting was the Pintails which looked majestic in the evening light.

• I managed to add to my year list count when we spotted a flock of Knot on the shores of the Solway, one of the many species of wader showing at the time.

Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Black Redstart   (155)
Knott   (156)


Today's species list:
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Barnacle Goose
Wigeon
Mallard
Pintail
Shoveler
Teal
Tufted Duck
Goosander   (10)
Pheasant
Cormorant
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Moorhen
Oystercatcher
Grey Plover   (20)
Lapwing
Knot
Snipe
Curlew
Redshank
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Short-eared Owl   (30)
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Black Redstart
Stonechat
Blackbird   (40)
Song Thrush
Redwing
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Tree Creeper
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook   (50)
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Chaffinch
Brambling
Greenfinch
Bullfinch
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting   (60)



Thanks boys for a super first day - you put on a good trip!