18/03/2015 to 20/03/2015 Short Break in Cumbria Great Grey Shrike, Hawfinch and Spotted Redshank

Wednesday 18th March to Friday 20th March 2015
Short Break in Cumbria



Sara and Jen booked a property in Windemere for the week but could only stay from Saturday to Wednesday and, with various family members being unable to use the spare days, Brian and I stepped in and used it as our base for a short birding break in the South Lakes. 

Wednesday 18th March

I zig-zagged my way up north.  On the M40, in the Chilterns area, I spotted at least 25 Red Kites.  Then after a detour to the Chester area, I twitched the long-staying Long-eared Owl at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB site.  My second detour was to Lytham St Anne's on the outskirts of Blackpool to twitch the Red-throated Diver at Fairhaven Lake; it looked majestic in the early evening sunshine.

Thursday 19th March

Sizergh Castle

We were up bright and early and off to Sizergh Castle, near Kendal, to catch the Hawfinches in the car park.  It was essential to get there before the cars  arrived to catch the birds on the ground underneath the Hornbeam Trees.  Thankfully one (of two birds) was showing well just as we got there but we were just in the nick of time as a van and then a most thoughtless birder drove into the zone and flushed the birds.

We managed to see 3 (of probably 4) Hawfinches in the canopy of the trees, with some excellent views in the scope.  This was Brian's first sighting of them in 2015; even more pleasing because he and Kenny were unlucky on the previous trip.  We rather cheekily texted Kenny to taunt him about not being here and what he had missed.

Other notable birds included a Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Dalton Crags near Burton in Kendal

From Sizergh Castle we hurried to Burton in Kendal to look for the Great Grey Shrike on Dalton Crags.  From the trig point on the summit, Hutton Roof, Brian soon spotted the shrike and for about an hour we enjoyed excellent views as the bird perched on the tops of the trees some 200 metres north west of us.

 

We were joined by Bryan Yorke, local patch birder, who gave us some really useful background information.  This patch is particularly good for Garden Warblers and Tree Pipits in summer.  Check out his blog using the link below

 

http://arnsidesilverdale.blogspot.co.uk/

 Other birds of note included a pair of Stonechats, a Song Thrush, several Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings and a Green Woodpecker was heard.

Foulshaw Moss

Next stop was Foulshaw Moss near Witherslack on the A590 near to the M6 intersection.  Ospreys use Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve as a nesting site and Brian wanted to check out this site for future use. 

The Ospreys are due to return in the next 2 to 3 weeks.  The warden was on site and he told us that the reserve is also a hot spot for Hobbies in the summer months.  No birds seen but we gained some excellent information.

Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve.

We spent the rest of the day and most of the next morning at Leighton Moss.  There were numerous birds showing here and some of the highlights are shown below:

 

 

• By far the star attraction were the Avocets and we were not to be disappointed as there were many around, most of which were very close to the hides, affording us excellent views.

 

• The Spotted Redshank showed really well and at one point passed right in front of us at the Eric Morecombe hide

 

• There were loads of Black-tailed Godwits, several Pintails, at least one Goldcrest and one Marsh Tit   

 Friday 20th March

 

Solar Eclipse

We tried to get into Sizergh Castle for another look at the Hawfinches but the car park area was closed in preparation for a funeral of a local personality.  Whilst we were there we witnessed the darkening caused by the Eclipse of the Sun but we could not see anything because the sun was obscured by the clouds.

Brigsteer

Before returning to Leighton Moss, we visited the new Wetlands area at Brigsteer.  Unfortunately we were at the rear end of the reserve and the gate was locked.  One for the future I feel.  

• However we did manage to see Reed Buntings, Bullfinches and a Sparrowhawk as we returned to the car.

• After a late morning visit to Leighton Moss I said my farewells to Brian and headed off home, calling in at Pennington Flashes to twitch the Willow Tit on the way.

What a great trip.  Decent accommodation in the south of the county, facilitating easy access to the local reserves, meant we saw some quality birds.  Brian managed at least 5 year ticks and I was able to add 3 more to my list.




Additions to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Long-eared owl   (180)
Red-throated Diver   (181)
Willow Tit   (182)


Species List for Leighton Moss:
Avocet
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Coot
Curlew
Dunnock
Gadwall
Goldcrest
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Greylag Goose
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Lapwing
Little Egret
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Tit
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Pintail
Pochard
Redshank
Redwing
Reed Bunting
Robin
Shelduck
Shoveler
Snipe
Spotted Redshank
Stonechat
Teal
Treecreeper
Tufted Duck
Wigeon
Woodpigeon
Wren

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