Flaming June – WE 19th June
This has been a week notable for it’s fine, hot and sunny weather. New families of House Sparrows and Blue Tits were showing. A pair of Siskins briefly put in an appearance too.
Siskin vying with Goldfinch for niger seed - 14th June 2010
Link to video clip vwww.flickr.com/photos/46441928@N07/4726121818/
Along the marsh Large Skippers and Small Coppers were much in evidence on the roadside vegetation. A Chiffchaff and a number of Blackbirds can still be heard singing in the trees at West Common. Small groups of Oystercatchers were visible resting and preening on the tideline. The Haaf-netters have recently started fishing on the English side of the Solway and could be seen wading into the water to chest depth, mostly on the incoming tide. Not the safest of activities as the force of the tide is very strong.
Large Skipper
Oystercatchers on tideline - 16th June 2010
Haaf-netters infront of Biglands lay-by, 16th June 2010
On 17th June, our walk down the Loaning happened upon a Mallard with nine well-developed ducklings, in close company with the Little Grebe, crossing the 2nd Pool. Further along, in the Hide Pool a newly hatched Moorhen chick was seen picking about amongst the reeds.
Mallard family on 2nd Pool, 17th June 2010
We had realised that the Workparty were present somewhere on the Farm (a good number of cars in the Car Park from early on). They were, in fact, painting and repairing some of the screens – and making a good job of it too!
Workparty giving 2nd screen a facelift
The next day continued hot and sunny and saw us out along the track on the Eastern Block, to Rogersceugh i.e. from the Bowness-on-Solway to Kirkbride road entrance. As we entered, Stephen was there with the tractor keeping the access track up to standard. It was an ideal day for “Dragon Watching” with dozens of Four-spotted Chasers, Azure and Large Red Damselflies flying. The large male Chasers could be seen going back and forth along the peaty ditches and pools which flank the path, looking for females. It made for spectacular watching along its whole length.
Male Four-spotted Chaser above peaty ditch on Eastern Block
The large expanse of reedy meadow to the south of the track, according to a recent Breeding Bird Survey this year, had been an excellent habitat for Snipe.
Snipe field
Reed Bunting and Meadow Pippit could also be seen on their singing perches with a Buzzard overhead continually quartering the whole area.
Reed Bunting on side of the track
Meadow Pippit on singing perch
On approaching Rogersceugh Farm a number of Jackdaws flew out of the Barns – young ones could be heard calling from within. Being built on a drumlin the views all round were pretty impressive.
View towards Skiddaw and the Lakeland Fells
Looking out towards Crifell and the Solway Estuary
View towards the Eden Valley and the Pennines
As we returned down the track to Rogersceugh Crossing, the site of the old railway line, a light north-westerly wind greeted us – very welcome on such a hot day. The hedgerows on either side were clothed with Wild Roses in bloom. Large Skippers and Large Heath butterflies were seen flitting amongst the vegetation along the path.
Wild Roses in the hedgerows
Large Heath butterfly
As we were leaving the pullin at the end of the track, a farmer had, that afternoon, just finished cutting silage in an adjacent field. We were interested to see two Buzzards on the ground, amongst the newly cut grass – obviously searching for whatever – frogs, voles, worms etc. But they flew off into the nearby trees when we paused to photograph them – doubtless to return later!
Buzzard flying away to nearby trees
In all, it had been a most entertaining and rewarding day.
A recent survey earlier in the week here had recorded hearing two Willow Tits which had been present there since April, loads of Willow Warblers, a Stonechat, Meadow Pippits, Reed Buntings and Garden Warblers.
Other notable viewing for the Reserve were: a Spotted Flycatcher from the track through the wood and a Roe Deer seen from the hide.