In the last week, even with somewhat changeable weather, there has been plenty of activity on the bird front. Waders seem to be assembling on the estuary now, day on day: Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Golden Plover and Oystercatchers in ever increasing numbers.
Black-tailed Godwits on estuary at Campfield, 10th July 1710 hrs 2010
Bar-tailed Godwits on high tideline at Campfield, 9th july 2010
Bar-tails in flight, Campfield. 9th July 2010
Small group of Golden Plover feeding on the ebbtide, Campfield. 10th July 2010
On the farm part of the Reserve at North Plain we have seen encouraging activity regarding young birds: House and Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Sedge and Willow Warbler and Linnet families. On the 2nd Pool we’ve watched Moorhens continuing with their nest building - the female now appears to be sitting. The female Little Grebe is presently feeding a growing youngster and there are increasing numbers of butterflies and dragonflies all along the track.
Water levels in all the pools and scrapes appear to be holding their own, with the rain of the last week - all this culminating in a great day today. When we went for our usual morning stroll down the lonning, we were immediately confronted by splendid examples of female Southern Hawker dragonfly, Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshell and Meadow Brown butterflies and Silver Y Moths. I think the rewarding moment was coming upon two splendid Emperor dragonflies hawking over the 2nd pool along with several families of swallows – whether these represent a present danger to the dragonflies, we are not sure!
Red Admiral on brambles, North Plain Lonning, 14th July 2010
Meadow Brown on nettles, Lonning 14th July 2010
Silver Y Moth on bramble flowers, North Plain Lonning, 14th July 2010
Emperor dragonfly (male) hawking on 2nd Pool at North Plain, 14th July 2010
Having taken a number of photos of Southern Hawker dragonflies in the last few days, we were amazed at the way this colourful dragonfly’s marking matched, in many ways, the various foliage that they had chosen to land on. Although in the three examples below, the background foliage was entirely different, the dragonfly’s colouring seemed to pick out and emphasise certain elements, to give themselves most effective camouflage. One supposes that had they landed on some other coloured vegetation the same might have happened. As a major predator this would have greatly assisted in its hunting technique. Also, obviously, it would have been a major protection against predation on itself – say from birds. This goes to show that even gaudy colouring which some dragonflies can be said to have provides surprising protection
Female Southern Hawker on wild roses, North Plain Lonning, 12th July 2010
Female Southern Hawker in garden adjacent to RSPB reedy meadow, on dried leaves, 12th July 2010
Female Southern Hawker on nettles, North Plain Lonning, 14th July 2010
The sun was warm and the wind had dropped. The air was alive with insects. On our return journey home we had the good fortune to come across two cheerful visitors accompanied by our very own Norman Holton. On introduction, they turned out to be Bill Kenmir, Cumbria RSPB Reserves Area Manager, and Johann Holt, RSPB Visitor Services Advisor from the Lodge, Sandy. They had certainly chosen the day – what with the weather and the like.
Johann Holt, Bill Kenmir and Norman Holton, 14th Jully 2010
We, again, ran across them later in the day at Saltmarsh Pool Lay-by, where they were treated to the spectacle of upwards of 1000 Oystercatcher, numerous Curlew, Gulls and Golden Plover, not to mention about 40 Bar-tailed Godwits in all shades of plumage from deep summer red to the palest grey – all basking on the hightide roost, not a hundred yards away.
Oystercatchers and Curlew resting on Campfield saltmarsh, 14th July 2010
Bar-tailed Godwits ( in varying degrees of plumage) with oystercatchers at high tide on saltmarsh, 14th July 2010
Golder Plover, Saltmarsh Pool, 14th July 2010
The Lay-by, full of happy birders – many of whom were RSPB, had certainly given our visitors a splendid show.
Birdwatchers, Saltmarsh Pool Lay-by, 14th July 2010
Hi John and Judith.I am planning a trip up to the solway and campfield marsh area for the middle of august can you tell me if there has been any birds sighted at port carlisle.
Regards. Neil.
Hi Neil
Good to hear you are planning a trip to the Solway. I don’t have to tell you that July and August are not good months for birding generally, but having said that there are things to see.
You mentioned Port Carlisle - are you thinking of using this as a centre? It’s a good choice as it is right on the edge of the estuary. Don’t know if you have been here before! It’s name seems to imply a bustling, vibrant town – infact, it is a small cluster of houses with a harbour, now in a ruinous state and not used as such, but is a very good venue for birders. The old harbour and surrounding creeks often throw up an unusual visitor or two and the surrounding estuary is the haunt in summer, of Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, both Godwits, Curlew and Shelduck (but not yet as they have now migrated to the Waddenzee for their moult phase).
If you proceed along the marsh road, which traverses the whole of the estuary, towards Bowness-on-Solway – just before you get in to the village, the road comes very tight to the river. You will see some concrete railings to stop people falling on to the shingle and sand – a drop of about six feet. At high tide, good collections of Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling, Redshank and Oystercatcher are to be seen virtually at your feet. The best way to view them is to drive up slowly and remain in your car – the birds do not react to the presence of vehicles generally.
Proceeding through Bowness-on-Solway, a reasonably sized village which as you may know is the end of Hadrian’s Wall, though now nothing remains of the Wall to view, but the village has a very individual look, perched as it is right above the estuary … quite unspoiled! On the riverside of the village which we call the Banks, provided with good signs and pathways, there is a well built shelter which many birders use as a good viewing point (with scopes, of course, particularly in winter with inclement weather) for estuarine species …geese, duck and skua migration. Also you may run across one or two birders there at almost anytime.
Incidently, in Port and Bowness there are two good pubs serving meals.
There are several reasonable parking points along the roadside verges around this area which are apparent. There is a proper car park actually, at the very west end of the village on the Cardurnock road, where it sweeps down to the river – not posh but adequate. This car park marks the beginning of the Campfield Marsh RSPB Reserve and is well served with maps and information boards. You are then faced with essentially two miles of saltmarsh and wide estuary views, two official lay-bys (courtesy of RSPB), and plenty of other parking spots.
From this point onwards all the species aformentioned can be seen, particularly at high tide - sometimes even up on the saltmarsh itself when the tides are particularly high. At low tide the river retreats into two narrow channels way out towards the Scottish side and birds can be seen dispersed over this whole area which is quite considerable. I would advocate that you bring a scope or a very good pair of binoculars to get the best out of it.
Progress along this road to the Viaduct which is a promentary reaching out in to the river and now semi-ruinous. It is a good viewing point from the end, as it reaches well out in to the estuary. Be careful, at the very far end as there are large blocks of rough stone. Do not be tempted to walk out on to the estuary at this point as there are areas of very soft mud.
Returning to the road again, continue about another ¾ miles and at the end of the hamlet you will see the North Plain RSPB (inland) Reserve entrance - keep an eye open for the sign. You can drive in to the farm where there is a good car park next to the large dutch barn - again, plenty of information boards and maps. You will then have to proceed on foot down the track or lonning, as it is called – with ponds, pools and scrapes and viewing screens. ½ mile in there is a good hide overlooking wetlands, which I hasten to add are only wet in winter. You can proceed along the edge of these wetlands (well signed), through some woodland and out on to the raised bog where you can traverse the whole of this moss on a raised boardwalk – this is a new feature. I would indicate at this point that birdlife on the farm is very quiet at this time of the year. In the winter it is teaming with wildfowl and geese of all descriptions.
I sense that your interest lies in the estuary birds, so that if you did not stop at the farm you can continue along the estuary road for a further few hundred yards and you will come to Maryland Farm lay-by and Saltmarsh pool – beloved of rare visitors and casual vagrants. I am speaking of birds, of course.
A little further on still, you will come to the marsh gate (there to stop the cattle wandering off the marsh). Do not be deterred by this – open it and carry on. This is a public road which follows the river, generally speaking, but sometimes moves a little inland. There are points of access here and there. Excellent scenery looking over to the Scottish side where the estuary widens out and good saltmarsh walking if it is your inclination to get out to the river proper. Should you be tempted out on to the sands or should I say muds – do so with extreme care as quicksands and rushing tides are not a good way to die – you have been warned!
The South Solway Plain is very excellent: very quiet with small farms and villages. The hand of civilisation has not descended too heavily on our corner of the world. Good marshes and beaches continue all the way along the coast as far as Silloth, Mawbray and Allonby.
Stop me someone; I could go on forever. Note though, I am not in the pay of the Tourist Board – I only live here!
I can only wish you Bon Voyage and good birding.
Kind Regards
John and Judith
Hi Neil,
This is a list of recent sightings from the Port Carlisle area
31st July Semi- palmated Sandpiper seen from lay-by almost opposite the entrance to Glendale Caravan Park, Port Carlisle.
Also Black tailed Godwits, Knot,Golden Plover {with one display call!], Whimbrel, Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher [still displaying on ground not flight display!!], Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Ruff, Turnstone and Common Sandpiper not to mention Common and Sandwich Terns and even a Grey Seal around the Harbour wall at full tide.
3rd August West Common, Campfield Marsh
On falling tide at 1825 hrs, two Greenshank together, feeding amongst good collection of waders: Golden Plover, Oyster Catcher, Dunlin and Curlew. Whimbrel calls could also be heard but not seen.
5th August Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Whimbrel at Glasson Point. Good numbers of waders just east of Bowness Railings including 4 Common Sandpiper, 5 Sanderling, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and a superb summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit. 12 Black-tailed Godwits at Bowness Railings. Two Greenshanks at Anthorn.
6th August Large numbers of Redshank and more Dunlin than last week in the preferred feeding area, Port Carlisle,10 Whimbrel and 1 Spotted Red (different bird to last week) also present plus usual suspects.
1 juv Cuckoo also seen near chapel, Port Carlisle
10 Black-tailed Godwit on the Bowness railings and 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank and 1 Green Sand on Campfield Marsh Saltmarsh Pool viewed from Maryland Lay-by.
7th August 3 Ruff on Campfield Marsh SaltmarshPool viewed from Maryland Lay-by.
Regards John and Judith
31st July. Semi- palmated Sandpiper seen from lay-by almost opposite the entrance to Glendale Caravan Park, Port Carlisle.
5th August. Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Whimbrel at Glasson Point. Good numbers of waders just east of Bowness Railings including 4 Common Sandpiper, 5 Sanderling, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and a superb summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit. 12 Black-tailed Godwits at Bowness Railings. Two Greenshanks at Anthorn.
6th August. Large numbers of Redshank and more Dunlin than last week in the preferred feeding area, Port Carlisle,10 Whimbrel and 1 Spotted Red (different bird to last week) also present plus usual suspects.