The weather was really warming up; a strongish dry southeaster was blowing across the estuary; hardly a cloud in the sky. I said to Judith, "Just the day for the outer saltmarsh and the estuary sands. Let's see what exotica presents itself!" Adventure was in the air and the Gods seemed at peace. Estuaries can do this to a person ... it's that combination of sun, salt and sand - no cheap sangria here!
Out onto the saltmarsh, past the scrape - a few Wigeon and Teal still about and 4 or 5 of our colourful friends, the Shelduck ... onwards, outwards. Watch out for the runnels - you can easily break a leg or twist an ankle, if you're not careful as many of us know to our cost.
We found ourselves heading off to the recently repaired 'Extreme' fence as we wanted to see how the repairs and restoration had gone on, thanks to Dave's and Stephen's Herculean efforts out there on the edge of England. Besides, we were in the need to know group - a synonym for being proper pests!
As we approached, we had collected ahead of us, a few non-hefted sheep and lambs from next door's stint. We gently herded them towards the fence. I remarked to Judith that this would be interesting to see how they would return to their own side. As with any group of sheep, there is always a leader. I thought that they would go right to the very edge of the fence right out on the sands - but no, I should have known, they had found themselves a little hole and duly returned to their own stint in good order.
The words 'heft' and 'stint' have a vaguely Viking sound to them, but I could be wrong! Here in Cumbria, there are many words with Viking origins - in fact, Cumbrians have indicated that on visiting places like Denmark, they are able to follow a conversation reasonably well. Not being Cumbrian or having visited Denmark, I have no way of attesting the veracity of this statement.
Oystercatchers, Redshank, Shelduck and large groups of pre-breeding Curlew - the flavour of the day - were reasonably disinclined to fly. They were well content and we presented very little threat. It was so warm and had been for a few days, with strong easterly drying winds coupled with a low tide series, vast areas of the estuary sandy mud had completely dried out and whitened with a fine crust of salt.
By now, we were well out on the sand and had become aware of great columns of fine sand spiralling hundreds of feet into the air, chasing each other across the estuary. Most spectacular and reminding me of the 'dust devils' encountered in the desert. Desert! - do I hear your eyes glaze over? Well, just for that I won't tell you which desert. Suffice to say - it wasn't fun! We do experience these whirlwind effects on the Cardurnock Peninsula - as they pass across taking leaves and grasses etc. high into the air ... usually a sign of changing weather!
We were now becoming rather tired and heat exhausted and didn't wish to let our delicate complexions be ruined by too much wind burn, so carefully picked our way back across the creeks and runnels to the inner saltmarsh and road once again - noting that the Sea Pinks were now coming out and the Scurvy Grass was well in bloom. For the few of you who might not know, Scurvy Grass is so named owing to the fact that it was eaten by sailors on long distance voyages round the globe in times past, to avoid that dreaded malady of the same name - a deficit of vitamin C, I believe. No danger of this in our case, as we religiously take our vitamin C tablets each morning and, of course, do not take long sea voyages to distant parts of the globe ( due to Judith's tendency to extreme seasickness when we have so travelled.)
We reach the road at the marsh gate (annoying for motorists but necessary to keep the cattle in which roam freely on Solway's wild and wonderful marshes - occasionally, the odd uncaring motorist leaves it open and herds of cattle have been found in strange and distant villages, generally grazing on beautifully tended hedges and flowerbeds - Eh, it's 'ard in the north!) All the Warblers were in full song - some of them even posing for photographs. One particular Whitethroat followed us for some distance, trying to get in on the scene! Jackdaws and Rooks were busy in the plantations and beech trees of the nearby farms. These beech trees are truly magnificent specimens of 'many winters' - honed and shaped by years of burning salt-laden prevailing winds. A few, in recent years, leaning so far, have crashed to the ground during very strong gales which occasionally stream across the Peninsula. Those remaining are so grooved and holed that they have become perfect nesting hosts forJackdaws - we call it 'Jackdaw Central' - who form a strong subscribing presence to the bird feeding stations here at Campfield. Fantastically intelligent and great fun to watch - as, of course, are all the corvid family!
Cattle grazing near Saltmarsh Pool
Criffel and the outer saltmarsh
'Extreme fence'- the last post in England. The recently restored fence
This was probably the old root which previously took out this section of fence at high tide. The marsh is littered with such roots.
Non-hefted sheep and lambs making their way back to their stint.
"This way" - very small access hole in the fence which the sheep joyously found within hours of repair. Shepherds and graziers in this area can lose the will to live!
"Come on, don't be afraid"
All safely round.
Driftwood does have its uses too!
Shelduck landing.
Group of pre-breeding Curlew on the outer saltmarsh.
'Dust devils' or thermals crossing the dried out estuary sand - usually a sign of changing weather.
Scurvy grass in runnel.
Scurvy Grass and Sea Pinks coming into bloom.
Whitethroat in good voice.
Willow Warbler well distributed along the marshland hedges - seem to be good numbers this year. This one was fluffing and preening. It had obviously just recently dunked itself in a pool.
Rook guarding nest from dodgy neighbours.
Fine stand of beeches.
Jackdaw's nest in one of the old beeches at 'Jackdaw Central'.
This lay-by is a favourite for motoring birders. At weekends 'book early'.
Information board in lay-by overlooking Saltmarsh Pool.
View of Saltmarsh Pool from lay-by - good for the odd casual visitor or vagrant. "The birds are interesting too!"
Shelduck on Saltmarsh Pool.
Wigeon and Teal having a fly round the 'Scrape'. The majority of Wigeon have gone north now.
A gang of rogue male Mallard looking for trouble.