Oh dear! it’s got round to August again. The birds down the Lonning have generally fallen silent, busy raising and feeding their young - but if one walks along quickly and quietly, you can run across small parties of young in the hedges waiting to be fed by their industrious parents: Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warblers and Whitethroat. Near the field of specially grown grain, Goldfinches, Tree and House Sparrows and plenty of Great Tits this year, have all been observed. It has been good for insects though. When the sun chooses to shine, they can be seen over the meadows in great numbers and on specially hot days out come the Small Coppers and Wall Browns, the Peacocks and Red Admirals basking on the bramble flowers. Our friends the Southern Hawker Dragonflies can be seen at various points along the Lonning. They seem to be very territorial and by late summer have almost become old friends, coming to greet you and fly around inspecting - even landing on you. Ideal for photography, though it’s not everyone’s cup of tea to have a huge dragonfly landing on their arms. Ladies run shrieking off down the lonning - but they are totally harmless to humans! The insects that make me run are the Clegs of which there have been a great number this summer. They are particularly virulent and arrive silently and land quietly. You don’t feel them at all until that sudden penetrating bite when they have injected that anticoagulant into your bloodstream and have happily consumed ‘3 pints’ of your blood. If you aren’t a Buddhists, you swot them - but it's too late, the damage is done and the red weal that they leave, stays with you itching for weeks. In my opinion, they are a close contender to the great Scottish Midge, for the title of ‘horrid'. They are, of course, associated with cattle of which we have many roaming our salt marshes - a necessary conservation tool to control vegetation levels for all sorts of reasons. But the poor dears are horribly plagued in summertime by Clegs and Midges and are prone to leave the saltmarshes and wander onto the Estuary flats (tide permitting) to escape onto the cool breezy levels where they will happily spend the day - often stood up to their knees in the cool waters of the creeks.. This, of course, is a mixed blessing for the grazier as he sends them out for the summer to fatten up on the wonderful grasses and herbs, which they do not do out on the sands. The shepherd can be seen from time to time, driving them back onto the saltmarsh with cries of ‘eat your greens’ although I‘m not quite sure what he actually says to them - but he is definitely shouting something! Anyway, they reluctantly move, but when he’s gone, they soon return to their indolent lifestyle on the beach. Enough of my ramblings about our bovine friends but I do get endless amusement observing their comings and goings - however, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that they are stupid! Back to our avian interests. As August progresses, so the numbers increase on the Estuary, day by day. Oystercatchers are starting to build up to their winter numbers of thousands - a wonderful picture of black and white plumage with orange bills and legs against the yellow sand and the blue water; parties of Golden Plover arriving day by day; Dunlin coming down from the hills and rivers of the North with their young, to feed and fatten up on the luxurious fare of the estuary. We start to see both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits arriving in small parties - these elegant waders, many still in their full summer plumage; great assemblages of gulls also with their young, feeding and sunning themselves on the sandbanks. And much further out near the main channel Tern can be seen with their graceful swallow-like flight, hunting and diving for shrimp and fry that are brought in with each tide. The multi-coloured Shelduck, always a welcome sight on the estuary, dwindle at this time of the year when they apparently visit the island of Heligoland in the far North Sea, for their flightless moult phase before returning to us for the winter. Reports by local birders of exotic visitors, come to us daily via the internet, denoting in detail the movement of these birds of passage. The splendid Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and increasingly for the Solway, Little Egret - one might go on endlessly! But one doesn’t always get a chance to see them amongst so many others. It is necessary to be both expert and devoted and spend many hours burning the flocks to be able to identify some of these exotics - my tired old eyes won’t stand up to it! To be a successful ‘twitcher’ one should have 20/20 vision and extreme patience - of which I am the proud possessor of neither! We do log onto our local birding site with great interest each day, so that we are able to walk out onto the estuary, fully armed with the knowledge of that which we might be missing! This, I think characterises the sunny, sleepy, Sanderling, Solway days of August here at Campfield. EARLY AUGUST PHOTODIARY
Oh dear! it’s got round to August again. The birds down the Lonning have generally fallen silent, busy raising and feeding their young - but if one walks along quickly and quietly, you can run across small parties of young in the hedges waiting to be fed by their industrious parents: Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warblers and Whitethroat. Near the field of specially grown grain, Goldfinches, Tree and House Sparrows and plenty of Great Tits this year, have all been observed.
It has been good for insects though. When the sun chooses to shine, they can be seen over the meadows in great numbers and on specially hot days out come the Small Coppers and Wall Browns, the Peacocks and Red Admirals basking on the bramble flowers. Our friends the Southern Hawker Dragonflies can be seen at various points along the Lonning. They seem to be very territorial and by late summer have almost become old friends, coming to greet you and fly around inspecting - even landing on you. Ideal for photography, though it’s not everyone’s cup of tea to have a huge dragonfly landing on their arms. Ladies run shrieking off down the lonning - but they are totally harmless to humans!
The insects that make me run are the Clegs of which there have been a great number this summer. They are particularly virulent and arrive silently and land quietly. You don’t feel them at all until that sudden penetrating bite when they have injected that anticoagulant into your bloodstream and have happily consumed ‘3 pints’ of your blood. If you aren’t a Buddhists, you swot them - but it's too late, the damage is done and the red weal that they leave, stays with you itching for weeks. In my opinion, they are a close contender to the great Scottish Midge, for the title of ‘horrid'.
They are, of course, associated with cattle of which we have many roaming our salt marshes - a necessary conservation tool to control vegetation levels for all sorts of reasons. But the poor dears are horribly plagued in summertime by Clegs and Midges and are prone to leave the saltmarshes and wander onto the Estuary flats (tide permitting) to escape onto the cool breezy levels where they will happily spend the day - often stood up to their knees in the cool waters of the creeks..
This, of course, is a mixed blessing for the grazier as he sends them out for the summer to fatten up on the wonderful grasses and herbs, which they do not do out on the sands. The shepherd can be seen from time to time, driving them back onto the saltmarsh with cries of ‘eat your greens’ although I‘m not quite sure what he actually says to them - but he is definitely shouting something! Anyway, they reluctantly move, but when he’s gone, they soon return to their indolent lifestyle on the beach. Enough of my ramblings about our bovine friends but I do get endless amusement observing their comings and goings - however, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that they are stupid!
Back to our avian interests. As August progresses, so the numbers increase on the Estuary, day by day. Oystercatchers are starting to build up to their winter numbers of thousands - a wonderful picture of black and white plumage with orange bills and legs against the yellow sand and the blue water; parties of Golden Plover arriving day by day; Dunlin coming down from the hills and rivers of the North with their young, to feed and fatten up on the luxurious fare of the estuary. We start to see both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits arriving in small parties - these elegant waders, many still in their full summer plumage; great assemblages of gulls also with their young, feeding and sunning themselves on the sandbanks. And much further out near the main channel Tern can be seen with their graceful swallow-like flight, hunting and diving for shrimp and fry that are brought in with each tide. The multi-coloured Shelduck, always a welcome sight on the estuary, dwindle at this time of the year when they apparently visit the island of Heligoland in the far North Sea, for their flightless moult phase before returning to us for the winter.
Reports by local birders of exotic visitors, come to us daily via the internet, denoting in detail the movement of these birds of passage. The splendid Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and increasingly for the Solway, Little Egret - one might go on endlessly! But one doesn’t always get a chance to see them amongst so many others. It is necessary to be both expert and devoted and spend many hours burning the flocks to be able to identify some of these exotics - my tired old eyes won’t stand up to it! To be a successful ‘twitcher’ one should have 20/20 vision and extreme patience - of which I am the proud possessor of neither! We do log onto our local birding site with great interest each day, so that we are able to walk out onto the estuary, fully armed with the knowledge of that which we might be missing!
This, I think characterises the sunny, sleepy, Sanderling, Solway days of August here at Campfield.
1st August
Golden Plover in summer plumage on the mudflats
2nd August
Days are still warm but today was misty until the tide turned.
Oystercatchers amassing off Campfield Marsh.
Two young Heron were regularly frequenting the rushy meadow infront of the hide.
Herdwicks grazing recently harvested hay meadow.
Care has to be taken to avoid very small frogs which are crossing the Lonning track .
Two Little Egrets flying along the saltmarsh a few minutes after high tide. These were the first we have seen this Summer - they have been regular visitors to the Reseve in recent years..
3rd August
Sun came out after lunch which brought the insects out.
Mature male Southern Hawker - an excellent specimen. He can be seen regularly flying up and down a stretch of North Plain Lonning on sunny days such as this.
A single Little Egret seen flying along the saltmarsh today, at the same state of the tide as the two seen yesterday.
A good collection of Haaf-netters assembling to fish the incoming tide.
Waders and gulls being pushed up onto the mudflats as the tide races in. There is a lot of dead ground out there and through binoculars, it is possible to see the birds running ahead of the waves as they come in.
4th August
Rained overnight but cleared by lunchtime. The high tide series is falling back now which will progressively give the estuary birds more time to feed on the flats. Lots of young birds were picking round in the hawthorn bushes on the marsh front; Goldfinch, Great and Blue Tits, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch and Tree Sparrows.
Oystercatchers and Bar-tailed Godwits flying along the tideline.
Oystercatchers and Bar-tailed Godwit on the tideline.
Young Great Tit after rain
Young Thrush
8th August
After a few days of rain the sun came out at midday bringing out a number of the butterflies.
Heavy clouds over the Moss
Wall butterfly on Lonning verge.
Galloways enjoying the sunshine.
Watched Hare selectively eating newly fallen dried leaves.
9th August
Very warm and sunny with a light breeze. Flocks of lapwing could be seen along the tideline. Loads of butterflies were flying: Green-veined Whites, Peacocks, Red Admirals, Meadow Browns and Magpie Moths. Southern Hawker and Common Darter Dragonflies were hunting along the lonning.
Flock of Lapwing on tideline.
Male Common Darter on nettles
Little Grebe snoozing amongst reeds on Meadow Pool
Who is this?
Mallard and ducklings crossing Meadow Pool.
Little Grebe aggressively chasing the intruders.
Wetland meadows and wood looking splendid in the Summer sunshine.
It's thirsty work on a hot day
10th August
Rained overnight and all of today. Plenty of insects for the Swallows, though. They could be seen hawking most of the day.
A group of Cormorants out on the tideline, unperturbed by the rain - in fact they seem to be enjoying it!
11th August
Good to see plenty of young birds about. Spotted Redshank reported on floodwater LHS of Lonning.
Magpies were certainly a breeding success.
One of two juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers seen in the vicinity.
12th August
Heavy rain over the previous few days had produced a good pool of floodwater in a field on the left of the Lonning. Black-headed Gulls, Lapwings and three Ruff were spotted feeding on it. For full report of Ruff see previous Blog: "Ruffled Feathers 12 8 11"
Ruff, Lapwing and Black-headed Gulls on floodwater.
Heron and small flock of Lapwing on wetland meadows.
14th August
Butterflies and Dragonflies reported flying on the Reserve Lonning today. Norman recorded 5 Ruff on Floodwater and a Little Egret and a Whimbrel on Saltmarsh Pool.
Common Darter (male) on track
15th August
Hot and sunny most of the day. At 1 pm the Little Egret flew into the 'Dubs' and then out onto the mudflats. Swallows were feeding and landing on telephone lines in the hamlet. 5 Ruff still on floodwater in the company of about 120 Teal.
Flock of Goldfinch flying out of seed field.
Juvenile Black-headed Gull on floodwater.
16th August
Norman reported today that the five Ruff had been joined by a Wood Sandpiper. When we went to have look, there were a good number of Teal and some Shoveler there also.
5 Ruff, Teal, Shoveler and Wood Sandpiper (top right)
Wood Sandpiper and Ruff (distant shot)
Just a Ruff little sketch
Out onto the road fronting the estuary - the air was like a warm bath with great clouds riding down the estuary. I call them ‘Paul Henry’s’ - named after that renowned Irish artist who took himself off with his longsuffering wife into the wilds of Connemara - living the simple life in a stone bothy and painting for all he was worth, in utter poverty … immortalising that magnificent landscape for us all, particularly the clouds that used to ride in from the warm Atlantic: great columns soaring many thousands of feet - you know the ones - those that look like people’s faces: you can recognise your friends in them! Anyway, they were there today!
No sooner had we arrived at the hide and settled ourselves in its comfortable warmth, viewing the wetlands before us - Green Plover, Snipe and Heron etc, when Norman and Dave both burst in. "Did you get the Ruff?" they exclaimed. "What Ruff?" " The one’s on the floodwater," they replied in unison, "three of them." "No, I said, muttering some excuse about raindrops on my lenses. Here Judith came into her own, "I burned the whole flock and was going to interrogate them on the computer back home." Norman said, "Come on then, lets have look!" Sure enough, there they were, in glorious Canon colour: gorgeous red waders! My reputation as an ornithogist was descending rapidly. I had totally missed them and the professionals had spotted them. I muttered something about "Well , I don’t get paid for it!" My street cred now was nil - all that was left was bitterness and regret, after having been dragged from the comforts of my studio. Everyone else was covered in glory!
The Motto being, ‘always expect the unexpected’, Birders must always be optimistic and ready. Be prepared to burn the flock - you never know what’s going to be there. My excuse anyway, and I’m sticking to it!
Ruff flying in 13 08 11
Ruff feeding amongst Black-headed gulls 13 08 11
Three Ruff wading and Juvenile Black-headed Gull 13 08 11
Postscript 14 8 11
These three birds have now been joined by another two, Norman reliably informs us (still there the next day too)
.
Five Ruff on the end of the floodwater where about 120 Teal were feeding 15 8 11
Haymaking has started - end of July
18th July
After early rain the sun came out making it very warm and humid, Sunshine and showers continued for the rest of the day. Insects and butterflies were in abundance which was great as it was the start of the 'Big Butterfly Count' for Butterfly Conservation. A 15 minute count down the Lonning gave:12 Meadow Browns, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Red Admiral, 15 Green-veined Whites, 1 Large White.
A Great-spotted Woodpecker flew across the track - a heron too. Two Swift families were flying over the wet meadows and hawking over the pool at the end. Stephen's newly excavated pool infront of the first screen on the left, had nicely filled up with the recent rain.
Mid-afternoon, as the tide came in, a collection of about 100 Black-headed Gulls, 200 Oystercatchers and 4 Dunlin were seen roosting on the sandbank near the channel - infront of the hamlet.
This female Southern Hawker had been hunting up and down a section of the Lonning, approaching us very closely and then turning away. It finally settled high up in one of the sycamore trees to eat its prey and we were lucky enough to spot its resting place - hence this photo.
19th July
Wader and Gull numbers were increasing - 400 Oystercatchers and 136 Blackheaded Gulls on the sandbar as the tide came in today.
Young Song Thrush put in its first appearance on nearby garden Birdtable.
20th July
After early rain a cold north-easterly wind sprang up. We were accompanied by a small flock of about 9 Long-tailed Tits who went ahead of us as we walked down the Lonning. They were picking insects off the vegetation as they went, being eventually joined by a number of Blue and Great Tits.
Long-tailed Tit picking insects off trailing rose stems.
Blue Tit on Umbelliferae.
Great Tit were amongst the group.
A young Chiffchaff sitting quietly in hedge.
Stephen strimming round the farm buildings and Lonning entrance - hot work in safety clothing on a hot day such as this.!
21st July
15.47 hrs, on ebbing tide, 97 Golden Plover came in to join flock of 27 Dunlin already on the tideline.
As tide came in the wader flock repositioned itself further up the mudflats.
23rd July
A very still hot and humid day made for plenty of activity generally. Young birds could be seen being fed by their parents. A good many Green-veined White butterflies were flying.
Juvenile Wren impatiently waiting for food.
Adult Wren keeping a watchful eye on its offspring.
Watched this Meadow Pipit using the poles around the Natterjack ponds on the Saltmarsh, as perching posts to catching flying insects from.
A solitary Curlew on the edge of the saltmarsh.
24th July
Yet another very sunny windless day. The estuary was alive with gulls and waders.
Hundreds of Common and Black-headed Gulls, Golden Plover and Dunlin and about 30 Curlew with young were being pushed up the flats as the tide came in..
Groups of Green-veined Whites could be seen basking in the hot sun.
25th July
Summer seems endless with these long dry sunny days. The verges were ablaze with colour. Dragonflies were much in evidence.
A stand of Knapweed was attracting insects and butterflies on the side of the Lonning.
The gleaming flowers of Bindweed climbing up the hedgerow vegetation
Great Willow Herb flanking the North Plain farm pond.
Good clumps of Tufted Vetch are a good source of nectar for bees and butterflies.
Male Southern Hawker on old nettle stem.
Female Southern Hawker. Both Southern Hawkers were seen flying along the Lonning although patrolling different stretches. Note the female's pale last three abdomen segments compared to the male's which are distinctly blue (amongst other differences).
Galloways round water trough - digital painting
26th July
Yet another rainless hot sunny day ideal for flying dragons.
Common Darter (male) amongst meadow grasses with its wings glinting in the sunshine.
One of the joys of an evening walk on the Reserve is seeing secretive creatures like this Roe Deer.
Seen crossing between the Meadow Pools.
Meadow Pools at sunset.
27th July
A hot windless day such as today was ideal for the start of baling the hay in the meadows. Plenty of butterflies were still flying, too
The cut hay had been turned and must have dried out nicely in the sun.
A female Green-winged White butterfly looking very pristeen - presumably from a second brood.
Plenty of Ringlets still about.
A Small White on scabious.
Willow Warbler as usual being inquisitive.
29th July
Hot weather continues with dozens of butterflies flying in all the meadows. Met Norman on the Lonning. He had just seen a Redshank with two young on Saltmarsh Pool and said there were plenty of waders about on the Saltmarsh. Dave, who had been treating a large area of reeds with a 'weed stick' in one of the wetter fields, came over to fill us in on this activity. Saw a little Grebe with a young one on 2nd Meadow Pool as we walked further into the Reserve. Dragonflies were making their presence felt also.
Large White butterfly- female
Peacock on Bramble flowers
Dave treating reeds so that the meadow is more suitable for nesting Lapwing who like open ground to give good visibility.
Two young blackbirds sunning themselves near North Plain Farm.
Willow Warbler on Umbelliferae
Little Grebe with young in amongst the reeds
Black Darter - female
31st July
Male Blue-tailed Damselfly on vegetation round pond near the hide.
Female Azure Damselfly on Bindweed leaves along Lonning.
A Summer Scene - view across the Reserve towards the Lake District Fells
7th July
Norman reported a good collection of Waders and Gulls in the vicinity of Saltmarsh Pool today: 8 Black-tailed Godwits in Summer plumage, 420 Black-headed Gulls, 14 Redshank and 1 Adult Mediterranean Gull. The warm humid conditions brought out insects and good numbers of Swallows hawking after them along the Saltmarsh. As the tide came in late afternoon Curlew and Oystercatcher could be heard and seen on the tideline.
Oystercatchers on tideline.
Cormorant drying its wings in the bay and a good collection of Gulls too.
The Saltmarsh looking spectacular with its covering of Sea Pinks.
A Curlew wending its way along the edge of the tide.
8th July
The bank up to the road from the Natterjack pools, yielded a surprise this morning. A couple of Natterjack toadlets were spotted crawling through the damp vegetation.
Natterjack toadlet about 1.5 cm long. The yellow line down the middle of its back is an identifying feature and distinguishes it from the common toad.
Male Blue-tailed damselfly on reeds in nearby pool
Rich herbage on bank above pools. The gorse which had been growing in this area had been cleared by the Campfield Workparty in a recent Autumn rotational coppicing activity. It is good to see how well the underlying vegetation had regenerated and was now providing support for the many butterflies, insects and dayflying moths which were flying today.
Meadow Brown on Bugle on dry bank.
Ragged Robin amongst marsh reeds.
9th July
A hot and humid day with thunderstorms most of the afternoon.
Blackheaded gulls on Saltmarsh Pool
A flock of about 300 Oystercatchers on the mudflats as the tide was making.
Cattle on the mudflats where it's cooler - keeping away from the flies.
Ringlet still flying. This one was sunning itself on Lonning hedgeside vegetation. A few Red Admirals were to be seen too.
10th July
White Ermine Moth - normally flies late night but this one was observed flitting about the vegetation on the side of the lonning early afternoon.
11th July
Butterflies were very much in evidence on this hot and sunny day - particularly on the herb-rich margins of the Lonning.
Herb-rich margins of the Lonning with amongst other flowers, Tufted Vetch and and Yellow Meadow Vetchling.
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly.
A good number of Meadow Browns were flying on the Saltmarsh along with Green-veined whites.
Large Skipper on Saltmarsh.
Prickly Restharrow growing on the sides of the dubs on the Saltmarsh, is now in flower.
Pied Wagtail, here on barn roof, can be regularly seen in the vicinity of North Plain Farm.
16th July
Had been raining heavily overnight but cleared up after lunch. A walk down the Lonning at 11am revealed Swallows hawking overhead; Barn Owl hunting in the meadows: a Heron flying over the track: Goldfinches and Chaffinches flying in the hedgerows; good numbers of Meadow Brown and Green-veined Whites, nectaring on Bramble flowers particularly; an adult with two young Heron feeding on wetland infront of the Hide. At dusk a Roe Deer could be seen silhouetted against the sunset, grazing the Hawthorn bushes infront of the West Common hamlet.
Heron on wetland.
Green-veined White on Bugle
Sunset and 'glory' beams over Campfield Marsh
Haymaking by the Old Broken Willow.
We had managed to provoke the Weather Gods into giving us an Indian Summer - ten days of glorious dry sunny weather. I said to Judith, "the farmers had better get going and get all that hay in - it’s more than ready and dry as tinder." There are several good meadows ready for cutting here on the Reserve - one of which is right outside the garden, with butterflies and insects dancing over it.
Scarcely had we finished breakfast than the sound of machinery could be heard. "Told you so, Judith - they’re in the back meadow!". The tractor and cutter was going round and round as fast as it could and the wonderful smell of newly mown hay wafted across the orchard. It was done in a couple of hours - laying there swathe on swathe. "They’ll be turning it tomorrow if the weather holds"
And so it came to pass that on the second day, the contracted farmer did enter the field with his tractor and spinner and the hay lay turned upon the land … and Dave, the Reserve manager, gazed upon the field and rejoiced. For this meadow was not the only one and Dave could see visions of dutch barns filled with hay bales and the treasury would be filled to overflowing - for in these days, hay is money!
But lo, on the third day, two tractors did enter the field and within minutes, the first one with an ingenious device attached, did gather the hay and wrap it forthwith into neat round bales - which glistened in the morning sun. The second tractor, with an even more ingenious implement behind, pounced upon these bales and proceeded forthwith to give them a final wrap in beautiful black sustainable recyclable plastic - ensuring their secure containment for as long as need be.. Later in the day they were transported to distant barns and stack yards - we knew not where!
This process is now being repeated across the whole of Solway’s Cardurnock Peninsula, in farms and meadows far beyond the Reserve’s 1000 acres. The newly mown land shimmers under the baking sun. The farmer’s throats will be parched and dry. Doubtless many flagons of ale will quaffed ere night falls.
The harvest was home in the short space of three or four days - amazing what technology can do! Yea! the farmers do verily have it sorted these days - one of the great quiet revolutions of the last thirty years!
First implement into the field . - the Hay Cutter.
The Hay Turning implement comes in and spins the hay to accelerate the drying process.
On the third day, the baling and initial binding takes place.
The farmer and his daughter tidying up before the final wrapping of the hay.
This is the final and intricate process of wrapping the bales in black plastic which will ensure the secure containment of the hay almost indefinitely.