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Campfield Marsh. Now we come to the 3rd part of the Blog, having dealt with accommodation issues. We can start to describe the main features of the area which is after all what you will be coming to enjoy, be it Spring, Summer or Winter. In the case of birders, winter in the Solway area is of particular...

Campfield Marsh - early April. 6th April 2013 Sunny all day with a light SW wind. Early morning there were 14 Shelduck with two Mallard pairs out on the mudflats. A small group of Redshank came in with the tide. On the Meadow Pools, Wigeon and Teal were gathering and seemingly pairing up. The two...

Across the Meadow Pools towards the snow clad Lakeland Fells - 20 3 13 10th March. Small flocks of Curlew are regularly appearing on the tideline. Watched this Kestrel hunting along the wetlands in front of the hide. It kept dropping down amongst the rushes but rapidly re-emerged...

Typical senario here over the last few weeks: sunshine and snow clouds! Shelduck are starting to put in an appearance on the mudflats - 22nd February SongThrush and Great Spotted Woodpecker are becoming regular visitors to the Hamlet gardens - 22nd February. Song Thrush with a liking...

Not in excess thereof, but merely a sufficiency thereunto! Therefore, let us all join together in gratitude for the celebrities we have received of late: Great White Egret; Little Egret; three Glossy Ibis and ultimately, a wonderful Spoonbill! But as with all celebrity comes the uncertain fickle element...

15th - 23rd November 2011 15th November Cold light easterly wind with misty sunshine. As the tide came in a group of 13 Shoveler crossed the channel in front of the hamlet. A flock of Dunlin landed on the sandbar on the other side. A Reed Bunting showed up on the marsh edge hawthorn bushes and...

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...

18th July 2011 Opened the curtains . . . Whoosh! The rain was coming in bucket loads; the light across the estuary was hard and sharp; the wind was definitely in the North West. "Mark my words," I said to Judith, "it's Autumn. We are nearly a month past the Solstice...

Gorse in bloom on Campfield Marsh 1st May A sunny although blustery day, with a helm wind blowing. Nevertheless butterflies and dragonflies could be seen flying in the shelter of the Lonning and the hedgerows were full of birdsong. Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly on poolside vegetation ...

"Oh to be at 'Campfield' now that April's here" - a pastel-style digital painting by John Rogers Already the mighty pendulum, that governs all life on this planet, is well on its way. The Vernal Equinox is nearly a month past but the bird world would have been stirring even before...

Here we are! Summer has really taken a grip now, on the Estuary and Reserve. The May blossom is fully out, swathes of buttercups in the meadows and verges – I don’t think I’ve seen them look better! The gorse flowers are so prolific this year that they invest the sky with a sort of...

First Pool Pair of Tufted Duck were seen busily diving at the other side of the pool. Had been reported there now for the last few days. . Tufted Duck Second Pool Pool was buzzing with activity. Birds were looking most colourful in the afternoon sunshine. All three Little Grebe were...

Although the day was warm and windless, imminent rain threatened, so Judith decided not to take the big camera – bad plan! No sooner had we started down the loaning then the sun came out – typical! We were regaled with bird song from all sides. Usual problem in trying to decide one warbler...

The sun was out, little or no wind to speak of, but on the corner (entrance to North Plain Farm) we detected a slight north westerly flow – we knew that down the Loaning it would be perfect. This was going to be a bird song walk and so it turned out to be. Having taken a look at the notice board...

Willow warblers showing nicely on the loaning; Tree Sparrows http://www.flickr.com/photos/46441928@N07/4556272892/ and Goldfinches http://www.flickr.com/photos/46441928@N07/4556231856/ in the first arable field; wild plum in blossom; female orange tips – saw male yesterday. Goldfinch 18 04...

Walk down the loaning - weather a bit hazy with some rain about....not a good bird song day! Willow Warblers trying to get into voice but not succeeding very well. On getting to the 2nd pool events started to liven up. Arriving quietly at the screen we were pleased to observe a pair of Tufted duck -...