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Whoopers on Meadow Pools at dawn - 12th January 2013 The gentle pulsing of the alarm broke into my slumbers, although I have to say, we seldom use an alarm these days – but today would be special! We had pre-planned a very early morning foray onto the Reserve here at North Plain, as we knew...

5th January, 2011 This last week at Campfield, we have seen groups of various sizes of Barnacles passing along the shore around high tide, going towards Cardurnock from the Inner Estuary - and had speculated as to where their destination might be. So, yesterday (4th), having been to Kirkbride,...

…sort of a day. It was warm, when the sun came out it was really hot – but across the estuary big black clouds were looming. No wind. So we set out for the Reserve, ready for anything! The Common Hawker was our first encounter as we walked down the track passed the farm. We were buzzed...

Yes, the politicians have it right – we need the ‘Big Society’, but I have a slight feeling of déjà vu here! – the wheel being reinvented. Conservationists, in our case the RSPB, have been doing this for decades: looking after birds, making reserves, caring for the...

This last few days the estuary seems to be livening up a bit after the Summer Solstice. A good many Bar-tailed Godwits, in a variety of plumage are around now and Oystercatchers are amassing. Have seen an immature, quite large, Shelduck with a parent bird. A few Black-tailed Godwits seem to have been...

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...

..…was the cry from the kitchen, as I was nicely settling down to a spot of midday TV. Hurrying to the window – sure enough, there it was – an unusual midday visitor! A sleek little specimen, obviously young – bouncing along the far edge of the orchard. I guessed it was hunting...

From the hide at the far end of the loaning this evening, a Buzzard was seen quartering the wet meadow in front of the wood, sometimes coming quite close to the hide. Eventually we noted a Roe Deer had emerged from the far corner of the wood, grazing it’s way amongst the reeds and rushes of the...

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...

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...

Week ending 28th May 2010 I think we can say that this week heralds the start of Summer. The temperatures were soaring, even here - foliage and flowers virtually exploding by the minute. Everything had just been waiting for this moment. The excitement of the Spring passage was slowing down and...

Sure enough the two Spoonbills were there when we arrived this morning. Initially, they were resting with their heads tucked in but eventually started to become more active and preen themselves. www.flickr.com/photos/46441928@N07/4630600130/ A couple of Mallard seemed to be attracted to them and also...

14th May A wet hazy morning but birds were in full song down the Loaning . A cuckoo could be heard out on the Moss. A Mallard and her seven ducklings were visible on the 1st Pool . Mallard and ducklings A Roe deer could be seen from the hide, grazing away across the rushy meadow. Met Stephen...

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...

Had a brisk walk down Campfield Loaning which, on this fine Spring day, was resounding with birdsong. Heard and observed Willow Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Garden Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Hedge Accentor (Dunnock), Tree Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, House...

Today was one of those really good days, as it worked out. We followed Plan A all the way through? We got going early and packed the motorhome full of optical gear, refer ence books, notepads and food – the whole cahuna! The sun was out and the tide was coming in quickly – it was going...

Day was dry and fine. Ideal conditions for Stephen here with the harrow discs, breaking down the large ploughing for suitability to plant oats and sunflowers in a strip round the Kale. This will provide good autumn and winter food for birds. Pond life in first pond now showing well ...

The morning dawned perfect... wall to wall sunshine - no wind! We don't often get this sort of weather on the Solway. We decided to walk down the lonning to the the flooded meadows at the end, taking the digiscope, tripod and all with us - but got no further than the first pool on the right. We were...