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Barnacles on Campfield Marsh at Scargavel Point - 26 10 12 Barnacles appear to have arrived in force on the Solway this year - total numbers will emerge later - but the noteable feature for us at Campfield is the arrival, 4 days running, of a small flock prospecting the saltmarsh. We are starting...

Today was a little unusual for the Campfield Marsh Reserve: we had a substantial visitation on the estuary sands and saltmarsh, from a flock (in excess of 120) of Barnacles . In past years they have appeared beyond the Saltmarsh Pool and beyond the boundary fence, in quite good numbers but here on...

Anvil Cloud over the Solway estuary. We've definitely passed the Equinox: 12 hours of 'sunlight', 12hours of dark – the jury's still out on the sunlight bit! The equinoctial gales started right on time in the form of the tail-end of Hurricane Nadine which definitely stirred the...

"Summer Solway Estuary and Gulls flying" - a pastel sketch from my studio window. Campfield Marsh Reserve, here on the Solway, is a really nice place to visit at the end of Summer, especially its estuary element. As you may know, inland reserves can be a little quiet at this time of the...

We had been to town in the morning - not my idea of a fun day out! But during the drive back along the Solway marshes towards Campfield, our spirits started to lift. The weather was wonderful: sun beating down from a Summer Constable sky - you know the one with the little fluffy clouds; the marshes looked...

Raised Moss and Boardwalk, Bowness Common - looking towards Criffel. Strange thing to have to say … there was definitely a feeling of Spring in the air in spite of the fact we were well into the middle of June. Some of the Ash trees in the area hadn’t even attained their leaves! But there...

Autumn has arrived on the Reserve or should I say ‘descended’. The night had been pretty continuous rain and gales. By morning the rain had subsided and a distinct chill was in the air. Floodwater was starting to show in the fields and it had obviously been decided to get on with cutting...

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...

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...

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...

Tense moment on the Solway - 9th May 2011 at 1510hrs, Scargavel Point, Campfield Marsh About 40 cattle were minutes away from danger. They were out on the sands as was quite normal, wading in shallow water to keep cool, but a sudden thunder storm, of which there have been a series on the Solway...

Fencing in progress, 14th March 2011 Setting out along the estuary road for our daily constitutional down the lonning onto the Reserve, we reached the corner where the wide vista of the outer Solway opens up. It was one of those rare Spring days, with no wind - you could feel the heat of the mid-...

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 ...