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This view is from Campfield Marsh Reserve looking north across the Solway towards Criffel

Acrylic painting showing the moss with the colours of Autumn - deep purples and umbers ... a time when the moss really looks its best.

25 11 12 - Flock fly in low over the saltmarsh as they round Scargavel Point.

Estimated about 200 geese in the flock

25th November - high tides, coupled with gale force winds, brought what seemed like the whole of the Barnacle flock from their inner estuary pastures to the outer estuary pastures of the Cardurnock Peninsula. Here they can be seen off Scargavel Point on Campfield Marsh.

There had been a slight thaw in the cold spell. Both Barnacles and Pinks were feeding amicably amongst the long grass and rushes in front of the hide,.

A digital oil-style painting of Barnacles coming in at dusk over the Meadow Pools, with Skiddaw in the distance - by John Rogers

Small groups of Barnacles could be seen flying low along the tideline facing into the strong westerly gale.

These two became restless due the the activity of nearby Merlin and Hen Harrier and took off for a fly around. They were part of the mixed flock of Pinkfeet and Barnacles grazing on the wetland pastures at North Plain Farm.

A small group of Barnacles flew onto the saltmarsh from a SW direction at 13.00 pm. They grazed for a while along the edge of the marsh and then flew off west again.

An oil-style painting in Artrage/Photoshop showing a group of Barnacles on Campfield Marsh by John Rogers

As the tide was coming in at 15.20 a flock of about 500 Barnacles dropped in onto the mudflats in front of West Common. They were probably seeking shelter from the cold strong southerly wind, as they settled down in the lee of the saltmarsh. As the tide pushed them in further, some came up onto the marsh...

Checking out the saltmarsh for safe grazing.

photostream

Having grazed for a while this small group took off in a westerly direction.

This small group of Barnacles came up onto the saltmarsh to graze the short grass here .

This was a real Spring morning on the Reserve. Willow Warblers singing, Lapwings calling, Teal making swift flights round the wetland. Lots of of yellow: Primrose, celandine, colt's-foot and gorse opening to the Spring sunshine. Came back to the Studio and did this little sketch for you all, just...

Spring passage of Black-tailed Godwits have been using the wetlands in front of the hide and other pools on the Reserve since 23rd of March. Numbers have varied with a maximum of 26 having been recorded.

Spring passage Black-tailed Godwits have been using the wetlands in front of the hide and other pools on the Reserve since 23rd of March. Numbers have varied with a maximum of 26 having been recorded.

Three Black-tailed Godwits on meadows in front of the hide.

9 12 11 Seen working its way down the Lonning, picking at dried seed heads as it went.

15 12 11. Came across this wary bird on a sapling overlooking Campfield saltmarsh.

12 12 11 Canada Goose and three Whooper Swans taking advantage of recently cut rushes on North Plain Farm.

This is just a typical scene on the marsh frontage of the Reserve. The grazier's cattle can be brought in anytime from the beginning of April and left until the end of October dependant on weather and the quality of the grass. As these marshes are very exposed and the cattle can find it difficult...

A detail of Pinks flock.