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A fairly strong westerly wind was blowing with intermittent sunshine. Good flocks of waders were landing on the tideline at high tide. A mixed flock of finches has been frequenting the marsh and hamlet. Later on in the evening a Heron and a Little Egret were seen on the wetland in front of the hide....

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...

This wary Crow, having built its nest adjacent to the lonning, was keeping and eye on comings and goings.

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...

Dave Blackledge, Reserve Warden, reported a Red Kite flying over the reserve early this morning. Other reports from the area this morning too, in the vicinity of Cardurnock.

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...

We set off in to the Reserve; the day was warm with intermittent sunshine – very little wind. The day would seem to be propitious for flying dragons and so it turned out to be. We had hardly passed through the farm when we were buzzed by a Southern Hawker – the game was on! It flew over us...

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...

Dragonfly watched flying up and down peaty ditches which flank the path to Rogersceugh Farm. It was a hot sunny day which seemed to suit them as there were pairs in every pool or ditch we came too along the path.

Today was hot and sunny. It obviously suited the numerous Azure Damselflies in evidence on vegetation in and surrounding the pond next to the hide.

Taken in Feb 2010

This painting shows the track entering the raised bog system from the back road from Bowness-on-Solway. This is an access track to Rogersceugh, the farm on the drumlin in the middle of the Common. There is a small carpark on the roadside and is fully signed and gated.

Art sketch showing the Solway as it is today. Get yourselves up here. Its quiet, the air is clean, its a haven for tired overworked people. You know you have always wanted to start birdwatching. Its really easy. Stacks of good books on the subject. You can either dabble or you can give meaning to the...

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