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Out along the boardwalk onto the Moss We had been vaguely aware for the previous week or so that there was serious digger activity out on the Moss and Dave had given us some basic information regarding this work. So, having picked our day: no wind, sunshine and some free time (you get the drift!)...

Whoopers taking off from the hide wetlands. Since Christmas here on the Solway, and by implication, our very own Campfield Marsh, the weather has been very wet and windy. But, surprisingly, in the last few days it has been calm and windless - really rather pleasant. There has been a high tide...

Having had a few dull and damp days recently, today dawned bright and sunny. However the incoming tide before lunch brought with it its usual shower. Not deterred, we set off down the Lonning and were gratified to see the sun struggling through. We had a quick look through the screen overlooking the...

Yes, Folks - the Great White Egret of Campfield has returned! The nation can now relax! We began to think that it had suffered the fate of most rare vagrants but it was spotted and photographed last Saturday (14 th Jan 2012) at the Saltmarsh Pool by local enthusiasts. This immediately brought on...

Early snowdrops at the Lonning entrance. Splendid day: clear frosty sunshine with very little wind - only a slight breeze from the east. The Solway was flat calm at high tide. We walked down the lonning onto Campfield Marsh Reserve early afternoon. The Meadow Pools held 21 Whoopers with plenty...

Today was overcast with a brisk wind blowing - however, it was much milder than of late. We had been hearing ‘whooping’ from the Reserve wetlands all night and throughout the morning. A walk down the Lonning mid-afternoon revealed, in total, some 70 Whooper Swans on the Meadow Pools and wetlands...

We spent one and a half hours mid-afternoon watching the spectacle of several thousand Barnacle Geese grazing the meadows in front of the hide on Campfield Marsh RSPB Reserve and what a sight it was! On this icy day with a galeforce westerly wind blowing, the flock were spread out over the grassland...

3 rd January, 2012 - Barnacles at Campfield ‘Hide Fever’ by John Rogers “I must go down to the hide again, to the lonely hide and the sky. For I’ve left my gloves and Collins there, and I only hope they’re dry.” No, seriously folks, I’d decided...

PHOTODIARY - end of November 2011 Winter evening after a stormy day, Solway Estuary 24th November. A midday high tide with a strong gusty wind. At 11.30pm flocks of Oystercatcher, Teal, Wigeon, Mallard and Shoveler with 15 Pintail started to fly west along the, by now, flooding marsh. At...

Little Egrets have been regularly seen on Campfield Marsh RSPB Reserve over the last few autumns. We are sited on the the very edge of the Solway Estuary which borders both England and Scotland. 14th September 2010 - Two of four seen on the saltmarsh in recent days.

Hi Steve, Nice sighting, that one! You’ve been really lucky. We have never actually seen one on the Farm, in all the time it has been a Reserve - although I don’t know if Norman(RSPB Cumbria Coastal Reserves Manager) or Dave(RSPB Campfield Marsh Reserve Manager) have ever seen any? ...

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

This Swallow is one of a pr,who nest in an old outhouse behind this red gate every year.One brood have fledged and now the pr are re building for their next family.Amazing birds,along with the Stonechat ,my fav species.all the way from Africa each year to this same old lady's outhouse in our back...

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...

Small flocks of Barnacles were flying to join those already grazing on the marshes at Anthorn, Cardurnock peninsula.

Barnacles grazing on the marsh at Anthorn on the Cardurnock peninsula.

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

The famous view of Ashness Bridge, with Derwentwater in distance. (2007)

Sun glints in the amber eye. Beautiful bars - natures abstract art. To and fro, To and fro. A moment frozen in time. Oh my, Oh my. Talons tighten, Tighten, tighten. Feathers blown in the wind. Goodbye little sparrow. Your soul is soaring now.

The late afternoon sun glistening on Autumn's golden leaves. Overhead, a flock of geese, calling, searching for a night time roost. A solitary robin singing the day's grand finale.