Trip reports

Visit to Torver Moor, Cumbria

Saturday, 31 May 2008

18 members met up at Torver near Coniston for a walk lead by Selina Tutin over her patch. The weather was ideal for walking and birding - fine and bright, mostly sunny but with a cooling breeze to reduce the heat haze. There were splendid views across to Coniston Old Man.

The walk produced excellent views of classic moorland birds - whinchat, stonechat, wheatear and cuckoo - the latter flying back and forth across the hillside as we sat and ate our picnic. The lesser redpoll were a real bonus. A few species were only seen by a small number of the party but most of us would have the full list.

Great Crested Grebe - 2
Heron - 1
Mallard - 2
Buzzard - several
Lesser Black-backed gulls
Woodpigeon
Cuckoo - at least 3 males and 1 female
Swift
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Skylark - 1
Swallow
House Martin
Tree Pipit - numerous
Meadow Pipit
Grey Wagtail - 1
Pied Wagtail - 2
Wren - singing from a dead tree
Dunnock
Robin
Redstart - singing male and a female
Whinchat - singing males
Stonechat - with young
Wheatear - 2 males
Blackbird
Whitethroat singing males and a female
Willow Warbler - singing males
Great Tit - visiting a nest site with food in woodland
Spotted Flycatcher - 1
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Crow
Chaffinch
Linnet - small mixed flock - at least one male.
Lesser Redpoll - superb views of males and females.
Yellowhammer - 4 males singing
Reed Bunting - 1 male flying over the tarn.

Amongst the flora for the day were both round-leaved sundew and butterwort, both insectivorous plants.

A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all. Thanks very much to Selina for her expert guidance.

Jeff Butcher