Trip reports

DUNSOP VALLEY

Saturday, 7 June 2008

Starting at the car park at Dunsop Bridge the group headed east along the road to Thorneyholme, across the bridge and along the footpath following the River Hodder to Burholme. From here we turned alongside Fielding Clough and uphill onto the open moorland of Hodder Bank Fell. Along this stretch we saw a meadow pipit, which had read the book and flew up from the fence post, before parachuting back down to the same fence post. We also saw red-legged partridge on this section of the walk. A little further on we stopped for lunch and enjoyed the sunshine. Other birds seen before lunch included: pheasant, lapwing, curlew, kestrel, buzzard, sand martin, swallow, grey wagtail, mistle thrush and pied wagtail.

After lunch we descended to the Hodder Valley, passing Knowlesmere Manor, Mossthwaite and back to Dunsop Bridge. Along here we saw an oystercatcher with a young one, great spotted woodpecker, dipper, redstart and common sandpiper. Some of the group had a lovely view of a nuthatch feeding young in a hole in a tree. We also observed a blue tit feeding young in an old rusty pipe. Other birds included house martin, grey heron, great tit, house sparrow and kingfisher.

Back at Dunsop Bridge Kathy and Doreen had little trouble persuading the group to visit Puddleducks Tea Room where various cakes and scones were consumed. Whilst here a spotted flycatcher kindly perched on the wires and gave us a good view. We also saw goldfinch and a robin.

Suitably refreshed we walked up the Dunsop valley for a mile or so. There weren't many birds to be seen but on the way back we could hear a willow warbler in a tree and after a great deal of searching eagle-eyed Doreen spotted it and we had a superb view. Walking back to the car park we saw numerous mallard on the river.

Report by David & Marlene Johnson
Library photograph: Common sandpiper