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Star species

Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.

Barnacle goose

Large numbers of the Svalbard population of barnacle geese arrive at Campfield Marsh in the autumn. You can see them grazing vegetation in the wet areas in densely-packed flocks through the winter.

Barnacle goose (illustration)

Lapwing

Watch the nesting lapwings here chasing predators that may come too close to their nests or show too much of an interest in their chicks. The protective parents regularly give chase to crows and do not stop their 'mobbing' attacks until the danger has passed.

lapwing (illustration)

Pink-footed goose

Thousands of pink-footed geese assemble here, with the numbers peaking in February and March. Listen for their calls which sound rather like squeaky bicycles.

Pink-footed goose (illustration)

Redshank

Keep an eye out for the redshanks' towering display flights over the wet meadows in spring. They are sometimes known as 'the sentinel of the marshes' for their noisy habit of drawing attention to predators.

redshank illustration

Snipe

These cryptically-coloured waders can be seen displaying here in spring - the males fly up into the sky then dive towards the ground, their outer tail feathers vibrating to produce a humming noise!

Snipe (illustration)

Contact us

Where is it?

  • Lat/lng: 54.94170,-3.25504
  • Postcode: CA7 5AG
  • Grid reference: NY197615
  • Nearest town: Wigton, Cumbria
  • County: Cumbria
  • Country: England

Get directions

Note: Some reserves are not served directly by public transport and, in these cases, a nearby destination (from which you may need to walk or take a taxi or ferry) may be offered.

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