Lake District Trip 26th-31st May

Just got back from a few days in the Lake District. I have some relatives that live up there on the banks of Coniston Water and Michelle and I have made a habit of going up there recently, after I used to visit as a child many years ago. The surroundings are amazing, with the looming peaks of the Coniston fells overlooking from the north, while the Blawith fells are just round the corner and Grizedale Forest just over the lake. We went last year and I got some good birding in so I was ready to do it all again, filling some gaps in the year list as well as seeing some birds which are difficult to see back home in Notts.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dodd Wood

We got there on the Sunday and spent an hour sat on the Jetty at lake bank, just two minutes walk from the flat. The first birds we saw on the water were a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, which breed here in small numbers. Surrounding us were loads of birds in song, including many Willow Warblers (probably one of the most commonly heard birds of the trip), as well as lots of Song Thrush and Garden Warblers. While watching the far bank an Oystercatcher was seen intermittently as well as my first Common Sandpipers of the year, a pair flying through and landing off in the distance. We sat and had a barbecue until it got dark, hearing the first of many Cuckoos of the trip, as well as several Tawny Owls and small groups of House Martins were seen feeding over the water til well into dusk.

Red Breasted Merganser, Coniston Water

The next day we got the standard Lake District rain, so we stayed around the flat most of the day, but we did manage a Coal Tit and Yellowhammer from the window, before finally getting out til the evening when we walked over to Beacon Tarn, a short 3 mile loop from the flat. Here we finally saw some more typical birds of the area, the ubiquitous Meadow Pipit, Skylarks, as well as some Reed Buntings and Whitethroats. The highlight however was a wonderful male Whinchat, the first I've seen for ages and great to see in its favoured upland environment, rather than just on passage. 

Red Squirrel, Dodd Wood

Red Squirrel, Dodd Wood

Tuesday saw us return to a spot we visited last year, Dodd wood, on the Eastern shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, as the draw of seeing Red Squirrels with very little effort was too much for us to resist. The wood is managed by the Forestry Commission, therefore very much Pine-oriented, and therefore quite quiet bird wise apart from the constant sound of Siskins and Goldcrests in the treetops. There is a feeding station set up which attracts swarms of Chaffinches and Coal Tits, as well as less frequent Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Jays. Red squirrels are the stars of the show however, coming within a few metres to mop up the nuts left for them on tree stumps. Its amazing to be able to see these stunning little mammals with such ease and nice to see them doing so well. In the whole trip I didn't see one grey squirrel, so the Reds seem to be holding on for now. We also got very distant views of the Bassenthwaite Ospreys. The RSPB volunteers which man the viewing points are very dedicated and knowledgeable, and are great at enthusing the public about these wonderful birds, but the birds are so distant that a white speck in the scope is the best view you get. Much better at Rutland I'm afraid, but excellent nonetheless.

Coal Tit, Dodd Wood

On the Wednesday we took a bus to Coniston to walk over to Tarn Hows, a manmade tarn , formed of 3 smaller tarns by a Victorian entrepreneur in a bid to attract more visitors to the area. It was pretty, but to me it had a 'country park' feel to it and didn't really have to magic of the lakes that is experienced elsewhere, although I did get a lifer in the form of a Tree Pipit, so can't complain too much. The walk itself however was beautiful and I finally got one of my target birds, Wood Warbler, with many accompanying us along the walk with their distinctive 'spinning coin' song. On the way to Tarn Hows wood we also got great views of a Common Redstart, feeding in some grassland, before being disturbed by a group of walkers before I could get my camera out. The walk back went down a steep path following a beck with some beautiful waterfalls, and resulted in the first Dippers of the trip as well as a Grey Wagtail. Several more Cuckoos were heard throughout the day too. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dodd Wood

Our last full day was spent in the comparatively quiet Duddon Valley, a corner of the Lakes less well trodden by the hoards of tourists. The narrow winding roads seemed little used and the village of Seathwaite which was our base for the day was little more than a cluster of farmhouses centred around a charming little pub. The walk took us up the hills to the desolate Seathwaite tarn, with barren crags and hillsides surrounding us and the only sound to accompany us being the blowing wind and the occasional Meadow Pipit in song. as we climbed higher, Wheatears began to appear, which were welcome as i missed these on passage this year so it was nice to catch up with them. When we got to the dam at the tarn, fringed by dark rocky summits, a Raven flew slowly over in the blue skies above, somehow bringing home the desolate feel of the valley with its lonely calls. The walk back was incredible and topped the holiday off, with the sun beating down upon us, Wood warblers sang away in the trees as we picked our way along the rocky banks of the river Duddon, and we even took a swim in the icy clear waters of the river, before nipping in for a pint at the village pub.

 Our last evening was spent watching bats in the fading light and a roding woodcock, viewed right outside the front door, really topped the week off. The only birds missing from the week were Ring Ouzels and Pied Flycatchers, which I managed last year, but I really can't complain.

Red Squirrel, Dodd Wood