Mini break to the Solway Firth

Solway Firth, places visited

 Took myself off for a short break (couple of days) to Cumbria back end of October. Found myself a decent enough B & B on the English side of the Solway Firth at Easton, a few miles east of Bowness on Solway. 

For a change I'd set off good and early and arrived in good time to check out one of several nearby nature reserves - Drumburgh Moss, a raised peat bog managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

Mid afternoon, overcast and spitting with rain, I wasn't expecting much but was hoping for Short Eared Owl which are known to frequent the place in autumn. No joy on that front but I did have a Raven, Curlew, Fieldfare overhead and a couple of Stonechats and I enjoyed having the place to myself for a couple of hours -  covered maybe a quarter of the reserve, it's a big one (121 Hectares) and like most raised mires a bit desolate looking but I kinda like the bleak, wild feel of such places. 

Drumburgh Moss, 25/10/23

A brief look over the estuary at Port Carlisle at dusk was rewarded by a single Greenshank in amongst many Redshank, Dunlin, Lapwing and Golden Plover but way too dark for any pics.

Next day was a bit of a washout until mid afternoon (the forecast was always a bit dodgy), so I just drove around some of the good viewing points around this bit of the Solway. Lots of wading birds - Knot, Golden Plover, Redshank, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and Lapwing all in good (100+) numbers plus a few Black Tailed Godwits, Grey Plover and plenty of Snipe including a flock of 17 overhead as I trudged around the wet fields and bogs of RSPB Campfield Marshes but constant light rain marred my walk and didn't even bother lifting my lens to anything.

RSPB Campfield Marshes, 26/10/23

Around Cardurnock, during a brief break in the rain, I saw masses of Barnacle Geese fly in from the Scottish side of the estuary. Not a common bird my side of the Pennines, the whole population of wild Barnacle Geese of Svalbard (or Spitzbergen if you prefer) winter here on the Solway, generally feeding on the Scottish side and roosting on the English side. 

Barnacle Geese flying into roost, Cardurnock, 26/10/23

Barnacle Geese flying into roost, Cardurnock, 26/10/23

They're such a monochrome bird this one of a small flock against grey skies looks like a black & white photograph!

Barnacle Geese flying into roost, Cardurnock, 26/10/23

I walked a bit of the estuary foreshore at Bowness on Solway, still raining, got thoroughly wet and then it stopped, so I went to the end of the short causeway there that juts out into the Solway. I was hoping for some Mergansers but no joy - plenty of Teal, Wigeon, a few Shoveler, more common wading birds and of course lots of Solway mud!

Solway Firth from Bowness, 26/10/23

The rain stopped mid afternoon and I was able to walk around nearby Finglandrigg Wood, a national nature reserve managed by Natural England. There's supposed to be a small community of Red Squirrels here but not only did I see none of these I spotted at least 2 Grey Squirrels. The two species can't usually co-exist mainly because of the deadly pox that Greys carry, so maybe they've succumbed? Nice spot though and the Solway Coast's largest patch of semi natural woodland.

Finglandrigg Wood, 26/10/23

For the last knockins of the day I was back on the estuary, looking out over the firth from the road that tracks the remains of Hadrians Wall. After a frustrating day with the weather this was a serene ending to the day with the evocative call of Curlews and Redshank, piping Oystercatchers crossing the estuary and distant honks of 1000s Pink Footed Geese on the mudflats. 

Solway Firth, 2/10/23

What a difference a day makes, my last day and glory be the sun was shining! 🌞🌞🌞

High tide was 10.30 and I was on the estuary at Port Carlisle well before that and the morning light was so bright it was almost dazzling!

Solway Firth, looking north from nr Port Carlisle, 27/10/23

Peregrine Falcon standing on a Teal, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

A nice flock of  20 or so Skylarks overhead and then flying low over the tideline was a promising start and then, aware of something of a commotion involving corvids out on the estuary, I spotted a Peregrine Falcon standing on a hapless duck (turned out to be a Teal). It was a way out but edging closer I managed a few record shots. Either me or attendant Carrion Crows disturbed the bird, looked like a juv male to me, and he took off, circled a few times and after taking a few more shots I was relieved to see it return to its kill. Great theatre!

These first few shots aren't that good because of the distance I was shooting at but got some pretty decent captures when it was circling over low and being mobbed by crows.

Peregrine Falcon with Teal, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Peregrine Falcon, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Peregrine Falcon, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Peregrine Falcon, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Peregrine Falcon, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Peregrine Falcon, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Looking at me in this one!

Peregrine Falcon, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Peregrine Falcon, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

'Wow' is what I was saying to myself as I strolled away to leave this top class predator to its 'tealunch'!

Barnacle Geese, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

That was the undoubted highlight of the morning on the estuary but as the tide began to rise there was the inevitable rise in bird acivity with more Barnacle Geese over, lots of flocks of passing wading birds - Redshank, Golden Plover, Knot, Dunlin and a distant flock of 15 Bar Tailed Godwits.

Teal were the most common of ducks moving at high tide but plenty of Wigeon too and a few Shoveler. 

Bar Tailed Godwits, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Teal, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Lots of Curlews flying about too, I guessed at upwards of 400, but this lone individual with the slopes of Dumfrieshire in the background took my eye ...

Curlew, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Just before the tide rushed in I heard the roar of a tidal bore moving up the Solway and managed to get a bit of video footage ...

Glasson Moss Info board

Last stop before returning home to Yorkshire was going to be Wedholme Flow but en route I passed another of the large peat bogs in the area - Glasson Moss, and decided to pop in there instead. Along with Wedholme and Bowness Common, it's one of the three sites that form the South Solway Mosses National Nature Reserve. 

All of these wild places have been restored after decades of peat extraction and although rather bleak looking on the surface (Glasson is no exception), lowland raised bogs are incredibly rich and diverse environments, especially plant and insect life, and they trap water thus alleviate local flooding. Rare habitats now in the UK - diminished by 94% over the past 100 years with just 500 Hectares left in England, most of which is here around the Solway and the Humberhead Peatlands in South Yorkshire. 

Glasson Moss from the raised viewing platform, 27/10/23

Glasson Moss, 27/10/23

Yes it may look a bit desolate but it is the back end of October so nothing to see plantwise and certainly very few insects but I had the place to myself for a couple of hours and had some good birds - several big flocks of winter thrushes, mainly Fieldfares, Linnets, Snipe,Stonechats and best of all several migrating Whooper Swans overhead from the north, one of which came right over my head, and as I was leaving a dashing Merlin flew over - too quick to get a decent pic but hey I tried!

Whooper Swans, Glasson Moss, 27/10/23

Whooper Swan, Glasson Moss, 27/10/23

Merlin, Glasson Moss, 27/10/23

And that was it, pretty soon afterwards I was heading back, snarled up in traffic on the M6 and wishing I'd stayed for another day, but there's always another day isn't there? Here's a few more pics from the trip .....

Water Lillies, still in flower in October! Glasson Moss, 27/10/23

Causeway at Bowness on Solway, 26/10/23

Teal, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Lapwing, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Red Throated Diver, Solway Firth, 27/10/23

Frampton Marshes the pick of a short hop down to the Lincs coast.

A spontaneous 'shortest' of short breaks jaunt down to the Lincolnshire coast the first week of September was a very welcome bit of 'me' time, and richly rewarded too, with a fine full day at Frampton Marshes, 2 half days at Gibralter Point plus pop ins to Freiston Shore and Alkborough Flats. First time down here sans campervan or tent was a bit weird but I struck lucky with an ideally situated cottage I'd booked for 2 nights - I'll give her a mention because it was just perfect as a base, The Beehive, Friskney 

A full morning till dusk day at RSPB Frampton Marshes was the stand out - walked just shy of 9 miles around its lagoons, scrapes and perimeters with many magic moments. Bang on for mass congregations of wading birds and here alone I bagged an amazing 22 species. Most numerous by far were Black Tailed Godwits - my guesstimate was northwards of 1500 but when I quizzed an RSPB chappie he said 4,000 on the whole of the reserve - couldn't fail to get some stonking pics!

Here's a few of them when a flock was spooked by a passing Marsh Harrier - fancy a bit of wader identification practice? Zoom in and look closely you'll see a few other wader species there.  

Black Tailed Godwits + other waders, Frampton Marshes, 5/09/23

Late afternoon and most departed the reserve for the probable safer refuge of the Wash to roost, giving plenty of photo opps for passing 'Blackwits'

Black Tailed Godwit, Frampton Marshes, 5/09/23

Black Tailed Godwits, Frampton Marshes, 5/09/23

Black Tailed Godwits, Frampton Marshes, 5/09/23

Black Tailed Godwit, Frampton Marshes, 5/09/23

There were a reported 35 Curlew Sandpiper on the reserve, a semi rare wading species but have to say I struggled a bit at first to pick any out amongst the many Dunlin but got lucky with a couple away from the main scrapes and ended getting 10ish by the end of the day.

Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marshes, 05/09/23

Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marshes, 05/09/23

The sea banks next to the Wash if walked make this a big reserve to cover, you can walk for miles in any direction if you want, if your fit enough. I did a fair chunk in the hope of spotting a Short Eared Owl with no success but being the highest points you get some good vantage points of both Wash and Frampton itself.

The Wash, from Frampton, 05/09/23

Frampton, from the sea wall, 05/09/23

Southern side of The Haven with Boston beyond, 05/09/23

A small group of Grey Plovers out on the Wash were looking good still in breeding plumage and as well as several Yellow Wagtails, mainly juvs, I saw my first Wheatears of the autumn.

Northern Wheatear, Frampton, 05/09/23

Grey Plovers, Frampton, 05/09/23

Yellow Wagtail, Frampton, 05/09/23

Back inside the perimeter, back on the flat, I sat on a bench and ate a late lunch. A bench I suspect is well used by the local birders - slightly raised and ideal for watching the comings and goings of birds from and to the Wash.

Frampton Marshes, 05/09/23

Late afternoon and with most other visitors having departed, I went round the main hides again to catch the low level 'golden' light. Just perfect to capture the delicate plumage of a couple of Little Stints that came quite close. 

Little Stints, Frampton, 05/09/23

Little Stint, Frampton, 05/09/23

Good flight shots of birds don't always come off, especially with my now fairly antiquated camera set up but it's always the goal for me and I would guess most bird 'toggers' (birds fly, right?) and wandering in between hides at Frampton where wading birds of all types gets you lots of practice!

Avocet, Frampton, 05/09/23

Green Sandpiper, Frampton, 05/09/23

Greenshank, Frampton, 05/09/23

Not bad, good light enabling a fast shutter speed is the key. For wading birds especially this place, at this time of the year is difficult to beat. How's this for a tally - Black Tailed Godwit (c2,500), Bar Tailed Godwit (2), Dunlin (c450), Ringed Plover (c150), Little Ringed Plover (1), Ruff (c200), Knot (c20), Greenshank (2), Green Sandpiper (6), Wood Sandpiper (1), Snipe (10), Spotted Redshank (2), Common Redshank (c70), Avocet (16), Little Stint (2), Curlew Sandpiper (10),  Grey Plover (8), Oystercatcher (1), Lapwing (c500), Curlew (2), Spoonbill (25), Little Egret (c30). 

 A few more from Frampton starting with a gloriously yellow Yellow Wagtail that popped in right in front of the hide late on for a drink.

Yellow Wagtail, Frampton, 05/09/23

Sweet Pea species, Frampton, 05/09/23

Michaelmas Daisies, Frampton, 05/09/23

Decorative Buoy and Sunflowers, Frampton, 05/09/23

Common Redshank, Frampton, 05/09/23

Black Tailed Godwit, Frampton, 05/09/23

A pop into nearby Frieston Shore at dusk was a bit of a disappointment to be honest, no waders at all bar a lone Green Sandpiper. Added Tree Sparrow to the species list and 20 Wigeon, probably newly arrived from the north was a sure sign of the changing season. Far cry from my last visit here when I found a Black Stork!

Black Stork, Freiston, 19/08/21

Gibralter Point, 04/09/23

Either side of my day at Frampton I did a couple of half days at Gibralter Point, on my way down and then on my way back. A big old place, perched on the extreme NW of the Wash just beyond Skegness - sand dunes, saltmarsh, lots of scrub and a couple of lagoons / scrapes. I know it quite well but mainly been here later in the year when with favourable winds it can be crawling with migrant birds. Not so when I was there. 8 Crossbills in the car park was a good record but apart from that 2 Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler and a few Linnets was a disappointing sum total of small birds. 

Crossbill, Gibralter Point, 06/09/23

Chiffchaff, Gibralter Point, 06/09/23

Thankfully there was more activity towards the tideline with a  single Hobby zooming around and causing panic and havoc, putting up waders left right and centre! 

Hobby, Gibralter Point, 06/09/23

Oystercatchers, Gibralter Point, 06/09/23

Rubbish pic and a misty sea fret didn't help, but 10 Bar Tailed Godwits heading south down the tideline were only identified after I studied my photographs, same with a mixed bunch of waders that I thought at the time were mainly Knot but turned out to be Ruff  - the number of times I've done that! 

Bar Tailed Godwits, Gibralter Point, 06/09/23

Ruff and Dunlin, Gibralter Point, 06/09/23

Sanderling and Turnstone were also present on the shoreline bringing my wader species count to an impressive 24. On the lagoons more waders, lots more Black Tailed Godwits, Avocets, Ruff and a single Spotted Redshank. Still plenty of Swallows and House Martins about though I failed to pick out a Sand Martin, all gone I guess. Best photo opp was a flock of Spoonbill that came right over the hide.

Spoonbill, Gibralter Point, 06/09/23

Black Tailed Godwits, Gibralter Point, 06/09/23

Last stop of the day before heading back home was Alkborough Flatts, on the Lincs side of the Humber Estuary. 

Alkborough Flatts, 06/09/23

Fully expected to either see or hear Bearded Tits here, I nearly always do, but not this time. No Golden Plover either, maybe a tad early for them, but I did have both Whinchat and Stonechat, both new species for the trip, and a nice Greenshank on one of the scrapes. 

Greenshank, Alkborough, 06/09/23

and a half decent attempt at photographing a Southern Hawker dragonfly in flight .... so difficult!

Southern Hawker, Alkborough, 06/09/23

Knackered I was by the time I crossed the Humber Bridge, and no wonder - 2 and half days, 2 and half hrs driving there and back, 20 miles of walking and 94 bird species recorded!