. . . and so we did. The day had dawned bright and sunny, with virtually no wind - a change from the uncertain weather of the last week or so! A good day to explore the new extension to the existing routes across the farmland. This addition would take us out from the new loop walk (the Yellow Route) starting from the Wetlands Centre, through the Discovery Zone and out onto the moss through flooded old peat working and woodland which looked more like the Everglades than Bowness Common. Finally surfacing to a new boardwalk which travelled out onto the Common to join the existing one, thus making a circular return route back to the Wetlands Centre.
Map showing the Red Route.
As we passed the new pond a couple of Mallard were displaying in the sunshine. We reached the arable fields to find a flock of Linnets intent on gleaning the fallen seed from the recently cut crop which had been planted there last year for this purpose. Reaching the Bushcraft Island, it was apparent that the invitation there "to make a den", had been acknowledged and a snug shelter and campfire with logs for seating, had already been constructed. A Reed Bunting danced along the hedge in front of us - we felt it was a possibly adopting a distraction technique.
Mallards displaying on New Pond.
Linnets in arable field hedge . . .
. . . gleaning fallen seed.
Bushcraft den and campfire.
Male Reed Bunting trying its best to distract us.
Reaching the point where one track turned off towards the hide, we followed the Red marker poles leading straight out towards the wood and subsequently the Moss. The remains of old peat digging were now rather sympathetically flooded forming picturesque pools - a perfect habitat for breeding duck and emerging dragonfly. This, by the way, is definitely welly or good strong boot terrain - at this time of the year!
Way markers for the Red route.
Looking towards the edge of the Moss.
Buzzard on willows ahead.
Old peat digging - now flooded.
Edge of an old peat digging is still visible.
Mallard flying off pools.
The track turned sharply at this point taking us through a rather surreal area of flooded woodland where one would not be surprised to see an alligator raise its head from the green slime. This, in reality, was the province of a Buzzard which had been patrolling overhead.
Wetted birch scrub - a tool for maintaining raised mires.
Flooded birch woodland.
'Everglades' ?
Buzzard on the lookout.
.
Path exiting from the wood.
Finally, we reached the edge of the wood and could see the new boardwalk undulating its way into the distance across the Moss. With Rogersceugh farm looming up on the drumlin to our left, we followed this 'floating' track until we reached the highest point - the dome of the Common was apparent as we started to get glimpses of the Solway Plain with Skiddaw and the Lake District fells beyond. The dark brown peat and vegetation on either side of us offered a stark contrast to the bleached grasses of the farmland which contoured the Moss. Bog Myrtle and Bog Asphodel were just starting to flower and the occasional call of Curlew could be heard. A Swallow streaked over us - newly returned from wintering in Africa. It was all very magical; the peace and silence; at one point we had a 360 degree viewpoint of the surrounding terrain; we were on top of the world - or so it felt!
Start of the new boardwalk . .
. . . as it snaked off across the Moss.
Rogersceugh farm on the drumlin to the left comes into view . . .
. . . and the wet moss to the right.
Reaching the dome of the moss, the Solway Plain and the Lake District fells come into view.
From this point looking north, the Wetlands and the distant hide can be seen.
Eventually, coming down to earth, we reached the T-junction where the Boardwalk joined the old path from Campfield to Rogersceugh. It was suitably marked with red topped stakes, indicating our return route back to the Lonning and the Wetlands Centre.
Looking back to where the new route joins the old one.
Crossing the un-boarded raised area, a Meadow Pipit flipped in front of us and quickly dived into the undergrowth nearby. Last year, a Stonechat could be seen proclaiming its territory here from the top of dried heather stems. Near the end of this piece of track, a Giant Compass has only recently been installed, pointing our way back.
Meadow Pipit.
Stonechat - to watch out for shortly.
Giant Compass pointing our way ahead.
Our now boarded track leads us to the wood fringing the Wetlands and we were soon able to peep through the Phragmites across a large area of water towards the hide. Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Heron and, of course, a Little Egret were now viewable -enjoying this secluded corner of the reserve.
Back towards the wood and the Lonning.
Bog Myrtle lines the path.
Bog Asphodel is just starting to flower.
Through the wood . . .
. . . and out the other side.
Looking east across the wetlands . . .
. . . and further round towards the hide.
On reaching the hide, the Little Egret was hunting the rushy meadow beyond.
The last leg back down the Lonning was the easiest - having a slight fall on it and any wind was on our tails. Weary but happy, having enjoyed the adventure, we returned home in jubilant mood.
Couldn't resist a peep through the screens on our way back. These Canada Geese came into view . . .
. . . along with the Little Grebe.
Also a Buzzard and Teal were in the floodwater area.