Despite some brief spells of snow over the past week or so, and some incredibly blustery and biting winds, it’s actually beginning to feel much more spring-like in any sunshine that filters through to Geltsdale. Some of the birds seem to agree too, with a reed bunting singing with abandon today, and the odd meadow pipit and skylark starting to venture up onto the hills. Flocks of over 50 lapwing have been very visible and audible around the meadows, and some golden plover are starting to investigate the higher fells. Ravens are busy nest-building.
Black grouse continue to be highly prominent around the trails, and are often to be seen sat high up in trees feeding on new buds. This must certainly be one of the best times of year to see one of our star species. Some males have again been seen ‘lekking’ on the fellside above the Visitor Centre. Short-eared owl and barn owl can now be seen hunting from mid afternoon, and woodcock are sometimes flushed whilst feeding or roosting in rushy flushes on the open fell.
In terms of rarer avian visitors, ‘our’ drake smew has been present on-and-off on Tindale Tarn since I posted the last blog (though he does seem to commute back-and-forth between here and nearby Talkin Tarn). The recent highlight, however, has to be two snow buntings. These were seen by our residential volunteer Lenny (and his Swiss birding buddy, Gavino) on the fells above his des-res accommodation at Howgill Cottages, in the north-west of the Reserve. Not quite on the ‘garden list’ though!