Hodbarrow News

A busy week last week. We had a brilliant photography walk last Wednesday which was attended by some really enthusiastic phtographers all eager to learn. It was run by Andy and Chris who helped people to really discover not only their cameras but the reserve and wildlife! It was brilliant. If this is something you would be interested in drop us a line and I'll send you through details if we do another one. Hopefully when we get a few pictures through we will have a full blog about the walk on here soon!

 Pic Chris Lloyd-Rogers

Also last week there were three pretty interesting birds around the area mostly at Haverigg. They grew to six in number and I had one fly over the reserve (I'm counting it) Yes we were invaded by Sacred Ibis last week. I'm not sure where they came from and a couple were ringed. Christine Redgate managed to get a good few photos (see below) beautiful shots and they really had the village talking.

Other birds of note last week were Common terns who seem to have had a late bash at getting some young off and because of the weather have succeeded! They moved over to the island in front of the hide in July and I didn't have very high hopes for them. Now there are juveniles calling out all over the place!  We still have other young about which has been brilliant compared to last years wash out. Red breasted mergansers have a brood off with 6 young.

Much like last year Little Egrets are starting to use the site and I've had up to two at the moment. Last year this rose to 10+. Duck numbers also building up with Winter plumage Great crested grebe coming onto the lagoon. Waders are also brilliant in number particularly on a rising tide with redshank, dunlin, greenshank, Black-tailed godwits and lapwing all roosting on the area in front of the hide.

Finally I have been seeing a lot of mammal activity with a fox near to the old quarry pool this morning (8.30) and I've been noticing a few stoats throughout the reserve.

Cheers

Mhairi