Hello folks, well, Jim, Mike and I made it back to Cumbria and Leighton Moss although somebody ! overslept and then got delayed on the wretched M6 due to an accident that closed the lanes Northbound and it ended up taking Jim 4 hours to get there from North of Manchester arriving around noon; meanwhile, Mike and I managed to beat the closure although traffic was quite heavy generally. We arrived just before 9am and did a quick inspection of the reserve by reception area to assess the water levels ...........before heading straight back to the car for our wellies !! To put it simply, water was higher than the bad storm two years ago and you couldn't get far unless you had the wellies. Once pathways, they had now become wide canals !! Swans were swimming up the footpaths and wetland intermingled with pathways so you had to ensure you stuck to the middle of the path for fear of dropping into the wetland LOL However, we managed pretty well and whenever there is a challenge there is always plenty of jocularity to be had especially when forumates meet up !
Without further ado here are a few photos to start off this thread; Jim will add his too and we will put them up in batches so not to overload you all !
First, an idea of the flooded paths, deeper in some parts than others and we didn't attempt to go to the far hide (Lower Hide) as we heard it would be over your wellies !
Just quick snaps taken on my mobile ............ This is the path by the feeding logs not far from Sky Tower
the turn off for Tim Jackson or Grisedale Hides
Towards Grisedale Hide
Two unnamed lunatics on the Causeway lol
Swans thinking the public pathway was a river lol
Feeding log area heading towards Sky Tower and reception
always plenty of robins to feed so we had taken mealworms and a mixed bag of peanuts, sun-hearts, suet pellets, kibbled nuts and mixed seed for the Mallards
the birds at the far end of the reserve were eager to have a share of the food - being flooded everywhere, I could only find the wooden bench suitable to put down some bird food
some would knock others off the bench to get to the food lol
ok that will do for now, I just wanted to set the scene and will add more later - over to you Jim !!
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Regards, Hazel
I told you to rent a canoe!
Kind regards, Ann
Glad you started the thread Hazel, I still have a few more picture to get ready, and that M6 Wow, I turned of the engine and it was 55 minuets later when I restarted it and then it was stop start till junction 33 so I am bushed now ready for that bed but will hang on a wee bit more lol
Just a few of what the water was like and then it’s the birds, and Paul, will be happy I have more then 15 pictures for him but will spread them about so not to get peps bored of them.
Jim
My Pictures
My Fbook Group
Crikey, I knew there had been a lot of rain in the north-west but I didn't know it was that bad. At least the sun was shining today.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Some of the birds shame i did not get there till 12:00pm.
Lovely, Jim--thanks! At least it was sunny!
lol Tony, it was worse than we expected but was the most beautiful day of sunlight so we all had a great time exploring in our wellies ! Mike and I, just like Jim, are completely bush-whacked too so I'll try load more tomorrow evening.
Sleep well, Hazel (and Jim and Mike), and I look forward to further reports!
TJ, I read the blog from LM before Hazy and Co left for their holiday and LM warned about the flooding and the need for Wellies.
Thanks Ann, just had a nice soak in hot bath and off to bed shortly; by the way, we are in a different chalet to the one we normally ask for ............ as it was flooded (for the 2nd time) like several others on the complex !! Nite from Cumbria, another sunny day expected tomorrow but ice on the ground first thing.
Time for a couple more before today's adventures !
I try get pics without food in the shot if possible, only problem is with everything underwater the birds were always around the food lol
one for Paul .... (Jim will have lots more for you)
pretty blue tit
in a hurry to snaffle up the bird food !
Mrs Mally - on the footpath !
dear little CT
not a good shot but to show you the Coal Tit and Marsh Tit together ...
another Mrs Mally by the pathway ...
I know most of you think House Sparrows are common place but I never see them in the garden so this was a thrill for me LOL
a very nice looking female Blackbird
Dunnock
and a corvid for Clare ! one of three that followed the bags of bird food around the reserve lol
Robin with attitude
and last but not least ............. name that white bird in the centre lol not too hard I think ?
Right, that's it for now, will leave Song Thrush and other birds for Jim to post up ...... he's already on his way out to the reserve so I better get my skates (or should that be Wellies and skates on ? ) !! catch you later folks.