I take my mum for a day out to Muncaster Castle, Cumbria every year. She loves the gardens although we do not get round everything as she is 82 and tires easily, even though we take the wheelchair. Muncaster is also known for its owl conservation work but we did not get to see them as Mother is not interested. I generally have another visit later in the year to see them and the rest of the gardens..
I am sure some of you know this. Muncaster looked after a sick heron for a while in 1994 and when they released it, they continued to feed it once a day, throwing the day old chicks used to feed the owls, on a field at the front of the house. As the owl keepers describe it, "the heron told all his friends" and more and more herons gathered over the years to share in the feast. Last year we counted 39 herons but yesterday there were about 15. The most they have ever had was just over 40 I believe. Usually buzzards appear but wait to steal the food from the herons as they fly into the trees. No buzzards yesterday I'm afraid.
WAITING IN THE TREES AT 4PM
GROUP OF HERONS
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
LANDING
If you get a chance it is a great day out and they fly the owls at 2.30pm each day.
Kind regards Jane.
Aye Jef
Thats fantastic photos there I love the last one I think he should be called Napolean lol
Thanks so much for sharing them and Im glad you and your Mum had a good day.
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Thanks Al, you are so right with the name!
Yes it was a lovely day, my poor old mum fell asleep shortly after I got her home and said she felt really tired today but had really enjoyed it.
There were also House martins and Swallows flying all over the grounds but I deleted about 20 useless photos.......they were just too fast for me.
Hi Jef
My mum loves being taken out for days like that too. She is interested in birds and flowers, so is a good companion for nature rambles. As long as the path is wheelchair- friendly we are up to all sorts.
Great photos from your day out, as usual.
Pip xx
Hiya Pipit
To be honest, some of the paths were only bordering on being wheelchair friendly! There is a lovely grassed terrace, with the most awesome views of the Esk valley. Mum enjoyed sitting there for an hour or so with the birds singing, swallows and housemartins flying overhead and surrounded by beautiful shrubs, trees and flowers. The sun came out and it was very warm.......perfect.
The Terrace
A View from the terrace.
One bird I managed to photograph as it stayed still. Male Chaffinch
What a stunning view out over the valley Jef.
I wouldent mind having a wander around there myself one day.
Thanks for the photos
Hi Jef,
It looks beautiful there! If I manage to get anywhere near the area I'll be sure to pop in for a visit!
Herons are one of my all-time favourite birds - I've got dozens of photos of them....... :)
Best wishes, Graham
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Brilliant photos Jef, particularly the last one. He is so handsome.
It's lovely to be able to have a day out with nature like that with mum. My mum would have loved it. She was a great bird and nature lover, but sadly she died 4 years ago aged 89 . Make the most of it Jef (and Pipit) whilst you can. They are days you'll never forget.
Cheers, Linda.
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Just love your photographs Jef. I always think people are inclined to ignore heron, but they need to really look and watch them. Thank you.
Yes, Mums are precious. So glad your's enjoyed her day out with you.
Thank you everyone for your kind remarks.
Al, thank you and I hope you find the time to visit Muncaster sometime, you would love the owls I think. They put on loads of childrens activities throughout the year and I think you mentioned you have children? To be honest, that photo doesn't do the view justice, it is just one small snapshot, the reality is really superb.
GrahamC : I am so pleased you liked the photos and are a fan of herons. You really must put some of your photos on here, I bet they are amazing. I am sure you would love the spectacle of 38+ Herons feeding, as they are usually such solitary birds.
Sparrow: Thank you for your kind comments, as always. Yes, the time now is precious. [ My mother is under strict instructions to live until she is at least 120! ]
BrendaH: I think you are so right about herons. I had one visiting our pond during the 'big freeze' this winter. It looked young and appeared hungry so I left fish out for it a couple of times a day for ten days or so. Eventually it stopped coming but I am sure I saw it fishing in a nearby beck, a little while later. (I have posted about this before). Thank you for your kind comments about the photos. I took an awful lot that were terrible!
Great pictures of herons and a very interesting story about Muncaster.
I must add it to my list of places to visit.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Best wishes Chris
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