Well, that was a good idea!

I only managed half of my plan today as I got quite carried away with my observations in Bowland between Marshaw and Trough Bridge on a visit which turned out to be 'a good idea' and very rewarding. But first one of my - now becoming - regular pics showing the respect some of the natives have for our countryside....

Human Remains in the Forest of Bowland. Pete Woodruff.

It was good to find 10 Spotted Flycatcher still very active between the two aforementioned points, also good to find 8 Redstart including two juveniles, 7 Siskin including good views of a young bird, and 7 Grey Wagtail were along the length of the stream.  



Spotted Flycatcher Marc Heath

Also noted, 4 Nuthatch, 10 Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Mistle Thrush, a Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, 2 Red Grouse, a Kestrel, and a Stoat, an excellent 3.5 hours in an equally excellent part of the world....A coffee and buttie and I was off to Hawthornthwaite.

View from Hawthornthwaite Fell. Pete Woodruff.

Well being a pic of mine not the best result in the world, of the view over the inner Morecambe Bay to the distant and hazy Lakeland Mountains. I was at least a little satisfied to find a pair of Stonechat up here today, though my last visit on 30 June produced nine, being a pair with five young and a pair. Also seen today, 2 Wheatear, and at least 12 Sand Martin in the air and around the c.15 nest hole colony - not all of which have been active - but which has had some obvious success with two young seen with heads at the hole this afternoon. Two Kestrel were the only other birds seen up here, and I saw only six butterflies in as many hours, three of which were too distant and escaped ID, the other three being 2 Green-veined White, and a Peacock.

View from Hawthornthwaite Fell. Pete Woodruff.

A slightly better result from Hawthornthwaite Fell. By the way, the other was taken through my binoculars.

Please take a look at Marc Heaths blog, he currently has some stunning images of the rare Willow Emerald Damselfly.