Snippets of Wealth - Wed 8th May 2019 - Swifts/Burton News etc

My "Burton News" May issue copy

Burton News – May copy

The Meadow Pipit records this year have been all over the place, with very little movement recorded over Hutton Roof, I think maybe the long spell of chill winds coming from the E/SE may well have had something to do with it.  Although I can report that 534 birds were recorded over Morecambe Stone Jetty on the 1^st of April.

Our first Swallow was back on territory on the Dalton Hall Estate on 8^th April and since then they have been pouring in. Our first two pairs back at Russell Farm were on 18^th April.  

Our first Warblers arrived back with two Chiffchaffs recorded on the 21^st March, then I had my first Willow Warblers back and singing just north west of the Trig on the 6^th April. These were early but since then their arrivals have been doing well and peaking right now has I write these notes with a feeling of Willow Warblers everywhere! I will have counted over 100 singing during my recent visits to various parts of the Hutton Roof complex.  My first two Blackcaps arrived back and singing away near to the Plain Quarry by Dalton Crags was on 8^th April. I had my first Yellowhammer back near Newbigging on 31^st March and I had a further pair back on 19^th April.

Although I did receive an early report of Tree Pipit over Lancelot on the 6^th April. I managed to record our first pair over in Dalton Crags on 18^th April when both birds were calling and doing their downward glide flight rituals. Also I had a single bird over at Newbigging on 20^th April.

A great day on Good Friday up on Newbigging and Whin yeats areas on the Farleton side, when I counted 30 Northern Greenland Wheatear resting up during their massive migration from South Africa and heading to the Greenland or Icelantic or even Faroe Islands. I had groups of 7,6,5 and trios and singles.  We are so privileged that they should choose our fabulous area to call off. I guess if I had gone around the full fell there would have been many more. A follow up visit on the 20^th produced 11 more Wheatear and a lovely surprise with a pair of Ring Ouzel.  A single Ring Ouzel was also seen further over on Farleton Knott a couple of days previous. We have at least 3 pairs of Stonechat breeding this year (probably more), but a definite two in Dalton Crags and a further pair on the Common just above Burton Fell.

Looking forward to the following which should arrive within the next week or two: Garden Warblers, Redstarts, Cuckoo, and those very special “Burton” Swifts.

The flowers have been a treat with Moschatel (or Town Hall Clock) showing on Slape Lane, good populations of Wood Anemone, Bluebells coming up to their best right now! So I guess our Bluebell Woods will look a treat by early May.  Our Herb Paris is about ten days away from flowering,

Our special Spring Cinquefoil were showing about 9 flowers from several small groups in Lancelot a couple of days ago (18^th April) and will be at their best before the end of April.  Also early Spring Sandwort showing. Really early my first Ramsons over in sheltered area near Crag Foot, above the Hutton Roof village, and a shock to find Early Purple Orchids in full flower on 14^th April, yet I am told from a good source that one or two of them were in bloom on the 7^th April although I do think it will be a couple of weeks at least before we get the good shows in quantity.

A favourite of mine the rare but local to our area Blue Moor Grass has been showing throughout the Fell with several different variations which have included lighter versions and including a green version as well as the beautiful blue/purple regulars.

The ferns must not be left out.  I found a rare Southern Polypody on the Hanging Scar Rock over at Crag Foot, Hutton Roof.  The third population I have found in ten years. Our own rarity the Rigid Buckler Fern are just now opening their croziers, along with Brittle Bladder Fern and Harts Tongue Fern. The Rusty Backs are also doing well.

I don’t think I have ever seen so many Brimstone butterflies which seem to have been almost everywhere. I have also already seen scores of Peacock, some Red Admirals, Commas, Orange Tips.

Why not check out my blogs at the following links:

https://arnsidesilverdale.blogspot.com/ this is a good general nature site which is all about Hutton Roof.

https://epipactisatrorubens.blogspot.com/ this blog is about the Orchids of Hutton Roof with emphasis on the Dark Red Helleborine and its hybrid Schmalhauseneii.

https://floraofhuttonroof.blogspot.com/ this blog is growing and shows photos of the Flora of Hutton Roof.

https://huttonroofferns.blogspot.com/ this blog shows most of the Ferns of Hutton Roof

https://natureandpoetry.blogspot.com/ this about my Nature Sketches and Poetry

Bryan Yorke

9 Glebe Close

Email: bryan.yorke@sky.com

"SWIFTS UPDATE"

"Early Day Records"

Wednesday 8th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

0945hrs  6 Swifts flying together over Tanpits and Memorial Hall

Tuesday 7th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

1930hrs Now 6 Swifts between Royal and Memorial Hall

1200hrs 4 Swifts over Memorial Hall

0700hrs No Swifts seen just a few Martins

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2015hrs up to 4 Swifts, 10 House Martins and 1 Swallow. Swifts seen at varying points between Manor House and Memorial Hall. 

0800hrs 3 birds seen, 2 over Royal and 1 over Manor House

Sunday 5th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2000hrs 4 birds present flying high above Memorial Hall

0830hrs Just 2 birds on view between Royal and Memorial

Saturday 4th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

1930hrs 4 birds giving the impression of two separate pairs high over between the Royal and the Kings.

0745hrs At least two birds (possibly 3) flying high above Glebe Close areas

Friday 3rd May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2000hrs no sightings of Swift/s or Martins the skies looked void

1030hrs - Still flying high over Tanpits and Morewood School areas, he/she was screaming to say they are very lonely on there own......come on lets have more Swifts!!

Thursday 2nd May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2030hrs - our first Swift has arrived back in the village and can currently be seen gracing the skies above the Memorial Hall.

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