Gait Barrows - Friday 21st May 2010

0930hrs-1300hrs
Had a enjoyable morning on Gait Barrows. Thought it would be good today especially for butterflies because of it being such a sunny morning and I was proved to have made a wise choice.

There were several Duke of Burgundys feeding up on the primrose and cowslip, the ones I saw where mainly males. Also it was really interesting to see a couple which had just come out of their chrysalis, perhaps 15 minutes earlier and drying out and then being released back into the wild. A very worthwhile exercise, and I do believe will involve at least 30 individuals by the end of the programmed release. They are all individuals actually hatched from eggs which have been collected in the locality. This will help to swell the numbers of the local stock which sadly has depleted in more recent times. See photo below left of fresh chrysalis just before hatching.

Also had a female Common Blue which is quite early. A Pearl Bordered Fritillary, a Dingy Skipper, several Peacock, Orange Tips and Speckled Woods, a couple of Brimstone (males) and lots of Large Whites. Also had a couple of Speckled Yellow Moths.

Another first for me was seeing three "Rose Chafer" beetles at varying points on the limestone pavement. Quite a big beetle with similarity in size to cockroach... they would come flying past with a very loud humming, perhaps louder than the normal bumblebee, and a lovely irridescent greeny colour (see photo). Just by luck one of them decided to land quite close to me (within one metre) and I managed to take a few photos. It made such a thud when it landed!! Also had a couple of damselflies (unable to identify Blackish dark colours not the azure blue type), also had really good views of the Four Spotted Chaser (see photo). Lots of Wood Ants about as usual.

Bird life included: Chiffchaff (5), Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler (7), Long Tailed Tit, Buzzard overhead, Greylag Geese down at Little Haweswater (6) included one which was almost completely white. Goldcrest - several heard (great to hear!), Heron.

Flora included: Lily Of The Valley, Primrose, Cowslip, Bluebell, Red Clover, Daisy, Lesser Trefoil, Wood Anemone, Barron Strawberry, Bugle, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Plaintain, Speedwell (two different sorts), Common Dog Violet, Stitchworts, Stonecrop and Harts Tongue Fern...

Finally got to meet the Warden: Rob Petley-Jones, and some other interesting guys, one chap whom had travelled all the way from Stafford, just to see the Duke of Burgundys, also there where guys from Burnley, and Ilkley and there where others also.. (PLEASE CLICK OVER PHOTO ONCE AND THEN CLICK OVER AGAIN TO GET THE FULL ENLARGEMENT)..

1900-2030hrs. Had a walk around Dalton Woods and Dalton Crags. It was a proper evening chorus with lots of the regular species, singing their little hearts out. Probably the prize for the loudest was by far the Song Thrush, we heard a couple of them at the start of the walk and they where still going at it on our return, over a hour later. Also heard Blackcap, Garden Warbler, and several Willow Warbler.

Found another couple of Early Purple Orchids - both individuals.

Castlehead, Keswick 19th May 2010

Our walk started from Keswick heading to The Heads, and then on passing The Hope park on the right and on the left the Theatre By The Lake and down past the nearby boat landing stages. Almost opposite the landing stage we turned left and followed the footpath through the mixed woodland of Cockshot Wood. Here there where several singing birds but only a Chiffchaff amongst the warblers. There was plenty of bluebells, Ramsons, etc.

After leaving this wood a short footpath up to the main B5289 and crossing over into Castlehead Woods, with mature trees and a moderate climb up to the Castlehead viewpoint which gave you absolutely superb views (see photos) especially over Derwentwater with Cat Bells to our South West, and today Skiddaw was shrouded in mist. We had been strongly recommended about this viewpoint and we certainly had not been dissapointed. You could also see the bottom of Bassenthwaite coming into view from your right (or Northerly side). A pair of Ravens were "honking" and heading in the Castlerigg direction...

Coming down through the woodland (Castlehead Wood), we made our way, and walked through to Ings Wood (National Trust). This is the place where we saw the frogs mating two or three months ago..

On our way back we approached the Lake edge on its shingle shoreline in Strandshag Bay. We then climbed up to the John Ruskin monument and took photos from on Friars Crag, before heading back to the bus station at Keswick.. Click over photos once, and then again for full enlargement...

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Capernwray - Woodland across from Havelock House 18th May 2010

0930hrs - 1100hrs. Ran Sandra to Capernwray Hall for her weekly swim, in the most pleasant of surroundings whilst listening to beautiful piped low volumed classical music. I left the car at Capernwray and walked up the hill, to the woodland (mainly of mature pine) which lies opposite Havelock House.

The woodland floor was in part covered in a thick carpet of bluebells -see photo (yet another fabulous - Bluebell Wood - there everywhere around these parts!!! - I love them...). Also the ferns are growing very well. Wood Sorrell is really thick on the ground towards the South West corner of the woodland.

There is a overwhelming buzzing which is there from the moment you enter this woodland, in fact I had the same yesterday whilst at Warton. Its quite pleasant and I think its the sounds of swarms of hoverflies or something like them. And above this sound, I can hear in the distance, a Garden Warbler and also a Willow Warbler.

But for today I am going to call this wood, "The Forever Calling Blackbird Wood", because thats exactly how it was. In that throughout my walk on that well trodden footpath which encircled these woods, I could hear the pleasant call of the Blackbird.

I would not be suprised to learn that Redpolls could breeding here, in these pines woods, or if not here, they will be just up the road in Lords Lot. I heard them and have seen them again today, and have done on many occasions recently....

1300hrs - 1500hrs. Walked along the road by the side of Green Dragon Farm on Tarn Lane, up towards the small wood at Cinderbarrow closeby the Model Railway, then down the lane which leads over Hilderstone Moss, past Hilderstone Farm and eventually joining on at Moss Lane, and then going under the railway, and the aqueduct which carries the canal, into School Lane, and back into Burton.

Whilst going along Hilderstone, we came upon a sign at the side of the Lane indicating that closeby was a ancient Quaker Burial Site (see photo)...

During the walk I had three Garden Warblers singing, one Blackcap singing, one Whitethroat singing, plus several Willow Warblers. Two Ravens past overhead, and three Buzzards where soaring above us, occasionally being mobbed by nearby Rooks seemed to belong to a nearby rookery. I would have thought the Buzzards where of Leighton stock...

PHOTOS TO BE INCLUDED SHORTLY.

WARTON CRAG - A Butterfly day...17th May 2010...

It was a very nice day with lots of activity. I started off from the small quarry car park on the right hand side, just after going up the side of the George Washington Pub. Here I climbed up the rough area and eventually onto the main terraces which run high up along the back of the large quarry below. Going further down to get good views of Jenny Browns point, then retracking back and up onto the higher level before taking a sort of circular walk, eventually bringing me down amongst mature woodland and back....

Straight away it was very pleasing to see so many Early Purple Orchids, probably thousands if the count was known. But beside these there where all the regular stuff for the time of year eg: Lords & Ladies, Bugle, etc; but also a very impressive show of young fresh Birdsfoot Trefoil lining and edging the main sloping terraces. In a small floret of primula, I guess this one thought it should have been a "Birds Eye".

Also on these early slopes I saw two Pearl Bordered Fritallaries in superb condition (see photo) and besides these I also had throughout my walk other butterflies eg: Green Hairstreak (perhaps about four pairs) all chasing after one another as though they where fighting or mating, but now and again they would settle and feed on the bramble which lies to the back of the footpath which is fenced off from the large quarry down below. At this same point I had about ten Small Heaths, also there where Common Blues, Speckled Woods, Small Whites, Orange Tips- males.


There seems to be far more Garden Warblers, than Blackcaps, with maybe at least six singing birds, yet only a couple of singing Blackcaps. Also about three Chiffchaffs and numerous Willow Warblers, and one Lesser Whitethroat....

The views from up here are excellent or should I say superb, I was suprised to see that they are already cutting their fields for early silage (see photo)....

Added: from 2000hrs - 2200hrs. Me and Sandra had walk around Leighton Moss causeway to the Public Hide and then on the back to the Lower Hide. At the Lower Hide we had just missed seeing a Otter which was seen to swim in front of the hide and go to the rear of the mere... As usual the place was swarming with lots of flies, and could be unpleasant walking through them at times. There was again no roding Woodcock to be seen or heard which was a little dissapointing. We heard about 15 different Sedge Warblers singing, throughout our walk which was very nice. Alson we saw, Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Geese, Mute Swans, Coots, Moorhens, Pochard, Shoveler (4). Lots of Black Headed Gulls sitting tight on nest on small islets in front of Public Hide.

Conishead Priory, Ulverston & Kadampa Buddhist Temple - Fri May 14th 2010

Today was something rather different.

I was a volunteer to be one of the escorts at my Grandchilds school trip and we visited the Conishead Priory, including the Kadampa Buddhist Temple built within the Priory grounds at Ulverston.

It was so beautiful, in fact it was stunning from the moment you entered the grounds you could see the bright golden rooflines, and roof artefacts all in gold materials to the outsides of the temple.

We took off our shoes at the entrance, and went in, and this was to be even more stunning with Massive Buddhist statues in front of you, and other beautiful significant artwork in the ceiling and also around the upper ceiling/wall edges. Make sure you Click here to check out the Buddhist temple website and see pictures of the statues etc etc... by clicking on the links to the right hand side of the website.....

There was also a beautiful forest walk within long mature woodland, which eventually lead us down to the shingle beach which overlooked Chapel Island in Morecambe Bay (William Wordsworth describing Chapel Island "As I advanced, all that I saw or felt, was gentleness and peace")...

Dalton Crags & Hutton Roof 13th May 2010

A lovely morning.....
It was so noticeable that there had been a increase in the Garden Warbler population with at least six singing birds (mainly in the Dalton Crags area), but the odd couple in the open areas near the rotting wood piles. I only heard one Blackcap calling (near Quarry Car Park). Lots of Willow Warblers with maybe up to ten singing birds. One Chiffchaff calling. Only one Tree Pipit calling and displaying at the regular place on entering the open area with rotting wood piles. (Click over photo once, then click over again for full enlargement)...

Other birds recorded: Goldfinch (a couple near quarry Car Park), a couple of Buzzards, one high up soaring, and another at rest on a tree in Lancelot Clark Storth. Also Overhead Linnets and Redpoll. One Swallow going through heading NW.

Flowers: Early Purple Orchids (one singular in Dalton Crags) and a small group near the Trig with at least 30 flowering heads. Lots of primrose and Cowslips (mainly in bottom half of open area with rotting wood piles. Tormental, Barren Strawberry, Dandelion, Bugle, Common Dog Violet. Back in Quarry picnic area there was a Purplish Vetch type flower,

Butterflies: 5 Speckled Wood in ride at top of Dalton Crags, 2 Large White, 2 Peacock in Car Park Quarry. Moths: A Speckled Yellow (near rotting wood piles - open area)

Insects: A social wasp with vivid orange towards its back end..

On way down from the Trig point, it was nice to bump into a lovely couple who were also Rossendalians hailing from the lovely place "Whitworth". They have a caravan up here at Capernwray and where doing one of their regular walks today, along with their little black dog. It was obvious that they too loved this place and had spent quite sometime here over the recent years.

Grasmere - Easedale Tarn - Grasmere 12th May 2010

A walk of Easy to Moderate terrain of about 6 miles and it took about 4 hours...

We started by going up the Easedale Road, which was accessed from nearby the Northbound No.555 bus stop.

Shortly after heading up this road and past the Quaker Meeting House on the left, and shortly after this we should have turned left or gone straight on to Easedale Tarn. But no! just after crossing the "Goody Bridge" we turned right. And ended up after about 30 minutes at the Hamlet of "Helmside", with the mighty "Helm Crag" to our left, overshadowing the adjoining "Gibson Knott". Just before reaching the hamlet there was a Whitethroat calling at a "hundred to the dozen". Also there was a Nuthatch calling from nearby....

While we were debating whether to turn back or could we find a shorter route between the Helm Crag, a very spritely young fellow was heading towards us, and we got chatting. He was called Gerry and came from Coppull, Nr. Wigan, in his earlier days he had been a Coal Miner. I could not believe he was 71 years old and had been climbing all the fells and mountains throughout the Lakes and elsewhere in the UK since the age of 40. He just was fit and he had just decended down from Helm Crag only minutes earlier, and yesterday he had completed Helvellyn (which I believe he had done several times before that). Anyway he advised us to return to "Goody Bridge" and then take the straightforward route to Easedale. He said the climb over Helm Crag, would be very hardy going from this side. We took his advice and walk on with him to Goody Bridge where we bid him farewell..

Soon we came upon "Easedale Beck" which was a beautiful little place with Slate slab stones making bridges across the beck, the area was surrounded with mature trees and there where lots of Wood Anemone carpetting the woodland floor.

A little further on and we stopped for lunch at the New Bridge which was recently built to cross over the Easedale Beck, the bridge would also be suitable for farm vehicles etc..

Soon we headed North West up the main footpath which had now become self explanatory, with lots of paving stones having been placed in sections making a footpath to save erosion etc. Before long on the right hand side was a superb waterfall, which I would guess that in spate would be a remarkable sight. The water was crystal clear as it always is around here.. This area does have a extroadinary name of "Sour Milk Ghyll". It was not long before we reached the Tarn, but by now the wind had got up strong, which was to die down again within several minutes and also the mist started to move in with rain coming from the Rydal Fell area, but again this soon died out and it became clear again...

This area was pretty wild and the only wildlife we saw was a few Meadow Pipits..

Soon we made our retreat and did the circular by crossing over the stepping stones at the base of the Tarn and coming down the other side of the vale past Cockly Crag, Stenners Crag to Stythewaite Steps where we crossed the beck and followed the footpath skirting the base of Helm Crag back to Grasmere....

CLICK OVER PHOTOS ONCE AND THEN AGAIN TO ENLARGE TO FULL SIZE.

Hale and White Moss and later Trowbarrow Quarry - 10th May 2010

Had a visit to Hale Moss and White Moss.

There where plenty of bird activity with: Several Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, and a pair of Garden Warblers at White Moss and also Blackcap.

Lots of Primrose and Cowslips, Bluebells, Wood Anemone, Wood Sorrell, Herb Robert starting to show here and there, Bugle, some Orchid leaves showing - I think they are going to be Marsh Orchids, but I need to wait and see. It was absolutely great to see the Herb Paris - a nice colony of perhaps 100 plus...



Had a quick visit to a third of the Trowbarrow area, there was a few early purples showing plus Common Dog Violet, primula etc etc etc.

Silverdale - Orchids... Thr 6th May 2010 (POLLING DAY)

I really enjoyed searching for orchids..... there was a large group of the rare Green Winged Orchid (probably above 100 flowering heads).

And also a couple of large groups of the Early Purple Orchid (with probably above 50 flowering heads each group. Here are some photos - please click over photo once and then click again, to get the full enlargement photo.....

Dalton Crags & Hutton Roof - 5th May 2010

Starting off from the Car Park at Dalton side, there was a pair of Garden Warblers singing away, also not far away was a Blackcap in full song. On the way down at this spot, also a Chiffchaff was calling.

Just as you start to climb up the Dalton Crags at the beginning of the limestone, I noticed to the left hand side a lone "Early Purple Orchid" in full flower and stopped to take a photo or two (See Photo- click once, then again for full enlargement).

On way up as though heading towards the Trig Point, there were lots of Primroses and Cowslips. Willow Warblers could be heard throughout with a possible 6 pairs at least calling.

Crossing the area where the rotting woodpiles are, there were now at least three pairs of Tree Pipits, and soon I heard a Cuckoo and looking up it was there in front in a tall tree, near the boundary wall where the gate is before you enter the trig point area. It was calling for up to 5 minutes, whilst also being mobbed by the occasional Meadow Pipit. After 5 minutes it had enough and moved over to the trig point areas...

I also had this small flower which was on the limestone south of the Trig, I am not too sure but do think it maybe a Rue Leaved Saxifrage....

Also had a Speckled Wood Butterfly in Dalton Crags and also earlier had startled a Roe Deer which went bounding off over ploverlands...

Windermere - Troutbeck - Ambleside - Tues May 4th 2010

(Click over photos once, then again for full image size)......Probably about six and a half mile, of easy to moderate terrain. Opposite Booths at Windermere and up the side of the Windermere Hotel to reach Orrest Head, a fabulous viewpoint to take in Windermere, almost the full ten miles or so.... and turn around to look over the fells of Kentmere and High Street......

On the way there was some great mature woodlands which will have hosted Red Squirrels. Just before the hamlet of Far Orrest I witnessed a Common Redstart, sallying after flies..

It was a great suprise, because at the farm buildings at Far Orrest and on the side of the footpath, there was a small open tent with a refreshment table which included fresh buttered scones, bottled waters etc and a notepad was left for comments etc and honesty box.. we couldnt resist a scone and put the seventy pence in the box before carrying on our way.. How great for such a welcome sight and for the trust shown (see photo).......

Then on past the rocky outcrop of Allen Knott and down, across and eventually down towards the beck of Troutbeck, where here we crossed over two wooden bridges, and then steadily climbed to the village of Troutbeck, a lovely little place with some very old buildings which still had timber lintels, in fact in some instances, I am sure they could still have been the original lintels from the when the buildings where first built, and that would be guessed at perhaps around the mid 17th century, with one particular building which looked even older....

I always wondered what Troutbeck would look like, I remember from a child the song "Dye ken John Peel".....and that it was said he came from or lived at, and also I camped at Troutbeck as a child with the Boy Scouts, but to be honest with you cant remember a thing about them days.

A very beautiful village, set within one of the most beautiful of valleys, which heads off to the great "Kirkstone Pass" and over towards Ullswater.

We turned left up by the side of the village post office, the lane called Robin Lane, and after a couple of hundred yards or so, came upon a seat for the weiry souls who passed by, and we took advantage of resting and snacking...this was a special place with the most magnificient view (see photo), again looking down towards Troutbeck. Directly in front of the bench was a sort of little memorial stone devoted to the recognition of the Troutbeck sheepdogs (see photo). And closeby was a grand array of local wild flower species which had been introduced eg: Forget Me Nots and Fritillaries etc... we continued up Robin Lane and it was so obvious by the garlic smell, that you where bordered by many Ransoms on either side of the stoney lane...

Continuing up dale and down vale crossing through fields and farmhouses, we eventually entered some mature woodland called "Kelsick Scar" and maintained by the National Trust, just further along and we made a slight deviation to "Jenkin Crag" another well known viewpoint where you can look down towards Waterhead and the Lake Windermere. It was great to hear a Cuckoo calling away from somewhere high up on Kelsick Scar, also noticed looking down on us, yet quite camouflaged from beind some shrub was a Roe Deer which quickly bounded off when it realised we were watching it....

Ten minutes on and we were coming down at Waterhead, Ambleside....