Garden Warblers have arrived at Dalton Crags.

(Please click over map to enlarge, then click again to supersize if required)

Good Friday April 22nd 2011 from Plain Quarry up to Trig (0830hrs - 1030hrs)
On way to Plain Quarry had a pair of Red Legged Partridge near Russell Farm.
Garden Warblers had come in force during last night because I had six singing birds and watched at close distance, scattered around the bottom of Dalton (Plain Quarry Car Park vicinity).

The Tree Pipit in the clearing before you start going up the Crags was singing his little heart out, and what a wonderful sound he makes...

The Blackcaps seem to take a back seat when the Garden Warblers arrive, and are well outnumbered at present..

In total I had six Garden Warblers at points shown on the map above. The ones I numbered 4 and 5 where actually chasing around after one another probably in courtship mode!

Lots and lots of Willow Warblers singing and fairly well spread out in their distribution of the area.

Also: a few Meadow Pipits overhead heading N (one party 7), also Swallow, 2 Greylag Geese flew overhead N, Redpoll calling, and a Green Woodpecker seen at Dalton and yaffling.

(From 1415hrs to 1715hrs) Did a check out of Warblers in Slape Lane, Burton Fell (lower sections only) and Lancelot Clark Storth (lower sections only). I mapped out the areas and had the following results - purely registered on singing birds only.
Slape Lane, Burton In Kendal (from Vicarage Lane up to Curwen Wood seat): One Blackcap (possibly two) and one Willow Warbler.
Burton Fell (lower section only: 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and 1 Garden Warbler.
Lancelot Clark Storth (lower section only around to rear of Dalton hamlet) 15 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler.

also: Purple Vetch, Cuckoo Flower, Greater Stitchworth, Ramsons (just starting to flower), Water Avens, Bugle and lots lots more, some still to identify. Also lots of Orange Tip Butterflies, Peacock Butterflies and just the odd Small Tortoishell Butterfly, Several Speckled Wood Butterflies.

In the Lancelot count I did notice that one of the Chiffchaffs calls was very different to the usual, with regard: It did the normal Chiff-Chaff, chiff-chaff, a few times as the norm and then would every now and again insert the additional notes of "diddoo diddoo" in the same syllabic range as the "chiff chaff", I have never heard this before and have took it to be probably a (malfunction), rather than the norm....

First "Early Purple Orchids" showing up near Trig Point. Also a little white flower with red anthers.

More Tree Pipits & Greenland Wheatears.....

( Please click over sketches to enlarge)

Went up to Trig today from Dalton plain quarry (0745hrs-0915hrs), More or less similar stuff about but definately increases in Blackcap with at least 3 singing from near to the Car Park, 1 Chiffchaff.

Definately more Tree Pipits have arrived eg: a new one in the open area just after leaving car park and before you climb crags, then another singing and displaying on the way up the Crags, and at least 3 singing and displaying on the deforested area.

GS Woodpecker drumming, also 5 Willow Warblers singing within 100 yards of the Trig point.

Also Bullfinches and Linnets at the Trig. 2 Swallows overhead, and also 2 Wheatear on the walls of the deforested, I am convinced these were "Northerns" especially because of the upright stance and also because of the mid-late April dates....

Then later went up to Derwentwater (Keswick) and had a cracking day, on way back drove around the back side of Thirlemere and what a superb place, it must be good here for Tree Pipits, and I would expect many Pied Flycatchers, and I wonder if theres Redstart! I must before long get up there and check it out...

Great Grey Shrike film plus....Dalton update on Tree Pipits

Please click here to see the great film (on youtube) made by Fraser of the Great Grey Shrike recently at Dalton. What a great job, and you can see the Shrike with prey and impaling Lizards etc...... (Thanks Fraser, and can't wait for Part 2)...

Had a walk from Plain Quarry, and up through Dalton Crags to the Trig and back.
There is now 5 singing Tree Pipits, one in the Crags to the Whittington side of Plain Quarry and at least 4 singing and displaying in the Dalton deforested area. Also at least 2 Blackcaps near to the Plain Quarry Car Park, and also had Great Spotted Woodpecker, lots of Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 single Swallows North, 7 Meadow Pipits North.

Common Lizard ran across entrance at Plain Quarry. Watching Roebuck for 5minutes, Also had a pair of Speckled Wood Butterflies on Dalton Lane.

Whitethroats, Garden Warblers & Blackcaps...Also Great Grey Shrike film by Fraser.

Monday 18th April 2011 (0900hrs - 1345hrs)

- Walk along the Canal from Carnforth to Borwick (0900hrs-1200hrs), then continued through Borwick, Priest Hutton and over Coat Green to Burton In Kendal (1200hrs - 1345hrs).
Along the route to Borwick I had:
2 singing Whitethroats in the immediate verges.
17 singing Willow Warblers in the immediate plus field hedgerows beyond.
10 singing Blackcaps in the immediate verges and field hedgerows beyond.
6 singing Chiffchaffs in the immediate verges and field hedgerows beyond.
2 Male Reed Bunting calling at 2 separate points close to the "phragmites" reedbeds

8 paired Moorhens, plus Oystercatchers (2), Meadow Pipits overhead (4) Several Swallows overhead, also Goldfinch, Linnets, Redpoll,Chaffinch, Greenfinch.

9 Small Tortoishell Butterflies, 3 Peacock Butterflies, 2 Green Veined White Butterflies,5 Orange Tip Butterflies and 1 Large White Butterfly.

Also Rabbits, and large hatches of Black Gnats. Large Bumblebees.

Also flora: Lots of Garlic Mustard showing throughout, Bluebells, Purple Vetch, Dandelion, Daisy, Lords and Ladies, Silverweed,Lesser Celandine, Marsh Marigold, Cuckoo Flower (May flower), Chickweed, Wood Anemone,Cowslips throughout, Coltsfoot, Butterbur.

From Borwick, to Priest Hutton via Coat Green to Burton (1200hrs - 1345hrs)
2 singing Garden Warblers (Borwick & Priest Hutton),
2 singing Willow Warbler
1 singing Chiffchaff (Borwick)
1 pair of Moorhen

Also 3 Peacock Butterflies, 4 Small Tortoishell Butterflies.

Also, Yellow Archangel (introduced), Herb Robert, Wood Sorrell, Barren Raspberry, Daisy, etc.

Please click here to see the great film (on youtube) made by Fraser of the Great Grey Shrike recently at Dalton, and can anyone guess who that guy is walking up Dalton at the beginning of the film!!! What a great job, and you can see the Shrike with prey and impaling Lizards etc...... (Thanks Fraser, and can't wait for Part 2)...

Have you ever been confused by what may sound like a Warbler but is'nt?

Well just in case you have your not on your own, because at this time of the year Robins and Dunnocks take on a totally different song to what they preach at other times of the year. I often think they are rebellious to the arrival of the Blackcaps and Garden Warblers, and subsequently have decided that they want some of the action!!

Also at this time of the year the Nuthatch takes on a very ventril "trilling" call, and very strong for just a medium sized bird. From a distance it may even sound like you've got a Whimbrel close at hand!!

Sunday April 17th 2011 (0745hrs - 0845hrs and then 1115hrs to 1215hrs) Went past Drovers Way, and past "Hanging Hill" on the left hand side and under the aqueduct and just on approach to Moss Lane turned left on to the Hilderstone Road. Here I had a Willow Warbler calling near to the Railway Bridge, and also could hear a new Chiffchaff calling which was on the lane to Holme, quite near to the brand new Agricultural building. Also had a Swallow overhead going North. Garlic Mustard now showing all over the verges.....

Soon on the Hilderstone Road and before the farm I turned off right on to the bridleway which eventually leads on to the A6. Here just behind the farm is some woodlands, which also contain some mature conifers. From here I had another singing Willow Warbler and also a singing Blackcap.

A little further on and I disturbed two male Mallard which were down in the dykes. Also a Lapwing was flying about my head, obviously very agitated. I could see a sitting bird over in the field and also what I thought could well have been small chicks moving about! At this point also had another Willow Warbler in song. Also along here there was Bluebells, Stitchwort, Self Heal and White Dead Nettle. And a nice finish before I arrived at the A6 was a beautifully singing Skylark.

While walking in the verges of the A6 to reach Tarn Lane, I had another singing Willow Warbler. Then on reaching Cinderbarrow and Tarn Lane, I turned down eventually making my way back down to the village of Burton In Kendal. Just at the start of Tarn Lane I had another Meadow Pipit flying overhead on vismig, making two birds I had over the past couple of hours. At the start of Tarn Lane I had Bugle, Dogs Violet, Daisy, Dandelion, Wood Forget Me Not, a Orange Tip Butterfly. and some Stitchworts. Also had the usual singing Chiffchaff at Cinderbarrow.

On reaching the nearby railway bridge, a new Blackcap was singing his head off. A little further on and there was yet another Chiffchaff singing on the Canal, along with another 3 Willow Warblers in the close vicinity of the Canal.

The sitting Mute Swan on the Canal seemed happy enough, and I decided to do some sketching, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw some movement and got superb views of a exceptionally large Stoat bounding about on this side of the Canal. Watched for a minute or so before he decided to go obscure within the nearby undergrowth. A further Blackcap was calling from further along the canal on the Tewitfield side.

Further along Tarn Lane, I had yet another pair of Swallows heading North.

Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps

(Found this well on Lancelot Clark Storth, this morning - please click over to enlarge)

0645hrs: A new Blackcap had arrived and the bird was singing at the bottom of Mowbray Drive/Thornleigh, Burton In Kendal.

0940hrs - 1110hrs - Slape Lane (Leading to Burton Fell), Burton In Kendal. Had 2 singing Willow Warblers whilst going along Slape. A Nuthatch calling from the wooded area near to "game crop", the bird was giving its slapping call which was something like "chiffchiff" "chiffchiff", a call associated at anytime of the year. Also another Blackcap to record near crossroad fences (near gamecrop). Checked out the Nuthatches breeding hole and both birds were present, one of the birds which I gathered to be on the lookout, gave off great vocal commotion when the other bird was just about to enter her nest hole and quickly diverted. I think it was a warning of perhaps my closeby presence. Later at this same site again I witnessed a Great Tit coming out of the hole, so wondering whether both species are for now sharing the same site. Whilst sat at the Curwen seat on Slape, a new Blackcap was closeby and singing from Lancelot Clark Storth.

1115hrs - 1140hrs Burton Fell. 2 singing Chiffchaffs - so where were the other 3 (had they moved on or where they being quiet?, 7 Willow Warblers singing at the bottom of the Fell, Also Bullfinch, and singing Goldcrest, One Green Woodpecker yaffling..

1140hrs-1248hrs in Lancelot Clark Storth Woodlands which go through to the back of Dalton Hamlet and then back to the Curwen Seat on Slape. First investigated a water well area which I had not seen before. Had 11 singing Willow Warblers throughout Lancelot, 4 Chiffchaffs (probably moved over from Burton!!), 3 new Blackcaps at various points. Also a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming and primroses here and there. Nuthatch alarm trilling, just like the Whimbrel call. Also two male Bullfinches showing.

A New Tree Pipit arrived at Dalton Crags also Wheatear

(Please click over sketches to enlarge) From Dalton hamlet side of Dalton Road to Trig via the Crags (0945hrs to 1230hrs), on this side going up there where another three Willow Warblers whilst climbing up, then on reaching clearing area there was another four WWs and one Chiffchaff and one Blackcap. Went up through Dalton Crags (Whittington side) of Plain Quarry Car Park and there was a new Tree Pipit, singing and also displaying on territory. Walked through woods area and then up through deforested to the Trig, on way up there was the Tree Pipit which arrived last week who now seems to have got a mate. There is still at least a further pair of Tree Pipits to arrive! Had 3 Wheatears on the wall near to the Trig, the all looked like males, but two were in superb plumage. I took them to be European Wheatear, they looked of standard size and did not bear any signs of more upright stance as would the "Greenlands." Crossing over to the North West on migration was 2 Redpoll and 6 Meadow Pipits (all singles), plus there was a Mipit blogging party of 10 birds. Also there was at least four Willow Warblers, with two more singing close to the Trig Point. I came down after leaving the deforested and went past the charcoal burners towards Dalton Road, on way down and just past the burners I had a new Chiffchaff singing and also another new one singing quite close to the old "summer house" ruins, also a further four Willow Warblers in this area. Also Goldcrest singing. Also Wood Anemone, 2 Squirrels, and 2 Roe Deer. Not a bad morning!

Peacocks on Hutton Roof

(Please click over sketch to enlarge)

At around 0915hrs had a quick look on the North Lundsfield Old Quarry site at Carnforth.

I had in song, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, and approx 10 Willow Warblers.

Also there was good showing of: Bugle, Silverweed, Coltsfoot, Fresh Leaves of Yellow Flag, and Wood Forget Me Not.

Tree Pipit and Hawfinch at Dalton plus Yellow Archangel in Arnside

Wednesday April 13th 2011. (0730hrs-0830hrs) Had a walk up from Plain Quarry to Trig point and back. Did have one singing Tree Pipit, half way up on the deforested side of Dalton, yet still none of the two paired Stonechats which must be lying low. On way back just after leaving the main Crags and coming into the small clearing area, there was a Hawfinch near the top of the large trees in front (this is where I had one about two weeks ago), its just before you start coming back down again to the Car Park.

I ommitted yesterday my brief walk up to Arnside Knott. I parked up on the road at the bottom which goes past the Arnside Cemetary and just a little further on. You can see the old Arnside Peel Tower on the left. Just here where I parked theres a very large colony of Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) probably of the subspecies argentatum (click over photo to enlarge).

No Shrike again, possibly moved on!!......

Tuesday April 12th 2011 (0800hrs-0930hrs)

No Shrike, No Tree Pipits calling, No Stonechat calling,

just the odd Mipit on territory and the good old faithful skylark.

Lots of Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcap.

Also Green Woodpeckers and Mistle Thrush

Here's a couple of photos from later on when I checked out the Toothwort near to White Moss at Hale. 1) Photo of todays Toothwort 2) Wood Anemone which carpetted the woodland.

No Shrike today and generally quiet, but did have Red Admiral

Monday April 11th 2011 (1300hrs - 1630hrs) Shrike not seen again today, check out all the usual places on Dalton (deforested), Trig and the Common, and down into Lancelot and parts of Burton Fell. Winds pretty strong, and no show either of territorial birds, Tree Pipits or Stonechat. Did have a single Red Admiral on Lancelot in the more sheltered area, and a male Orange Tip at Plain Quarry. Also just one party of 6 Meadow Pipits going through NW on migration. Photos of flowers seen as shown above: Top: Primrose, Bottom: Common Whitlowgrass - Please click over photos to enlarge.

No Shrike today, but lots of Peacock Butterflies

Sunday April 10th 2011 (1400hrs-1530hrs) Plain Quarry to Trig and return. Shrike not seen today, everything so quiet, just the odd Meadow Pipit heard. Lots of Peacock butterflies about. Reports of Orange Tip at Plain Quarry.

GG Shrike & Migration

(Please click over sketches to enlarge)

Its now 0800hrs and earlier I had my first returning Blackcap singing from the Hawthorn Bank (Vicarage Lane) Burton In Kendal. Also had an additional new Chiffchaff calling from the Church Bank area of Burton.

Sat 9th April 2011 (0800 to 1200hrs)

Shrike on show on various tree tops from the Dalton deforested (rotting wood piles) from middle up towards boundary wall before Trig. In the main on his favourite tree. Seen to catch prey (Lizard).

Also: A Blackcap has now arrived to the left hand side of the Plain Quarry car park.

Willow Warblers: 5 close to Car Park, 4 between Car Park and the first open area before you climb Crags. 7 in Crags on way up before clearing. 2 at clearing (deforested) and another 2 on top of Common near Trig. (20 singing birds)

also: 1 Chiffchaff near to Car Park.

and 1 Tree Pipit on territory just has you leave the Crags and Wooded area and start to ascend the deforested area it is within 50 yards on the left hand side (Coast side). There is definately one and possibly two..

Also on vismig whilst I was there: all North/North West Meadow Pipit: 34 (best party 3) Skylark: 1, Redpoll 4, Linnet 2.

Also think there are a pair of Linnet holding territory about 100 yards South of Trig.

Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in wooded area close to car park, also Green Woodpecker yaffling at the end of the Crags just before leaving to the deforested area.

Also lots of Peacock Butterflies throughout, especially at the Plain Quarry Car Park. And very early, very pale Painted Lady Butterfly on the deforested side.

Kestrel local, 2 buzzards local, 2 Ravens local.

Met some great people who had travelled down from Newcastle and also Ian from Chorley...

Sketch below: 1) GG Shrike on deforested area of Dalton today 2) Scan of my todays diary, 3) Peacock Butterfly taken at Plain Quarry this morning, and 4) A photo of the deforested area of Dalton early this morning. (Please click on sketch or photo to enlarge)

Tree Pipit arrived back on Dalton 8th April 2011

(Please click over diary sketch to enlarge) Up at 0500hrs and heard Tawny Owl calling from Glebe Close/Vicarage Lane area of Burton In Kendal. Also noticed that a Swallow was back on territory yesterday at Green Dragon Farm, Burton In Kendal, and also that one has been back on territory at Russell Farm, Dalton, Burton since April 4th 2011.

(Fri April 8th 2011) (0900hrs-1100hrs) Shrike present at first in Dalton deforested (wood piles) near to boundary wall with Common. And then moved to farthest away hawthorn, East from Trig. Still there on leaving.

Also great to see first Tree Pipit returned and singing,in usual breeding area top end of Dalton deforested side - no displays yet...

Also Stonechat male on show on territory. 11 Willow Warblers from Car Park to end of Crags area. 1 Chiffchaff. Also: 33 Meadow Pipits North West during my watch 2hrs. Some Small Tortoishell in flight.

Went over to Shore Road (Hunting Hill) area of Carnforth from 1100hrs to 1200hrs. Did not have a single migrant. There was however 3 Swallows possible back on territory at Gallows Hall.

Also noticed that 3 Swallows are back on territory at Green Dragon Farm, Burton In Kendal.

Also: Ladys Mantle now showing at Plain Quarry.

Below is 1) Sketch from Plain Quarry to Dalton Crags Footpath 2) Forestry Workers at Dalton filling up the Charcoal Burners and 3) is Dalton (deforested) area today.

GG Shrike & Migration - Wheatear etc.

(Please click over photo to enlarge)

Thr April 7th 2011 (0900hrs-1030hrs)

Shrike was present in Dalton (deforested) side (see photo above). Using several trees whilst present, but at finish it was in its in its favourite tall tree.

Mipit migration was exceptionally poor with only 29 birds during my visit, all singles or pairs and heading W or NW.

Had a new Chiffchaff calling from Dalton, just after you leave the car park at Plain Quarry. Also counted 7 singing Willow Warblers in a direct walk from the Quarry car park up to the Trig.

Also had one swallow, and one female Wheatear which for a time was in close company to the breeding territorial Stonechat. I was thrown a bit with the Wheatear, because from a distance (against the sun) the black silhouette was in a tree high up, near the boundary wall which leads to the Trig and at first I thought one of the Tree Pipits was back,but then as I got close it came off the tree and flitted to a nearby stoop and was not seen again. I have seen Wheatears for many a year, but to be honest I cannot ever remember seeing one high up in a tree before!!

Please check out this fabulous film of the Hawfinches at Sizergh, made by Fraser. Please click here

Also had a clump of fungi and also quite a few rosettes of Primroses at Dalton (deforested section)

Yesterday was like searching for the Shrike in Fog

The Sitting Swan Sketch - plus no Shrike today.

(Please click over sketch or photos to enlarge and then click again if you need to supersize)..... 0500hrs reporting: Good to see our nearby Swans on the Canal seem to be doing OK.

0700hrs - Local dawn chorus around Burton doing well especially when you consider it keeps coming down with heavy rain showers, but did not recognize any strangers such as recent migrants, even the Chiffchaff was quiet this morning.

1200hrs-1400hrs Went up through Dalton to the Trig, but No Shrike recorded. Did not have time to check out Lancelot. For most of the time visability down to 30 yards. Strong winds and rain showers. A minimal amount of single Meadow Pipits did brave migration, and were just about heard above the wind, flying side on and having to apply brakes and swing round into a arc and back again (figure of 3) to try and compensate the strong winds and then heading back on their original course. Nothing else showing, who could blame them..

Wow! Its cheeky chappy, attacking our fatballs, but after acrobatics like that he deserves his treat!!

GG Shrike & Willow Warbler Arrivals.

(Please click on sketch to enlarge and then click again if required to supersize, also same applies to photos etc).

Great Grey Shrike was a long way from its normal spots (some 400 yards). It was only that I was walking up from Burton Fell into Lancelot, or I would have missed it. Shortly after leaving Burton Fell and crossing into Lancelot Clark Storth it was there on the tree in front of me, but soon left and went off to the left hand side. I carried on up towards the Trig and also checked out all the Dalton (deforested) areas, but no Shrike was seen again.

On way up had "trilling" Nuthatch near Pickles Wood and the female was seen going in and out of its nest hole at 3 minute intervals (see blurred photo), but on returning past here 2hrs later, and checking out, it was so strange but to see a Great Tit, messing about near the entrance to the hole!! really strange. Also had a new arrival (and first for me) of two singing Willow Warblers at the bottom of Burton Fell, along with 3 Chiffchaffs, several Goldcrest, and a couple of trilling Treecreepers. The area where I had the Willow Warblers is exactly the same spot as where I suspected I had one on March 30th 2011. Also had another Willow Warbler singing on Lancelot.

Also: Wood Sorrell on Slape Lane along with Dandelion

Also on way up noticed this stone near to the side of the gates at the entrance to Burton Fell (Slape Lane End) and it really does remind me very much of the "Coffin Stones" which you see in Grasmere/Rydal areas!! I wonder what this was used for?

This may well be the Swallow Week....

(Please click over sketch to enlarge)

Sunday April 3rd 2011 (0900hrs) Had a (new to me) Chiffchaff calling from opposite the Greenlands Farm on the Burton Road.

Sunday April 3rd 2011 (1030hrs to 1230hrs) - Great Grey Shrike present in the mid deforested area on the Dalton side approx 1/2 way up the path, first seen on the post against the wall to your right boundary, then seen same distance but across on the left hand side in one of the larger trees, and then returned to the other side of the path where it was seen to go down for prey and lost from sight after that.

Also on vismig: (1030hrs to 1230hrs) Meadow Pipit: 120 (best parties: 25,9,9,6,5) Linnet: 3 Chaffinch: 2

Some Mipits seen to be flying side on to compensate wind.

Best migration corridor for Mipits is probably 50 yards either side of gate which leads up to Trig point.

Mipits as usual harrassing the Shrike.

Also Barren Strawberry starting to show on the Dalton Crags side.

As usual met some very interesting friends..

The Skylark versus the Merlin.... plus GGS

(Please click over the sketch to enlarge)

At 0700hrs this morning, I noticed two further "Chiffchaffs" had arrived during the night. One singing from within the gardens opposite Mowbray Drive entrance in Burton in Kendal and another near Dalton Hall.

At 0815hrs, still raining heavy, so will try and check out the Shrike a little later today.

From 1530hrs up to 1700hrs, Went up through Dalton Crags to the Trig, and found the Shrike on our way down, it was more or less 1/2 way up the (deforested area) on the Dalton Side.

Also had a Swallow over Russell Farm (Dalton Village), and the Stonechat (Male) was singing on territory at the top of the deforested side of Dalton. Also 11 Meadow Pipits went through on passage in pairs, 3 Linnets and 1 Chaffinch.

Also reported that a pair of Ring Ouzel on passage had been seen earlier, again on the deforested side. Had a chat with some very interesting people whilst up at the Trig, whom also had a similar interest.

Fantasy Flyover for vismiggers!!

(Please click over sketch to enlarge)

Been up at Trig from about 1400hrs to 1530hrs. And can confirm Great Grey Shrike is there. After almost giving up on it, it re-appeared in the smaller trees in the corner of Lancelot, near the stile 50 yards up the boundary wall from the gate. Then coming down after leaving the Trig it was in its usual territory about 3/4 way up on the Dalton side (deforested area).

Also had a couple of Raven, and a few Meadow Pipits on passage. Very windy up there so you could'nt hear the Mipits that well.