Caudale Moor and Hartsop Dodd

Hartsop Dodd is a pig of a fell if you go straight up it from Hartsop, while parking at the Kirkstone Inn, going up onto Caudale Moor and Stoney Cove Pike and walking down onto it, is far more pleasant! 

The signed path to St Raven's Edge takes you up a short scrambly section onto the ridge - from which there are spectacular views all around and the path along the wall is clearly visible. Fix the Fells have done an excellent job of placing stepping stones across any boggy bits.

The last distant snows on the shaded side of Helvellyn.

Following the wall you find yourself at Stony Cove Pike which is 1metre higher than Caudale Moor itself. We came back via Caudale Moor summit which is easier to see from the path coming back.

Splendid views across to Fairfield.

Looking down to Hartsop Dodd - a lovely ridge.

Hartsop Dodd summit...now to head back up onto Caudale Moor.

And as the day began to cool off...Caudale Moor summit.

Spring ...possibly!

Our first walk out after the Cairngorms, was down onto the mosses. Nice to see that spring may be on its way! 

Coltsfoot.

Some strong light.

Hare's-tail Cottongrass.

Darkening skies.

Willows...

Burghead: Long-tailed ducks

Burghead is a good spot for Long-tailed Ducks. we think there were maybe 16 out at sea, and one very obliging one that came, briefly, into the entrance to the harbour.

Redshank, with a Purple Sandpiper behind them. 

This particular Redshank really lived up to its name!

Long-tailed ducks at sea...

And off they flew...

And closer up....

 

Burghead: Eider Ducks

We popped into Burghead, in the hope of seeing the Long-tailed ducks (next post), but when we arrived there were lots of lovely Eider Ducks in the harbour, making their characteristic call and with the males jostling each other and throwing their heads back and forth while puffing out their chests, in courtship display.

 

Roseisle

Continuing out Moray meanderings we went to Roseisle where it really began to blow a gale, so we kept to the woodlands... 

Peaking out into the bay - looking over the anti tank defences.

And looking back to Burghead.

Rocky wasn't keen on leaving the beach!

More pine trees...

Lichen heath reminiscent of Norfolk.

..and a nice light.

Lossiemouth in the sun

Just along from Loch Spynie, is Lossiemouth, which looks a lot warmer and calmer than it was in the photos! It's well known as a birding site, with a very pleasant walk along the coast.

Lossiemouth.

Bar-tailed Godwits.

Looking along the coastal bar.

Wigeon.

Curlew - and below.

More Wigeon...and below.

Redshank and Dunlin.

Loch Spynie

With 50 mph winds forecast as a minimum on Cairngorm, we headed up to the Moray Firth coast...first stop - Loch Spynie, where as always, the feeders were full...

One out ....one in!

Yellow Hammer.

Great Spotted Woodpecker filling up on the fat balls.

Tree Sparrows - shouting at an incoming Chaffinch!

There's a nice new replacement hide at the loch edge - not much around in the wind though except...

A lovely Little Grebe.