St Bees in the sun

 An afternoon visit to St Bees. There weren't so many birds on the ledges today, but a lot out to sea. Mind, a couple of boats came in really close which may have scared some off and the Raven that took a Guillemot off the cliff (it survived) and took an egg (it didn't), did a good job of clearing what birds there were there! The spring flowers were lovely, although the cliff top was beginning to look a bit dry... especially being as it is only April (just). 

Gorse, Bluebells and Red Campion - a classic combination.

Bluebells and Stitchwort.

Sea Pinks and a sparkly sea. 

The cliffs....

Guillemots.

More Guillemots....

Fleswick Bay.

Hanging onto the edge - a Hawthorn tree and if you zoom in you can see the Bloody Crane's-bill is out. 

Red Campion.

Bluebells....

White-clawed Crayfish

It was lovely to see our native Crayfish this morning in a healthy river - plenty of Mayfly and Caddis Fly lava too. Fortunately Tom was with me - with his underwater camera!

April Moth Trap

It's always hard to find nights with no rain - guaranteed...so with a good overnight forecast - the year's first moth trap. Not exactly stuning results, but at least the trap didn't take long to empty! 

Results: Streamer 4: Clouded Drab 7: Red Chestnut 1: Hebrew Character 18; Flame Carpet 1 and Early Thorn 1. 

Flame Carpet.

Hebrew Characters.

Early Thorn.

Streamer.

Lamonby Verges

A walk out to see the Cowslips at Lamonby. They were quite small, possibly droughted, and the Globe Flower and Bird's-eye Primrose were just in bud - as expected. Post Script: three days later the Cowslips have really come on.

Cowslips and below...

False Oxlip with Cowslips and Primroses (parents).

False Oxlip.

Early Purple Orchids.

Bird's-eye Primrose and Globe Flower.

Lovely verges with Water Avens in flower and Meadow Sweet leaves.

Marsh Marigold.

Blencathra in the distance ....all very dry...

Beautiful Buttermere

 ...and it really was! The woodland was alive with birdsong and we had good views of Pied Flycatchers, a Tree Pipit and Garden Warbler. A Cuckoo was calling when we arrived. Stunning views as always...I can't believe it's out first walk round this year ....

Looking towards Fleetwith Pike.....

Lucious Oak woodland.

Pied Flycatcher...and below.

Herdie....in the shade.

Towards Haystacks...

Reflections.

Looking down the lake.

And back up....

Wedholme Cottongrass

A very quick walk round - and suddenly all the Cottongrass has come out. Nice to see a Dark Tussock Moth caterpillar too. 

It's that Dandelion time of year again - a Speckled Wood enjoying...

Cotton Grass...

Dark Tussock Moth caterpillar....and below.

Looking back towards Skiddaw.