Rose-coloured Starling; Carlisle

A drizzly morning and a second visit into Carlisle, to try and see the Rose-coloured Starling ....a very pretty and strongly marked bird that should be somewhere between Turkey and east to Mongolia! 

Maryport 'Blues'

As well as all the Bee Orchids, blue butterlfies were in abundance.

Common Blue.

Common Blue mating pair.

Common Blue....

..and the much smaller and darker Small Blue....and below....

Cumbrian Bee Orchids

We thought that we might have been a little early for the Bee Orchids at Maryport, but we definitely weren't. The Bloody Crane's-bill was spectacular and the first Broomrapes are appearing. What a display! ..and there were Small Blues and Common Blues too....(Next blog).

The SSSI.

Bloody Crane's-bill and Plantain seedheads.

Common Broomrape. 

Northern Marsh Orchids. 

Bee Orchids - and below. 

Maryport Harbour

Whilst waiting for The Charisma to set up her fish for sale - a wander around the harbour - just lovely colours and textures. When the 'Wildlife Season' is over, I may get to do some artwork based on these!

Eycott Hill

After Lamonby we went to Eycott Hill....a bit too early for Marsh fritillaries at this higher altitude site, but some lovely Mountain Pansies! 

The view across to Blencathra.

Mountain Pansies..and below.

Coronation Meadow and Carrock Fell. 

Bog Bean.

Cranberry.

Pignut and Yellow Rattle. 

Lamonby verges

Unusually, this is my first trip to these verges - actually I tell a lie - when we went a month ago an indigo sky deposited cold, wet hail on us, so we retreated! This time it was cool with a stiff breeze, but the Bird's-eye Primrose was superb, as were the Globe Flowers!  

In the distance a clump of Globe Flowers illuminated beautifully by the light...

Sadly, by the time I got there, the sun went in! 

..and a second clump.

Bird's -eye Primrose...and below. 

Twayblade..and close up....

Wood Crane's-bill. 

Hawthorn still in flower. 

Quaking Grass just coming out. 

Butterwort and Northern Marsh Orchid.