RSPB Hodbarrow,Millom,Cumbria.

[Twitcheruth]

RSPB Hodbarrow,Millom,Cumbria.

Having decided against a planned visit to RSPB St Bees we decided to visit this previously unknown reserve to us last week while up in the Southern Lake District.
We arrived on a sunny Saturday morning and parked up and loaded the rucksack with waterproofs,fruit and water and set off for the 1.5 mile walk through heathland and then along a spit towards the birdhide by the lighthouse.

We were immediately surrounded by Whitethroat,Chiffchaffs,Sand Martins,Meadow Pipits and Orange Tip butterflies.....always a favourite of mine to see.

Reaching the sea Eiders were everywhere the males displaying and calling their humerous calls! On the lagoon side of the spit we soon heard the harsh and distinct cries of Terns and upon arrival at the hide saw Arctic,Sandwich,Common and Little along with more Eiders,R.B.Mergansers,Wheatear,G.B.B.Gull plus the usual common waders.

Eventually a blackening sky forced us out of the hide and back towards the car as we experienced our first rain since arriving aover a week earlier!

A wonderful reserve in stunning surroundings and one that we'd definitely visit again!

The RSPB: Hodbarrow

[Twitcheruth]

A few more images from Hodbarrow.

[ijwilki]

Sounds like you had a good time. I've never been to Hodbarrow but your report and pics has me interested. Some good shots there Ruth. I'm sure I'll be visiting the area sometime in the future.

Ian

[alanjns]

It's all flooding back to me Ruth!

I had a great time when I visited last year, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much too.

Next time though, I'm coming with you - I only managed Common and Sandwich Terns

[JONNY74]

Nice report Ruth, I get to Hodbarrow about 5 or 6 times a year as my dad lives in Haverigg. Great that you got Little tern as I haven't had one there for a few years. They used to breed on scrape in front of the hide but haven't bred for a number of years. But the rspb made some improvements last year to try and make it more tern friendly so time will tell I suppose.
It's a really brilliant place for Eider though as you mentioned, I always get my first ones of the year there. It does turn up some other nice birds also. I've had Med gull, Little gull, Purple sandpiper, Red throated diver, Gannet, Scaup and Spoonbill all around the area in the last 12 months. A great reserve and one that is quite under watched I think

[Twitcheruth]

Thanks Ian,Alan and Jonny,yes a nice reserve and a lot safer than St Bees further up the coast and one that we'll definitely be re-visiting in the future.......hope you get to visit too Ian!
I was thinking it would be a handy place for you to visit with the train station being so close so i'm glad to hear that you're familiar with it Alan.
We only saw 1 Little Tern Jonny,hopefully more will arrive and that it was just a little early in the season for them??

[alanjns]

I have to say, Ruth, that your picture of the solitary tree is stunning, I really like that one

[Twitcheruth]

Originally Posted by alanjns

I have to say, Ruth, that your picture of the solitary tree is stunning, I really like that one

Thanks Alan,I'm quite pleased with that one myself......we were running for cover by then as the rain was on it's way.......we just made it back to the car park!