Some local birds

The evocative sound of Pinkfeet coming through the still air this morning and then the sight of skein after skein as they crossed the Solway into Cumbria against a clear blue sky with only the last remnants of the early mist -

Numbers of Barnacle Geese are building on the Solway.  A group bathed on the Wampool near Anthorn where it meanders its way into Moricambe Bay -

On the mudflats small groups of waders fed as the tide receded.  Lapwing, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Curlew and a mobile flock of about 30 Dunlin which were accompanied by a rather late juvenile Little Stint -

A little higher up the Wampool a small group of female Goosanders lingered -

Yesterday morning on the Geltsdale Reserve the east wind brought drizzle and a low cloud base.  But very distantly some female Black Grouse fed in a treetop -

The Border Forests often produce few birds but the rewards can sometimes be good.  A single Crossbill was better than nothing -

... and an immature male Merlin perched for a while in the failing light -