Hodbarrow Terns

Thursday 14th May a.m.
 An early start today heading though the Yorkshire Dales & in to the South West part of the Cumbrian Lake District to the RSPB reserve at Hodbarrow near Millom.On arrival the sun was out with a temperature of 6°C with a cool breeze blowing.The sea wall track takes you to a hide over looking a lagoon with several islands which is home to a colony of Sandwich Terns.It was good to see these in good numbers c200 but they were just out of range of the camera for good pictures.
 It was also good to see several Red-breasted Mergansers,Ringed Plover,Eider Duck,Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Shelduck,Swift & Swallow.There were also Common Tern among the Sandwich Terns & just outside the hide I got a good view of a couple of Little Terns flying over.The closest views of the Terns was as they went over the track along the sea wall, but trying to get pictures with my bridge camera was very difficult.
 Walking back though some grass areas with trees & bushes Willow Warbler,Whitethroat,Blackcap & Linnet were seen & near the car park Chiffchaffs were calling.A long drive but good to see some different birds before another long drive home.N.P.

Red-breasted Merganser

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Terns on distant island

Common Tern

male Eider Duck

Ringed Plover

Whitethroat

Linnet

spot the Terns - Little,Common & Sandwich

Sandwich Terns

Hodbarrow 14/5/2015