Cumbria Crack!

We arrived at Sizergh Castle at first light in hopes of seeing Hawfinches. We parked on the left side of the car park, and walked over to the veranda. There were a number of birders lined up. We approached them and met Joe and Steve, who kindly pointed out two showy male Hawfinches less than 40m away. We also saw a female Hawfinch. I managed to get a record shot of both of them, before heading over to the River Kent for Dipper. 

Image from @RobsBirding, not same bird

We arrived at the River Kent at 8:00am.  As soon as we arrived, we set up the scope along the bank of the river, since the bridge was shut, and on the first scan, I managed to the see the Dipper bathing, however I wasn't quick enough for a photo. We stayed for an hour, seeing the Dipper a few more times, however I wasn't quick enough for a record shot. Satisfied with our views and eager for a lifer, we set off on the hunt for the reported Richard's Pipit. 

We arrived in Ulverston at around 10:00pm, and there we met Joe and Steve again, who told us where to view the pipit from. We walked along the bank and met another couple also looking for the Richard's Pipit. After a bit of searching, we spotted some pipits on the wires, however all we noticed were Meadow Pipits. We waited for an hour, seeing a few Stonechats, Reed Buntings and a Barn Owl. As we were waiting, we also noticed a Kestrel, which was preventing the pipits from coming up onto the wires. Soon, some more birders came and within five minutes of their arrival, the Kestrel flew off. As soon as the Kestrel left, all the pipits went back on the wires. At first, they were all Meadow Pipits, but then a larger one flew onto the wires. It was the Richard's Pipit. It showed well up on the wires, showings it distinctive face pattern and its long hind claw, as well as its overall large, upright structure. Satisfied with our views, we set off to Foulshaw Moss in hopes of some winter finches.

We arrived at Foulshaw Moss at around 1:30pm, in hopes of seeing Redpoll, Siskin, Brambling and Water Rail. Once we arrived, we spent about half an hour waiting at the feeding station in the car park. We managed to spot Tree Sparrows, Greenfinch, Long-tailed Tits and other common garden birds. We then walked over to the hide, seeing nothing else. After about an hour of checking both feeders, we gave up on the winter finches and headed over to RSPB Leighton Moss.

We arrived at 3:00pm at RSPB Leighton Moss in hopes of seeing a rare duck. We made our way towards Causeway Hide, and once we had arrived, I started scanning the Tufted Duck flock. Upon a few scans, I couldn't see anything that stood out. I then started scanning the whole lake, and noticed a dark brown duck with a white stripe by the base of the bill. It was the Ring-necked Duck! I got a record shot of it, and then we made way to the feeding station, in search of Marsh Tit. Once at the feeding station, we saw a few Coal Tits, as well as the other regular woodland birds. Then, I spotted a Marsh Tit briefly as it flew onto a feeder, and then back into the cover of an ivy-covered tree. After a few more minutes of waiting, we ended up calling it a day but decided to head back there the following morning.

Scarlet Elf Cup

We arrived at RSPB Leighton Moss, with my little brother, at 7:00am the following morning. We were hoping to see Bearded Reedlings and better views of Marsh Tit, as well as Cetti's Warbler. We made our way towards the Causeway Hide, seeing some beautiful Scarlet Elf Cup, a special species of fungi, on our way to the hide.

Once we arrived at Causeway Hide, it was very quiet. Only a few birds were on the water, including a lovely drake Pochard, which was a year tick. There was also a few Tufted Ducks and Mute Swans, as well as the resident pair of Great Black-backed Gulls. We then continued down to Lower Hide, hoping for Otter. Once we arrived, we had been told that the Otters were seen very early in the morning, before going behind the spit of reeds. After waiting for a bit, we made our way from Lower Hide back down to the visitor centre, in hopes of getting a better view of a Marsh Tit. Along the way, I heard and saw fleeting glimpses of many Cetti's Warblers.

Just before I got to the feeding station, I noticed two familiar faces as I turned a corner. Dave and Keith were both surprisingly out here for a days birding. They were out with a newer birder, also named Keith, to try and find him his first Bearded Reedling, as well as to find some other birds. After a quick chat, we parted ways and I went over to the feeding station. After waiting for about half an hour at the feeding station, all I saw was a Nuthatch and a few Coal Tits, as well as some other common garden birds. We then got a phone call from Dave telling us that two Otters were showing well from Causeway Hide. Without a second to lose, I ran as fast as I could straight from the feeding station over the Causeway Hide. Along the way, I finally managed to spot, and get good views of a Marsh Tit near the grit trays. Once I had arrived at the hide, Keith said he had the two Otters in his view by the swans, however, they then dived back down before I could get my eyes on them.

After waiting for a while, we managed to spot a male and female Marsh Harrier, a few Cormorants and a large flock of Tufted Ducks and Coots. However, we did not see the Otters again. We then gave up, and headed over to the grit trays near Grisedale Hide after hearing of the Bearded Reedlings being seen there earlier in the day.

Along the way to the grit trays, Keith spotted a pair of Bullfinches feeding in a bush, allowing for some great views of this stunning bird. We also noticed a very showy Marsh Tit, being too close for photos at times. Once we were at the grit trays, we noticed a few Marsh Harriers, as well as one or two Buzzards. However, after waiting for a while at the grit trays, we were unsuccessful. It was around midday, so we decided to call it a day and head home.

Overall, a great trip with 1 lifer (Richard's Pipit) and many year ticks!