The Juvenile Birder

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 Ulvers...

 Ducks and Warblers! We arrived at 9:40am in hopes of seeing a Long-Tailed Duck. We rushed straight towards front desk to get some information. We found out that it was a female viewable from the Bridge Screen. It had been showing well for two weeks so we'd be unlucky if we didn't see it. We went there straight away, not stopping in any hide. When we arrived, it was there. At the back of the lake, by the reeds, a female Long-Tailed Duck briefly made an appearance before diving down again and then back up. After viewing the duck, we headed up to Burton Viewing Point in hopes of seeing Eurasian Woodcock and European Green Woodpecker. We had no luck with them but did catch glimpse of a Common Chiffchaff by the railway bridge. A nice sign of Spring. We then went back to the mere where some Egyptian Geese had been seen. We only saw a Cetti's Warbler to end the trip.