Ravenglass
In between the wind and the rain (Cumbria's default setting) we actually had a fine day on Saturday. Cameras in hand, we tootled down the coast to the village of Ravenglass where three rivers meet in a rather splendid estuary. Last month the snowdrops appeared, and this month the crocus were in full bloom. There were even a few daffodils open. The winter may have been wet and windy, but it's also been very mild. I thought that we may see large flocks of overwintering birds on the flats, but there were mainly singletons and pairs. A lone Redshank was probing the sands, and a Little Egret took flight at our approach. Meanwhile, in a nearby tree, a Greenfinch was calling with his characteristic 'dzeeee' at the end of each phrase. There's a fairly good path (not wheelchair accessible, for those of you who need to know) with lovely views across the estuary. There was a small flock of Herring Gull, a pair of Shelduck, and the odd Curlew, warbling away. Lifting a small s...