Not so Quiet on the Western Front (Local Birding, Dec. '22)

Whooper Swans were showing nicely in the usual fields just to the west of the Silloth turn-off in Kirkbride, and I also visited Campfield a few times and took photos of the local residents near the bird feeders, especially Great Spotted Woodpecker. Common Pheasants were also proving photogenic when the sun came out. Other birds that caught my eye were Common Buzzard (at Newton Arlosh) and Moorhen (Campfield). The rarest bird around was not as reliable as it had been in previous years and was much more mobile ranging from Rockcliffe Marsh to Cardurnock and anywhere in between. Eventually, on 11th December, I caught up with it at Cardurnock, or more precisely half-way between here and Campfield, during one of the coldest snaps of the year – in minus 5 degrees C, with Barnacles and Pinkfeet. In fact, it showed rather well at the front of the flock and using my car as a hide, I managed to get some very pleasing images – of Todd’s Canada Goose. On the 23rd of the month, I popped into Hallbankgate and got some good intel on Brambling. These showed well albeit high in the canopy and only briefly. I also caught up with Kestrel, Bullfinch and Mistle Thrush here. On the 26th December, I drove around the peninsula yet again, with nothing particular in mind, but when I returned home I noticed an unusually large flock of Pink-footed Geese just to the west of the house. And it was here that I managed to relocate the Todd’s Canada Goose – and get it on the house list from our bedroom window.

Below: Todd’s Canada Goose with Pinkfeet, taken from top floor of our house (slightly left of centre, facing left):

On the 27th, the Todd’s was upstaged by a bird I hadn’t seen for a while; the only annoying thing was that it wasn’t me who found it. This bird proved a challenge to photograph, not least because the weather was atrocious – driving rain and Baltic temperatures. The bird in question was, of course, a stunning adult Red-breasted Goose, this time on Saltcoates Marsh. I originally relocated it (with Nick Franklin’s help) at Saltcoates humpback bridge before driving round to Brownrigg to get a bit closer. Although I was pleased to get this rarity on camera, it would have been nice to enjoy it in better weather. Maybe tomorrow!

Indeed, the 29th had a few breaks in the clouds and I got some images of the bird in sunshine:

Finally, on the last day of the year, I decided to go for the long-staying Smew down at Siddick pond. Not a drake, sadly, but still nice to see. I managed a half-decent image, albeit with my inferior 2x converter. Goosander and Goldeneye were also present but unlike the Smew, they kept their distance.