Broken Egg Shell

This broken egg shell was lying close to the path in the Serpentine Walk. From the brown colour and size (about the same size as a small hen's egg) think that it is probably from a pheasant's egg. Female pheasants tend to nest under hedges or in tall grass and this was close to the hedgerow at the edge of the field bordering the footpath. Quite often see and hear pheasants in that field. Hopefully the chick will have successfully hatched from the egg.

The hedgerow at the field edge in the Serpentine walk.

Larch Raspberries

Developing cones on a larch tree in the Serpentine Walk. At first glance they look rather like ripening raspberries. Some of last years cones can also be seen.

A Miscellany of Birds

Going on holiday to different parts of the country gives an opportunity to see different birds.  These were kittiwakes at Staithes on the North Yorkshire Coast.

Cowbar Nab at Staithes where the kittiwakes were nesting.  Herring gulls nest on the top of the rock and lower down house martins were also present whizzing in and out of their mud nests.

A red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). Partridges nest on Spaunton Moor but this one had strayed into a garden in Lastingham.

 Near the lake Studley Royal a pair of Swedish Blue Ducks.

There are plenty of pheasants around Largo but not usually as willing as these at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal to have their photos taken.

 A handsome male pheasant.

Two female pheasants. Less brightly coloured than the male but still attractive birds.

Return to Pooley Bridge

Last October took the ferry from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge then walked over this lovely old bridge into the village. Sadly in December the bridge collapsed when Storm Desmond hit Cumbria cutting off the access to the village.

Repeated the trip last week and glad to say that a new temporary bridge has now been built - not as attractive as the old one but very serviceable with access for pedestrians and vehicles.

From the notice board at the damaged pier house describing the aftermath of the storm.

The Lady Wakefield high and dry on the banks of Ullswater.

Major reconstruction also still going on at Glenridding which was devastated by Storm Desmond.