Light show

We went to see Gilly in Askham today, and after a cup of tea and a catch-up the three of us went for a walk on Askham Fell. This is the view south west across the end of Barton Fell. Ullswater is hidden in the valley. It was bright sunshine when we set off, then the sun sank into cloud, and there was a spectacular light show over the Ullswater valley.

I saw what surely will be my last wheatear of the year (two days later than the last bird recorded in Cumbria in 2009), and my first hen harrier, a male quartering the heathery slopes of Barton Fell. I think that advances the year list to 147.

Back at home the winter thrush flocks were building up on Arnside Knott with redwings, fieldfares and mistle thrushes all in good numbers.