Yesterday evening I went for a walk along the beck at Caldbeck with my eldest two daughters in search of Grey Wagtail and other riparian specialists. On arrival the car-park was busy with Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and a stunning Spotted Flycatcher. The latter species was a once common species, I have encountered it rarely in recent years, so this individual was particularly special
Along the beck we had some brief but nice views of a busy White-throated Dipper. Even though the light was terrible, I did manage to take a photo, not my best, but identifiable at least! White-throated Dippers are such iconic birds of fast flowing rivers and streams, it is amazing watching these passerines diving underwater as the search for their prey.
There were a couple of Pied Wagtails feeding on the rocks in the beck which were fantastic to see, but the undoubted highlight was a Grey Wagtail. I have seen this species on most recent visits to Caldbeck, but they were always very skittish and I’d never managed to photograph them. Today however things were a lot better. This Grey Wagtail was unusually confiding and allowed me to snap some reasonable pictures whilst it fed on insects and spent time preening.
As can be seen by the images above the Grey Wagtail with it’s bright yellow breast, belly, rump and under-tail is not the dull looking bird that it’s name would suggest. A truly stunning bird, it is definitely up there with my favourites! I absolutely lover exploring the riparian habitats across north Cumbria, species encountered can be so diverse and exciting.