Whole array of wading birds on one day!

A waders paradise: 42 lapwing, 4 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers and a snipe were spotted by the Bowland RSPB Wader Officer at Landskill Farm near Calder Vale on Friday 19th March. Why not walk by and visit the birdhide yourself? For a copy of the downloadable self guided route follow this link or why not extend your visit and stay at Caldertop Cottage

Forest of Bowland AONB website

Image copyright - Chris Gomersall, RSPB Images

Exciting first sighting of the hen harrier

Mike excitably reported sightings of the female hen harrier on his way to work last week - the first of the year. I'm yet to have a sighting at all, never mind just for this year! A Festival Bowland hen harrier safari guided walk is probably in order for me. He was driving through the trough of Bowland at the time so wasn't able to get a photo, but here's an image of the female next to her nest in Bowland taken a few years ago.

It's also always wonderful to see and hear the return of lapwing and curlew which we've all been experiencing from our new office base at Dunsop Bridge, those evocative calls are a sure reminder that spring has arrived!

Forest of Bowland AONB website