Around and About

The sunshine has brought out the insects (and unfortunately quite a few wasps) enjoying the warmth. I spotted these two alongside the Guild Wheel

I'm sure the train engineers prefer the drier days, as FR20 has no cab for shelter. A bit different to today's rail industry working conditions.

The swans seem to have eggs, but I can't be sure as yet.

We have had sparrows nesting on our house for the past few years. This year we put up a sparrow mansion near their nesting site, thinking it would be better for them. We now have sparrows nesting in their usual place and blue tits nesting in the sparrow box. The sparrows definitely have chicks, we hear them begging for food. Since I bought one of the RSPB's window feeders I can birdwatch from the comfort of an armchair, it is visited regularly by blue tits, robins and sparrows. Better than 'reality' TV! 

This sparrow is enjoying  pecking a fat ball.

If you look very closely you'll see a blue tit's backside heading in the direction of 'outta here', as they so often do when photographed!

Wednesday Wanderings

It really has been a week of sunshine and showers so far. The dock can look quite forbidding at times.



The swans' nest looks a bit more substantial this year, I suspect someone - local birders maybe - has lent a helping hand.



The ducks have mostly been keeping to the other side, near the takeaways, venturing across every so often.



A solitary coot, a couple of herring gulls (pink legs) and lesser blackbacked gulls - still haven't seen or heard any terns yet.



My camera's getting wet!



The cob is really not happy with the ducks at the moment, he has been chasing them from one end of the dock to the other. His wings make a tremendous noise as he takes off.

Easter Monday

Rainy Bank Holiday, a quiet day on the dock. The Guild Wheel provides a mud-free walk in any weather, and there is always something to look at.


Bluebells are in flower along the river side.


Furness 20 has been working today, taking visitors to the museum on a riverside ride.


Still no sign of terns yet, the swans are nesting.

Sunday Steam and Sunshine

Furness Railway No. 20 has been running today at Preston Docks. It's been a lovely day to be out and about.