CROSSCANONBY
Winter raptors among the highlights of this historic route
This is a lovely area for birding, or just walking, with a history that takes in the Romans and the salt industry. The Cumbria Coastal Trail passes through the area, along with a cycle trail to Silloth.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
This coastal route between Maryport and Silloth has so many birding spots, with this one ideal for a number of species. A limited area of sand dunes can give you Sky Lark, while the large beach at low tide is ideal for a number of waders, like Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Redshank, and in winter may have Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone.
2
With such a shallow sea here, high tide is still a place for birds like Red-throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe and Common Scoter. Gulls can be good, with a chance of Herring, Great and Lesser Black-backed, Common and Black-headed Gulls. Winter has seen Glaucous and Iceland Gull, while summer may see Kittiwakes out to sea.
3
Hadrian’s Wall ends near Carlisle, but fortlets were used as watch posts to inform the larger forts that an enemy was at hand. Walking up to fortlet No.21, there is scrub on the seaward side, so look out for Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Linnets. Use the height of the fortlet to scan for birds of prey, such as winter Merlin and Hen Harrier, while breeding Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are likely.
4
By the road there is a small ‘carr’ full of Alder, Sycamore and Willow, along with pools and some rough vegetation. More warblers are possible here, with Chiffchaff, plus Grasshopper, Willow and Garden Warbler among them . A circular walk can take you around the area, with several dragonflies possible in summer.
5
To complete a longer circular walk you can carry on to the hamlet of Crosscanonby and walk across the fields to get back to the coast. The fields are divided by reedbeds and drains that could offer Reed and Sedge Warbler, along with Reed Bunting and Stonechat in winter. I have had Grey Partridges in these fields, along with Shelduck and Mallard. The coastal walk again will give you waders, with Whimbrel in spring as they pass through the county. A Sand Martin colony is found along the roadside fields.