Hodbarrow RSPB Cumbria

Not one of the RSPB'S best looked after reserves in fact its well run down ,but between the concrete pillars and old iron works is an unsung gem......nestled at the head of the Duddon estuary a massive sea wall protects the reserve from the sea .
  The car park is a bit like Fairburn with loads of Coots , Mute Swan ,Mallards and BH Gulls as you take the path to the sea wall ,Song Thrush seem pretty  common. A flock of 52 Twite was very obliging with close views beautiful orange breasts and the occasional flash of  pink rumps, 100's of noisy Pinks overhead heading north.
  The  main lake was busy and a  Slavonian Grebe in winter plumage was the first decent bird closely followed by a Great Northern Diver flapping its wings and standing upright in the water. Small groups of Goldeneye , 100's of Teal and a few Widgeon. Red breasted Merganser and Goosander added to the winter spectacle.200 Lapwing ,Curlew ,Golden Plover , Shelduck , Redshank, Dunlin , Knot , Ringed Plover busily feeding on the estuary side. A lone Red- throated Diver was feeding out at sea. Another look through the masses of common ducks and Coots produced 3 female / juv Scaup all diving at the same time beautiful. All this with the back drop of The Lake District National Park..........