RSPB Hodbarrow — Attraction in Millom

This was the first time at RSPB Hodbarrow, while linking up with some friends who live in Millom.

We arrived and were slightly concerned about the water over the driveway into the reserve but then felt a bit silly when we realised it wasn't very deep and lots of people were going through the the local tip, which uses the same narrow access.

There isn't very much of a car park, as such, but we parked up with some other cars and had a chat to a couple of local people walking their dog to get a sense of where we were. A bit further down the track from the car park is a familiar RSPB sign with a map, so we set off to walk to the Duddon Channel and the beach, having a look at the birds along the way.

Past a listening post, telling the story of the area (nicely done) we eventually got the the beach, having by then also arranged to meet the friends at HerdwickS nearby, so the visit and a complete walk around had to be postponed until another visit.

Interesting reserve, though. We will visit again and walk right round the large sea wall, enclosing where the old mines used to be....

Peaceful Nature Reserve set in former iron works. Difficult to imagine it's busy industrial past when it's so tranquil now! Sad to see litter strewn throughout the reserve including dog poo bags. There is a lack of bins available to put rubbish in which night help but, of course, they will need to be emptied regularly and probably not the resources available to do that. Some incredible views out towards Black Coombe, White Coombe, Scarfell Pike and the Old Man of Coniston and there is the quiet peaceful White Rock Beach on the Dutton Estuary and the sea wall itself to walk protecting the fresh water lagoon. Spring delivers lots of yellow gorse and wonderful to see trees in bud.Every where the song of birds...

The reserve itself is a lovely, peaceful place with quite an array of waders. Little egret, oyster catchers, mergansers, redshanks and sandwhich terns. Dogs are meant to be kept under control, but out of the dozens of dogs i saw, none were on a lead around the reserve. Dogs running anywhere and everywhere, so no chance of there being any wildlife roaming. This had an obvious impact on the amount of dog dirt here, there and everywhere.....and I'm a dog owner, incase people...