Cumbria Coastal Way

I heard reports that Storm Petrels have been coming close inshore past Workington on their way north to their breeding areas in the North Atlantic. Workington is one of a number of once thriving coastal towns (others include Whitehaven, Maryport, and Harrington) on the north west coast of Cumbria that have been somewhat in economic decline since the end of the mining era. You can see some pictures of Workington here.

I set off from Askam on the train with my bicycle and arrived an hour and a half later and made my way to the harbour mouth where the seabird passage had been observed. My first sightings were of other birds such as Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, Sandwich Terns and a Guillemot. The report that Storm Petrels were as "thick as flies" was not borne out.

Workington from the air. My observation point was at the end of the promontory of land jutting out at the mouth of the river just to the left of the wind turbines

However, a patient scan with my telescope revealed a single petrel feeding on the plankton amongst the buoys marking lobster pots. I had sustained views of it as it appeared and disappeared among the wave troughs, and it even "walked on the water" as, eponymously, it is supposed to do ("Petrel" from St. Peter who walked on the water).

The end of the pier was my observation point. The mountains of Scotland in the background

Rather than catch the train back from Workington, I decided to cycle the twelve miles south to Whitehaven to pick up a train there. Between Workington and Whitehaven there is a dedicated cycle track, some of it following the route of the Cumbria Coastal Way.

There is a network of cycles trails throughout the country that I am just starting to explore

The Cumbria Coastal Way - the cycle track follows the railway along this section of the coast

Under the railway line.....








The sweet smell of summer - banks of Meadow- sweet Fili- pendula ulmaria in bloom along the track

As I rode up to Whitehaven railway station, a train was just pulling into the station - perfect timing! Once on the train, it was only then that I realised I had been wearing odd shoes all day - a walking boot on the left and a trainer on the right. Ho hum!