The rain pours down from dark clouds, the wind blows hard from the east.............................

 Not in Cumbria it doesn’t; we have had a brilliant bright sunny day, a little windy yes, but glorious none the less. So if you are living in the south, that’s south of Cumbria, head north tomorrow because we are due for another good day. Ideal Bank Holiday weather.

Talking of the Bank Holiday, in days gone by what is now Spring Bank Holiday used to be the Whitsun Bank Holiday and marked the forty days after the Crucifixion. As it happens a bird that is said to have connections with the crucifixion appeared in Dodd Wood today.  Legend has it that a small brown bird went to assist Christ while on the cross by trying to withdraw the nails piercing Christ’s hands and feet. In the process it not only managed to get splashed with holy blood but also managed to damage its beak. Thus legend has it that the Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) has remained in that state ever since. You may or may not believe the legend but what you can believe is that a group of twelve Crossbills were seen at the top viewpoint throughout today.

That gives the visitor three reasons for visiting the Lake District Osprey Viewpoints this Bank Holiday week-end, the weather, the Crossbills and of course the magnificent Ospreys.  The latter of which continue sitting, bathing and fishing as usual.