Not exactly the early bird - I rarely am these days - but I was on parade yesterday at 9.00am and did a full eight hours, starting in the locality before a trip down the A588 to Fluke Hall.
There was an impressive 200+ Black-tailed Godwit on Conder Pool when I arrived, a Spotted Redshank was at rest with Redshank, the Common Sandpiper was 'bobbing' away in the creeks, but not long before we won't know this wintering bird from its relatives when they arrive in the coming weeks. Seven Little Grebe and 4 Goldeneye are dwindling numbers of these two species here.
On the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock, a gathering of up to 300 distant waders appeared to be in a descending ratio of Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, and Dunlin. Two Red-breasted Merganser, 18 Goldeneye on the estuary, and 7 Goldeneye on the canal basin continues the dwindling winter numbers theme.
The Whooper Swans off Moss Lane are still present in a 200 plus number from a moving car. Off Slack Lane 3 Whooper Swan were an adult and 2 immature. Cockersands was hard work and little to show for it, with 12 Eider off Plover Scar which was beneath the 10.50m tide. Also at least 20 Meadow Pipit, a Kestrel, and c.150 Pink-footed Geese flying purposefully north.
The trip to Fluke Hall was well rewarded by my second spring Stonechat and c.30 Twite, up to 250 Pink-footed Geese were put to flight when Mr Farmer came along in his tractor to empty a slurry tank in the field. A Small Tortoiseshell on the coastal path was my first this year.
There was an impressive 200+ Black-tailed Godwit on Conder Pool when I arrived, a Spotted Redshank was at rest with Redshank, the Common Sandpiper was 'bobbing' away in the creeks, but not long before we won't know this wintering bird from its relatives when they arrive in the coming weeks. Seven Little Grebe and 4 Goldeneye are dwindling numbers of these two species here.
On the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock, a gathering of up to 300 distant waders appeared to be in a descending ratio of Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, and Dunlin. Two Red-breasted Merganser, 18 Goldeneye on the estuary, and 7 Goldeneye on the canal basin continues the dwindling winter numbers theme.
Meadow Pipit Phillip Tomkinson
The Whooper Swans off Moss Lane are still present in a 200 plus number from a moving car. Off Slack Lane 3 Whooper Swan were an adult and 2 immature. Cockersands was hard work and little to show for it, with 12 Eider off Plover Scar which was beneath the 10.50m tide. Also at least 20 Meadow Pipit, a Kestrel, and c.150 Pink-footed Geese flying purposefully north.
Twite. Copy Permitted.
The trip to Fluke Hall was well rewarded by my second spring Stonechat and c.30 Twite, up to 250 Pink-footed Geese were put to flight when Mr Farmer came along in his tractor to empty a slurry tank in the field. A Small Tortoiseshell on the coastal path was my first this year.
The Sand Martins are here.
Sand Martin Simon Hawtin
Three Sand Martin yesterday over Rimmers Marsh at Marshside RSPB Reserve Southport.
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteGreat choice of pictures again!
The flight of the martin is impressive!
Enjoy your birding, it looks like good weather is coming our way for a few days... :)
Looked excellent for a Chiffchaff to appear here this morning Pete, shouldn't be long now :-)
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