A dull and cold windy day on Thursday, which started at a snails pace with no pen and paper required, and ended in a flurry.
To be honest my visit to Conder Pool was a bit of a non-starter, interrupted by the conversation with a nice man from Barrow who was passing by and thought he'd take a look in at Conder Green. By the time I had explained the history of Conder Pool, and the birds to be seen there, I had run out of time. But I did note a lone Black-tailed Godwit, 28 Wigeon, 10 Redshank, 6 Canada Geese, 4 Oystercatcher, and 2 Little Grebe. In the field at the north end of Jeremy Lane, 94 Greylag, 42 Whooper Swan and 26 Curlew.
Considering it was a high tide, the circuit at Cockersand produced surprisingly little, the fields were almost void of waders save a number of Lapwing and an even bigger number of Starling. An estimate of up to 200 Whooper Swan were distant and scattered over four fields.
Oystercatcher. Pete Woodruff.
It wasn't until I got to Plover Scar that things began to look a bit more interesting, with up to 250 Oystercatcher which dominated Plover Scar, and 13 Eider off here.
As I walked the headland, c.120 Shelduck were of note, and heading towards the Caravan Park up to 286 Black-tailed Godwit - 39 in the video - were feeding as the tide ebbed.
There was a flurry of 30 minutes excitement which started with a nice male Stonechat flitting here and there on the marsh. The Stonechat was soon followed by a Barn Owl emerging from the entrance to the Caravan Park to fly off out of sight and in the direction of Bank End.
I went in pursuit of the owl, but as I turned the corner it was flying back towards me. I managed to get a short video as it went to ground, but it soon took off again and out of view.
No sooner had I lost sight of the Barn Owl, than a smart male Hen Harrier showed over the marsh at the Cocker Estuary....A flurry of excitement in the end.
The Cockersand Hen Harrier.
I was pleased to keep up with the Hen Harrier in my sights, and managed a short video as it flew towards Bank End.
2nd winter male Hen Harrier Cockersand 13 February. Pete Woodruff.
But I can't say I was pleased with my image of the bird, but the excuse is that it is a still from the video and a murderous crop, but a good enough record to compare with what could well be the very same 2nd winter male Hen Harrier....
2nd Winter Male Hen Harrier Eagland Hill 15 December 2024. Paul Ellis.
....seen and photographed at Eagland Hill on 15 December.
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Glad things picked up for you.
ReplyDeleteNice to watch videos of Barn Owl and Hen Harrier, especially a male, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the update.
Ian Mitchell
Like I said Ian....'a flurry of excitement in the end', and a male HH too.
DeletePete.
Hello Pete,
ReplyDeletethat's a great sighting, a barn owl, amazing, I always look for owls in my area, but in the last few years I've never had any luck. But I also have to say that bark beetle infestation is very common in our trees and the broken trees create loads of holes. Good for the owl species, bad for me for taking photos.
Greetings Frank
You make an interesting note about the Bark Beetle in connection with the owls. This Barn Owl has been popular here, and has created thousands of images by photographers.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Excellent numbers of birds and the icing on the cake with the male Hen Harrier, and a video too. Take care.
ReplyDeleteAlways appreciate your looking in Marc. Thank You.
DeletePete.
Hi Pete, excellent observations. Lucky you found the owl, and I seldom see owls here in my area. Have a basket for "kattuggla" in swedish but no hatching this year...
ReplyDeleteGreetings Lasse
May 2021 was my last Tawny Owl sighting Lasse. I was pleased to get a video of it in woodlands near my hometown of Lancaster.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.