Not a wild goose chase in the strictest sense, but I think the title fitted reasonably well.
The Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons flavirostris is a scarce winter visitor to Lancashire, in fact to reflect recent declines, there were no confirmed records of the species in 2024. The European White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons is an uncommon winter visitor, with a peak count of 3 at a site in 2024. However, although regarded as 'usually uncommon' in our recording area, there's been a huge influx of European White-fronted Geese into the UK, at least 30 have been recorded in the LDBWS recording area in recent days, including a few seen in the Cockersand area.
So based on this exciting news, off I went to see if I could get a share of the action, but here's the rub....having spent 3 hours in the area around Cockersand, not a goose in sight!
But never mind that, on a more rewarding note, parking up at Lighthouse Cottage, I put up the telescope to get some positive ID on waders over at Sunderland Point. Scanning through the birds, I found them to be up to 2,100 Black-tailed Godwit, but better still, half way through the scan, I picked out an Avocet.
I know of no winter records of Avocet in our recording area, but note a highest-ever peak winter count in Lancashire, was of 16 Avocet on the December 2020 WeBS, with another 11 Avocet on 26 December on the Fylde Coast.
Other notes of interest, out in the channel south-west of Plover Scar, at least 3,500 Wigeon, also 130 Curlew in the field south side of Abbey Farm, and up to 120 Whooper Swan were scattered over three fields.
Best enjoyment of the day for me, was to watch and follow 2 Stonechat working their way along the fence posts to the spoil heaps, before eventually flying off inland over the field.
That avocet would be cool to see and photos sometime. I haven't managed to do it yet.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
For info, Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire 1892 (pre 1974 boundaries of course) describes the White-Fronted Goose as :- A winter visitor, not common, but has been shot both on the coast and inland.
ReplyDeleteA wintering Avocet, that's interesting.
Thanks for the update.
Ian