To be honest I was hoping for my first Wheatear at Cockersand on Monday - last year at Cockersand 1 April - and my first Little Ringed Plover on Conder Pool - two last year 26 March with the male displaying - but it was just wishful thinking in the end.
It wouldn't sound to make much sense if I was to call my last visit to the Lune Estuary and surroundings, a little dull and cold like the weather, then go on to record almost 4,000 birds seen, albeit with just 9 species....but there we have it!
Numbers were falling on Conder Pool, today up to 600 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Shoveler, the summer plumage Little Grebe. In the creeks a Spotted Redshank, and 3 Buzzard were soaring together over woodland behind the Stork Hotel. On the Lune Estuary at Glasson, I found 23 Avocet, no surprise that non on Conder Pool then. Also noted was a pair of Red-breasted Merganser.
Otherwise the estuary was almost deserted by the winter birds, save the usual gathering of gulls and uncounted Wigeon still. Martin Jump sent me some images yesterday, by coincidence one was the portrait of a smart drake Wigeon with reflection. Thanks Martin....Clik The Pik for a quality result.
At Cockersand, I spent the best part of 3 hours walking, having legged it to Bank End for the Black Redstart, it was the road to nowhere, though AC reported a female along the coastal path at the farm at 11.58am....Mmmm! This was followed by my quest to find a Wheatear, but by the time I got to Plover Scar I'd dipped again 😡
But a reward for my efforts was up to 2,000 Golden Plover in the field north side of Abbey Farm, some acquiring breeding plumage. Thanks to Howard Stockdale for the excellent header image.
The Whooper Swan were in two fields today, c.250 north side of Bank End, and as I drove away from Cockersand along Moss Lane, another c.100 were at the east end at Thurnham, making a total of up to 350 Whooper Swan.
Wood Warbler.
As I searched my records for first dates of past spring migrants, I came across some interesting data regarding the Wood Warbler, it contained the remarkable number of 38 records for the species over the 31 years 1992-2023.
The Golden Plover make a pleasing site don't they. Nice header picture.
ReplyDeleteNice image of the Spotted Redshank.
Thanks for the update as always.
Ian
Thank You Ian, much appreciated. I've marked my diary for the dragons you mentioned!
DeleteRegards....Pete.
Seems Wood Warbler is doing better N of us with some still in Cumbria and doing better in Scotland. To a lesser extent Willow Warbler is moving N as well. A combination of climate change/insect abundance no doubt. A fantastic bird and song sadly missed in the local woods. Steve
ReplyDeleteI know a ringer in Cumbria who gets good numbers of Wood Warbler, we must talk about this later in the year. Good to see you visiting here, and looking forward to better days, May comes to mind!
ReplyDeleteRegards Steve....Pete.
Interesting post. Migratory birds are slowly arriving in Finland. However, I am looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteIt pleases me to hear you say 'interesting post' Sami. Plenty to look forward to around this time of year Sami, enjoy....Pete.
ReplyDeleteHi Pete,
ReplyDelete2000 Golden Plovers, great! I had to look up what they look like and think about whether I'd seen one before; I don't think so... Martin's drake is a very nice photo. Sorry for the late comment.
Regards, Frank
Quite sad that I read you see no Golden Plover, which was formally widespread in north-west Germany, but declines and extinctions by the 20th century, yes sad Frank.
ReplyDeleteRegards from north-west England....Pete.
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the Little Plover here yet, but I know they are already here. So you saw it. 4000 birds or just 89 species is quite a difference, but it is what you say: You can't help it and it is what it is. The Wigeon is frequently present here in the winter and I still think they are very beautiful.
When I then look at your list below, you have already seen quite a few beautiful birds :-)
Best, Helma