Not only did Paul West find 45+ Little Egret on Conder Pool 13 August, but he also achieved an excellent image of this all time highest record of the species for this amazing location....Paul West Photography
Conder Pool.
Conder Pool 19 August. Pete Woodruff.
I think it's possible the water level at Conder Pool is lower than I have ever seen before, but it took nothing away from the enjoyment of seeing a decent number of eight species of birds.
Although they seem to have favoured the backside of one of the islands on my last two visits, I counted 18 Common Tern on view, seen as 14 adult and 4 juvenile. Up to 450 Redshank were present this visit, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff and 4 Dunlin made a total of 463 waders today. Also 18 Little Grebe was my best count so far this period heading into winter, and 25 Greylag. Two female Wigeon were the vanguard of winter visitors I reckon. A Small Tortoiseshell put in an appearance.
Saltcote Pond.
A Common Hawker was obliging and settled for pictures. Also an Emperor Dragonfly, a Brown Hawker, 5 Common Darter, and 2 Speckled Wood seen.
Glasson Canal Towpath.
A brief visit to the canal towpath was rewarded by a Clouded Yellow butterfly.
Though the butterfly was in pristine condition, it wasn't at all obliging.
The minute I got close for pictures....we have lift off!
Bank End.
A return to Bank End to meet AC and find 5 Yellow Wagtail was well worth the effort. Thanks for the Stonechat record at Cockers Dyke on Friday, I always love to find a Stonechat, and I know you do too Andrew.
Birk Bank.
Best reward for the visit to the bog at Birk Bank was a Common Lizard. I have seen few reports from here since the new boardwalk was installed, and I've previously only had brief views of one. Only 4 Common Darter seen today was a bit disappointing.
In seeing the tracks through the bog left by the heavy machinery during the erection of the new boardwalk, I had thought it was goodbye to the Sundew, so it was great to find several clusters of it today.
Over the hour spent here, I saw 9 Buzzard, including a family of five soaring and mewing together, and a Peregrine Falcon picked up high and drifting, went into a stoop to disappear below Birk Bank ridge....A good afternoon Part 2
Lady In The Garden.
A stunning Painted Lady paid a visit to our garden yesterday, in pristine condition, it spent a long period on the Alium coming and going throughout the afternoon.
50 Years ago that number of Little Egret would have been unbelievable around here. See nearby Saltcote Pond producing for you. Shame about your Clouded Yellow. Nice pictures and glad to read about a Common Lizard and Sundew at Birk Bank. Great photo of the smart Painted Lady in your garden, there seem to be quite a few around at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIan
Yes unbelievable around here, but maybe a little earlier than 50 years ago. I knew you would be pleased to hear about the Lizard, I remember the day about 3 years ago, I found up to 10 Common Lizard along the length of the old boardwalk.
ReplyDeleteThanks for looking in again Ian....Pete.
Good morning, Pete: It seems to me that, while impressive, that total of Little Egrets is no longer a huge surprise. A pleasure, yes, shock and amazement, no. There was a time not so long ago when even a singleton was a rarity and prompted calls to others to let them know of its whereabouts. Now it seems that Great Egret is taking up the call for egret colonization of Britain. Can the Cattle Egret be far behind? The way they are breeding you’d almost think they were human! Happy Monday and the rest of the week. All the best - David
ReplyDeleteQuite right there David, not two decades ago you would have been in the spotlight for finding a Little Egret and creating a mass twitch. The GWE and the Cattle Egret are now fast becoming neck and neck in the race for the becoming 'common', with the Spoonbill fast become a star in the same race. 'The way they are breeding you’d almost think they were human!' wins any prize from the top shelf David.
DeleteRegards....Pete.
Painted Lady. A truly beautiful butterfly that I have also been able to enjoy in my own backyard.
ReplyDeleteYes a true beauty Sami.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteThe last time I saw sand lizards was when I was a child—it's great that you managed to get a photo. The number of little egrets is truly enormous, and they are beautiful to look at.
Best regards, Frank
For some reason the Lizard is rarely seen on the boardwalk anymore, so the sightings are equally rare. The Little Egrets were impressive in number, though I didn't see them for myself in real time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping in touch Frank....Pete.
The photo of the Common Hawker is truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to photograph a butterfly that just keeps fluttering, but you did your best. The video turned out well, though.
The Painted Lady in the last photo is beautifully clear.
It is fantastic that you also found and photographed sundew.
Kind regards, Helma
Thank you for your welcome visit and comments which I have noted Helma.
ReplyDeleteKind Regards....Pete.