Out for a Duck.

Well too early in the day for two ducks actually at Aldcliffe where Garganey turned up in the afternoon on Freemans Pools, but with JB/BT in the morning I noted at least 5 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebe, and a Snipe. JB spotted a LRP on the island briefly whilst we were separated from him.

At Conder Green the two Little Ringed Plover seen, also to note a Spotted Redshank, Little Grebe, 5 Goldeneye, and a Swallow performed its scooping water in flight act then flew off, also a Raven over. With BT 5 Snipe were flushed off the marsh here BT claiming one to have been a Jack Snipe.

On the Lune at Glasson Dock c.120 Bar - tailed Godwit and c.150 Black - tailed Godwit were noted, and from Bodie Hill another c.60 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Grey Partridge seen here again as Monday. At Cockersands I noted just 2 Wheatear here and a 'few' Tree Sparrow on a feeder.

On Pilling Marsh the sight of in excess of 3,500 Pink - footed Geese surprised me a little and were accompanied by a Pale - bellied Brent Goose, a Wheatear was also on the marsh. On Fluke Hall Lane a Buzzard was on a post quite close to the road, and at Fluke Hall 2 Little Egret seen.

An end of the day session at Bradshaw Lane feeding station gave us 2 Grey Partridge as a less likely species here, also more likely were just 12 Tree Sparrow, a single Corn Bunting, 2 male Reed Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, and a Dunnock. Three Brown Hare were in the field.

I thought the pic of the Painted Lady butterfly would be a pleasant reminder of one of the many things to come in the summer months......hopefully!