Dodging the showers......

......whilst the birds dodged me today I'm afraid, but that's birding and that's all that matters to me.

Conder Green produced 2 Spotted Redshank again which poses the question....is one, or both of these birds really going to spend the winter here again, its quite possible one of these birds seen today was only absent from Conder Green for four weeks between 18 May and 16 June this year....resident birds! Also noted, 6 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 2 Little Grebe and a Kingfisher. Whilst driving to Bank End - which drew a 100% blank - I noted 4 Wheatear and a 'few' Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit on Cockerham Marsh.

At Fluke Hall 5 Wheatear, and c.60 'finches' in flight then down in the long grass appeared to be an even 50/50 Linnet and Goldfinch flock. Even the Cockers Dyke Med Gulls had deserted me today and the only bird noted here was a Wheatear. There was a similar result at Knott End where the 'gull sifting' drew yet another blank (three adult Med Gull's earlier RBA) the Sandwich Tern status here was down to one individual, c.4 Sanderling noted, and 2 drake Common Scoter were on the sea. On the way home to Lancaster I called in briefly (never a recommended practice) at Cockersands to note circa numbers of 100 Dunlin and Ringed Plover.

Today's pic to accompany the post is of a nice sunset off the slipway at Knott End courtesy of Phil Slade on the principal......it's always best to keep well in with the Fylde lot as you never know when you may need 'em......Thanks Phil.