You just have to......

......keep trying said the Swallow to itself as it approach three quarters of the way across the Sahara Desert, and I had to say the same to myself today as I gazed across Conder Pool to see little to stir me into anything remotely like excited and in desperation I noted everything (well nearly) I saw just to convince myself I should really keep trying. The three Little Grebe showed again which incidentally I will take a closer look at next time as two are in summer plumage yet and the third is either a juvenile or in winter plumage......Mmmmm. Also a Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 3 Linnet, and c.50 Goldfinch (breakaway group from Mondays 300?) and the female Mallard which initially had seven ducklings on 24 August now has just four well grown young which will stand a better chance of survival than the three which obviously didn't at the cruel hands of nature.

Because of the state of the tide I decided on a run to Knott End but only managed to record at least 75 Eider off the esplanade. On Pilling Marsh I found my first arrivals of the winter in c.145 Pink - footed Geese, also a Merlin, and Little Egret seen. At Cockersands c.350 Redshank had spread themselves from Crook Farm to Plover Scar, and at the caravan park end I found an adult Mediterranean Gull (not Mondays bird) and circa 250 Golden Plover, and 150 Wigeon. On the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock I found another adult Mediterranean Gull and noted 11 Bar-tailed Godwit one of which was in full breeding plumage, c.180 Golden Plover, a Greenshank, and a solitary Goosander.

Today's small picture gallery is courtesy of Mike Watson and is of his (Spotted) Red over Green images......Thanks Mike.

I know you're reading this John and it was good to meet you again today at Fluke Hall, thanks for your kind words and for the return of the book, look forward to seeing you again soon.