Birds2blog....again!

Black-eared Wheatear. Paul Foster.

Thanks for this Paul....A couple of interesting points about the Wheatear, 1) They were once classed as a 'thrush' but now considered as Old World Flycatchers, 2) Despite being in areas today for almost seven hours where they would have been expected to be not one was seen.

I was in the company of JB today and had some rewarding sightings. We first called in at Conder Green - well where else - where the tide was well in and rendered the creeks under water but this visit and one six hours later produced on the pool a Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 4 Wigeon, c.20 Teal, and I could only find 6 Little Grebe on here today, 3 Spotted Redshank flew off the pool having been hidden from view and appeared to go down on to the channel below the railway bridge, on the later visit a Ruff was in the creeks, and c.220 Goldfinch were flighty over the marsh, an increase in number since I first saw them here a week ago when I estimated eighty birds.

With the tide approaching its height we decided to pay a visit to Knott End which produced two adult Mediterranean Gulls on Preesall Sands east of the esplanade, a Little Egret was seen and I also noted at least 50 Eider and a Great-crested Grebe whose numbers I have noted recently have fallen everywhere I visit. As we passed Sand Villa on the way here a Buzzard was of note the species having expanded south in recent years. On Pilling Marsh and the sands beyond up to 700 Pink-footed Geese, and a Little Egret on the marsh.

At Glasson Dock 6 Curlew Sandpiper continue to make this year an exceptional one for this species passing through our areas, also 4 Spotted Redshank were 'hoovering up' together along the tide-line and 2 Little Egret were on the far side of the estuary.

An excellent tour of the coast with JB who will record the day much more comprehensively than me and if this interests you I'd pay a visit HERE to see his account.

And finally....

 

Purple Heron. Phillip Tomkinson.

Thanks for allowing me to occasionally post your photographs on Birds2blog Phillip it is much appreciated. Phillip's website is HERE please take a look at some excellent photography.