We have lift off....

....but didn't get to the moon having to abort at Fluke Hall!

But first....

Hummingbird Hawk Moth. Martin Jump

I reckon to call this a pretty impressive image of the Hummingbird Hawk Moth would be something of an understatement. I've not particularly ever viewed many images of the moth, but this is by far the best I ever saw. Great stuff, and all credit to an amateur photographer who can achieve this kind of result  and thanks for allowing it on to Birds2blog Martin.

With JB/BT 'lift off' was at 10 o'clock Friday morning when we proceeded to Aldcliffe to find a Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover on the currently excellent condition flood. At Conder Green, we found the whole area generally quiet although JB's comprehensive records HERE will indicate otherwise, I noted my first autumn 4 Teal, 5 Common Sandpiper, and the Moorhen on Conder Pool now appear to only have two young from the initial three.

At Glasson Dock on the Lune Estuary - in the time allowed  - I noted a Greenshank, at least 1,000 Lapwing and a similar 1,000 Redshank, 6 Golden Plover, and a Peregrine Falcon on the edge of Colloway Marsh bidding its time to take off and cause mass panic wherever it goes.

At Cockersands the 1st summer male Marsh Harrier gave excellent views again today, here for its sixth week having been first seen on 7 July. At least 85 'finches' seen here today being estimates of 60 Goldfinch, and 25 Greenfinch.

Not for the first time on Friday the days birding seemed to fall flat on its face from here on. A detour round Gulf Lane drew a blank, and at Pilling Lane Ends, 15 Common Blue were mainly attributed to BT, whilst I noted a single Gatekeeper and Peacock. From Backsands Lane, c.230 Greylag was a good count in my book. Despite a run to Fluke Hall the end was nigh.

Colours of nature. Pete Woodruff.

The visit to Pilling Lane Ends was all the worth while if only to see the stunning array of colour still on show in the flowers there....colour you could eat and a credit to all concerned in the village of Pilling.

Next week an attempt at MARS....that'll probably be of the chocolate bar kind - not the planet - the one that helps you work, rest, and play!!  

And finally....

Crescent-chested Puffbird. Colin Bushell.

You won't have to hold your breath until you find one of these on your patch in the UK....

Marbled Duck. Colin Bushell.

Or one of these either. Both species no doubt on CB's list again when he visits Regua in Brazil anytime soon. You can find lots more where these came from on Colin's website HERE