Well sort of back to work....the sort of work I have a passion for, and there aren't many people who call work a passion. But first, one of three Birds2blog's customary pics....
Waders Brian Rafferty
An image illustrating to good effect the amazing transformation of colours in birds winter-summer plumage's, with the stunning red of the Bar-tailed Godwit, the black and white of the Grey Plover, and the Knot beginning to show signs of summer red if you look closely.
I was at Barbondale by 8.15 this morning to eventually enter in my little black book two hours later, 10 Pied Flycatcher. I was also rewarded by just about all of the 'Barbondale's Specials' with, Cuckoo heard, Spotted Flycatcher, at least 8 Redstart, 3 Tree Pipit, a Blackcap, Wheatear, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Dipper, Raven, Nuthatch, Reed Bunting, Buzzard, Kestrel, the 'Bull Pot' pair of Stonechat, and a singing male Whinchat which I reckon - at this stage in the proceedings - is on a looser and hasn't had any luck in attracting a mate despite singing on three of four visits I made here. I found a Mallard on a nest with seven eggs.
I pulled into the car park at Bull Beck to check the River Lune upstream a few metres to find a pair of Little Ringed Plover, 6 Common Sandpiper, a singing male Blackcap and Song Thrush, and a Grey Wagtail. I don't know the status of the Sand Martin in this area of the River Lune and having made no attempt to count I'd refer to them as being in good number.
At Glasson Dock on the Lune Estuary, 117 Mute Swan was a noticeable increase in their number and the best I've made here in many months....I know a man who'd tell us how many months!
I gave Cockersands a couple of hours but it was hard work turning anything up, 28 Eider drifted past the lighthouse on the incoming tide, 2 Stock Dove seen, a 'few' Tree Sparrow, a Reed Bunting, 4 Skylark, 4 Linnet, and a Sedge Warbler. Apart from a few 'whites' a female Common Blue was the only butterfly of note all day, one of our most common and widespread butterflies which can be found in any grassy area from sea-level up to 1,800m.
And finally....
Black-winged Stilt Isidro Ortiz
An excellent flight shot of the Black-winged Stilt which I would have to add the caption....Concord.
White-legged Damselfly Warren Baker
And this 'head on' photograph of the White-legged Damselfly is a positive winner from my man in Kent.
Great News Pete
ReplyDeleteThe RSPB is pleased at the news that an outpouring of public concern for a much-loved British bird has encouraged Wildlife Minister Richard Benyon to drop proposals to license the destruction of Buzzard nests, as well as the capture of adult birds on shooting estates.
Martin Harper is the RSPB's conservation director. He said: "We're pleased the minister has listened to people's concerns and acted in the public interest by cancelling this project. This is a strong decision, reflecting the strength of the nation's desire to see Government protecting precious wildlife. The recovery of the Buzzard is being celebrated by the public after many decades of persecution. It is clear they don't want their taxes being spent on removing Buzzards, and the Government has to ensure that no bird of prey will be killed in the name of sport."
"We don't want anything to distract Defra from the pressing task of saving our threatened wildlife. It should be putting its limited resources into areas such as preventing the extinction of Hen Harriers in England. Government-backed research has already concluded that illegal persecution is limiting the populations of Golden Eagle and Hen Harrier. The RSPB believes there are well-tried non-lethal solutions to reducing impacts of Buzzards at Pheasant pens."
That's a swift response to what must have been a huge public outcry. Wonderful news indeed.
ReplyDeleteGreat news about the Buzzards then Pete. Glad you enjoyed the White Legged Damsel shot :-)
ReplyDeleteThat Barbondale place sounds a real paradise !