Magnetised.

The Conder Green/Cockersands magnet was on full pull on Tuesday morning and drew me away from anywhere else I may have been thinking of going to and as the weather was half decent I gave in to the pull.

Two adult Spotted Redshank were soon seen in the creeks, and I found 6 Common Sandpiper building up in number as they do here annually from late June/early July onwards, a singing male Reed Bunting was to note. On Conder Pool 2 Grey Partridge are not the first I don't think but are certainly unusual here, also unusual, the Great-crested Grebe was still on here as seen last Tuesday.

Tree Sparrow. Peter Guy.

A couple of hours at Cockersands either side of the tide produced 3 Grey Plover one of which was in full summer plumage, a beautiful bird. Also noted, 16 Golden Plover the first returns, and 8 Dunlin, a solitary Ringed Plover was almost certainly sitting on eggs/young on Plover Scar, not a good idea if you ask me, the chances of success must be minimal on here for this bird, 20 Eider were also hauled out onto the scar, and Shelducks had 11 young offshore, 5 Sand Martin flew past me on the headland going south as did a single Whimbrel. I didn't see where the bird came from but I picked up a Buzzard flying inland from the abbey area. Birds seen on the circuit, a Grey Wagtail on the shingle was a little out of context and took to flight high SW out to sea towards Pilling Lane Ends, 3 Tree Sparrow around Bank Houses, 4 Linnet, 2 Skylark, a Reed Bunting, and a Dunnock. 

Brown Hare. Brian Rafferty.

Five Brown Hare were all in the same field at Cockersands, and I counted at least 30 Small Tortoiseshell here again today, a seriously declining but once common butterfly.

Little Owl. Brian Rafferty.

On Jeremy Lane, 3 Tree Sparrow, and the Little Owl was on the roof of the distant derelict farm building....long time no see Little Owl here!


And finally....

Barn Owl. Marc Heath.

Yes....its another one of those 'can't resist this one' photographs, this of the Barn Owl en route home with supper. Thanks for this brilliant image goes to MH and for the excellent Brown Hare and Little Owl to BO....all very much appreciated.