The Red's Have It.

With some business dealt with by lunch time on Friday I got myself on to the coastal path in Lancaster and headed off to Glasson Dock. Noticeable on the River Lune between Skerton Bridge and Marsh Point was that I found not a single Goldeneye. But I was off to a good start when the first bird seen singing its beautiful head off was a Song Thrush, but the only other birds of note were 3 Goosander.

There was little of note on Freeman's Pools save a drake Gadwall and Shoveler, with a 'few' Teal, and 3 Wigeon, 2 Oystercatcher on the island were agitated and calling loudly, by two Carrion Crows no doubt in search of any eggs likely to be found. Aldcliffe Marsh was void of any geese of any species, but 5 Little Egret were grouped on the Wildfowlers Pool, and I counted 22 Pied Wagtail, no doubt with more effort from me more would have been found.

Lesser Redpoll Marc Heath 

As I went into the railway cutting towards Stodday a bird flitting into a tree took my eye, it was joined by two more, they were 3 Lesser Redpoll....a nice find.

Redwing Marc Heath

Later and approaching the Conder Green picnic area another bird took my eye perched in a tree with others, they turned out to be 7 Redwing....The Reds' Have It! On the way to this point I had noted, c.18 Long-tailed Tit, and a flock of c.50 mixed Goldfinch/Chaffinch, but I was unable to get any ratio on them before they were off. Also seen, a Great-spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, 4 Great Tit, 11 Blackbird, and 4 Little Egret. At Conder Green, 2 Spotted Redshank and the Common Sandpiper seen, and along the path to Glasson Dock was a Goldcrest. I was running out of time now but easily counted 75 Goldeneye on the River Lune as I walked on to Glasson Dock....Its now 4.35pm, and yes you guessed it again....my bus to Lancaster was coming.

Greenfinch Noushka Dufort

I'm reliably informed of at least 50 Greenfinch going to roost nightly in the Bailrigg area just south of Lancaster.