The Crystal Ball!

I only got out for the afternoon on Wednesday, and the title of this post was going to be ' A Birding Saunter'. I parked the motor up at Conder Green, did a circuit after grilling Conder Pool, and sauntered along the coastal path to Glasson Dock and returned to Conder Green to do another circuit and grill the pool for a second time. But, having consulted 'The Crystal Ball' with regard to Conder Green, I predicted in Mondays post that....'the Spotted Redshank was due to return here by the end of the week'.

Summer Spotted Redshank. Copy Permitted.

On the two visits to Conder Green I found the Spotted Redshank in the creeks on the second. Black as the devils waistcoat....

Winter Spotted Redshank Geoff Gradwell 

....but soon to acquire its white underparts for the winter, a brilliant and unique 'black/white/black' wader. According to my records the bird was actually a week late this year compared to the arrival date of 26 June 2012. Also noted here, 10 Common Sandpiper again, along with another sign of the approaching autumn, at least 165 Redshank all on Conder Pool with the immature drake Goldeneye, 2 Wigeon, 8 Tufted Duck, and Oystercatcher with at least one young.

 

Whitethroat. Howard Stockdale.

On the circuit and along the coastal path I noted 2 Whitethroat, a singing Sedge Warbler, 4 Goldfinch, a solitary Long-tailed Tit, and up to 20 House Martin around River Winds. At Glasson Dock the Lune Estuary has yet to come alive and it was a struggle to note a much nearer c.60 Bar-tailed Godwit - including a brick-red individual - which was 10 up on Mondays distant count of c.50, and 2 Eider. Yet again I saw just one butterfly a Small Skipper on the coastal path. 

And finally....

Sedge Warbler Christian Thompson

This image of the Sedge Warbler is photographically excellent for me, it's a perfect example of a picture with a difference, and I personally like the way the subject has been highlighted by 'fuzzing' its surroundings. Thanks to Geoff/Howard/Christian, all your photographs are much appreciated.