The Green Turns Red.

My visit to Conder Green on Monday had the area showing some of its true colours, yesterday had the place turning red. The high tide was about an hour and a half away, but already the creeks were well under water and any waders there are now likely to head on to Conder Pool. But wait a minute....what's this distant bird on a little remaining mud in the creeks showing red underparts, without optics to my eyes it's too small for a 'godwit' so if it's a summer plumage Knot this is a good record, but now I've got my bino's on the bird and hey....

Curlew Sandpiper. Howard Stockdale. 

....it's an adult Curlew Sandpiper still retaining the best part of its summer plumage. Thanks for this image and the one below Howard....Excellent.

Cattle Egret Antonio Puigg 

OK, so the image above is of Cattle Egrets, I wonder how long before we see this species spreading north to be found on Conder Pool where 6 Little Egret were yesterday, all in a line as these Cattle Egret are. Also on the pool, at least 12 Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank in company with c.120 Redshank, 2 Little Grebe means our first arrival has now been joined by a relative, but I think the drake Goldeneye will have to wait a little longer yet as will the 2 Wigeon. Also to note, 2 Grey Heron, 26 Lapwing, and 3 Snipe made the total number on Conder Pool at least 200 birds including those not recorded here, making for a decent count and species in my book on a relatively small pool.

Golden Plover. Cockersands Wednesday 24 July. Howard Stockdale.

Autumn at Cockersands hasn't taken off yet and Plover Scar held just 9 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, and a single Golden Plover - thanks again Howard - obviously finding itself detached from the flock somewhere along the way. Fifteen Tree Sparrow were noted around Abbey Farm, and the surprise here was a female Goosander on the shingle below the abbey, I've never recorded Goosander at Cockersands ever before.

Butterflies on the day were, at least 100 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Red Admiral, and a Green- veined White.  

Ruddy Shelduck.

Ruddy Shelduck Arkive    

Two Ruddy Shelduck on the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock this morning - Thursday - at 7.25am.