Tour de Conder/Glasson/Cockersands.

I started my birding day yesterday at Conder Green....well there's a surprise. I was a late starter - the story of my life - and when I arrived it was almost high tide, but this contributed to an excellent first record for me because the tide had pushed a Redshank and four chicks out of any cover they may have otherwise had and gave me brilliant views of something not recorded by me here before. The count of c.60 Redshank today was well down on the 165 seen on Conder Pool five days ago on 3 July. 

Common Sandpiper Phillip Tomkinson 

There was at least 10 Common Sandpiper here again, also the Spotted Redshank, immature Goldeneye and 2 drake Wigeon. A Sedge Warbler was singing still, and the House Martin figures at River Winds as I see it are, 14 nest of which 7 appear to be active. Thanks to PT for the Common Sandpiper.

Shelduck. Howard Stockdale.

Other birds noted with young at Conder Green are these Shelduck which I've been watching the past few visits here. When this picture was taken one of the chicks was out of shot as they  numbered five as they have every time I saw them, but today the number had fallen to four - one probably predated - making the picture an accurate one now. Also the two Oystercatcher young on Conder Pool, one of which is quite grown and feeding quietly on its own, whilst the other caused me to think it didn't look all that bright, squat on the ground with head tucked in and is much smaller than its sibling....maybe just resting, time will tell. Thanks for the Shelducks Howard. 

On the Lune Estuary a Glasson Dock, 2 Greenshank, and only c.30 Bar-tailed Godwit counted today including two brick-red birds. Activity at Cockersands hasn't kicked in yet, but I saw at least 45 Tree Sparrow at Abbey Farm and can't remember the last time that happened there, 6 Sand Martin flew past me off the headland following the coastline in a north-easterly direction. Difficult to believe but the only waders I saw at Cockersands today were just 4 Oystercatcher on Plover Scar. 

And finally, interesting to note....

Osprey Astland Photography

An Osprey seen at Arnside yesterday is almost certainly THIS BIRD or even THIS ONE  

Thanks to Peter and Susan for another of their excellent Osprey images. 'Clik the pik'....they're all a WOW!