Sluggish.

....but we had lift off off eventually. 

I was actually going to give the title of this post 'Silent Spring', as I had decided to do the Skerton Bridge - Glasson Dock hike yesterday, and up to getting to the flood at Aldcliffe it was unbelievably just that....well at least 'Silent 2 May'.

Three Linnet and a Greenfinch took me by surprise on the salvaged stonework from the demolition boys on St Georges Quay, and a little further on I saw my first of 4 Whitethroat. But from there on I drew a blank save 2 Wren and the first of 10 Blackbird, most of which were in full song south to Glasson Dock. Then the job bucked up somewhat when I found 3 Little Ringed Plover on the flood and heard my first of 4 Blackcap, one of which was a 'harder to find' female just north of Conder Green.

Lesser Whitethroat Martin Lofgren 

Also to excite, I found my first Lesser Whitethroat which gave me excellent views as it rattled its way through the undergrowth. Along the way 4 Chiffchaff, and at Stodday I saw 2 Whimbrel briefly as they disappeared below the river bank, 2 Little Egret seen, and bringing up the rear, 10 Goldfinch and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

With less time to spare than usual at Conder Green I was able to note at least 75 Black-tailed Godwit feeding in the creeks. Two Coal Tit were on the coastal path, and hard to believe after 4.5 hours I heard the first and only Willow Warbler at Glasson Dock, last Mondays c.160 Bar-tailed Godwit were seen on the Lune Estuary from the bowling green.

Spring Blossom. Pete Woodruff.

There was some beautiful colours to be seen along the old railway route from Lancaster to Glasson Dock today.

And finally.... 

Ploughing Away. Pete Woodruff.  

Yes....if you look closely - 'clik the pik' - there's a Mr Farmer on his tractor in a stubble field yesterday, towing some sort of agricultural machine behind him, and turning young Lapwing chicks into pancakes whilst the adults fly around shrieking in terror....I wonder if he's ever thought of joining the Environmental Stewardship!!