Friday didn't look too good up till mid-day, heavy rain and barely came daylight in the morning, but actually bucked up to make a splendid afternoon where I spent most of my time in the Conder/Glasson area.
I found 20 Little Grebe today, but as they have done in previous years, they are moving around a little now with 15 seen on Conder Pool, 3 in the River Conder, and 2 on the Lune Estuary.
Also of note at Conder Green, the wintering Common Sandpiper, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Wigeon, a Red-breasted Merganser and Little Egret were all on Conder Pool, with the long staying Ruff and a drake Goosander in the creeks. Three Snipe came up off the marsh which I have been out on before today though not easy terrain to negotiate. I'll wager a few Snipe on there with Jack Snipe a strong possibility no doubt....if you'd like to risk breaking an ankle.
Red-breasted Merganser. Simon Hawtin.
Also of note at Conder Green, the wintering Common Sandpiper, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Wigeon, a Red-breasted Merganser and Little Egret were all on Conder Pool, with the long staying Ruff and a drake Goosander in the creeks. Three Snipe came up off the marsh which I have been out on before today though not easy terrain to negotiate. I'll wager a few Snipe on there with Jack Snipe a strong possibility no doubt....if you'd like to risk breaking an ankle.
Coal Tit. Geoff Gradwell.
A walk along the coastal path to Glasson Dock produced a Coal Tit and 4 Robin. On the Lune Estuary I saw at least 50 Snipe again as Wednesday, with an increase in the count of 13 Goldeneye, c.120 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, a Goosander, and a Peregrine Falcon on Colloway Marsh.
By now it was a little late in the day to do justice for a visit to Cockersands, but the magnet took a hold of me and off I went. I drove by the Wednesday count of c.22 Greenfinch in the cover crop field with a female Kestrel looking on from atop of a telegraph pole on Slack Lane. Waders on Plover Scar were flushed off and had to relocate on account of yet another 'numpty with mutts' on here. The waders went down on Long Tongue where I noted estimates of 400 Oystercatcher, 120 Turnstone, 15 Dunlin, and 7 Grey Plover, c.250 knot flew in but barely touched down on here before taking off again into the beyond.
Cockersands Lighthouse. Pete Woodruff.
Conditions were perfect at Cockersands Friday afternoon, no wind, and a flat calm sea, but even in the clear conditions the light was fading fast by just after 4.00pm.
Thanks to SH and GG for the excellent and much appreciated 'clik the pik' images. Also thanks to GJ for this weeks brilliant Black Grouse header.
Thanks to SH and GG for the excellent and much appreciated 'clik the pik' images. Also thanks to GJ for this weeks brilliant Black Grouse header.
Great to see the Grouse up there Pete, thanks
ReplyDeleteThere's barely 8 hours of 'useable' light in the day now Pete, but some good birds turn up at this time of year :-)
ReplyDeleteCertainly is good to see the BG up there. One guarantee on Birds2blog is excellent images. Good to see you back in business again Gary.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm going to have to get out of my pit sooner to get the full eight in Warren.
The picture of the Merganser by Simon Hawtin is superb Pete. And, the others are awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind comments re the photography, and for looking in on Birds2blog....All very much appreciated Bob.
ReplyDeleteI love this Cockersands Lighthouse picture!
ReplyDeleteFinally you got a great afternoon!
The predictions of the English weather news are not too good, they say we are heading towards a wetter and stormier weather this winter... Aaarrgghhh!!!
Keep well Pete!
Yes, the predictions for our weather this winter are wet and windy....perish the thought.
ReplyDeletePleased you liked the lighthouse picture Noushka