....And The Birds In Our Garden.

Juvenile Pomerine Skua Geoff Gradwell

I had been to Cockers Dyke on Tuesday to get decent views of the juvenile Pomerine Skua and an adult Mediterranean Gull amongst the few hundred other gulls assembled here. In the area and on my way back to Fluke Hall I probably saw 20 Twite in three small groups in their bouncing flight along the coastal path.

Song Thrush Antonio Puigg 

At Fluke Hall a walk along the back side of the hedge running along the parking area is always a good idea, today it resulted in an amazing 10 Song Thrush, 9 Dunnock, and a 'few' Blackbird, this was bit of January bush bashing resulting in this excellent number of Song Thrush, also noted was a Reed Bunting, and Nuthatch.

Pink-footed Geese Brian Rafferty  

On my way back to Glasson Dock, I pulled in to see 55 Whooper Swan in fields opposite Braides, and at Thurnham on Moss Lane found up to 3,000 Pink-footed Geese. On the canal basin the drake Scaup was again with Tufted Duck and 23 Goldeneye counted, a Little Grebe was also on here, and I caught a glimpse of the Kingfisher as it disappeared over the lock towards the dock.

The Lune Estuary was awash with the tide and I noted nothing more than a single Goldeneye and 2 Little Grebe, with the Snow Goose distant on Colloway Marsh again. Conder Green was virtually under water with 2 Rock Pipit pushed off the marsh at high tide, but more of a surprise was a Song Thrush alongside the pipits. On Conder Pool, 7 Little Grebe, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Snipe, and a Brown Hare running along the back terrace.

....and the birds in our garden.

House Sparrow 1000-Pattes  

With the continuing decline of the Red listed species, it was good to see 40 House Sparrow in one sighting in our small urban garden recently, on the same day 8 Blackbird had also been present at the same time....This weekend KT will be doing the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch.

Thanks to Geoff/Antonio/Brian/Noushka for the excellent images, they are much appreciated.