Good Friday!

Well it was a Good Friday if only because it was my first trip out since Monday, though the gap was never planned to be that long.

Nothing special, but it was good to be out and about to see the regulars again, including 9 Little Grebe found today at Conder Green, two of which were downstream from the old railway bridge - which is where I found the Common Sandpiper - three in the creeks, and four on Conder Pool where I saw just one lone drake Goldeneye. A Reed Bunting was the only other bird to note on my wander, whilst c.300 Pink-footed Geese were making a northerly move overhead from the south in their distinct V formation.

Goosander Warren Baker @ Pittswood Birds 

On the canal basin at Glasson Dock, I saw 7 Goldeneye and noted up to 50 Tufted Duck. The Lune Estuary was remarkably quiet with little more than 50 Black-tailed Godwit, a pair of Goosander, a Red-breasted Merganser, and another 28 Goldeneye seen.

At Cockersands, an excellent sight was of at least 2,500 Golden Plover overhead and undecided where to land, with another c.350 Golden Plover in a field by Abbey Farm. A Snipe was over too, the Kestrel was hovering, 17 Greenfinch were at the Caravan Park end, and 52 Whooper Swan were still distant in the field NW of Bank End with obvious Bewick's Swans still present with them.

Dusky Warbler. Martin Lofgren.

News via the RBA pager service was of a Dusky Warbler found yesterday at Marton Mere LNR, Blackpool. A notoriously difficult bird to observe with it's secretive habits. It is a rare vagrant....

Radde's Warbler Martin Lofgren @ Wild Bird Gallery 

....and has to be separated from the 'lookalike' Radde's Warbler. 

The last Dusky Warbler seen in Lancashire was a little over 11 years ago at Fairhaven Dunes, Lytham St Annes in October 2003. Thanks to Martin and Warren for the excellent images, and to Geoff Gradwell Gallerie for the header of the long staying juvenile Pomerine Skua on the Fylde Coast.

I'm looking forward to a 'Good Monday' hopefully....I don't do weekends!