Ducks, Plovers....

....and others.

Eider. Pete Woodruff.

It was a pleasure to find 4 Eider with 16 ducklings off Crook Cottage at Cockersands yesterday afternoon. Though two of the adults were under at the time, I was very lucky to get this shot of all the ducklings up at once as they were diving up and down like yoyo's. It's pointless trying to view my attempt to photograph silhouetted dots other than with a 'clik the pik'. 

Ringed Plover. Pete Woodruff.

It was a slightly greater pleasure to find a pair of Ringed Plover have three young on Plover Scar. Though I didn't see them fly whilst I was present, they appear almost ready to fledge if they haven't already done so, but if they've bred on Plover Scar again this year they fooled me. One of the adult birds was feigning injury at an Oystercatcher close by the young, it put on quite a show. I took several shots without success, but this one gives an idea of the Ringed Plovers distraction tactics horizontal on the shingle....Fascinating stuff.  

Also on Plover Scar, up to 20 Golden Plover were my first returns of the species, c.30 Herring Gull, a Whimbrel, and a Little Egret flew past. A walk along the headland produced 6 Linnet, and a 'few' Pied Wagtail.

Mediterranean Gull. Noushka Dufort @ 1000-Pattes

On the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock, 2 Mediterranean Gull were both stunning summer plumage adults. The 10 Little Egret seen on my last visit here on Monday were still around today, also a Greenshank was excellent as another returning bird.

Thanks to Noushka for the brilliant Mediterranean Gull.