Part-Time Birding.

More part-time birding for me yesterday. With just a couple of hours free-time I was determined to get to Conder Green to check out any changes in the scenery there.

Two Little Grebe were the only notables on Conder Pool, at least 12 Common Sandpiper was today's count, some of which very mobile, c.350 Redshank, the majority of which were downstream of the channel to the estuary along with c.30 Dunlin. Only a few House Martin were seen, with no nest activity at all at Cafe d' Lune. The only butterfly seen was a Small Skipper on a day more reminiscent of the end of April than July.

On the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock, 2 Mediterranean Gull, being an adult and 3cy bird. Estimates of 350 Dunlin and 250 Redshank, with 2 Red-breasted Merganser noted.

Little Grebe on Conder Pool.

Little Grebe Bob Bushell   

Two Little Grebe on Conder Pool yesterday were something of a coincidence as it was precisely the same 28 July in 2014 that I found the first two of the winter there. The numbers will build on the pool from now on, into August and beyond as they have done in previous years, last years peak was reached on 27 November with 22 Little Grebe on the pool then, an impressive count.

Common Tern on the Lune Estuary.

The visit to the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock had the excellent bonus of all five Conder Common Tern there as two adult and three juvenile, initially roosting on the mud, then moved downstream for a while before disappearing out of sight even further downstream. However, I note 9 Common Tern reported here yesterday, being 6 adult and 3 juvenile.

Thanks for the Little Grebe Bob, it is much appreciated.