Short And Sweet!

After some hesitation on Friday I got geared up at home and took them off again when it bucketed down. I geared up again when it cleared to get to Conder Green and immediately see the Spotted Redshank for the first time in six visits since 10 December, 9 Little Grebe included three in the creeks, also on Conder Pool, 5 Snipe a pair of Goosander and 25 Wigeon. From the old railway bridge, I saw what was almost certainly a Greenshank glimpsed as it disappeared up a channel and out of sight, 4 Goldeneye had found their way up the Conder channel, a Grey Plover down here was a first this winter, though in years past this was an annual single winter bird at Conder Green, 10 Long-tailed Tit were seen from the coastal path.

Common Gull. Jan Larsson @ Vingspann  

On the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock, at least 550 Common Gull was exceptional and a higher count than the c.400 seen here Tuesday. Also of note, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, and a Great-crested Grebe. Waders noted were, just c.70 Golden Plover, a similar number of Dunlin, and 15 Bar-tailed Godwit. Along Jeremy Lane I watched a Sparrowhawk taking a keen interest in the Starling flock feeding in the field from a perching post, and a Little Egret flew over....Thanks for the Common Gull Jan. 

Barn Owl. Cockersands 8 January. Howard Stockdale.

Thirteen Goldeneye were back on the canal basin. On Moss Lane I saw 2 kestrel in close proximity on the way to Cockersands where I had to sit out a heavy and prolonged shower in good company at Crook Cottage. But the walk when the rain let up along the headland in semi-darkness proved rewarding when I saw the Barn Owl to collect my sixth record of the bird which performed well for the occupants of two cars parked up on the lane, the bird flew to perch on roadside fence posts at least four times. Meanwhile a Buzzard flew low over the fields, and a kestrel came to perch on a post close to me....So there had to be another Barn Owl picture, and this one with evidence and good news the bird fed on this occasion at least. Thanks for the image Howard....Brilliant. 

A short days birding, but sweet with it. 

Cockersands Light. Pete Woodruff.

Usually a good idea is to stay in the car if it looks like this through the windscreen as you arrive at Cockersands.

Many thanks to Marc for the Kittiwakes header.