The Latest.

Another not very original title!

Didn't look too good at one point on Tuesday, and the 50 mph westerly howler at Cockersands did nothing to make birding an enjoyable experience which was very limited particularly off the headland. The c.600 waders in the Abbey Farm field were impossible to breakdown into numbers, but up to 320 Black-tailed Godwit were good, also Golden Plover, Redshank, Dunlin, and Lapwing present. The c.250 Whooper Swan were still in groups widespread across the fields from Moss Lane through to Bank End, one group had a single Pink-footed Goose accompanying them. An excellent count of up to 2,500 Curlew were on the marsh off the Caravan Park, and in a field off Jeremy Lane, 10 Pink-footed Geese seen.

Wigeon. Pete Woodruff.

No more than c.150 Wigeon were seen from the bowling green at Glasson Dock, with numbers down this winter here I reckon, but 34 Goldeneye is my best count on the Lune Estuary this winter, also noted, 250 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. On the canal basin, only one Goldeneye and the resident Great-crested Grebe of note. 

At Conder Green, 4 Goosander, 6 Little Grebe and 8 Redshank, on Conder Pool, with 15 Lapwing quietly squat on the near island. Quiet in the creeks, with a Spotted Redshank, 10 Redshank, and 4 Curlew.

The Bullfinch.

Bullfinch Geoff Gradwell  

I've had two reports sent to me about a Bullfinch in gardens recently, one from a friend, the other a relation. Both male birds, and both good records, seen in Bowerham, Lancaster, and at Brookhouse, Caton. Thanks for the excellent image Geoff.