Curtain Up!

Chiffchaff Warren Baker

The curtain went up on Monday for my small share of some of the summer migrants when the first one seen was a Chiffchaff in song from the coastal path at Glasson Dock, it was soon followed by at least 40 Sand Martin over the canal basin at Glasson Dock. My first Chiffchaff in 2015 was at Conder Green on 13 April, and the first Sand Martin were six birds over Conder Pool on 7 April.

On the Lune Estuary, c.150 Redshank and 50 Dunlin were feeding close in as the tide dropped, and 4 Red-breasted Merganser included some display by the two males throwing their heads back.

I found 2 Spotted Redshank in the creeks today along with the Common Sandpiper, this bird will no doubt soon be joined by it's relations on their way to breeding grounds. In 2015 the last Common Sandpipers at Conder Green were 4 seen on 1 May, with the first returning bird back here about six weeks later on 18 June. Fourteen Redshank were roosting on Conder Pool. 

White Wagtail Noushka Dufort 

At Cockersands, 2 White Wagtail were in stubble behind the Lighthouse Cottage, off Crook Farm, c.450 Black-tailed Godwit, and off Plover Scar 7 Eider noted. In the area of Cockersands Abbey, 5 Wheatear were seen. 

I reckon the count was down to little more than 20 Whooper Swan on Monday, they were in the same fields they've been in since mid-January where they have been difficult to assess this winter, always spread out from Moss Lane as far down the fields to Bank End, but according to my records they peaked at c.400 on 3 March, I reckon possibly the all time highest count of Whooper Swan in our recording area. 

Garden Birds.

Siskin. Peter Rhind.

A male Siskin again and 2 Greenfinch were on our feeders yesterday, with thanks to PR for the Siskin which was in his garden the same day.

Thanks also to Warren and Noushka for today's other images, excellent and much appreciated.