Following some action by one or two migrants for me on Monday, the following day was much more subdued, so much so that I saw little action at all, such is the unpredictability if birds.
The Common Sandpiper put in an appearance and was on Conder Pool, with the lone Little Grebe left behind on here by it's wintering brethren, 2 Snipe were on 'Tern Island', 16 Redshank were roosting, and a few Sand Martin and Swallow went over. On the Lune Estuary, estimates of 350 Redshank feeding close in from the bowling green, whilst 50 Dunlin were on the far side of the Conder mouth, with 20 Black-tailed Godwit noted, 4 Red-breasted Merganser seen here again.
At Cockersands, I saw up to 350 Golden Plover high in the air and changing directions until I lost them to view, two hours later I counted 105 Golden Plover quietly crouched in an Abbey Farm field. At Bank Houses horse paddock, 6 Tree Sparrow, and 4 Blackbird. On the circuit I heard a Skylark in it's never ending flight song, and saw just one Meadow Pipit.
It's on days like this you realise the status of some of the UK's birds, in particular today's farmland birds and the breeding Lapwings at Cockersands, where those in at least one field here have already lost their first breeding attempts to agricultural 'activities'....Ahhhh well, I suppose we'll be expecting our Corn Flakes and dozens of other consumer options for the choosing on the mile long shelves at the supermarket next time we go there!
The Common Sandpiper put in an appearance and was on Conder Pool, with the lone Little Grebe left behind on here by it's wintering brethren, 2 Snipe were on 'Tern Island', 16 Redshank were roosting, and a few Sand Martin and Swallow went over. On the Lune Estuary, estimates of 350 Redshank feeding close in from the bowling green, whilst 50 Dunlin were on the far side of the Conder mouth, with 20 Black-tailed Godwit noted, 4 Red-breasted Merganser seen here again.
Golden Plover Jan Larrson
At Cockersands, I saw up to 350 Golden Plover high in the air and changing directions until I lost them to view, two hours later I counted 105 Golden Plover quietly crouched in an Abbey Farm field. At Bank Houses horse paddock, 6 Tree Sparrow, and 4 Blackbird. On the circuit I heard a Skylark in it's never ending flight song, and saw just one Meadow Pipit.
Lapwing Brian Rafferty
It's on days like this you realise the status of some of the UK's birds, in particular today's farmland birds and the breeding Lapwings at Cockersands, where those in at least one field here have already lost their first breeding attempts to agricultural 'activities'....Ahhhh well, I suppose we'll be expecting our Corn Flakes and dozens of other consumer options for the choosing on the mile long shelves at the supermarket next time we go there!
Here on Sheppey, if it isn't farmed, they stick houses on it, if not houses then solar panel farms or wind turbines - we've had them all, and so far farming still comes out as the best option for wildlife.
ReplyDeletePete,
ReplyDeleteI used to get Golden plover visiting here among the flocks of Lapwing, but those same farming activities have put pay to all but a few flyover Lapwings :-(
Hi Pete!!! How are you??..
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise to see my ring ouzel header .. Thanks.. Here spring advances and new species are already waiting .. I hope you continue well and soooo happy .. Best regards ..
Derek....Couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteWarren....I understand your remarks perfectly and always appreciate them.
Ana....I love surprises too and your RO is brilliant. I hope you continue well also.