Eider. Pete Woodruff.
This drake Eider squat alone on Plover Scar at high tide yesterday, is the first I've seen for over three months anywhere on the Lune Estuary between Glasson Dock and Bank End when I saw seven off Plover Scar on 22 July.
It was more of the same - hard work - at Cockersand, with 57 waders on Plover Scar at high tide, 45 Turnstone, 8 Oystercatcher, and 4 Redshank. In a ditch to the north of Bank House Cottage, which the farmer succeeded in draining last year, but which - to the benefit of the wildfowl - is slowly flooding again, 5 Teal and 17 Wigeon grazing close by have pitched up there. Otherwise, 3 Robin and 2 Meadow Pipit were the only other birds I could muster.
The swans were around Thursland Hill again, even more difficult yesterday with poor visibility, but I reckon at least 12 Whooper Swan are with 72 Mute Swan as last Friday. Off Crook Farm, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Black-tailed Godwit noted, and as I drove away from here along Moss Lane, 2 Fieldfare and a single Redwing seen.
On the Lune Estuary, a Little Stint gave the day a big lift, it was with c.250 Dunlin and fewer Redshank, at least 2,000 Lapwing, with 2 Great-crested Grebe still around, and at least 200 Snipe here equalled the same amazing number in the flooded field at Crimbles on 31 August.
At Conder Green, a Spotted Redshank and Common Sandpiper were on show again with 'the' lone Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Little Grebe were seen as six on Conder Pool and two in the creeks.
There's a good time coming....honest!
The swans were around Thursland Hill again, even more difficult yesterday with poor visibility, but I reckon at least 12 Whooper Swan are with 72 Mute Swan as last Friday. Off Crook Farm, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Black-tailed Godwit noted, and as I drove away from here along Moss Lane, 2 Fieldfare and a single Redwing seen.
On the Lune Estuary, a Little Stint gave the day a big lift, it was with c.250 Dunlin and fewer Redshank, at least 2,000 Lapwing, with 2 Great-crested Grebe still around, and at least 200 Snipe here equalled the same amazing number in the flooded field at Crimbles on 31 August.
At Conder Green, a Spotted Redshank and Common Sandpiper were on show again with 'the' lone Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Little Grebe were seen as six on Conder Pool and two in the creeks.
There's a good time coming....honest!
It might have been hard work, Pete, but I'd have been more than delighted with the sightings you had! There are birds on those lists that I haven't seen in a long while, and one I've never seen - I'll let you guess which one!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - Richard