A Nice Surprise.

Stonechat. Cockersand 7 April. Pete Woodruff.

I didn't really expect a migrant Stonechat on Friday, but was pleasantly surprised to find a female on the fence posts by the cover crop on Slack Lane at Cockersand, the bird was still there on my return two hours later when I managed this nearly decent shot. 

Also around the cover crop was 18 Linnet, at least 8 White Wagtail were in the flooded field again, few in number of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit with a pair of Shoveler seen, close by 4 Whooper Swan were lingering with Mondays c.135 Mute Swan. Otherwise Cockersand offered little reward for the effort along the headland, but a male Wheatear never fails to be good, and 5 Twite had probably separated themselves from the flock in fields around the Lighthouse Cottage area recently.

Being I suspected they had all departed and gone off to breed, surprised to find a Little Grebe in fine summer plumage on Conder Pool, where I saw my first 2 Sand Martin briefly over the pool, 7 Tufted Duck and a Little Egret also noted, the Lesser Black-backed Gull pair looked menacing across the far side and were seen mating here on Thursday. In the creeks, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, and Common Sandpiper.

Along the coastal path to Glasson Dock, the only birds seen were 2 Robin and a Blue Tit. On the Lune Estuary at Glasson, 18 Eider was an exceptional count here, otherwise c.180 Redshank and 2 Dunlin were feeding as far as the eye could see to the Conder mouth, and a single Sand Martin flew downstream. 

Yesterday afternoon, a Raven gave an excellent show of aerobatics high over Bowerham in Lancaster.

Eyes down look in!

Dotterel. Cockersand 16 April 2013. Chris Batty.    

OK, it was 4 years ago, but I was reminded of finding this Dotterel amongst 275 Golden Plover in a field by Abbey Farm.

Thanks to Noushka for the amazing header image of the Marsh Harrier and Buzzard in aerial conflict.