This year has seen an exceptional autumn Ruff passage in our area, since I found 2 at Cockersand on 4 September, to date I've seen 50 Ruff, the best being 14 on the shore off Lighthouse Cottage at Cockersand on 26 September, and 18 on the Lune Estuary at Glasson on 6 October.
On Friday I found an adult male Ruff at Cockersand for the third time in a week, this time it was in the field beyond Bank Houses horse paddock with 5 Stock Dove and a few Redshank. In other fields, 550 Golden Plover and 150 Curlew. Seven Snipe came up off the marsh opposite the caravan park, up to 20 Twite were were mobile, initially in the rough field behind Bank House Cottage from where I watched a Merlin single out a Starling from the mass before being lost to view to see a result of the attack.
In the Willows and by the cover crop on Slack Lane, 45 Fieldfare, 14 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, and a Skylark heard.
The Lune Estuary at Glasson was uninspiring, but the first Goldeneye on here this winter was a drake, with 4 Bar-tailed Godwit and 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Great-crested Grebe were my only other notes.
Of the 7 Little Grebe seen at Conder Green, two were on Conder Pool with five in the creeks. Also on the pool, up to 150 Teal, 24 Tufted Duck and 19 Wigeon. The Common Sandpiper was again downstream by the bridge, and along the coastal path, 12 Blackbird, 12 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, and 2 Mistle Thrush over.
On Friday I found an adult male Ruff at Cockersand for the third time in a week, this time it was in the field beyond Bank Houses horse paddock with 5 Stock Dove and a few Redshank. In other fields, 550 Golden Plover and 150 Curlew. Seven Snipe came up off the marsh opposite the caravan park, up to 20 Twite were were mobile, initially in the rough field behind Bank House Cottage from where I watched a Merlin single out a Starling from the mass before being lost to view to see a result of the attack.
Fieldfare. Richard Pegler@ Peglerbirding
In the Willows and by the cover crop on Slack Lane, 45 Fieldfare, 14 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, and a Skylark heard.
The Lune Estuary at Glasson was uninspiring, but the first Goldeneye on here this winter was a drake, with 4 Bar-tailed Godwit and 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Great-crested Grebe were my only other notes.
Of the 7 Little Grebe seen at Conder Green, two were on Conder Pool with five in the creeks. Also on the pool, up to 150 Teal, 24 Tufted Duck and 19 Wigeon. The Common Sandpiper was again downstream by the bridge, and along the coastal path, 12 Blackbird, 12 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, and 2 Mistle Thrush over.
Birding till dusk. Cockersand Abbey & Farm. Pete Woodruff.
Thanks to Richard for the Fieldfare, and to Antonio for the header image of the Chough.
I love Antonio's Chough image, Pete!
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be having an excellent year for winter thrushes in these parts at the moment. Sadly, however, our garden has already been stripped of berries - so planted another berry tree a couple of weeks ago!
With my best wishes - - - Richard
Thanks for keeping in touch via Birds2blog Richard, I appreciate this very much and note all your comments.
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