A Window Of Opportunity.

On a wall to wall sunny Monday, it was good to get back to the estuary for a look around. But, Conder Pool is dead....Long Live Conder Pool. 

Seven Little Grebe were in the creeks, they had deserted Conder Pool like everything else it seemed, the only two species and 26 birds, was 12 Black-headed Gull and 14 Mallard which were hauled out on the near island, also in the creeks, up to 160 Teal noted. On the circuit, a Kingfisher seen, also two small flock of very mobile 30 Fieldfare and 18 Redwing.

There was little action on the River Lune at Glasson Dock, 120 Golden Plover was a low count here, as was 12 Black-tailed Godwit and 42 Curlew, but 550 Wigeon was my best count to date here, and 5 Goosander seen. On the canal basin, 32 Tufted Duck and 5 Goosander.

There are good numbers of Fieldfare still around in the Cockersand area, you get the feeling they're everywhere, also up to 290 Curlew in fields and shore, and 12 Black-tailed Godwit, with c.30 Meadow Pipit either hidden in the grass or flighty, also 10 Greenfinch, and a Mistle Thrush was bird of the day on status for me, I don't recall the last one seen here.

Stonechat Cockersand 9 December. Pete Woodruff.

My last five visits to Cockersand have all ended with a grand finale near dusk, four with chats and one with Twite. This time, I arrived back at Lighthouse Cottage and found the pair of Stonechat, they were busy foraging between the bulrushes, in the grasses below the fence posts on Slack Lane, and in the set aside opposite. This was as near as I got to the male Stonechat for a pik, it bears all the hallmarks of a typical attempt by me to master the art of photography with the equipment available.

My day ended at Cockersand at dusk looking to Clougha Pike in Bowland. Clik the pik....it's bigger if not better. 

Thanks to BR for the Fieldfare header image, much appreciated Brian.