Compared to more like the average six hours in winter, four around Conder Green and Cockersand is a dash in my book.
Conder Pool continues to be almost void of birds recently, with no muddy edges and looking more like Conder Lake following the recent high tides, but I did note a pair of Goosander, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Greylag, and a 'few' Wigeon with probably more in hiding behind the islands. During an hour spent at Conder Green, I counted 16 Blackbird, 12 of which were counted in a few minutes from the viewing platform feeding on berries along the canal side.
At Cockersand, the negatives first, there was no sign of the winter Wheatear or any Snow Buntings. The positives were, 2 Stonechat seen, one along Slack Lane, and another in the rough field behind Lower Bank House which is a favoured haunt annually of the wintering Cockersand chats. Can never resist the image of a Stonechat....Many Thanks to PE.
In the area around the Caravan Park, 16 Greenfinch were a count exceeding any I've made anywhere for some time, also a bouncing flyby of c.30 Twite destination Bank End it seemed. A lone Tree Sparrow was the first seen in 12 months when I saw 3 at Bank Houses on 14 December 2021, also here today, a lone Fieldfare was my first of the winter.
The only notable reward for a circuit trundle was up to 500 Black-tailed Godwit off Crook Farm, and I saw an egret seeing off another which looked a bigger bird, probably the Great White Egret I saw on the estuary 14 November. I took my eyes off them for a moment, but noticed one made a U turn and went down to a pool off Plover Scar. I thought this was the larger bird, but the video proves me wrong....again!!
Garden Birds.
We had 10 Goldfinch in a flock visiting the feeders yesterday. We also have a healthy resident flock of House Sparrow this year. There are up to 30 in the video....Watch 'em disappear in sync at the end...Sparrowhawk around perhaps.
I have also been seeing about the same number of Greenfinch but nearer the horses in the field with the watchtower.
ReplyDeleteSome brilliant pictures especially the Wagtail.
Thanks for the update.
Regards Ian
A little historical info for you here Ian. The building behind the 'watchtower' was a derelict barn probably 15 years ago, and was the best location in the area to find Little Owl. The man - who I know well - renovated the barn into a desirable and valuable property at the expense of ejecting the owls forever, unavoidably of course.
ReplyDeleteMartin Jump has a brilliant series of images of the Grey Wagtail, and will appreciate your comment.
Regards....Pete.
Some excellent photos there, Pete, but I was most taken by your video and note about your garden House Sparrows. We use to have those sort of numbers on a daily basis until about five or so years ago, but these days we are only getting into single figures - today was one of our highest recent counts, with just five recorded.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
We have had a healthy number of House Sparrow since moving in here 10 years ago Richard.
ReplyDeleteKind Regards, and Lindsey too....Pete.