Iceland!

It wasn't the plan when I set out to do my estuary thing on Thursday, but the day soon became one that took account of how some of the birds I found where struggling with the freezing conditions of the past couple of weeks....Thankfully conditions have eased a little now.

The day started with my finally finding one of the Stonechat currently residing at Conder Green, with a bird seen at Conder Pool. 

These 8 Little Grebe - and a passing lorry on the B5290 - were taking advantage of an ice free area in the creeks, though I have to say, these grebes from Conder Pool have usually taken to the ice-free waters of the Lune Estuary by December.

The waders and wildfowl were really struggling with the frozen Conder channel and mud banks, and a small group of Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit together with a Snipe out in the open, appeared to be making futile attempts to find food on the now frozen marsh.

Along Jeremy Lane, up to 40 Whooper Swan of which notably, probably 25% were juvenile, they were with c.50 Mute Swan also desperately prodding at the grass in an attempt to feed....I saw not a single other Whooper Swan at Cockersand today.

At Cockersand, 3 Song Thrush seen, this one was with a Redwing searching the shingle. Also to note on a wander, 4 Stonechat, 9 Meadow Pipit, and 4 Wren.

Of 82 Pink-footed Geese in a field north of Bank Houses, 45 took to the wing to circle before settling again in the field.

This Robin was one of 10 Robin and at least 40 Blackbird I saw on the day at Glasson/Cockersand. I have no idea what it was up to walking around my feet. In the header image, the bird looks in good nick on the old iron railway bridge, but maybe it was on the lookout for a snack. 

For the wrong reasons it was a good days birding for me, though it wasn't good to see the struggling icebound birdlife. I hung around for one of those amazing Cockersand sunsets, to end the day with a mindful moment....Sound On!