The plan on Thursday, was to visit the Lune Estuary at Glasson to see if anything was going to be pushed close in by the incoming tide, then go to Conder Green to see if anything had been displaced by the tide and on to Conder Pool.
The Lune Estuary.
Numbers on the estuary were comparatively disappointing, but I was eventually rewarded by mid-distance views of the Spotted Redshank, it was on the tideline with up to 250 Dunlin and 175 Redshank downstream from the Conder mouth.
Drake Goldeneye. Pete Woodruff.
Also to note, 6 Goldeneye, c.450 Wigeon, and a lone Greenfinch singing atop of a tree by the bowling green.
The Conder Pool Godwits.
There have been two recent reports involving all-time high counts of Black-tailed Godwits on the Lune Estuary, those of 4,500 and 4,600, both seen 18 February....LDBWS
It was immediately apparent why the numbers of waders was low on the Lune Estuary today, and also apparent that the number of Black-tailed Godwit on Conder Pool today was higher than I have previously seen which was 3,500 here on Monday 26 February.
Black-tailed Godwit Conder Pool. Pete Woodruff.
My records for Thursday 29 February read, at least 4,000 Black-tailed Godwit on Conder Pool....Definitely the most spectacular show ever witnessed on Conder Pool, and all for free!
Williamson's Park.
I decided to give the park and cemetery in Lancaster a couple of hours, primarily in the hope of Bullfinch, but that part of the plan failed, but it was good that I found a Song Thrush which was accompanied by 5 Blackbird close by....Note the Blackbird mugging the Song Thrush and stealing its lunch!
A male and female Siskin showed on the feeders at Fenham Carr, a Treecreeper was in the cemetery, and up to 6 Robin and as many Nuthatch were heard in song.
Crocus Lancaster Cemetery. Pete Woodruff.
Stonechats.
I have collected 26 Stonechat records throughout February, but so far spring passage has been nothing like that of 2023, and only 12 Stonechat in these records can safely be regarded as passage birds.
And Finally.
Off Knowleys Road at Heysham last Sunday, a count of 75 Wood Pigeon in the field by the children's play area. And how about this one, a Yellow Wagtail seen at Grange in Cumbria Friday 29 February....A Cumbrian birder agrees with me, the first ever Yellow Wagtail in Britain in February, or more probably a Grey Wagtail!
Leucism.
Organising my images, I came across these two leucistic waders from the archives, the Knot and the Oystercatcher. Probably taken 30 years ago and buried beneath several hundred other images.
A super header image, Pete, and lovely shots of the Goldeneye and godwits too. Sorry that you missed out on the Bullfinch, but that's a very enjoyable video clip of the Song Thrush by way of compensation - disappointing bullying behaviour from the Blackbird, however.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, my prediction that we'd have Lesser Redpoll visit our garden in February came to nothing. Fingers are crossed for this month.
Best wishes to you and KT - - - Richard
Appreciate your comments as always Richard, and good luck with your hopes of Redpoll in the garden during March.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Shame for the Thrush in your video. That looks quite a sight on Conder Pool.
ReplyDeleteLovely picture of the Crocus in the cemetery.
Goldeneye are looking splendid presume they were on the marina.
No mention I can see of Cockersands, did you not get that far?
Thanks for the report.
Ian Mitchell
Didn't get to Cockersand, dull and too windy for my liking, and I'm a bit cheesed off with it to be honest. Yes the Goldeneye were the ones I saw recently on the marina.
DeleteThanks for your continuing interest in B2B Ian....Pete.
Hello Pete,
ReplyDeleteThe picture with the many black-tailed godwits is absolutely my favorite, I've never seen so many before, the crocuses are the first signs of spring, I'm waiting for warm weather here in Germany.
Greetings Frank
Pleased you liked the Back-tailed Godwits, I certainly did. The Crocus are putting on a wonderful show at many locations at the moment, as you say the early sings of spring....Alleluia.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.