By usual standards it was a bit of a whizz around the estuary surroundings on Friday, but at least there was a little quality about the findings, not least because the sight of up to 2,000 Black-tailed Godwit on the Lune Estuary at Glasson was a delight, also a Mediterranean Gull was amongst the gulls, and a Peregrine Falcon was on the south end of Colloway Marsh, recommended if you'd like to see one regularly there, or on the hunt and putting a few thousand waders to flight.
As I was leaving, 6 Whooper Swan flew upstream by me, before swinging south towards Conder Pool or Jeremy Lane I thought.
Thirty minutes later, it was my second guess the swans had chosen and settled on a flood on Jeremy Lane.
Little Owl At Cockersand.
On 28 November 2023, a visiting birder I met opposite Cockersand Abbey, was searching for a Snow Bunting. In a conversation he pointed towards Bank Houses and told me of a Little Owl he had seen on an out building there. In amazement, I told him this was the first Little Owl for Cockersand in 9 years when I had found one at Abbey Farm on 28 November 2014.
I never did find the owl the birder reported to me, but 9 years later on 25 October 2024, I connected with a Little Owl in the very same area he talked of 11 months ago.
I guess only time will tell insect wise with new boardwalk. The main concern would be people leaving the boardwalk and damaging parts of the bog accidentally or deliberately.
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly with my usual negative approach, I hadn't thought of 'people leaving the boardwalk', but I've seen areas of the bog trampled on in the past by those not interested in fieldcraft and the Odonata Code of Conduct....There's always one!
ReplyDeleteGood to talk earlier Steve....Pete.
Great header picture and interesting videos. Glad you got to see the Little Owl especially in the light, my view was in near darkness inside at the very top of the far end of the barn.
ReplyDeleteYour Robin seems very bold. Coal Tits have been absent from my garden recently but may come back now Winter is here.
As regards the boardwalk I don’t know if my picture is the finished article or not as there seemed quite a bit of new wood left so it may do a right tun to end where the old one did.
They have been burning patches of heather up at Birk Bank as well.
Thanks for the update.
Ian Mitchell
I reckon your photo depicts the boardwalk as a done job Ian, It's beyond me why the route was changed in the first place, it's a path over the bog, and there's no cause for one around the perimeter any more.....Time will tell whether I'm right or not.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Hello Pete
ReplyDeletewhen the swans take off it is always very loud, especially when six take off at once, the little owl is really cute, you hardly see it... and the tame robin, the hunger for tasty worms is greater than the fear of people..
Greetings Frank
Thanks for the visit and comments, always appreciated Frank.
DeleteRegards....Pete.
Hi Pete, beautiful photos. We had 2 swans here but they I don't see them anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe swans are beautiful creatures, a pity you don't see them anymore Caroline.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Hello Pete, Congrat for the excellent header, Fantastic !! The swans taking off is spectacular, and the robin is so cute. I usually have at least one staying over the winter in my garden and the small bird feeder. All the best, Lasse
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliment re the Little Owl header image Lasse. Martin Jump will see this comment and be equally pleased too. Good to hear you also have a winter Robin visit your garden.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.