The hit and miss day started at Conder Pool - no surprises there then - where another first for this amazing site was finding 16 Shoveler present. Seen as migrants in a group never seen in this number on Conder Pool ever before according to my records. Another good record was 2 Gadwall drake, seen as a species I last recorded on Conder Pool 10 years ago, on 8 April 2016.
My other notes from Conder Pool, up to 130 Black-headed Gull, 28 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, and 2 Little Grebe. In the creeks, 65 Teal and 2 Goosander noted.
I paid an all time briefest of visits to Cockersand to find a female Stonechat playing hide and seek in the long grasses behind Bank Houses, where I spent a little time behaving like someone hunting down the owls and raptors for a picture without success.
Todays big miss came when I drove past Haresnape's Farm twice, on the way to and returning from Cockersand, and failed to spot 135 Russian White-fronted Geese on the north side of the farm....FBC WhatsApp
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On the receiving end of a heads-up about some swans at Cockerham, I went off to find 2 Bewick's Swan with 105 Whooper Swan off Hillam Lane.
Thanks to Ian Walker for his excellent image of the Cockersand Bewick's December 2025.
I then continued down the road to Bank End to gain the brief view of a stunning male Black Redstart before flying off to disappear amongst the farm buildings, then standing around for an hour to see if it returned....I'll leave that story there then!
Thanks to Paul Ellis for the excellent image of this stunning bird.
This female Black Redstart I found on the flood defences 21 years ago at Fluke Hall in March 2005.
The swans at Cockersand and Cockerham where all over the place today, spread over six fields, and amounted to an estimated total of up to 400 Whooper Swan.
On my wanderings today, I found a pair of Brown Hare, they had been behaving like it was the Mad March season, but just chilled out as I got the camera out.
Excellent photos Pete, I love the birds and swans.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline. Hope you are keeping well.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Your photos are stunning and that flock of birds is quite a sight.
ReplyDeleteThe Pink-footed Geese and Black-tailed Godwits were spectacular for sure, and the Black Redstart was a stunning bird too. Thank you Sami.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Those geese are quite some spectacle aren’t they when in those numbers.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the Hares, hope they are left alone.
Interesting sightings on Conder Pool. Good pictures and videos, thanks for sharing.
Ian M
Thank you Ian, and hope you are well.
ReplyDeletePete.
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeletethe number of black-tailed godwits is really impressive, the hare on the right in the picture looks very, how should I put it, aggressive ;-)
Cheers, Frank
The godwits were impressive, and the hare does look very aggressive. Thanks for your continuing visits Frank, I appreciate them very much.
DeleteRegards....Pete.
Mooi om te zien Pete.
ReplyDeletePracht foto van de roodstaart en de hazen.
Groetjes Tinie
Pleased you like the redstart and the hares, also pleased with your approval of the pictures Tinie. Might I congratulate you on the latest post on your nature blog.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Lovely video of the Hares. They look quite relaxed. Always a good day if you see a Black Redstart... but a male Black Redstart...wwwhrooaarr. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI was quite pleased with the hare video, and yes the male Black Restart sighting, though too brief, was certainly a 'wwwhrooaarr' for me Marc.
ReplyDeleteRegards...Pete.