Decent Start....Decent End.

A decent start to the day yesterday, when a Goldcrest was in the plum tree in our garden, and a few minutes later, a Small Tortoiseshell was the first butterfly of the year.

Although 5 days later than the influx of 26 February 2024, when I arrived at Conder Pool, it was good to find up to 1,500 Black-tailed Godwit there again, 2 Dunlin were also in the mix, and maybe other stuff if I look through the video later.

Also to note on Conder Pool, I found 9 Shoveler there still, 2 Gadwall drake there too, and 2 Pink-footed Geese looked a little lost.

Kestrel. Pete Woodruff.

A Buzzard was over the fields along Jeremy Lane, and as I drove along Moss Lane, a female Kestrel was on a lookout post giving me an opportunity to grab a shot through the windscreen.

The Cockersand area swans where widely fragmented today, scattered over seven fields between the south end of Jeremy Lane, off both sides of Moss Lane, and through to distant fields behind the north side of Bank End Farm. I estimated a total of at least 400 Whooper Swan, probably being a peak count in the area this winter according to my records.

Plover Scar was pretty quiet, though two mutt minders were in the area, with 12 animals running riot. I noted about 20 Turnstone and 15 Knot. Three Cormorant were roosting on the railings on the lighthouse, and 6 Meadow Pipit seen. A male Stonechat was in the rough grasses again behind Bank Houses, as it has been through this winter.

When I called in to the Lune Estuary 4 hours after I had been to Conder Pool, the flock of 1,500 Black-tailed Godwit had returned here after the tide had receded. But a more interesting sight, was that of 17 Avocet along the shoreline to the Conder mouth, also a decent count of at least 450 Wigeon. 

Goldeneye Glasson Basin 3 March. Ian Mitchell.

Thanks to Ian Mitchell for the heads up and image of the Goldeneye drakes. These represent just three Goldeneye I've seen all winter. Much appreciated Ian, a nice end to a good day for me.

As drove back to Lancaster, 5 Buzzard were together over Ashton Nursery.