Conder Pool.
I found my first migrants this week, the first being a pair of Little Ringed Plover on Conder Pool.
The first bird was seen on the small island to the right of the viewing platform, it soon flew off. The next sighting was of a bird on the island behind the main Common Tern raft, was joined by a second bird. I was soon able to observe display behaviour, with posturing seen. I had seen the same behaviour between a pair last year on Conder Pool 26 March.
Other notes from Conder Pool, numbers of godwit continue to fall, with just 280 Black-tailed Godwit today, they were accompanied by at least 10 Knot. Also 15 Avocet in view, and 5 Tufted Duck noted, the Shoveler have departed.
Cockersand.
My second migrant species was the 2 Wheatear male, seen off the headland.
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I'm not seeing the Tree Sparrow at Cockersand in anything like the numbers that used to be, though I did find 40 here last September. this time just 3 Tree Sparrow were around Bank Houses, 2 Stock Dove were in a field. The number of swans are dwindling, with no more than 160 Whooper Swan in fields off Moss Lane. I noted 3 Buff-tailed Bumblebee.
Lune Estuary.
The estuary at Glasson Dock was near deserted 3 hours after high tide, but 10 Avocet saved the day. If this number is in addition to the birds seen on Conder Pool 3 hours earlier - I ran out of time to call back and check - the grand total would be 25 Avocet. A pair of Red-breasted Merganser were also to note. I saw not a single Wigeon here today, but a few lingering gulls also added a bit of life to the area.
Red-tailed Bumblebee.
Bombus lapidarius. Pete Woodruff.
In the garden this week, I found my first Red-tailed Bumblebee of the year.
Pete - Glad you got to see your first Whearear, nice header pic. Good to hear the Little Ringed Plover are back on Conder Pool, wonder how many pairs this year and what breeding success they will have? The season is changing now winter visitors leaving and summer ones arriving with others waking up. Hopefully things will warm up a bit in the next couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteIan Mitchell
The Wheatear is from last year Hawthornthwaite, pleased to see you think it a nice image Ian, but it lacks sharpness.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Quite a few migratory birds have arrived here in Finland now. But not many special ones yet. That last photo is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear the summer visitors are arriving with you in Finland, and thank you for the compliments on the bumblebee image Sami.
ReplyDeletePete.
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteThe migratory birds are slowly returning; the stork pair arrived here last week. Who knows what other surprises are in store? It's always an exciting time. The bumblebee picture is lovely; there's a real buzz at my bee hotel when the sun's out.
Cheers, Frank
Thank you for your always interesting comments. There has been a quite spectacular fall of migrants in and around our are today 7 April, including a quite early flycatcher sp.
ReplyDeleteRegards to you Frank....Pete.