Can't resist the juvenile Black-winged Pratincole for my latest header image. Referred to as a fantastic 'first for the Fylde' find by Adam Hutt, it was seen hawking insects over fields south and east of Cocker's Dyke Houses on 28 September. It was the 3rd Lancashire record, and 29 years since the last one.
Thanks to Adam for the record and to Paul for the image, excellent on both counts.
Spotted Redshank Conder Creek 7 October. Pete Woodruff.
It was good to find 2 Spotted Redshank were still on Conder Pool, with a Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe for company. Otherwise the place was deserted, but I note there has been some refurbishment to the screen, and posts have been installed much to the delight of the photographic fraternity.
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Kingfisher Conder Pool. Pete Woodruff.
I'm not sure precisely where the appreciation should go to for the work done on the screen, but I would like to voice mine here on B2B....Thank You.
On the Lune Estuary at Glasson, it was good to see an increase in wader numbers with c.3,360 in my notes, consisting of at least 2,000 Lapwing and 650 Golden Plover, also 325 Dunlin 250 Curlew, 120 Redshank, 16 Snipe, and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit. Also noted were 255 Greylag and 16 Little Egret.
It was interesting to find the Bar-tailed Godwit close in and feeding on the mud, characteristically more active than the Black-tailed Godwit, and probing for prey whilst walking.
Also interesting was the Black-headed Gull I found, it stood out amongst the few hundred other gulls and was in breeding plumage complete with full hood.
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The photograph has no value other than evidence of a Black-headed Gull in full breeding plumage on the Lune Estuary nearing the end of October. At the distance, similar to and recalling adult Bonaparte's Gull, from which separation is difficult....Dream on😉
The HBHM was back in the garden again, in fading light at 6.10pm Monday 19 October. I reckon this was the last we see of this moth, it having returned to our garden 32 times since it first appeared here a little over 4 months ago 0n 17 June....I was surprised to find in my records, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was seen in our garden 4 years ago in October 2022.
And Finally.
A pair of Greenfinch appeared in the garden yesterday, a major event for our little urban garden in South East Lancaster.
The Greenfinch was added to the UK Red List 5 years ago in 2021. Perhaps the birds in our garden were migrant winter visitors from Fennoscandia!
Beautiful. I like the kingfisher. Sometimes I see the greenfinch in Denmark. I didn't see golden plovers here between the lapwings last week. Have a nice week. Greets.
ReplyDeleteQuick off the mark, just 24 minutes since I posted....Thank you for looking in and your comments, always appreciated Caroline.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Nice videos and pictures as usual Pete.
ReplyDeleteThat HBHM likes your garden. You say it has visited 32 times, but that is only that you know about, it could have been many times more.
Black Headed Gull in breeding plumage, early? I have recently seen Blue Tits inspecting my nest box and last Thursday a Magpie carrying nesting material! Strange.
Thanks as always for the blog.
Ian Mitchell
Just imagine, if the HBMH has visited on 32 chance sightings, just twice that number of unseen visits would amount to 64, and I wouldn't expect to see a Magpie carrying nesting material until late March at the earliest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments Ian....Pete.
Interesting comment about the gulls, Pete. Here it would be the exact reverse. Bonaparte’s Gull is as common as bad politicians at certain times of the year, but a Common Black-headed Gull would be a dance-in-the-streets kind of sighting. Location, location, location! Best wishes - David
ReplyDeleteThanks for this David. The only reason why this bird wasn't a Bonaparte's Gull, are that the percentages were against it.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.