There were 9 Spotted Redshank with Greenshank on Conder Pool 27 September, and the header image is perfect as my introduction to this weeks post on B2B. Thanks to Paul Ellis for this amazing image of record numbers for Conder Pool.
I missed the good stuff again on Conder Pool, with recent records being, 35 Greenshank, and 9 Spotted Redshank, both all time peak counts.
Conder Pool.
When I arrived at Conder Pool on Thursday, I was pleased to be able to count 22 Greenshank and 4 Spotted Redshank.
Although there was just the 26 waders to note, it was good that a lone Bar-tailed Godwit was feeding in front of the screen, at best an irregular visitor to Conder Pool, and not a bird I have ever seen here beyond single figures.
Lune Estuary.
At the estuary on the rising tide, 8 Golden Plover were seen as the vanguards of returning winter birds. Also 190 Curlew was a decent count for the end of September, 550 Lapwing, 220 Redshank, 85 Greylag, and 45 Wigeon completed the picture.
Saltcote Pond.
At the pond, 4 Migrant Hawker, a pair of Common Darter in cop, and a Clouded Yellow butterfly.
Hawker Down.
Whilst at Saltcote Pond, I observed some interesting behavior by three of the Migrant Hawkers, an incident which ended badly for one of the males. I watched a pair in cop for several minutes, they were flying around erratically until they eventually separated, at which point a second male started an attack on the other. I have no idea which of the males ended up in the drink, but it started to swim frantically, then stopped before swimming again.
I watched this desperate attempt to reach some vegetation to emerge from the pond which was impeded by the fact that it kept changing direction.
I left the site feeling helpless, having had to watch this unfortunate creatures desperate attempt to escape from drowning....an experience I hope to never witness ever again.
Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
The regular HBHM to our garden broke its own record on Saturday 3 October, paying its 28th visit in the past 2 months, this time it was around the Honeysuckle when I spotted it....Truly amazing stuff!
Hummingbird Hawk-moth on Salvia 20 September
I reckon any HBHM seen into October, is outside its flight period by the end of September, but interestingly, it is recorded to have occasionally survived mild winters in southern Britain.
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Thanks for the updates on Conder Pool and Saltcote Pond, interesting.
ReplyDeleteShame about the struggling Migrant Hawker.
Enjoyed the video of your Hummingbird Hawk moth, nice to see one for more than a couple of seconds.
Thanks
Ian Mitchell
Nature in the raw, so long as I don't witness it, and the moth was very obliging this time, nectaring in the rain on one of its last visits to the Salvia.
DeleteThanks Ian....Pete.
Whenever I witness something akin to the dragonfly struggling in the water, I wish for a quick end to it. Had a large fish been lurking beneath the surface the insect it would have become prey in an instant and at least filled a role in the food chain. It would probably not be beyond the ability of a kestrel to pluck it from the surface of the water. A hundred and ninety curlews seems like a great count to me. Here in southern Ontario we occasionally see Whimbrel but never Long-billed Curlew, which I last saw in Texas. The best count I had of “your” curlew was at Conwy in Wales one year, but I am a loss to remember how many there were. I know they impressed me mightily. Take good care - David
ReplyDeleteI read your contributions with interest David, and was pleased to hear you had a good count of Curlew in the past in Wales. The Curlew being a species that joins the ever increasing number of Red Listed birds drawn up by the BTO.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Hello Pete,
ReplyDeletehow cool to see multiple Red-legged and Green-legged Moths.
Your header is just a bit too long above your blog (you can adjust the size by clicking on 'adjust size' in your header layout in your design). Your video is really fun to watch when enlarged :-) I love waterbirds.
It was special to see fighting male Hawkers. Unfortunately, it ended badly for one, but you were able to take beautiful photos of it. I just had to watch the video of the Hummingbird Moth in enlarged mode, and what fun to see.
Warm regards,
Helma
There have been some quite spectacular peak counts of various species in our area recently, how interesting your translation becomes 'moths' Helma. Many thanks for your comments, I really do appreciate them Helma.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Quite remarkable observations. Here in Finland, the migratory birds have started flying off to other places.
ReplyDeleteMost of our summer visitors have aslo left us for their winter quarters.
ReplyDeleteThanks for looking in Sami, I really appreciate it....Pete.