Brilliant Birds Staggering Numbers.

Christmas saw the start of what has become a mass influx of Russian White-fronted Geese (WFG) into the country. For much of this year so far, the wind has come from the east, particularly so in the first days of February. The combination of this easterly flow and lowering temperatures on the Continent has resulted in huge numbers of these geese building up across Britain, culminating in what is best described as staggering.

A couple of examples of these numbers are, a flock of WFG in West Midlands increased over three days, from 5 birds to 305, but this count was soon buried by a flock nearer to home, by that of an estimated 507 WFG at Pilling Moss in Lancashire on Sunday 8 February.

Cockersand Goose Fest.

Tundra Bean Goose. Tom Parkinson.

I'll start my share of experience of this unprecedented event, with the record of a Tundra Bean Goose at Cockersand 7 February. Found and photographed by Tom Parkinson, and was accompanied by 138 Russian White-fronted Geese. Thanks for this Tom, much appreciated.

Cockersand Monday 9 February.

White-fronted Geese/Pink-footed Geese

Nothing pleasant about the weather, dull with a cold wind, when I went to Cockersand today. Otherwise I would refer to the experience as, brilliant birds in staggering numbers. 

Barnacle Geese/Pink-footed Geese

There has been a range of varying numbers recorded over recent days, but personal counts today were, totals of 35 White-fronted Geese, 61 Barnacle Geese, and an estimate of up to 1,000 Pink-footed Geese.

Stonechat/Pink-footed Geese. Pete Woodruff.

Whilst viewing the geese in the field north side of Abbey Farm, I noted a Stonechat on the spoil heap being the sentinel for the Geese. 

1st winter male Stonechat Cockersand 9 February. Pete Woodruff.

A pair of Stonechat have been around here since I found them here 29 December. Up to 2,500 Black-tailed Godwit were feeding on the shore between Lighthouse Cottage to Crook Farm, 6 Skylark flew over >south.

There was an estimate of 220 Whooper Swan in a field south side of Moss Lane, and the 2 Bewick's Swan were in the field by Slack Lane. 

Lune Estuary.

Wigeon/Black-tailed Godwit

I called in at the bowling green to view the south shoreline to find at least 3,000 Black-tailed Godwit, 1,500 Lapwing, 250 Wigeon, and 220 Curlew.

Bewick's Swans.

The 2 Bewick's Swan seen off Slack Lane on Monday are the birds I found there 20 November 2025. But something of a mystery has developed since November, there have been several records of Bewick's Swans between Cockersand and Braides. The latest three sightings are....

9 Feb. Slack Lane Cockersand 2 Bewick's Swan

10 Feb. Braides Cockerham 4 Bewick's Swan

11 Feb. Slack Lane Cockersand 3(!) Bewick's Swan....*Note the 3(!)  

So the mystery of 'how many' Bewick's Swans rages on.

The Wild Goose Chase!

Not a wild goose chase in the strictest sense, but I think the title fitted reasonably well.

The Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons flavirostris is a scarce winter visitor to Lancashire, in fact to reflect recent declines, there were no confirmed records of the species in 2024. The European White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons is an uncommon winter visitor, with a peak count of 3 at a site in 2024. However, although regarded as 'usually uncommon' in our recording area, there's been a huge influx of European White-fronted Geese into the UK, at least 30 have been recorded in the LDBWS recording area in recent days, including a few seen in the Cockersand area.

So based on this exciting news, off I went to see if I could get a share of the action, but here's the rub....having spent 3 hours in the area around Cockersand, not a goose in sight!

But never mind that, on a more rewarding note, parking up at Lighthouse Cottage, I put up the telescope to get some positive ID on waders over at Sunderland Point. Scanning through the birds, I found them to be up to 2,100 Black-tailed Godwit, but better still, half way through the scan, I picked out an Avocet. 

Avocet Conder Pool 2019. Ian Pinkerton.

I know of no winter records of Avocet in our recording area, but note a highest-ever peak winter count in Lancashire, was of 16 Avocet on the December 2020 WeBS, with another 11 Avocet on 26 December on the Fylde Coast. 

Other notes of interest, out in the channel south-west of Plover Scar, at least 3,500 Wigeon, also 130 Curlew in the field south side of Abbey Farm, and up to 120 Whooper Swan were scattered over three fields.

Stonechat C'sand. Pete Woodruff.

Best enjoyment of the day for me, was to watch and follow 2 Stonechat working their way along the fence posts to the spoil heaps, before eventually flying off inland over the field.

Stonechat C'sand. Pete Woodruff.

With many thanks to AC for the heads up, the 2 Bewick's Swan are again back at Braides. 

Struggling for an up to date image of Avocet, I decided to use one of Ian's for old times sake....Thank You Ian!

Thanks to Paul Ellis of the header image of Russian White-fronted Geese at Braides March 2025.