I hadn’t seen a Wheatear until today but when after lunch I walked towards Pilling Water I saw three of them; within 5 minutes I caught two in spring traps whilst the third watched proceedings from the top of the single bare elderberry tree.
Earlier on I didn’t expect to see any Wheatears because of the Merlin sat amongst the rocks of the sea wall in my favoured Wheatear catching location. Maybe it was the sight of those white rumps from the distant marsh that brought it near in the first place, but as soon as it saw me it sped off again.
Other birds seen this afternoon with combined Lane Ends/Pilling Water counts: Little Grebe 2, Gadwall 2, Meadow Pipit 6, Goldfinch 6, Little Egret 4, Reed Bunting 2, Linnet 3, Skylark 3, Long-tailed Tit 2. Additional birds of prey were represented by a male Sparrowhawk over the plantation and a male Peregrine both sat on and dashing over the marsh towards Cockerham.
I called in at a Little Owl spot for another twosome: I guess this goes on Birdtrack as a positive breeding record?
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