Waylaid

Two birds slowed me down this morning whereby I spent a little time taking photographs instead of just birding. But at least I got some new pictures for the blog, the lack of fresh material, ideas, text and photographs being a constant challenge.

Firstly on my way through Pilling it was a Barn Owl again, which I spotted some way off as it hunted over the roadside fields ahead. I pulled up and rattled off a few shots, in poor light as usual. This blog actually exists on two themes, one of which is birds and the second one being the legendary British weather that interferes so often with my bird related activities, whether birding, ringing or photography. This morning was no different as I spent ten minutes with the Barn Owl before a blustery shower from the west caused the owl to head back to its barn and me to wind up the car window in disgust again. I didn’t see the owl catch breakfast this morning but it spent time looking in the same locality as last week, mostly sitting, waiting and fence hopping.

Barn Owl

At Conder Green there were hundreds and hundreds of Lapwing around using not just the pool and creeks but the recently sileaged field behind the canal, from where they spooked frequently as I watched from the lay by. I easily counted over 400 today. Otherwise I logged the regulars that change both species and numbers frequently enough to keep us birders checking out CG just in case. 5 Common Sandpipers,1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, 40+ Redshank, 3 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Wigeon and the inevitable solitary Grey Heron. Alongside the road about 15 Goldfinch fed on the thistle heads, just like they are supposed to do.

Goldfinch

There were 2 Little Egrets this morning, one of which came reasonably close enough for me to pocket a few photographs towards the archive back up. I spent a while taking pictures of the egret until two birdwatchers arrived who promptly stuck heads and arms through the “hide” windows and scared the egret into the distance.

Little Egret and Lapwing
Little Egret
Little Egret

At Lane Ends the wind and rain loomed large and dark over Fluke Hall to the west but I found 5 Little Egrets roosting on the most sheltered part of the island, and on the water a Tufted Duck with 2 young chicks, the second “tufty” brood this year. Down near the car park I found both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in the sheltered trees, but singles of each.

Rain - Heading Your Way Soon
Tufted Duck
Little Egret

I walked to Pilling Water more for the walk than in anticipation of any numbers of birds and I was not surprised to find little of great interest save for continuance of the heron theme with 4 more Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons. I turned my back on the incoming shower and headed back to Lane Ends logging two Kestrels and a single Swift before I dived for shelter into the car.