I don’t have much to report today, except perhaps the beginnings of autumn returns, but there are a few new photographs and by special request, the song of a Skylark.
I started well at Pilling with an early Barn Owl at that hunted the ditches and fields east of Lane Ends before it disappeared in the customary direction of Damside, but the owl seemed well aware of my presence and kept out of camera range. Like most owls it hunts a regular beat and if I’m early and patient enough I might try sitting in the car hide one morning.
Lane Ends held 2 singing Reed Warblers this morning, plus the now regular Blackcap and the single somewhat elusive Jay; on the pools, 4 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebe and 40+ Greylag.
There was a flight of Curlew this morning, more than 30 coming from the east and joining the 20 or so birds already out on the marsh, and just like the Lapwings the Curlews are starting to flock in readiness for autumn; so not only does spring come earlier nowadays, so does autumn. Lapwings numbered more than 90 this morning, mostly in a loose flock out on the marsh, but other late breeding birds clearly had young close by judging from their overhead warnings. I also saw my first Redshank chick of the year, with parents and a long way out on the marsh, but at that distance I would guess there were one or two more, especially as the one I saw was tiny. Otherwise Redshanks totalled 40+ birds, more than my recent counts.
I lingered at Pilling Water to count 4 Meadow Pipits, 22 Linnet, 5 Swift, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Pied Wagtail and 2 Grey Heron.
The regular Shelduck numbered 45 but I saw my first Teal of the autumn with 4 birds flying together into the wildfowler’s pools. It was here I found my first returning Common Sandpiper, one of the first waders to reappear once breeding is done, closely followed by Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank, not nesessarily in that order, but almost always during the latter half of June.
I think the Skylarks are used to me wandering through their territories lately. Like many species they don’t like being interrupted so will often allow a human to get a little closer, but only whilst singing, as soon as the song stops so does the co-operation and off they fly. Click on the "xeno-canto" button to enjoy the Skylark's song.
Maybe mist netting tomorrow if the wind doesn’t spring up, but failing that there are a few Swallows to ring.
Nothing to report but you still have nice shots! Love the lark!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Phil. I enjoyed the Skylark's song ever so very much!
ReplyDelete— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Well, you may have not had any new reporting and yet the post is still great Phil! I cannot imagine being able to see an owl in daylight as often as you do, let alone be able to know their area well enough to possibly get captures of them, how grand is that;)
ReplyDeleteI like to watch birds ... congratulations ...:)
ReplyDeleteHey Phil....with nothing to say????
ReplyDeleteI don't think there will every be a day when yoou don't have some interesting tail to tell!!
Love the photos and the Skylark song is lovely ....I can see why everybody is in love with it!!
Grace