Saturday, December 10, 2011

Grey, Black, Red

The wind and rain relented just enough for a blast around the local patch this morning, although it was a far from ideal dull, grey and breezy day, with no chance of a ringing session.

A check at Lane Ends found 13 White-fronted Geese on the field opposite the entrance, and then from above, 3 Little Egret, 3 Tufted Duck and singles of Goldeneye and Teal.

White-fronted Goose

Fluke Hall Lane proved more a little more fruitful with 8 Reed Bunting and 15 Tree Sparrow feeding at the entrance to HiFly’s track, and 200+ Jackdaw, 250+ Woodpigeon and 16 Whooper Swan on the wet stubble.

Reed Bunting

Lots of Pink-footed Geese, grey against grey of the muddy potato field, more than 1500 and many hidden from view, but when horseback riders came by the whole of the flock erupted off the field, many going further inland. In the left foreground of the picture is the orange legged bird, but otherwise I saw nothing unusual. Also in the same field were 40 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, 2 Curlew and 11 Greenfinch.

Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

With the tide due at 11am I checked out Knott End where I caught up with the elusive Black Redstart, still ducking in and out of the metal girders and the rocks on the shore. In the same area were 21 Twite, 2 Pied Wagtail and 1 Rock Pipit.

Shore bird counts: 12 Eider, 32 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 48 Oystercatcher, 400+ Dunlin and 25 Redshank.

Black Redstart

Turnstone

7 comments:

  1. That Black Redstart is just way too cute Phil...it ought to be in pictures;~) Have a great remainder to your weekend~

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  2. Hey Phil..just read your weather report you let on my post...sorry
    about that gray matter ; } lol!!
    I see it is not keeping you from being out there practicing your numbers ..how far can you count to now!
    Quite the gaggle of geese you en"count"ered ..had to get that count in there!!
    I do like that Redstart..a fine looking bird,and is trained in posing I think!! lol

    Have a good week old friend
    Grace

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  3. Hi Phil

    The pink-footed Geese flying is a beautiful capture.

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  4. A very interesting post and the only bird I can positively ID is the Ruddy Turnstone. I like the way you have photographed them with their eyes half shut and very relaxed.

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  5. The Pink-footed Geese are really intense and love that Black Redstart. Redstarts are real gems aren't they?

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  6. Those Geese have enormous wing spans. Great photos.

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