I was at Knott End this morning, enjoying ten minutes of sunshine before the clouds rolled in from the west. By 1030 when the promised snow arrived as hail, sleet and then rain I had switched the camera to ISO800 for the overcast skies.
The bitterly cold easterly wind had kept many punters in bed, leaving the jetty and the Esplanade reasonably free from walkers and four-legged friends, resulting in a good selection of waders to be seen at close quarters and a few wildfowl on the more distant water: 2500+ Oystercatcher, 270 Knot, 145 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover, 24 Turnstone, 50 Redshank and a single Sanderling. On the estuary I noted just 4 Eider and 30+ Shelduck. Passerines came in at just 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Goldfinch and 60+ Starling. I saw the Black Redstart flying through the gloomy, unfinished rooms of the building site, but didn’t hang about to get more photographs, it was simply becoming too cold.
The redstart is getting quite attached to the confines of the incomplete building but if it finds a mate there may be complications as the builders have stated their intention to restart work on the site soon. I wonder if they know about the Black Redstart and are aware of the fact that the species is classified as a Schedule 1 and so afforded Special Protection? In other words, if the redstart finds a partner and begins a breeding attempt within the building site, legally that should stop any disturbance to the birds, including commencement of building work. We shall see.
Although by now the sleety rain was closing in I drove up to Pilling where along Backsands Lane I found about 500 Pink-footed Geese, 7 White-fronted Geese and in the same field, 2 Snipe crouched in the grass. There was also a Lapwing, probably a male with that elongated crest, and also ringed on the left leg; perhaps one from recent or not so recent years, as Lapwings can live 20 years, almost as long as I have ringed Lapwings about here.
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14 comments:
Great birds for the NW Phil, Black Redstart and WF Goose......
Hi Phil: You lucky person I have up to now been unable to find the Geese on Backsands Lane where they are closer & not as much traffic.JWB.
Cool collection of birds, I love the lapwings and the snipe is one of my favorite birds.
you've got some great shots, here. the snipe is my favorite. love the shorebirds.
I love it....I'm one that loves to go birding along our coastal highways. That Lapwing is stunning.
My Saturday Link: BALD EAGLE I do hope you can find time to pay me a visit and say hello.
This is a great series of bird photos.
Hey Phil...What you meant to say is that the smart people started in bed and the fool went out ; } just razing ya!!
So the snow never developed..lucky you...and you met up will some nice shore birds..those snipes get to me everytime I just love those guys!!
I bet you just can't wait to get out there with your nets again...it will come eventually!!
Got to go I have used all my toes and need my fingers now ; }
Grace
Amigo Phil, tu siempre capturando bellos ejemplares, me gusta mucho la última de las fotos, con el detalle de la anilla en la pata. Buen trabajo y un abrazo para ti amigo
Fantastic shots, Phil! I really like the Lapwing, Snipe, and Turnstone. They're all great, though!
Good to know that there's even a possibility to halt development just for a protected species to breed. There's certainly no such thing here in Malaysia. Beautiful shots by the way.
Fantastic shots!
Great photos Phil! Sure sounds cold, but looks like it worth braving!
Beautiful photos.
Regards and best wishes
While such a simple bird, that Redstart is really quite beautiful. Can't help falling in love with the snipe.
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